A Tinder Tin

One of the key items in my kit is my brass Hudson Bay tin. It’s packed with good fire lighting material, but sometimes I need a bit of additional space to hold different types of tinder.

When I am out and about, I like to visit antique shops, and recently, I found a couple of brass tins that I thought would go well with my Hudson Bay tin.

These have aged well and show with the discoulration, however its not personal to me. So I have decided to clean these up first, then through use they will become tarnished with my memories.

I have started on one of the tins, and it needed some good elbow grease to get it partially shinny. Still some cleaning to go, but the first one is looking good.

More to go, but it’s good to polish while catching up with an episode of Alone.

Best Top 5 Bushcraft Podcasts 2023

Using time constructively is a great thing and being able to listen to a podcast whilst out for a walk, making nettle twine or relaxing with a cuppa is a great use of time. Listening to conversation can be a good way of learning and retaining knowledge. Here are my top 5 podcasts for 2023 to help you gain more knowledge whilst you are doing things.

1. Ask Paul Kirtley

Paul has been producing videos and podcasts “AskPaulKirtley” for a few years now and there is a great catalogue of advice and skills that would benefit every bushcrafter and outdoors person. The great thing about this series is that you can ask Paul a question and he answers it in his videos and Podcasts.

2. Jack Mountain Bushcraft Podcast

The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Podcast is about the woods life; guiding, bushcraft, expedition leadership, nature, survival and more. Join Registered Master Maine Guide Tim Smith in the studio and in the field.

3. Atlantic Bushcraft Adventures Podcast

Robert and Ben host the Atlantic Bushcraft Adventures Podcast with Live shows Wed Nights 9:00pm Atlantic Time. They talk about everything bushcraft.

4. The Bracken Outdoors Podcast

The Bracken Outdoors Podcast is hosted by Bracken Van Ryssen of Bracken Outdoors who interviews members of the Outdoor Industry and finds out their top tips, advice and experiences in Hiking, Bushcraft and general outdoor life.

5. The Canadian Bushcraft Podcast

The Canadian Bushcraft Podcast is hosted by Caleb Musgrave who chats about all things related to Bushcraft, camping, survival and hunting with guests.

What are your top 5 Bushcraft and Outdoors podcasts?

Teaching safe tool usage

The safe usage of tools is one of the key aspects to Bushcraft. You should know how to use the tools you have in order to practice safe Bushcrafting and protect yourself and others from harm.

Looking after your tools is also key so you have a good tool to use for the right job and doesn’t let you down.

Tools can cover many areas, but for me this falls into 3 main areas;

Axe
Knife
Saw

I have recently added a Froe to the lesson on Axes as a Froe can add a level of safety for chopping some firewood and splitting.

Breaking the subject down into 6 areas that I cover at a basic level to give a good level of knowledge on the subject;

Lesson 1 – First Aid
- Good to know what to do for any injury following an accident with a tool
Lesson 2 – The Law
- Very important lesson!
Lesson 3 – Looking after your tools
- Sharpening
- Cleaning and Care of tools
Lesson 4 – Safe use of Saws
- Types of Saws
- Bow Saw and blade types
- Hand Saw
- Folding Saw
- Safe use of saws
Lesson 5 – Safe use of Axes/Froes
- Footwear
- Types of Axes
- Froes
- Body position and using Axes
- Safe Chopping
- Safe use of Axes and Froes
Lesson 6 – Safe use of Knives
- Types of Knives
- Safe use of a knife

I will write further on these topics in future blog posts.