Bushcraft
BUSHCRAFT
BUSHCRAFT
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SURVIVAL IN THE WILDERNESS
Richard Graves
Skyhorse Publishing
Copyright © 1972,2013 by Richard Graves
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
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www.skyhorsepublishing.com
10 987654321
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.
ISBN: 978-1-62087-361-8
Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTS
1. ROPES AND CORDS
2. HUTS AND THATCHING
3. CAMPCRAFT
4. FOOD AND WATER
5. FIRE MAKING
6. KNOTS AND LASHINGS
7. TRACKS AND LURES
8. SNARES AND TRAPS
9. TRAVEL AND GEAR
10. TIME AND DIRECTION
INDEX
BUSHCRAFT
THE PRACTICE OF BUSHCRAFT shows many unexpected results. The five senses are sharpened, and consequently the joy of being alive is greater.
The individual’s ability to adapt and improvise is developed to a remarkable degree. This in turn leads to increased self-confidence.
Self-confidence, and the ability to adapt to a changing environment and to overcome difficulties, is followed by a rapid improvement in the individual’s daily work. This in turn leads to advancement and promotion.
Bushcraft, by developing adaptability, provides a broadening influence, a necessary counter to offset the narrowing influence of modern specialisation.
For this work of bushcraft all that is needed is a sharp cutting implement: knife, axe or machete. The last is the most useful. For the work, dead materials are most suitable. The practice of bushcraft conserves, and does not destroy, wild life.
R.H.G.
CHAPTER 1
ROPES AND CORDS
One of the first needs in Bushcraft is the ability to join poles or sticks. The only method available is by the use of lashings.
To use lashings however, it is necessary to have, find or make, materials for this purpose.
The ability to spin, or plait fibres into ropes or cords is one of the oldest of man’s primitive skills. The method is simple, and follows precisely the same stages that are made use of by today’s complicated machines.
The material from which to spin or plait ropes or cords is in abundance everywhere. Any fibrous material which has reasonable length, moderate strength and is flexible or pliable can be used. These are the three things to look for, and they can be found in many vines, grasses, barks, palms, and even in the hair of animals.
The breaking strains of handmade ropes and cords varies greatly with different materials, consequently it is essential that the rope or cord be tested for the purpose for which it will be used, before being actually put to use.
The uses to which these hand-made ropes and cords can be put, apart from lashing, is almost endless, and some few are included in this book.
THE MAKING OF ROPES AND CORDS
Almost any natural fibrous material can be spun into good serviceable rope or cord, and many materials which have a length of 12 to 24 inches, or more can be braided or plaited. Ropes of up to 3 and 4 inches diameter can be ‘laid’ by four people, and breaking strains for bush-made rope of one inch diameter range from 100 lbs. to as high as 2,000 or 3,000 lbs.
BREAKING STRAINS
Taking a three lay rope of 1 inch diameter as standard, the following table of breaking strains may serve to give a fair idea of general strengths of various materials. For safety sake always regard the lowest figure as the breaking strain unless you know otherwise.
Green Grass .. .. ..
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