Tag: Axe

Paul Kirtley sharpening an axe
Axe Sharpening – What, Why and How To Do It

Axe Sharpening – What, Why and How To Do It

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How to sharpen an axe? Having a good answer to this question is something that should concern anyone who carries or uses an axe. In principle sharpening an axe is not particularly difficult, although there is an additional consideration over the technique that works for sharpening many knives. In the video here I look at using bench stones, modified bench stones, specialist axe stones, small pocket stones, as well as stropping. I finish with a few words on protecting your axe after you have finished sharpening it….

Paul Kirtley and Kevin Callan talking about types of axe
Whisky, Water & Wilderness Axe Skills – Kevin Callan Interviews Me About My Axe Book

Whisky, Water & Wilderness Axe Skills – Kevin Callan Interviews Me About My Axe Book

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Kevin Callan, The Happy Camper, asked me to join him on one of his Whisky Fireside Chat series of video interviews. As usual it was fun chatting with Kevin and along the way, we covered a lot. The jumping-off point for the conversation is the publication of my book Wilderness Axe Skills and Campcraft…

Swedish long log fire known as Nuorssjo closeup of steady flame
Nuorssjo: The Best Log Fire?

Nuorssjo: The Best Log Fire?

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While in Sweden, I locate the right materials in the correct environment to build nuorssjo, a two-log fire, referred to by some as “den bästa stockelden”, literally the best log fire. Watch the process in the video embedded in this post…

Paul Kirtley answering bushcraft and survival questions in episode 13 of Ask Paul Kirtley
#AskPaulKirtley Episode 13: Boots, EDC Kit, Bow-Drill Positions, Tracking, Bushcraft During Hunting Season, Powerless Refrigeration

#AskPaulKirtley Episode 13: Boots, EDC Kit, Bow-Drill Positions, Tracking, Bushcraft During Hunting Season, Powerless Refrigeration

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In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about boots, EDC kit, preparing your equipment for outings, getting started with animal tracking, bushcraft during the hunting season, alternative bow-drill positions and ways of managing without refrigeration while camping.

A three-quarter length axe and a half-length axe
Axe Choice For The Northern Forest

Axe Choice For The Northern Forest

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In the Northern Forest, an axe is your most important cutting tool. There is a general trend amongst outdoors people to carry quite small axes. These small axes are very wieldy, yet you can apply to them to large jobs such as felling trees as well as quite fine jobs such as carving useful implements and splitting quite fine firewood. However, in the Northern Forest, it’s my view, that a larger axe than this has specific advantages…

Cliff Jacobson and Camping’s Top Secrets

Cliff Jacobson and Camping’s Top Secrets

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Cliff Jacobson is one of the wise men of the outdoors. He is one of North America’s best respected and most published outdoors writers. He is the author of over a dozen top-selling books on canoeing, expeditioning, camping and outdoors skills. His excellent book Expedition Canoeing is a vital addition to any wilderness paddler’s…

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Felled dead standing Scots Pine trees in Sweden
Tree Felling For Winter Firewood: Axe and Saw

Tree Felling For Winter Firewood: Axe and Saw

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In this video I look at felling dead, standing timber for firewood in winter. The felling technique involves the use of both the axe and the saw to create a very controlled cut and fall. Further, axe and saw techniques for sectioning the trunk are demonstrated and discussed. Whether you are hot-tenting or bivouacking…

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Winter Magic: Return To The Northern Forest

Winter Magic: Return To The Northern Forest

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Each winter I like to get away to the snow. I enjoy winter mountain walking in Scotland. Ski touring in Norway is also a favourite. But the northern forest in winter has a special allure which is hard to escape. I’ve experienced this environment many times and I’ve certainly written about my love of…

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Surviving A Winter’s Night in the Northern Forest: How To Build An Arctic Lean-To

Surviving A Winter’s Night in the Northern Forest: How To Build An Arctic Lean-To

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A lean-to is a classic shelter of the northern forests. It is an open-fronted shelter that depends upon fire to keep the occupant warm. This type of shelter has the advantage of a relatively simple construction method requiring few tools. As long as you have access to plenty of firewood, a lean-to will keep…

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How To Split Firewood on Snow: Key Axe Techniques

How To Split Firewood on Snow: Key Axe Techniques

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The amount of firewood required in the northern forest in winter demands the use of an axe. Unlike staying in a cabin, however, when staying in a heated tent you are unlikely to have the use of a chopping block. So, you need to have a repertoire of axe techniques that include being able to safely split logs on snow as well as easily produce…