Appalachian. Grew up in the woods. The Practical Woodsman is a vehicle for me to share my love of the natural world with you, my observations, thinking, and approach to what folks today are calling 'bushcraft' and 'survival'. Much of the 'bushcraft' content that exists out there is impractical for any real-life scenario in the wilderness, and therefore pointless. The Practical Woodsman will help you learn what is of truly practical value, while also identifying what is flashy but useless.
Nothing compares to caveman TV. Except the videos that you prepare for us. Interesting rock, I've found those here in NW Arkansas. Mine were like a very light stone, when you crack it it's hollow.Many thanks. Really good stuff.
😂 You win a special award for getting my sense of humor. I never know how many people actually catch my wise cracks or if I’m simply entertaining myself.
Thanks for making this video Rut! Wish I could have had a drink of whiskey with you around that fire! I know you were frustrated with the coffee grinder but you made me laugh out loud because i have had the same experience (found one that actually works). Looking forward to the next adventure. Cheers from Canada
That coffee bean grinder should have worked. I test my gear constantly, daily if I can and it makes sense. The next worse thing to something that doesnt work is a piece of gear that only works a few times. Two days out from my next trip and only taking tried and true gear. I'll be within cell range this trip, Bruce trail. Not taking any unnecessary risks but I'm taking my drone, 249 grams
I couldn’t see any obvious reasons why it shouldn’t work, but it just didn’t work. The inner gears of the thing looked to be made of ceramic - that was probably to cut weight. They looked fine, they just wouldn’t grab the beans and pull them down. I’m going to be looking for a really compact, all-wooden grinder to test out. Hey, enjoy your outing and be safe! I hope I get to see some of that drone footage over on our Locals group when you get back.
I like the idea of the foldout power bank with the solar panels attached but I'm not sure I want a solar unit that's allergic to the Sun. Seriously, who puts out a solar panel that dies in the Sun?
That’s a good point, but it’s just an inherent aspect of the design. Spoke to a buddy who understands electric transfer, and he was explaining to me that all devices transferring electric diminish in efficiency with heat.
Very very cool Rut! Thank you for making this video. I DO know that the strapping system, if proving max comfort can allow you to carry more weight and bulk easily. A very neat pack!
Thanks! Yeah, the straps and tie downs and all of that are something I would definitely recommend people give special attention to if they’re planning on trying their own hand at this project.
It's fun to make your own gear! We just made our own heavily modified canvas tent from 2 polish Lavvus and it turned out great! Love your channel and think u are hot stuff! 🔥
Well hellooo! Thank you for making my night! I like the old cotton canvas tents. They definitely provide beefier separation from the outside. My brother and I used to sleep in an old cotton canvas pup tent often when we were kids, and it just provides a better experience over other materials. Too bad they’re not lighter!
Hi Rut Thank you so much for this episode! Other than a solar charger, I have never taken any gizmos with me lately. Lots of good points and info. We enjoy the content. Cheers from the frozen north
You are right, they are dumb. And you are also right that you aren’t supposed to say it out loud where those who use them can hear. Your argument that they aren’t needed because you can pick up a stick weakens your statement that they are dumb - as clearly you believe a stick can be useful in some circumstances. When you need a stick, you can’t count on finding a good one right away, which means you have to carry a heavy wooden stick. Some people actually need the extra stability that hiking poles provide, so not dumb for them. Many of those people also need the lightweight advantage of trekking poles. As for the healthy young through hikers who you ridicule the most I think they are using the poles because they support their ultralight tent and they don’t count the weight of the poles against their bragging rights of a ultra low base weight. Strangly I see the poles strapped to the pack much of the time. One point you missed is that the poles burn more energy while walking because they use more upper body and arm muscles for stabilizing and moving forward. This makes hiking or backpacking more of a whole body exercise with multiple benefits including reducing overuse injuries on the lower body. Maybe not so dumb if that is the intent, and the poles don’t get carried in the hands (dumb) or strapped to the pack(dumb) as I often see. Personally, at age 73 I don’t use them because I want to maintain my ability to balance as long as possible. Ask me if I still think they are dumb when I am 85 or 90.
😂So glad you're starting your program. I've been bitching and griping to my friends about the BS i see on vids claiming to be real bushcraft or survival. So glad of the points and styles you mention. Ive always been waiting for them to accidentally have a vehicle in the vid that they forgot to edit. You cant take the supplies they have without some vehicle. I would go out to the "big woods" with my 3 buds when i was 8or9. We had jack knives, 2- 2qt canteens and light grub. Mainly filling snacks. If we cooked, had one or two aluminum scout mess kits. We took thick sheet pastic for weather, and empty cardboard shotgun shells full of t.p. and crammed pine resin mixed with tp. for small lanterns. Two flashlights and only one or two small packs for us 4 and swapped carrying. Also took my dads 100 foot rope that he said we better not ever cut. Had fake Zippos and 2 compasses for us 4. That started me being a "junior woodsman", and, nothing more. That was at age 8-9. My dad was ww2 Msgt, Army and taught me some bushcraft to make me want more. Now, ive lived in western tip Appal's for a year and a half, 12 miles into Cherokee natl forest, on a bad one-lane road thats called the highway. And, buddy, its the real deal Raw bush, VERY THICK, complete with bears, bobcats, and coyotes, like im sure you have. You, on other hand were raised in the forest. I consider you a forester, and, myself merely a fairly learned woodsman. Now im about to turn 68, and a hip problem on one side limits my distance, but i expand a little more, and, a little more. Enough for now. But glad you started your show, so now i dont have to start one to debunk some of this that i see. Viewers are really being given the wrong impression. Thanks for wanting to change that. Look forward to your next show. I watched this one on RU-vid and subscribed, and for notifications. Sincerely, Ben Huck. PS...made up a Molle trekkers harness rig in place of pack. Save weight on my hip. Safe travels, buddy Watch them bars.
