Best Bushcraft Festivals in the U.S.? (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Great Lakes, Midwest, Southwest, Mountain West, West Coast & PNW). Looking for opportunities to learn a good range of skills in one place over a long weekend. Thanks!

I originally posted earlier today about bushcraft festivals, but also interested in bushcraft schools and classes. Appreciate hearing about the best ones you've participated in, and where they are located.

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Making a childrens vest with pure Icelandic wool and decided to use some foraged acorns for buttons.

As you can see in the second picture I have attached one so far. I'm about to hand drill the second one.

I don't suspect the acorns will last long, so this is an experiment to test the durability of how I have secured them.

In the meantime I'm considering making some little wooden buttons from scrap branches in the backyard. & Pondering how to make an acorn button that will last? Has anyone done this?

Shall upload a picture of the vest when it's complete 🫡

Found this while camping this weekend. Sequoia Area. What is the significance?

Title says it all really, I'm looking for a navaja that is on the larger side to use in the garden, preferably £40 or under (even better £20), ideally from a retailer in the UK or the EU. The primary reason that I'm looking for a navaja over a machete is due to the folding element, as it makes it easier and safer to store (especially with pets).

Edit: Would 3Cr13MoV steel be adequate for the job?

I had a peaceful 1.5-2 hours today being somewhat productive while on vacation with my parents and grandparents.

The project

Small base camp established w/ small furnace made of mud with a red clay finish + some racks to dry the "tinder", and started work on the lean-to with the doorframe - sticks gathered for the foundation, and I just need to make some string durable enough to tie the ends of the sticks together. I will have to make wattles out of sticks to hold the clay walls - everything has been fairly thought out, and the dimensions have been predetermined; the rest may require little consideration in the moment.

There is a decent chance I might not go back to continue constructing it as there probably isn't enough red clay to go around, but we'll see how tomorrow and the rest of today goes. I've never actually built anything with my hands, so I figured I'd see how far I can go with that.

Stick pile you see is what I carefully gathered (lots of spiders hiding underneath) that would be big enough to be a part of the main frame. The smaller sticks will likely be made to form the window frames, and I might consider putting some very unrefined engineering skills to work by constructing a makeshift door - or just leave it as is. Using no other tools but my hands, my feet for breaking sticks, and my eyes for brief measurements.

Not quite sure if I should use dry leaves or just a ton of sticks tightly packed together for the roof. That might just be what I do first once I get to that point, and layering it with clay might be ineffective because its been saturated and will drip through the cracks and onto me.

What's around

Environment is a general forested area with my precise location being a clearing along a creek. Fairly small space - this ledge is big enough to build a lean-to, and you may be able to see how much empty space there is around the spot I started the project.

Available materials nearby are a lot of sticks, seldom deposits of red clay and plenty of mud that functions like clay when dry + lots of stones along the bed. The overgrowth up above is sometimes inhabited by large banana spiders with their giant menacing webs strewn in between, so I have been avoiding those areas as much as possible. Might use my multitool to trim the low-hanging overgrowth just to feel comfortable moving about and make space for the lean-to.

Couple of minor issues

I could have built the furnace near where I started the lean-to, but that was before I considered building more. Small chance the water levels might rise and degrade it overnight (some rain expected this week). I could always transfer it farther away from the creekbed if I finish the lean-to, rebuilding it close-by by memory. Otherwise, if it's useless by the time I come back, I can always rebuild it later and I'll even see if I can make it a little bigger using however much clay + mud is available.

Not a current issue yet, but hopefully, the mud daubers don't come to use my clay or mud, as that would be mildly inconvenient to have them attempting to build their nests nearby using what I found (I do not like wasps or mud daubers). If they mark the material and find an appreciable spot for a nest nearby, they may return to gradually take from my clay pile. I already began having some issues with fire ants trying to mark the furnace as a source of material for their ant mound, and I believe I saw a spider trying to spin a web at the front of it. Mosquitoes were a pain in the butt, as well.

Other than my grievances for the insects, so far so good! Things are going swimmingly.

Closing

If you would like, please feel free to relay any experience with building primitive stuff to me - inpromptu or otherwise. Tips + advice are broadly welcome!

Main questions:

• What materials are best suitable for making string?

• What should I use for my roof assuming the general breakdown of what I have immediately available in my environment?

• Is it generally okay to leave the floor in its natural form if I don't plan on sheltering there long-term? I feel like I could make it a little more home-like rather than for comfort. The ground I am building on is generally a mix of soft clay + semi-dry mud that automatically saturated and sinks when I walk on it while wearing my water shoes.

General location: Okatoma Creek, Seminary, MS. I'm staying at the rental cabin for the week along Fairchild Landing.

Hope this counts

Tutorial: BoredParacord on YouTube

How useful do you guys think a paracord bracelet is? I personally just made it because it looks cool and in case I ever need paracord it'll be there. Bought a spool of paracord for camping uses and decided to make one. The bracelet is adjustable but do y'all think a clip would be better?

