#askpaulkirtley by Paul Kirtley: Professional Outdoorsman

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I start with a big-picture question: is there such a thing as a bushcraft mindset, distinct from survival mindset? From there we move our thinking to the winter woods and look at how to move from guided courses to planning your own unsupported journeys in the boreal forest. I also answer a practical paddling question about additional buoyancy in open canoes, including when you might reasonably leave the buoyancy bags out. Finally, I tackle a short but frequent question: how do you get hold of one of “my” knives; I also use this as an oppo...

In this episode, I answer a series of practical questions covering gear care, camp comfort, and tool use. I start with how to keep your waterproof jackets and trousers performing properly, then move on to choosing and adapting sleep systems for different conditions—from hammocks in the tropics to bivvy bags in the snow. I also explain how to tell when your knife needs sharpening, why stropping isn’t always enough, and the reasoning behind smaller bushcraft knives such as the PK2. Finally, I address the idea of wearing waterproofs to bed—does it really help, or just leave you damp a...

In this episode I share my top five knots for bushcraft and outdoor life, then answer what really makes a good travelling companion on wilderness trips. I also discuss what it would take for me to teach courses in the USA, offer advice on lighting fire dogs from previous campfires, and reflect on how students today compare with those of 15–20 years ago.

In Episode 90 of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer listener questions on where I would go for a leisure canoe trip, how I balance compass use with natural navigation cues, and practical ways to improve weather forecasting skills without technology. I also reflect on some of my most beautiful moments in nature, from mountain sunsets to close wildlife encounters, and finish with some practical tips on making feather sticks.

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I respond to a range of listener questions, from comparing rations with bush cooking, to sharing memorable wildlife encounters, including some close-range moments with deer, badgers, and otters. I also explore how to adapt bushcraft skills to unfamiliar environments, such as moving from the northern temperate, or boreal forest, to tropical climes, plus I offer suggestions on primitive projectile weapons worth trying, and share my thoughts on knife danglers versus other carry methods.

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I respond to five new questions from the community. I explore the potential use of the adze in bushcraft, how long a bow drill hearth board will last, and the best wood conditions for creating fire by friction. I also discuss how to physically prepare for a Canadian canoe expedition, and finally, I reflect on some of the wilderness skills I’m currently pursuing more deeply, including basketry and lithic technology.

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about why my podcasts play too fast, some thread for fixing gear and for use as fishing line, the expected lifespan of a Bahco Laplander saw and when to upgrade from a Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe?

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer your questions about collaborations with other bushcrafters, the place for larger knives, machetes and parangs, alternative knots to square lashings and what are the best materials to look for in a firesteel or ferro rod?

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about water purification for self-propelled journeys such as back-packing and bike-packing. I also answer a question about an often misunderstood or ignored area of navigation related to magnetic variation and the necessary compass adjustments...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about forest access and fire rules, how to deal with the issue of kit and clothing getting wet, and suggestions for setting up tarp lines at head height, along with some thoughts on knot repertoire....

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on getting fit for backpacking, keeping leather boots in good condition when out for a while, and which is my go-to bivvy bag.

Answers to questions about whether I will ever write a book, why some ferro rods or firesteels don't work very well, and whether my bushcraft philosophy has changed over the years...

Answers to questions about the effects of Covid/lockdowns on the bushcraft industry, office to outdoor career transitions, how to remember bushcraft and survival uses of plants, and how to promote good outdoor ethics, including leave-no-trace, to people outside of the usual outdoor community.

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer questions on what’s inspirational about wild places, carrying a lock knife for bushcraft, why use two bags for canoeing and a bit of tree and plant ID on some berries in Quebec.

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about axe stones and keeping them in shape, using a parang in the boreal, quilts vs sleeping bags. demographics of bushcraft course participants, when to use the finer side of a sharpening stone, visiting North American bushcraft festivals and shows. At the beginning of the show there is an important announcement and part way through I also have a bit of a rant….

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about campfire safety risk assessment, use of cottongrass and what to do with your shoes while bivvying...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer your questions about expanding from survival skills to broader bushcraft skills, sleeping bag liners and entanglement, fishing as part of a bushcraft repertoire...

I answer questions about how to use the inner bark of sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa, for tinder bundles, ideas for minimising smoke from fires, first aid for young people, and some thoughts on every day carry (EDC) items…

In this episode I answer questions about how you know when it’s the right time to start teaching bushcraft, considerations for washing up after cooking when you only have limited drinking water and how to test how clean and pure the water is coming out of a water filter is…

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer questions about featherstick material recommendations, remedying chipped axe edges, washing down sleeping bags and hydrophbic down...

I talk about tarps (yes again), fire hardening of spears and the potential for making them more brittle, froth in water after it has been through a Millbank bag or Brown bag, and my views on hunting within bushcraft…

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer your questions about obtaining big sheets of birch bark, the benefit of identifying trees in bushcraft, bow drill polishing, deer carcass inspection and my favourite made items..

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer listener questions about Roycraft packframes in bushcraft, how often you should sharpen your knife, oiling knives and bow drill woods moisture content.

