Here you’ll find a collection of posts that cover how to tie basic knots as well as resources where you can learn more. What’s the Best Book Available for Learning How to Tie Knots? I’ve heard a lot about this topic. Basically, I’m looking to get a definitive answer on which is the best book […]
Bushcraft & Camping
I find the hobbies of both bushcraft and camping quite interesting. I've been very much into camping since I was a kid. My family went on multiple far away camping trips ever summer, so I've got tons of experience with it. We also owned some nearby land in upstate New York on which we often camped. Bushcraft is fairly new to me, so I'm still learning a lot. I love the gear that's available to buy and what one can do with it. I also love all the technique and education that's necessary for a successful experience. In this category, I'll discuss camping and bushcraft topics, which will include knot tying, gear reviews, resources found in the wild, camping locations, personal experiences, and more.
Do I Need a Jackknife?
I guess I can answer that question myself. Yes, I (or you) probably do need a jackknife. If anyone does any camping or bushcraft, it’s best to have a jackknife (folding knife) in their pocket, on their belt of in their bag. The reason for this is its versatility. I own a large survival knife […]
What are the Best Jackknife Brands?
I’d like to know what people think the best brands for jackknives are. If you were to look for one today, where would you look and what brands would you look at. I’m currently browsing around Amazon and a number of camping and bushcraft websites and I’m seeing tons of knives that vary in price. […]
What Are the Best Mittens For Freezing Cold Weather?
Question: I have been battling cold fingers ever since I moved to Maine. I’d go on vacations up north or ski or go hiking in the deep snow and if there’s one thing that’s always cold on me, it’s my hands and fingers. I wonder if there is actually a solution to this. I don’t […]
Military Wool Mitten Inserts From Maine Military Supply
My lady and I had to go to Bangor for the day a while back, so I decided to make a stop off at the local Maine Military Supply store that’s located right off of Interstate 395. It’s just south of Bangor; it’s on Rt. 1A in Holden. I’ve never been there before, but what […]
Springtime Camping in Farmington, Maine
I’ve long said that we need a campground in our town. Well, I guess we now have the closest thing to that and it happens to be right in my backyard. A friend and I cleared some more underbrush and trees a few days ago and we now have one of the most lovely camping […]
What Kind of Knife Do I Need for Bushcraft & Camping?
Question: I’m looking to purchase my first “real” knife and I’m wondering if anyone has any advice for which one to buy. I know there are a few different types of blades with hundreds of different styles, so I’m a little lost. If you can, please let me know your opinions. Thank you. Answer: I’ll […]
Estwing Hatchet Photo Shoot on Mossy Rock
I was outside today chopping away at what I suspect is fatwood when I placed my Estwing hatchet down on a mossy stone while I took a break. I thought it looked pretty good there, being all rugged, so I snapped some photos of it. The snow has finally melted and all the moss is […]
What Does Fatwood Look Like?
I just wrote another post where I displayed a few different photographs of what I think may be fatwood. I wanted to post a few pictures here as well to get any opinions anyone may want to offer. I don’t know how much crossover there is between posts, so I wanted to cover all my […]
What Gear Do I Need For Bushcraft?
Question: I’m a beginner and I have recently purchased a few bags to carry all sorts of stuff in. I have a very nice backpack and a haversack. The only problem is, I don’t have much actual gear yet. I do have a few lighters and a knife or two, but nothing like the pros […]
Have I Found Fatwood?
Ever since I began thinking about fatwood a few months ago, I’ve been intent on finding it. Apparently, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack around here though. From what I’ve watched and read online, all I need to do is locate a pine tree that’s fallen over, chop it up a bit with […]
My New 5.11 RUSH24 Tactical Backpack
I’ve actually been looking for a new backpack for some time. Regular backpacks are sort of small and since I always have tons of stuff to put in mine, I needed something that was a bit larger than was I had traditionally used. I gave an earnest search a few years back, but after that […]
The Verdict on the Harbor Freight Wool Blankets is In
I received my two wool blankets from Harbor Freight yesterday in the mail. I really had no idea what to expect when ordering them because they were only $10.99 per piece. It was difficult to believe that they’d be any good, considering Iv’e seen other wool blankets selling for hundreds of dollars. As a matter […]
What’s the Best Haversack Out There?
Question: To me, haversacks are the best containers in which to carry gear when I go out for short periods of time. I love the look of them and I love the feel of them. They’re very practical and I like the fact that they stay out of my way when I’m hiking and working […]
What is a Tumpline?
Question: Every time I read something, I feel like I’m back at square one. I had no idea there was going to be this much to know when it came to bushcraft, hiking and camping. I’ve already learned a lot though, so I’m pretty psyched about that. Has anyone ever heard of a “tumpline”? I […]
How Does Bushcraft Compare to Camping?
