Hints & Tips – No.2 The Leather Belt
December 30th, 2011 | 
Author: 
A very useful item is a leather belt. Other than helping to keep your trousers up or providing something to hang your knife off. You can also use a leather belt in many other ways. As a lashing, perhaps an aid to carrying a bundle of firewood or even as a tornique.
I also use my leather belt as a strop to help me keep my knife as sharp as possible while away from home, spending precious time in the woods. Before I leave home I rub some polishing compound onto the inside of my belt. Not all belts are ideal for this task. You are best to use a strong, one piece leather belt which does not have a liner stitched into it, as when you strop your knife you will eventually wear the stitching away.
Every Day Carry – Some Thoughts.
There seems to be a huge interest in the subject of Every Day Carry or EDC. Youtube is full to the brim of videos of people showing off their EDC equipment. All manner of different bags, packs and pouches crammed with diverse equipment ranging from cotton balls soaked in vaseline to the latest technological breakthrough in GPS systems.
People seem to love discussing the contents of their Bug Out Bags, Woods Bag, Survival Kit, Car/Boat Kit and all manner of other types of kit in-between. I’ve seen fanny packs/bum bags, rucksacks, gearslingers and all sorts described as EDC kit. There of course is a place and a time for these kits. However, I personally don’t think you could class them as EDC.
Hints & Tips – No.1 The Oily Cloth
I’ve decided to add a new section to the BushcraftStuff Blog site. So, welcome to the first post in the Hints & Tips section. Here you will, over time find… well, hints and tips some of which you may hopefully find useful.
This one is very simple but I personally think quite effective. Especially when you’re going on a trip which is going to last a few days.
Geronimo – his own story – the family
My grandfather, Maco, had been our chief. I never saw him, but my father often told me of the great size, strength, and sagacity of this old warrior. Their principal wars had been with the Mexicans. They had some wars with other tribes of Indians also, but were seldom at peace for any great length of time with the Mexican towns.
Swedish Torch
Whilst in Sweden studying under Preben Mortenson he showed us the method of making a Swedish torch with a chainsaw. I don’t know about you but I never carry a chainsaw in my daysack. So I when I came upon a different method of making a Swedish torch on Youtube I thought I’d give it a go. You will need straight dead standing branches a couple of inches in diameter and green whippy sticks. Make two small hoops with the whippy sticks, think Christmas wreath here. Now cut the branches all the same length bar one which is half size. Next arrange the branches so the hoops fit over them. The half size one goes in the centre of the bundle, this aids airflow. Getting it to stand can be tricky so I made a wooden stake and pushed that into the ground and pushed the centre of the torch on to it. Stuff the top with twigs and birch bark and light it up. It’s a method for a quick brew or cook up on wet ground or if you don’t want to leave a mess.
How to tell the difference between a spruce, pine and fir.
Telling the difference between spruce, pine and fir can be tricky. There is however a quick and simple way to tell these three conifers apart.
Simply look at the number of needles that come out of the same spot on a twig. If a twig has needles in groups of two, three, or five, you can safely say it’s a pine. If the twig carries its needles singly, it’s a good bet you’ve got a fir or a spruce. Now pull off a needle, and roll it between your fingers. If it feels flat and doesn’t roll easily, it’s a fir. If the needle has four sides and, rolls easily between your fingers, it’s a spruce.
How to Start a Fire with an Opinel Knife and a Rock
Here is an informative and entertaining video which was recently sent in by ROBwithaB showing you how to strike a spark and light a fire using an Opinel folding knife and a piece of quartz.
Rob has a ‘unique’ style of presentation but, he certainly gets the message across loud and clear. I hope you enjoy.
I’m Scared of it All = A Bushcraft Poem
I’m scared of it all, God’s truth! so I am;
It’s too big and brutal for me.
My nerve’s on the raw and I don’t give a damn
For all the “hoorah” that I see.
I’m pinned between subway and overhead train,
Where automobillies swoop down:
Oh, I want to go back to the timber again –
I’m scared of the terrible town.
15 items of kit or less, challenge
Hi folks,over on one of the Bushcraft forums a couple of the members put up a challenge,15 items or less for 2 nights,so i have just completed the 2 night challenge,and a long review.
I thought you might like a look at my effort.
Well i went with just 4 items.
Kit list.
1-wool blanket
2-knife
3-ferro rod
4-jogging pants.
Acorn Coffee
Acorn coffee is a very old traditional recipe for a coffee like drink. Acorns contain a lot of tannin, Although the tannin in the acorns gives them their coffee like taste you do need to process the acorns to remove quite a large amount of tannin. If you don’t do this your acorn coffee will taste very bitter and if you drink too much will make you ill.