Paul Kirtley On How To Set Up Your Axe and Saw

It seems most people, especially men, have an opinion about axes. And even those who don’t, are often attracted to the cutting power of these simple tools. In the right hands an axe can be incredibly effective, saving both time and effort on a wilderness trip. But axes can also cause horrific injuries if you misjudge their use. There are also some jobs which saws are better suited to than axes anyway. The combination of both an axe and a saw is a highly efficient one that also helps you maintain safety on a trip. The first step is to make sure your tools are set up correctly, along with taking the right spares and maintenance kit along with you to keep them in tip-top working condition.

In the video below renowned bushcraft instructor and seasoned wilderness tripper Paul Kirtley runs through how he sets up his axe and saw combination for wilderness trips…

Recommended Books by Paul Kirtley

Wilderness Axe Skills and Campcraft

Who is Paul Kirtley?

Paul Kirtley’s website

Paul Kirtley Wikipedia listing

Kevin Callan’s Whisky Fireside Chat interview of Paul Kirtley

Trial By Fire podcast interview of Paul Kirtley

Ray Mears On How To Bake Bread Outdoors

It’s hard to beat the smell and taste of a fresh loaf. This is even more the case when on a wilderness trip. In the video Ray Mears shows how to bake a lovely loaf of bread in the outdoors. It’s a good skill to have but you might be asking, how does this fit on Wilderness Equipment Review? Well, while this video is not explicitly about gear, baking bread does require some camp kitchen equipment. It’s good to see what’s required. Also, along the way, Ray Mears shares some tips and tricks about using fire for this purpose – good practice for the wilderness tripper, something we are also keen to share here at WER.

In the video below the quintessential English woodsman and TV presenter Ray Mears runs through how he bakes a loaf in the backwoods, all in his trademark calming tones…

Recommended Books By Ray Mears

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Who is Ray Mears?

Ray Mears’s website

Ray Mears Wikipedia entry

Cliff Jacobson’s Tips for Bug-Proofing Your Camp

Cliff Jacobson, the doyen of wilderness canoe tripping, makes a detailed presentation on bug-proofing your camp, including recommendations on bug nets, bug suits, insect repellants and even smokey fires.

Watch the video presentation by Cliff Jacobson below, in which be brings together decades of experience of tripping in some intensely bug-infested wilderness areas…

Recommended Books by Cliff Jacobson

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Who is Cliff Jacobson?

Cliff Jacobson’s website

Cliff Jacobson Wikipedia entry

Cliff Jacobson interview on the Paul Kirtley Podcast

Cliff Jacobson articles on Paddling.com