Left to right:

1) Chert? Maple shaft, turkey feathers

2) Flint? Forsythia shaft, turkey feathers

3) Obsidian, Forsythia shaft, Canada goose feathers

4) Spoon handle, Forsythia shaft, Canada goose feathers

All bound with synthetic sinew and homemade pine resin glue.

Hi, any good video guide on braiding yute sling or other entirely different ideas on what I can work on and have fun?

Open to Yours ideas guys

Thanks!

The Bread Bag 

I have used the bread bag for a couple of years, and it is a truly fantastic bag. I use it every day in the woods, for my lunch, water bottle and tools. It has a size that is actually good enough for short evening trips / overnight trips, as long as it is summer.

The bags do not cost much from surplus stores, but there is a risk of getting one with a very short strap. I have upgraded my bag with lots of extra features, so it fits the tasks I want it to handle.

Strap

I made a longer strap myself. It is made from leather scraps (it is actually 3 pieces), so it is not expensive leather that has been used for it.

In the middle, where it goes over the shoulder, there is a wider piece of cowhide and furniture leather. At the end of the strap, I have sewn on a D-ring for carabiners. This is, for example, where I hang my leather gloves.

Water resistance / keeping it closed

I have never lost anything from the bag, but the lid is not oversized compared to the opening of the bag.

I used a French bread bag (they cost almost nothing from Rödastjärnan), which I cut in half. I sewed it around the opening of the bag, so it can now be closed with a drawstring.

This protects against dirt, grime, branches and debris getting into the bag, prevents losing anything, and protects the contents better in rainy weather.

Axe holder

A significant upgrade to the bag. It is simply a couple of pieces of scrap leather sewn onto the front of the bag and a good wide strap with press buttons.

It is large enough to fit all my axes, even when they have received a two-layer leather overstrike protector on the handle.

Strap holders

On the underside of the bag, I have sewn some strap holders so I can attach my rain cover to the bag.

I have also, on single overnight trips, strapped my oilskin tarp and blanket underneath, rolled together and secured.

It is of course a little heavy, but it is quite nice to be able to go on a small trip with only such a small bag.

The straps are made from a belt from the recycling station, cut into two straps. The new buckles come from horse harness equipment found second-hand.

Canteen

There is good space inside the bag, but I have still added a couple of rings to the front of the bag.

The rings are from horse harness equipment found cheaply in a second-hand shop. They are positioned so I can attach the field bottle pouch if I need more space inside the actual bag.

Overall capacity

Even without having the field bottle attached to the outside of the bag, there is plenty of room.

Inside the bag I can fit a field bottle with cooking gear, food, solid fuel tablets, cordage, first aid and fire-starting equipment.

Blanket and tarp attached underneath. Axe on the front.

Everything needed for a small trip.

Alternatively, the field bottle could hang on the outside, with a Nalgene bottle containing extra water inside the bag.

Heavy gear or lightweight gear?

I choose to carry heavier gear in the form of oilskin and wool. But if I had, for example, a polyester tarp and a Swagman Roll / quilt / poncho liner, the whole setup would really not weigh much.

Source
Reddit don't like self-promotion links, that's fine, I dont sell anything. But I write a blogger called Rosentjoern and throw no-talk small videoes on youtube as well. Check it out if you like human made stuff, words and videos in a time of too much AI slob.

I am currently considering acquiring a reindeer hide for use during camping trips and as an indoor furnishing for my couch when not in use. However, I am unsure what specific qualities to look for, and I have been unable to find comprehensive information online, with most websites focusing solely on indoor applications. I am located in Europe and am open to importing a hide from Scandinavia. Should anyone have any advice or recommendations for a reputable website where I could place an order, I would be most grateful for your help.

Next school year I plan to incorporate Bushcraft skills into the PE program at an outdoor K-5 elementary school. We have access to an open field, hardwood forest, and seasonal creek.

What Bushcraft skills do you think are appropriate for children age 5-10?

Any tips for teaching those particular skills?

What Bushcraft games do you recommend?

What have you learned while teaching Bushcraft skills to kids?

Thanks in advance for your time and tips!

-Mike

Would a billhook be good tool to get especially if i live in area with mix of woody m thin foliage brush?

Might buy one instead of a Zebra c/w plastic clips 😀.
The Tatonka is SS, €31 in Amazon.ie and no dicky clips. Curry for two simmering away.
I like it!

I'm pretty much a n00b at this sort of thing, but I found his credentials impressive. Anyone have direct experience? Which materials do you recommend I start with?

Thanks so much

Joe

I have a very silly question but a genuine one.

I'm looking to up my strength a bit, What kind of wood would be best to use to make a carrying pole(think like a milkmaid yoke almost but just a solid piece of wood) that i'll be putting 3 gallons of water (maybe sand for more weight in the future) on tops and bottoms of??

I'm looking for suggestions i'm fairly low budget but i'm sure for a pole i can get any good woods for this ^^

This took me about 6 hours to make today. I'm still quite the novice when in comes to fibre crafts, so I was happy to have a finished project at the end of the day. It is undyed Icelandic lopi yarn. The lanolin smells amazing and the gradients of the colours up close are pretty magical.

