By Sean Fagan.

Can you see me in the photo above? Look at the area just above centre of photo (Photo: Sean Fagan).

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WHY THINKING FOR YOURSELF IS A CRUCIAL BUSHCRAFT ASSET

(and why climbing trees is a part of my bushcraft...)

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I have a confession to make - I love climbing trees.

It's a risky pastime and certainly an activity I undertake with great caution.

There are no doubt, some bushcraft purists that would scoff at my fondness for the arboreal.

Learn why I still climb trees...

and why climbing trees taught me the importance of thinking for myself.

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*To whet your appetite for all things arboreal, I've included an inspiring short film about a man who can't stop climbing trees...

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By Sean Fagan

Discarded grill in the woods - this will make a very nice pot & pan cooking platform for myself when camping (Photo: Sean Fagan).

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I'm often a happy fiend when it comes to recycling other people's rubbish left in nature.

I guess it's one way of turning a negative into a positive.

Creatively using man-made objects found in the wild also flexes & strengthens our ability to improvise - an essential component of bushcraft & survival...

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By Sean Fagan

Raindrops on pine needles (Photo: Sean Fagan).

Learn How to Quickly Identify

The

Pines, Spruces, Larches & Firs

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Conifer trees mostly occur across vast swathes of the more northerly latitudes of the northern hemisphere and have many, often fundamental, uses in bushcraft.

With about 630 species of coniferous trees worldwide and with so many conifer trees being very similar in appearance - the conifer trees can be a challenging group of trees to identify with confidence.

A convenient way to narrow down any conifer tree species is to learn the salient, leaf features that are specific to each conifer tree genus/family.

In this article I've focused on four widespread and common coniferous trees - the Pines, Spruces, Firs & Larches.

If you spend any time in the northern woods there is a very good chance you will come across these conifers...

...and if you know their key leaf features you will be able to know your larches from your firs, your spruces from your pines.

More importantly, you will be able to avail of the unique bushcraft uses of the Pines, Spruces, Firs & Larches.

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By Sean Fagan

A hatchet, knife and a small jar of coconut oil (Photo: Sean Fagan).

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Looking after your Bushcraft Tools while Outdoors

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Recently, while camping, the weather turned sunny.

I decided to give the leather sheaths of my hatchet and knife a quick oiling - and let them dry in the sun.

Within seconds of applying oil the leather sheaths were looking a lot better.

Oil nourishes leather - and makes leather more supple, softer and more water-proof.

In effect, oil improves the appearance, durability  and performance of leather.

It's remarkable how little oil is required to breathe new life into jaded, worn leather.

A little oil is also good for steel and wood - and I often oil the wooden handle of my axe as well as the steel of my axe head and knife blade.

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By Sean Fagan

The thick twigs of poplar (Photo: Sean Fagan).

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Fire-Skills: Thin vs Thick Twigs as Kindling?

Usually, when starting a small-twig fire I like to use kindling twigs that are as THIN as possible - as they are generally much more combustible than thicker twigs.

The twigs of hazel, holly, sycamore, birch and hazel are a sample of some tree species in Ireland (and throughout much of Europe) with thin, very combustible twigs.

Recently, I tried the thick twigs of poplar (Populus spp.) for the first time.

I had my doubts they would ignite easily.

Was I wrong?

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By Sean Fagan

Poplar spatula. Poplar is often regarded as an inferior carving wood, I personally found it be a beautiful, carving wood (Photo: Sean Fagan).

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Bushcraft is not just about the latest Kit

It's also about Memories...

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A few days ago I carved my first poplar wood item - a spatula - before a warming poplar campfire, on the shores of Lough Derg, west Ireland.

I had a great time.

The next day, I was adding the finishing touches to my spatula at a different, nearby location but again - along the shores of Lough Derg.

The sun was out and my campfire of oak and hawthorn kept me warm despite the chilly breeze coming off the lake.

The shrilling calls of Great crested grebes emanated from the lake with moorhens, coots and mute swans occasionally offering their calls into the mix.

The sun hit the reeds just right - illuminating the reed beds into a vibrant band of pale yellow.

Then - a rare sea eagle flew across my eye-line. Its massive, heavy wings heaving its predatory bulk through the air.

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If ever a moment encapsulates bushcraft for me - it was that moment.

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By Sean Fagan..

Crescent moon and Venus. Dublin, Ireland (Photo: Sean Fagan).

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Finding your Way by the Silver Light of the Moon

Natural navigation is fun, accurate, and just as importantly - a great way of connecting with the world around us - even in urban areas.