Bushcraft Courses

Camp Craft 2008

Using the tools of a woodsman

Using the right tools and correct cutting/carving methods is a fundamental building block of good bushcraft. There are many different types of axe, designed for different jobs. But many people picture the axe as a blunt, rusty wedge of metal on the end of a half-rotten piece of wood that lives in the shed or is occasionally found in a remote cabin. A well-selected, well maintained, sharp axe has much greater potential than these neglected tools might suggest.

The Campcraft course progresses from choosing, preparing, maintaining and sharpening your tools to a wide range of practical and above all safe techniques. These techniques will be learnt by completing a variety of relevant and rewarding projects.

Good axe technique opens up new possibilities in woodcraft and makes everyday tasks such as cutting poles or splitting firewood much quicker and more efficient. The greater your ability and speed at safe cutting/carving, the more you will be able to achieve. The techniques you will learn also develop good manual dexterity, strength, hand-eye co-ordination and a detailed knowledge of the characteristics of different woods.

Larger projects become possible with an axe. We can easily undertake tasks that would be extremely difficult with just a knife. On this course you will be taught to fell, limb, section, and split timber. You will then undertake projects which make use of these materials.

With the use of your tools, you will set up a base camp and create items that allow more comfortable living in the woods. To aid you in this, you will also learn various knots, lashings, ropework and wirecraft. Once your camp is established you will be able to undertake more elaborate camp cookery. While living in the woods we also need to keep clean and maintain good hygiene, and we will look at the general principles and different ways of achieving this.

Included in the course cost are the tools that you will be using. These include a training knife, crook knife and small forest axe which are yours to take home at the end of the course.

This course is conducted from an expedition style camp in East Sussex. This is a self-catering course, so please bring enough food for the five days and a stove to cook it on.

This course starts at 17:30 on Sunday and will finish at 16:00 on Friday.

If you have arrived at here following a cancellation and all courses are shown as then the place(s) have already been taken.

Course Dates, Locations & Prices

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• There are 3 dates available for this course
• Plick click on a date below for more details of the corresponding course