In this episode I answer questions on real survival with no food, the best areas for kayaking and wild camping in the UK, banking fires overnight, Combat Application Tourniquets (CAT) in first aid kits and Bow-drilling standing up...

I answer questions about Mediterranean bushcraft, water purification and desalination on a coastal creek trip, cleaning stainless steel water bottles and several inter-related questions on backpacking, backpacks and military surplus gear...

Did I have any 'eureka moments' with the Hadza, and do I still use any skills I learned from them? What to do about ticks being on the increase? Tarp knot recommendations for people with limited hand mobility. Striking matches with your teeth? I also answer a question about my camera gear for trips and how I manage it outdoors with respect to bad weather and potential submersion. Find out more about these in the latest #AskPaulKirtley....

I answer questions about too many layers, whether Bushcraft is an appropriate hobby for a 12-year-old, ideas for teaching simple bushcraft and camping skills to young people indoors during the winter, fires in deserts when you only have twigs, and my choice of music for the bush...

In this episode, I answer questions about how to get to the Northern Forest, how to combat loneliness on wilderness trips, how to get people interested in bushcraft, the many purposes of a bivvy bag and share some thoughts on cooking sets for canoe trips...

In this episode, I answer questions on tips for having fires under tarps, will there or should there be more bushcraft on TV, what might the causes be of getting pumped forearms when making feathersticks, is there a best time of year to harvest wood for carving, and details of Typha fibre extraction.

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I talk about my best bushcraft moment of 2017, some advice on introducing kids to canoe camping in Scotland, bow drill material selection troubleshooting, up-to-date alternatives to film canisters for match storage, some considerations for topping up a brown bag and sterilisation of billy cans, cups, etc.,...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer questions about water purification protocols in areas where water is mostly clean to drink, how to use withies to create a tripod with canoe paddles, useful daily camp routines for personal admin and hygiene, the consequences of compass bubbles, an overview of the fire saw with bamboo, and whether ant larvae are edible…

The appropriateness of having campfires on rock, what to do when group morale is low, a recommended magnifying glass for lighting tinders, the dangers of exposure to woodsmoke from campfires and the differences between traditional Scouting and modern bushcraft...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about using birch polypore as a strop, the importance of reading the weather, which trees and plants to learn, what my favourite wild edibles are and running repairs on axes...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer questions about computer time and technology getting in the way of outdoor experiences, bushcraft knife rust prevention, duvet jackets, water filtration combined with other methods, the time necessary to set up camp, what to do about slug invasions and making your own trail mix...

I answer questions about camp seating if you can’t find a log nearby, the importance of first aid training and what to put into first aid kits, how to calculate how far you can hike plus keep track of your speed, storing compasses at home and in the field, tips for avoiding midges, identifying unusual growths on tree leaves and how to collect, process and eat ribwort plantain seeds...

In this episode of my #AskPaulKirtley question and answer sessions, I answer your questions on water-indicating trees, encouraging campfires to burn out completely, axe re-hafting in the field, ideal winter hot-tent set ups, potential chimney effects of fire reflectors and bow drill ember failure...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about bad-tasting pine needle tea and toxic needled species of tree, working on bushcraft skills and knowledge indoors or at home, fire plough in the northern temperate zone, required fitness for my wilderness expeditions, easily identifiable plants for wild teas beyond nettles, how to learn to navigate at night and my opinion on Paramo clothing….

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about what plant can be used for a midge repellent, processing horse’s hoof fungus, tarp set-ups, kit weights and load outs, sleep rotation for fire watches, the efficacy of Platago major as a healing agent vs yarrow, as well as having a bit of a rant about fire reflectors...

In this episode, I answer questions about the longevity of pathogenic organisms in water containers, magnifying glass specifications for fire lighting, the dangers of branches dropping in woodland, umbrellas for bushcraft and camping, resin content in bow-drill materials, and shorts (yes, shorts)....

In this episode of my Q&A show, I answer questions about surprisingly smoky firewood, clean clothes and hardened hands, water purification by evaporation, iodine for wounds and water, investing time in leatherworking skills, my philosophical starting point for bushcraft...

This episode of #AskPaulKirtley was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2017 Bushcraft Show in Derbyshire, U.K. There was a wide range of questions from the audience, none of which were known to me before the session. It was fun to do and we got through a lot in the hour we had together...

In this episode, I answer questions about changing boots on canoe trips, sharpening a knife with a secondary bevel, tidying up after harvesting dead, standing wood, knots for attaching guylines to tarps, billy can choices and handle clips, sickness and diarrhoea on a wilderness journey…

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer more of your questions, this time tackling using a tarp with a canoe, earning from bushcraft content, sleeping bag liners and avoiding sweat, dealing with frowns, strides for walking, vegetarianism and veganism within bushcraft....