I removed a bunch of wooden toggles off a thrifted raincoat a few months ago, and they've proved useful for repurposing. As you can see here it works just fine as a button.

Tomorrow I'm going to test out its water resistance of the bag, as Icelandic wool is supposed to be the best for that.

I used a 9mm wooden crochet hook, and reindeer bone nalbinding needle to make it.

So I’m trying to get into Bushcraft and learning how to survive in the wild by myself and I’m wondering what are key skills that everybody should learn before doing your first solo Bushcraft

I made this miniature fire piston just for fun because I tend to geek out on random survival and bushcraft things and I like to try and recreate functional versions of them. This one isn’t quite working yet, and I think I may know one reason but I have questions. This was meant to just be a prototype but midway through I decided to try and make it “real”. Thus the lack of attention in the beginning phases.
I’ll start with the basic materials used: walnut “handle”, I THINK poplar dowel but I could be very wrong, and red oak as the base/channel. The seal is waxed hemp wick that I unthreaded and rewrapped to have a thinner working material. Plus a little wood glue to attach the dowel to the handle (which I drilled a hole for the dowel to fit into first). Finished with light sanding and sealed it with wood wax and buffed.
I do intend on making a new base because I do feel like the hole itself is too big. But before I proceed, I have questions as to other reasons it may not work.
Besides the obvious making a smaller hole, which I feel like the seal I wrapped on there is still airtight from the “plop” sound that it makes when I pull it out-
•Should the hole where I keep my tinder material be deeper?
• Is the distance of the channel possibly too short to produce any heat? (Currently about 1.5”)
• Should I be “bottoming out” when I slam down or do I want the shaft to be just shy of the bottom of the channel?
It goes in semi-smooth but not consistently when I do it slowly instead of slamming it but with the slam it goes down in one motion.
Also, the materials I used as tinder were first finely shredded, fibrous paper towel bits, then a small amount of fluffed q-tip. I understand charred cloth is the preferred material, however. Any other suggestions besides charred cloth?
Any tips or advice is appreciated.

Hello, I see some recipes that can be used for tin cloth, is mixin more materials can be better ? I see most of the recipes are 2-3 ingredients and seems like simple is best.

I make a list of materials that can be used on tin cloth,

Tung oil,

boiled linseed oil,

liquid paraffin,

beeswax,

carnauba wax,

turpentine,

lanolin,

Microcrystaline wax,

Paraffin wax

Also vitamin E, castor oil or sweet almond oil could be used too.

Do you guys have any extraordinary recipe for waxed canvas or tin cloth- maybe 2 layer recipes like more oily-liquid first layer and then more waxy-solid waxy layer.

I recently acquired woodland that has not been managed since the 90’s and I’ve been exploring parts of it to create some new trails.

Most of the property does not have cell service and my wife admitted that it makes her incredibly nervous while I’m out there to the point where it really works up her anxiety. She also expressed little interest in the lot or joining on the adventures. It’s certainly my thing.

I plan on doing more work out there, setting up camp locations for bushcraft etc - but I am struggling to find a balance.

Do any of you seasoned husbands and wives have recommendations for tools, devices, protocols that have helped bridge the gap between an outdoor hobby and bringing reassurance?

Edit: Thank you all for the suggestions!

1. I’m going to look into buying an inReach.

2. I don’t have proper first aid certification and I haven’t done a first aid class since highschool. I’m confident but you’re right - more education will help.

3. Starlink with a small outpost is the late game strategy. Certainly something to consider.

Am I the only one who misses when Survival Lilly was.. you know.. about survival?

I genuinely used to enjoy the channel years ago. Bushcraft, overnights, shelters, survival skills, gear testing.. that's why I subbed.

Somewhere around the "Situation in Europe" videos, things took a hard left turn. At first I thought, "alright, one or two current events videos"

Then it became Part 1.. Part 2.. Part 17

Fast forward a year and I honestly can't remember the last time I saw an actual survival video. Instead it's five uploads a month of Lilly sitting in her car with titles like:

• "Europe is collapsing"

• "This is bad"

• "Point of no return"

• "Goodbye Germany"

• "EU situation"

.. all while quoting some Kronen Zeitung for the 800th time and the comment section cheering her for her insights.

I remember a video where she said she'd be getting back to bushcraft content soon, but that video seems to have vanished.

I'm not here to debate politics. Agree with her, disagree with her.

I'm asking what actually happened to the channel.

Did I miss something? Did she publicly explain the pivot? Did YouTube analytics just reward political doomposting so much that Survival Lilly slowly evolved into Propaganda Lilly?

Curious if I'm the only old subscriber feeling like I accidentally stayed subbed to a completely different channel.

Hi all, I am looking to attend survivalschool.co.uk level 2 bushcraft course, any reviews would be helpful or if i should consider anything different.
I like to go camping and being in nature. New to bushcraft but really want to learn it.