In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on toxic firewood, down sleeping bag cost vs weight, what to do if lost in the woods, what knife to carry, sharpening knives on coffee mugs, using contact lenses outdoors for extended periods, the minimum knowledge to be a bushcrafter and rewilding Britain…
There is an old adage that you are only as sharp as your knife. Consistent sharpening doesn’t require expensive or complicated equipment. All you need is a combination oil-stone and an old leather belt. And the right technique…
During the shorter days of the year, evenings in camp are longer and darker. Illumination becomes more important. Candles give off a soft, natural light and are relatively inexpensive. To get the best out of candles, however, it’s good to have them raised up off the ground. Making a candle-holder from natural materials is…
Since I was first allowed by my parents to use a Swiss Army Knife 30 years ago, I’ve always been a user of knives. For me, a knife has always been a tool to be used. I received an email in March 2011 from a friend who makes his living trading high quality knives. He suggested that there might be an interesting project afoot, to work with Raven Armoury on a knife for wilderness use…
Whether you are camping in the woods for a weekend or staying out for weeks, this bushcraft camping outfit is a good base model. By keeping your wilderness bushcraft camping equipment as simple and streamlined as possible you’ll minimise the amount of kit while maximising its functionality…
If you were stranded in the middle of nowhere, your chances of survival would be significantly higher if you had this equipment with you. To me, however, these items are not just pieces of survival equipment, they are things I use everyday when I am living outdoors. They are well-used but also well-loved. With the exception…