Tag Archives | woodcraft

Some of the author's Flint and Steel Kits.

Punkwood

By on May 19, 2014 in Classic Camping, Fieldcraft, Firecraft, Master Woodsman, Primitive Skills, Woodcraft

When the realization set in to all the things punkwood offers with fire, and how available it is in the woods, I did the quintessential face-palm. This also happens frequently when I read the classics from Kephart, Jaegar, Beard, Seton, et. al. and see those simple and cool solutions that I didn’t take advantage of in […]

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Yes, that's me 20+ years ago.

Natural Insect Repellents

By on May 12, 2014 in Fieldcraft, Flora, Master Woodsman, Nature & Conservation, Primitive Skills, Wilderness Survival

I was in my early twenties the last time I used manmade insect repellent. I hated what DEET did to my gear, especially plastic. And one can’t help wonder what it was doing to me! At that time in the eighties, I was really into hunting and fishing. Luckily those bug jackets that hold the netting […]

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Knife Sharpening Board

Knife Sharpening and Care by Tom Ray

By on May 22, 2013 in Knifecraft, Toolcraft, Woodcraft

Knife Sharpening and Care by Tom Ray Knife sharpening is sometimes thought of as an elusive skill. Actually, once the basic principles are understood, almost anyone can accomplish it.  First of all, it is important to understand that in order to get a long-lasting edge that is shaving sharp, a burr or wire edge must […]

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Traditional Pocket Knife Types: (top) Trapper, (left to right) Congress, Canoe, Scout/Camper, Barlow, Peanut, Stockman, Muskrat

Classic Camping Knives by Steven M. Watts

By on May 18, 2013 in Classic Camping, Knifecraft, Master Woodsman

“A knifeless man is a lifeless man” – Nordic proverb Steven M. Watts, 2013 Most campers and woodsmen in the first quarter of the the twentieth century carried both pocket knives and sheath knives — a wise continuation of frontier practices from a century or more before. Sheath knives performed the “heavier” woodworking, skinning/butchering, and […]

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Schematic of the Harlton Hacienda

The Harlton Hacienda (Supershelter) By Kyle R. Ver Steeg II, M.D.

By on March 14, 2013 in Master Woodsman, Wilderness Survival, Woodcraft

I recently took a winter course with Mors Kochanski at Karamat Wilderness Ways.  We covered many different shelter types, but one in particular caught my attention. One of the things that Mors Kochanski has done with wilderness shelters is to update them with modern materials.  A piece of plastic, a piece of nylon and a […]

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Western Soapberry

THE COOLEST TREE YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

By on March 10, 2013 in Master Woodsman

Western Soapberry Sapindus drummondii This picture was taken in January, and you’ll note the fruit is still firmly attached to the tree.  They will only drop when the new season’s growth begins.  This is probably an adaptation of the tree in drought-prone areas, where it is planted extensively. The Western Soapberry is a very adaptable […]

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