Woodlore Blog

The following guide has been taken from our Bushcraft Tips & Advice section, where we’ve also uploaded information on axe sharpening, how to care for leather products, and how to use a fire stick.

While this guide will no doubt help, the best way to learn how to sharpen a knife is to see it done in person. The safe use of cutting tools (including knife sharpening) is covered in our Fundamental Bushcraft Course.

The above video clip has been taken from the DVD extras of the Ray Mears Bushcraft Survival Series 1 DVD, while the following guide is an extract from the book Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft:

To sharpen your knife you will need a set of abrasive stones ranging from coarse to fine. At home you can indulge yourself with a set of large bench stones, while in the field you will need a small, lightweight alternative. Abrasive stones are manufactured from a wide range of materials. Ray’s preference is to use Ice Bear Japanese Waterstones which work fast and conveniently to give a razor edge. Use three grits – 800 for coarse, 1200 for medium and 6000 for fine. In the field carry a combination 1200/6000 stone sawn in half.

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The Wilderness Navigation course 2010; wouldn't be the worst place to get lost though, would it?

We’ve recently uploaded a new collection of photos from this year’s Wilderness Navigation course, where Woodlore student Alexis got some great pictures of her week in the woods:

Wilderness Navigation 2010 photo gallery

About this course:

The Woodlore Wilderness Navigation course provides a thorough, no-nonsense grounding in all aspects of map and compass (which require no batteries!), equipping you with the skills to traverse open country or dense forest, day or night, in all weathers.

Woodlore student Louise using the bow drill method of creating fire by friction

Viewed by Ray as the most efficient and reliable of all the fire by friction techniques, the bow drill method is just one of many different skills taught on our Fundamental Bushcraft course.

Blowing into the tinder pile to help it ignite

Many of the students on last week’s Fundamental course were successful in starting fires using this technique, including Richard Hewett, who Colette managed to photograph at just the right moment:

Success!

If you’d like to give this method a go, as well as trying your hand at natural shelter construction, wilderness fishing techniques and other outdoor skills, take a look at our Fundamental Bushcraft course.