This question has been on my mind for some time now. What I’m starting to notice out there on the internet is a ton of overlap when it comes to bushcraft, backpacking, camping and hiking. Even just hanging out in the woods with a hatchet in hand can be considered…I guess…bushcraft. I know what bushcraft […]
Swiss Army Knife vs. Leathman – Which is Better?
I have recently become fascinated by both the Swiss Army Knife as well as the Leatherman Multitool. I don’t see how I couldn’t have been affected because once you watch a video on one of these tools, you become addicted. At least that’s what’s happened to me. Now I want one of these things – […]
Are Bushcraft Pack Baskets Really Necessary?
Question: Yes, here’s another one of my beginner questions. I’d like to thank all of you for your patience. You’ve given me a lot to think about with the help you’ve given to me previously, so I appreciate it. This question has to do with pack baskets. I am at somewhat of a loss as […]
What are Pack Frames Used For?
Question: I am so confused about pack frames. I’ve been watching video after video on Youtube in an effort to discern what these things are used for. I’m still not quite sure. I know that backpacks and rucksacks are used with bushcraft and camping, but why does someone need anything beyond that? Are pack frames […]
What is MOLLE on Rucksacks?
Question: As you know, I’m looking to purchase my first rucksack and I think I’ve decided on what I want. I’m going to start out with the 5.11 Rush24 and then I’ll move onto the Rush72 when winter rolls around. I know these are more expensive than what I was initially looking for, but I […]
How Strong is 1050D Nylon?
Question: I’m currently in the market for a camping and bushcraft rucksack and I’m somewhat overwhelmed by all the options available out there. So far, I’ve searched through all the rucksacks Cabela’s has for sale and I have no idea how many Amazon has for sale. That’s a rabbit hole if I ever saw one. […]
Bugging Out: Has Anyone Ever Actually Bugged Out?
I need to know the answer to this question. My friend and I got in a heated “conversation” last night about this stuff. Now, I’m into getting out there just as much as the next guy (or girl), but I’m not into something that costs a lot of money that might never happen. My friend […]
Looking For a Bushcraft & Camping Rucksack – What’s the Best Brand to Buy?
Question: Hi there. I’m currently in the market for my very first rucksack, or backpack. Whatever you want to call them. I’m getting into bushcraft and camping and I know I’ll need a nice bag in which to carry all of my stuff. The problem I’m finding out there is that there are about a […]
How to Roll a Wool Blanket
I’ve been reading through Dave Canterbury’s book called Bushcraft 101 and have made it to the section on how to roll a wool blanket up so you can keep all your stuff inside of it as well as carry it on your back. I’ve never actually thought of anyone doing this, but the idea definitely […]
Bushcraft: The Five Cs of Survivability
If you were to ask me what I need to store in my pack before heading out into the wild, I’d probably get a few things right. I know I’d need a knife and something to start a fire with. And I know I’d need a tarp or a tent, but from that point on, […]
Ever Ready Wool Blanket For Bushcraft & Camping
Well, I received my Ever Ready wool blankets yesterday and boy am I excited. I never thought I’d feel this way about blankets, but that’s probably because I have never been involved with camping, bushcraft and the outdoors like I am now. Spring is right around the corner and once the snow melts off completely, […]
What’s the Most Important Gear to Bring Camping?
I’m wondering if my camping gear list is complete. I don’t do as much bushcraft as I do regular camping, but I do use the principles of the Five Cs of Survivability to help me remember what I need to bring along for my camping trips. I’d like to go through my short list here […]
Are Harbor Freight Wool Blankets Any Good?
I’ve been following a blog post on how to remove the oil smell from new wool blankets and it got me interested in purchasing one or two for myself. It seems like everyone in the bushcraft world is using these blankets nowadays. How Do I Get Rid of the Smell in My Brand New Wool […]
How Do I Get Rid of the Smell in My Brand New Wool Blanket?
Question: All I can say is that this thing stinks. I can’t believe how bad it smells. I bought a brand new wool blanket and it arrived a few days ago. I’ve had it resting on the couch in it’s plastic container and I’ve been sitting here smelling it ever since. It’s not even opened […]
My Brand New Wool Bushcraft Blankets
I received my two new blankets yesterday, so I thought posting pics of them on the blog would be interesting for all those who enjoy this type of thing. I honestly have no idea if these blankets are any good or not, so they’ll need some testing. I don’t think I’ve ever even used a […]
What’s the Best Bushcraft & Camping Hatchet to Buy?
I recently wrote a post where I introduced my new Estwing hatchet. In the post, I displayed a few photos of the tool and basically talked about some of its finer points. I bought the hatchet from Amazon.com for $35.43 and I thought it was a good deal. The thing is, I am seeing all […]
Why Can’t I Find Any Fatwood?
