“One of the most maddening things about a finishing up a woodcarving project is the wait for it to cure out. Will it crack? Will it stay intact? Who knows?”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 6/4 - Bark Shingles
“Primitive shelters ain't all they're cracked up to be. If you've studied many "survival tips" websites or quick reference guides, you get the impression that simple debris huts are all you need to stay warm and dry in any conditions. If you've ever slept in one, though... well, that's a different matter.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip - Toggles, Pt. II
“Last week we showed you how to use a wooden toggle as a quick-release system for hanging your tarps... but that's just the tip of the toggle iceberg. Like a shemagh, or a poncho, a wooden toggle is a blank canvas that is only limited by your imagination.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 5/21 - Toggles, pt. 1
“Tarp, ponchos, and emergency blankets are three of the most crucial elements of modern, fast-action shelters. And for those shelters to be effective, they need to be built correctly. But hanging them can be a pain if you don’t have much experience with it.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 5/7 - Reading Wood Grain
“Just like everything else, there's a right way and a wrong way to baton wood. Or to put it differently, there's a more efficient way and a less efficient way. Even something as simple as this can still be optimized and done better.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 4/23 - Why We Baton
“While processing firewood this way is more work on the front end than just gathering it up and trying to burn it, the rewards are well worth it. You’ll be blessed with fires that are easier to start, less likely to die, don’t smoke as much, and put off more heat.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 2/5 - Axe Throat Protector
“If you’re new to the bushcraft world, you may wonder why so many people have leather collars around the throats of their axes and hatchets. Is it for decoration? Because they definitely look cool. Is it for better grip? It sure does help. Yes to both, but that’s not their main purpose.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 1/29 - Reflector Wall
“Regardless of what shelter I set up, one of the first things I would do to try and give myself an edge in the battle against freezing to death would be to build a reflector wall.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 1/15 - Carving with a Hatchet
“One very common question we get (usually from those new to the bushcraft world) is, how do you carve with a hatchet? And if you’ve never seen it done, I can see how this wouldn’t make sense.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 1/8 - Brown Baggin' Your Carving Projects?
“One of the most maddening things about a finishing up a woodcarving project is the wait for it to cure out. Will it crack? Will it stay intact? Who knows?”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 11/27 - Bushcraft Knife Sharpener
“But the Achilles heel of any knife is this: It gets dull. It doesn’t matter whether the blade you’re carrying is carbon, stainless, laminated, Gerber mystery metal, or a space-age super steel, it’s going to lose its edge eventually if you use it.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 10/9 - 4 Tips for Axe Safety
“If you follow these four tips, we estimate the chances of lopping your foot off are gonna decrease by approximately 937%. Maybe not. But at least you’ll know better. Whether you do better or not is up to you. Speaking from experience, bad habits are hard to break!”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 9/25
“With one technique, you can use a single log to create your tinder, kindling and fuel alike. Enter the feather curl.”
Read moreSpoonin'
"...Most people think it takes courage to do the thing that scares them the most, but the truth is that courage comes after you do the thing that scares you the most. Needless to say, the role was reversed this time, as I was the one about to take the plunge..."
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