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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
If you use any sort of candle holder in camp then you will end up with stubs of candles left over. Rather than wasting this wax, you can make a really good improvised candle from these remnants. The only things you will need in addition to the stubs of candles are a small tin…
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…
Can I use a lock-knife for bushcraft?” is a question I’ve been asked many times. The answer is “it depends”. It depends on the peculiarities of the knife and the techniques you want to employ….
The ability to light a fire is an essential wilderness skill. Whether you are practicing your bushcraft skills in the local woods or planning an expedition, fire-lighting skills should be at the top of your list. There are many ways to light a fire but the humble match is often overlooked in favour of more impressive skills…