I have gone outside twice now in an effort to find fatwood and I’ve failed both times. I live in Maine and I’m wondering if there’s any fatwood in the entire New England area. First, I tried cutting a few dead branches from an entirely dead Spruce three and the wood seemed very dry. It […]
Which is the Best Ferro Rod to Buy?
I just finished up writing a post about my new ferro (Ferrocerium) rod and I was looking to get some opinions on it. While this rod looks very nice and it was highly rated on Amazon.com, where I purchased it, I haven’t tested it in the field yet, so I’m still a bit curious about […]
Bayite Large 6″ Ferro Rod
Here’s another winter camping story for you. A few weeks ago, when my buddy camped out on my land, the temperature dropped to 5° Fahrenheit. I helped him set up camp, but after that I went back inside to sleep. He was on a mission to test out his new cold weather camping gear (hammock) […]
Visiting Our Winter Camping Spot in Maine
As I’ve mentioned before on this blog, my lady, my friend and I went cold weather camping overnight here in Maine a few weeks ago. There was about two and a half feet of snow on the ground and we had to do tons of shoveling in order to set up our tents. We also […]
Estwing 14″ Camping Hatchet
Back a few weeks ago, when I was cold weather camping with my friend Ian, I noticed that he was using his hatchet for a number of different tasks. He chopped down a few small trees and he used the hatchet to chip away two small divots in pieces of wood so his bench would […]
What Makes a Good Survival Knife?
I just finished writing another blog post about my knife. You should check it out. I talk about why I first bought it and about some of its finer points. I also posted a few of my better pictures of the knife. I guess I’m writing this post here in the forum because I’d like […]
Schrade SCHF9 Survival Knife
For the next three or four posts, I’m going to be showing off some of the gear I’ve recently purchased as well as some gear I picked up through the years. I don’t have a lot, as I’m just starting out with bushcraft and camping, but I’m getting there. So far, I have a survival […]
What Are the Best Wool Socks to Buy For Winter Sports?
Question: I do tons of snowshoeing and, at times, my feet have gotten cold. I’ve upgraded my boots, but they still get cold. I’ve been looking into different brands of wool socks and think that’s the way to go, but socks are so weird to buy. Some of them are very expensive and others are […]
Bushcraft 101 by Dave Canterbury
I received my copy of Dave Canterbury’s book entitled, Bushcraft 101 in the mail yesterday and I am quite excited to jump into it. I’d like to read it as fast as possible because the spring weather is right around the corner. Notice how I didn’t say “spring” is right around the corner? It’s here […]
Looking For the Best Bushcraft Book to Learn From
I am very new to bushcraft, although I have a long history of being active in the outdoors. I live in Maine, which, if you aren’t aware, is one of the most outdoorsy states in the entire U.S. People around here practically live outside. Needless to say, I need to get up to snuff. I’m […]
What is Bushcraft?
I’m new to this game, so I’m still trying to figure it all out. Luckily, I’m quite astute when it comes to activities like this. I pick up on things extremely quickly. I’ve heard of the term bushcraft for years. I’m not sure I’ve ever given it much thought before. I’ve always been a straight […]
What to Wear to Sleep While Winter Camping + Check List
If you’ve never gone winter camping before and if the temperature is below 0 Fahrenheit, you’ll likely be in for a shock. If you’ve never felt that kind of cold for an extended period of time before, you’re definitely going to be in for a shock. I’m not sure there’s anything that can prepare you […]
Welcoming Myself Back to Camping
For those who don’t know me, I’m involved in a lot of things. First and foremost, I’m a writer. I can’t stop writing. I write all day on the many websites I own and manage. Writing is in my soul and I honestly don’t see a time when that will stop being. I’m also a […]
Winter Camping in a Chilly 4° Fahrenheit
I’ve got this friend who is totally into camping. He’s gone winter camping on our property earlier this season and recently showed interest in doing so again. The last time he camped, he did it alone. The temperature dropped to five degrees Fahrenheit overnight and I had no interest in joining him. I didn’t even […]
Camping at Minus 40 Degrees
I’m really getting into this whole Winter thing. At this point, I’d confidently say that I prefer it over Summer. For most of my life, I avoided Winter. It got in the way of me riding my bike down to the lake to go swimming. I mean, it did offer those occasional snow days from […]
Camping at the Staunton Verona KOA Campground in VA
It was about time I saw my family again. My sister, Laurie, planned a camping trip for all of us. My family was to meet at the Staunton Verona KOA Campground in Virginia. Since I was coming from New York and I really hate driving across the George Washington Bridge (I have had enough of […]