Posts by Chris Johns
There are 3 main types of night vision equipment: Image intensification This is the type most commonly used by the military. It works by effectively amplifying the available light and may work in...
There are two options. First you can sharpen it with a single bevel (per side), this requires sharpening with the wide bevel flat to the stone. Alternatively you can sharpen with a small secon...
Inexpensive compasses in general are fine. Even from a good brand the base models are not much more than the price of a few beers. Indeed in most cases these are all you ever need. However cheap ...
From the sales material you quote it sounds like the 'wood' in question has been vacuum stabilised. This involves completely saturating the wood with a polymer resin so it is in effect more like a ...
It is specifically used in the context of tracking and similar to when you are using it to identify and track the animal in question. As such it also comes under the general heading of 'spoor' whic...
The problem with cotton for base and insulating layers is the fact that it tends to absorb moisture this can be a problem in both cold and hot conditions. In cold conditions it greatly decreases ...
Trapping can be effective with very simple equipment and a properly designed and constructed trap should either kill the animal outright (preferable) or not be easy to escape from. Also bear in m...
The simplest way of smelting iron is a bloomery furnace. This is essentially a beehive shaped structure, covered in clay and containing alternating layers of charcoal and iron ore with openings top...
If you are concerned about sharpening I would suggest that the best advice is to find a knife which is easy to sharpen rather than one which doesn't need sharpening. A lot of cheap consumer knive...
There are two principal techniques for making stone tools, depending on the properties of the material you have available. The first and probably best known is knapping. This is used with glassy ...
There are a whole range of options from simple plastic tubes to something more like a small tent. Ones which have no real supporting structure at all, essentially waterproof sleeping bag covers n...
You could also try releasing your feet first and using the resulting swing to drive the move to the next hold that way you can start use your existing hand holds as a stable base to resist the init...
Often the best solution is to get some fine nosed pliers and push the point of the hook out and through, making an 'exit wound'. This is often preferable to trying to pull a barbed hook back the wa...
A direct flame isn't a good way to set heat shrink tube as the flame is much too hot, making it very difficult to apply heat evenly without just melting the tube. The ideal thing is a hot air gun...
In the US you probably won't be able to become an apprentice in the traditional sense at the age of 14 as you will be legally obliged to be in school or at least educated by someone with parental r...
It depends : A ferrocerium rod will produce more, hotter, larger sparks than a traditional flint and steel and with care you can shave off a small pile of material from the rod without sparking i...
It is generally a good idea to carry some sort of emergency signaling equipment if you go into the wilderness. Whistle : has limited range but is especially useful if you get separated from your...
There are a few distinct methods which require few or no tools. 1) Skewers : good for fish and small pieces of meat, especially more tender cuts which don;t require long cooking. simply thread th...
Ordinary vegetable oils of the type used for cooking will work but are not ideal. Over time they will gradually oxidise and may be colonised by bacteria, both of which can cause them to become aci...
The term 'rifle' comes from the fact that the barrel of a rifle has spiral grooves (called rifling) cut into the inside. When the bullet is fired it is forced into these grooves which in turn cau...
Something like this is probably more likely to be marketed as a 'pouch' than a 'mini-backpack'. A search for 'belt pouch' or 'utility pouch' on ebay will get you what you want.
There is a big difference between a 'non-profit' organisation and just doing something on a casual basis without asking for payment. Obviously if you are advertising your services in any way then...
In terms of self sufficiency in the wild there are two main approaches, the first is to take everything you need with you in as lightweight as form as possible the second is to avoid carrying consu...
In bushcraft and survival there are a range of tasks which a bladed tool can be used for. In the context of woodcraft and survival you are likely to be a lot more interested in making tools and im...
The skin of snakes is covered with tough scales, similar to fingernails. On the upper surfaces of their bodies these tend to be approximately round or diamond shaped and on the underside are usuall...