Hey there, Ben! I appreciate very much your comment, and you giving The Practical Woodsman channel a chance. I’m glad you appreciate somebody like me pointing out the deceptive nature of most of the videos out there. Somebody had to point it out eventually!
@@practicalwoodsman Your attitude is more in tune to mine regarding the great outdoors than most sites or vid casts, and, i'll be around. I like youe straight-forward attitude about doing a vid cast to actually help or educate folks who want to learn these types of things. Looking forward to your next show. Thanks for dropping me a line. I'll be around. Safe travels. Ben
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Boy, never did I think a fun video with my daughter would attract so many insecure, critical, sissy fishermen. So I’m very happy to get your light, positive comment here. Thanks again!
You enjoy those. I had to fight off 3 bears, a rattlesnake, and a honey badger to get those. 6 of my children died in the process. That is the sweet blood of my offspring dripping off your chin, my friend. I hope it was worth it! 😂 Just kidding. Nice video.
Why are you so against cast iron skillets in a hiking/camping setting? I carry a 6.5 inch lodge cast iron skillet all the time while backpacking in the wilderness because I can. Food taste much better on a cast iron skillet. 🍳
Sure you do. And I carry my favorite snow cone maker all the time into outer space. Makes my authentic outer space snow cones taste better. I should delete your comment 1. For being a straight up lie 2. For attempting to redefine terms like ‘wilderness’ 3. For saying the reason you would carry cast iron is because it makes food “taste better” when everybody knows the real reason is because you think it is more “woodsy” and that no pan makes food taste better than any other. In short, your comment is the biggest bunch of cringe, fictional, make-believe, “look at me mom, I’m Daniel Boone!” bullcrap I have ever seen.
Came here from the Amazon review. Stayed for the humble advice. Direct, across the table, and explanation of what principles you are following. Very well done.
Thank you! It was already an interesting account of survival for me, personally, but I tried to spruce it up even more by trying to take the listener there personally.
@@practicalwoodsman Love the comment. I'm dumping subs so I have more time to watch practical instead of sales pitches. You really captured my attention when you knew more than the botanist. And what does the most good for your channel, likes or likes and comments?
You raise a really interesting point. We all probably fall into the convenience trap of relying too much on electrical devices, even in the backcountry. Being able to adapt to a period without solar energy is something that we should know how to do but it's an area that I personally have overlooked. I particularly liked your hands on demo of the olive oil lamp. Talking that kind of stuff through as you go, not knowing if it'll work is very educational. Excellent episode
Excellent comment, thank you very much. I appreciate you sharing the specifics of what you enjoyed. Thanks again for watching and for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Yes, I agree with you: Dietz lanterns are also very, very good. There was also a very short supply on those during the pandemic, as I know because I was keeping an eye on both brands as the pandemic progressed and gaging their availability or lack thereof. The prices were outrageous and the availability always uncertain. Now, while life is relatively calm, and the prices are at least reasonable, is definitely the time for folks to get themselves three or four of them.
Rut, thank you so much for creating another great episode! Candles and wood stoves are our friends. Thanks again for the time you put into your show. Cheers from Canada
Thank you, Ian! I appreciate you saying so. I enjoy doing these shows a lot, they’re fun for me and I hope other people are enjoying me grow and evolve with it.
I also ran across this video from your Amazon review. I just want to thank you for taking the time to do this and to educate those of us who are not familiar with solar power, backup bricks, electricty, etc. I found it very informative and also comments are very helpful. Everyone's experiences are a little different and everybody has some good input and it makes for educating the public in general. You took the time to help. Thats key! Thanks again.
Why thank you very much for not only watching the video but for taking time to share your comment. Since I made the video there has been even more things that I’ve tested out and tried, so I may have to do an update sometime soon.
I've been told that you are on the way to being pretty popular amongst the mid-west's camping communities, so I've decided to subscribe and see what all of the fuss is about. Carry on my good man !
Well I’m flattered. I hope whoever gave you such an idea knew what they were talking about! I don’t appeal to everybody, but then again, who does? Welcome aboard!
My grandma, who cooked on a wood cook stove till she was 98 in 2012, she used to put a drop or two of kerosene on my "breeches leg" if we were out fencing or something. Never a chigger with the kerosene on! I have cut timber for 30 years as an adult. It still works. They don't like petroleum. The saws are always slinging chain oil and stuff all over you. I never get them at work