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer questions about long winter evenings in camp, fire safety, when is safe to leave a fire, throwing coals into streams, billy cans vs other stainless pots, poisonous lookalikes to dandelions…

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about my preferred water filters, comms on solo canoe trips, how to make yourself useful on a trip when everyone else is more experienced, is hydrophobic down worth the premium and pignut recipes…

I answer questions about how to get into bushcraft instructing, what causes foam in streams, recommendations for winter wild edibles, uses of willow, braces or suspenders, tool sharpening at home and on the trail, and zipped bivvy bag use in the open…

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on outfitting canoes, tooth problems on trips, finding wildlife while out wandering, saponins, chickweed and birch, blowing tinder bundles into flame (optimal positioning), keeping gear dry on hikes, bushcraft course advice, changing your ways and learning new things in bushcraft...

Bushcraft shows and events in 2017, tinders for flint and steel, shelter roof strong enough for snow, smocks vs anoraks with zips, woods for bushcraft activities in the UK, wild camping in North West England, being blinded by headlamps, foundational bushcraft knowledge as a long-term learning base...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about bushcraft skills for a 9-year-old, leather belt kits over jackets, horse’s hoof fungus identification, tinder bundles and ember extenders, online bushcraft courses, bushcraft courses for Scout leaders, what makes a bushcraft knife a bushcraft knife, and a bit of inspiration…

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about food for longer trips and expeditions, choosing expedition companions, foraging for calories, valuable lessons and learning from mistakes, tarp and bivvy for colder months, drinking while tramping in dry areas, tree and plant ID guides.

In this episode I answer questions on integrating traditional crafts into modern outdoor trips, how to stop people leaving rubbish at campsites, washing, cooking and camping in bear country, outdoor clothing sizes and where to buy, how young is too young for bushcraft, variations in basic bushcraft kit for the Rockies, cheaper full-tang knives, list of places to camp in the woods...

Weird encounters at night, drying clothes, drugs tests and foraging, bow drill notch details, predators and rewilding, carcinogenic campfires, learning more about wild edibles...

In this episode I cover carbon monoxide and winter shelters, candles for quinzhees, snow shelter construction, toilets in cold weather, sweaty clothes, food for exhausting day hikes, wilderness ski touring and anoraks for cold weather…

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on how to learn more about fungi, the ONE thing that will see me survive in the wilds, time management on trips, badger latrines, processing oak bark for tinder, knots and lashings for bushcraft and more...

In this episode I answer a bunch of questions about water. What are the advantages of Millbank bags? Can you use a bandanna to filter water? Do Steripens work? How do you deal with herbicides and pesticides in water? Can you use activated charcoal to filter water? Is it safe to drink water from springs and wells? These are the jumping off points for a wide-ranging discussion about producing safe drinking water outdoors - close to home or further into the wilds...

Questions about boots for bushcraft, 3-season sleeping bag choices, carbon steel knives and flint for sparks, how to avoid shredding your knuckles while using a firesteel, long distance hiking, lightweight gear and bushcraft, how do I know when do you know enough for wilderness, and what would I do in a particular wilderness canoe expedition survival scenario.

Shelter bedding, sustainable birch bark harvesting, martial arts and teaching bushcraft, higher or lower for optimal camp temperatures, cod liver oil tablets for survival packs, heavy tents, outdoor career advice and what’s best - tarp or tent?

In this episode, I answer questions about how we might look after our teeth and nails without modern tools, natural meds and charcoal for stomach upsets, the edibility of beech nuts, bow drill woods NOT to use, shorts in the bush (are they a good idea?), some curious rings around a tree, uses of Himalayan balsam and pot lifting - what on earth are we doing?

In this episode I answer questions about top trees for bushcraft, dish cleaning in random camp spots with no water, the best time for carving, how not to get wet under a tarp (revisited), light saws for bushcraft, equipment for maintaining axe and knife at home...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about bear-resistant containers, bushcraft in the National Curriculum, blisters, modern Swiss Army Knives, bushcraft and skis, and making use of trash you find in the woods...

In this episode, I answer questions about compass bubbles, old man’s beard, hand-drill use in the UK, physical fitness for the outdoors, long-log fire lays and sparks from Gransfors axes…

How to get over a fear of wild edibles, is Leave No Trace completely at odds with Bushcraft, which other methods of fire by friction work in the UK, my view on firebox stoves, whether wood stoves get around no-fire rules, ideas on DIY sleeping bags and can you use two sleeping bags together for the winter, plus what shirt am I always wearing?

#AskPaulKirtley returns with questions on vapour barriers, firesteels on lanyards, what to do in electrical storms, trekking poles and pitching tarps, dehydrating your own meals, especially favourite recipes, how to know when to stop bow drilling. The latter makes for a neat case study. AND there is a nice sneak preview in the middle of the video as well as a fun little blooper reel at the end. Enjoy...

Another full session with answers to questions on knife storage at home, knife grinds for bushcraft, pooping in the woods, how to cook cat-tail rhizomes, how to re-proof bivvy bags, recommended work gloves, billy can sizes, what one item I would take to the woods, and how to move beyond kit obsession...

Canoe maestro Ray Goodwin joins me to answer questions on inflatable canoes and kayaks, sleeping in a canoe, avoiding wrist pain when paddling, the merits of back-paddling, advice for a first-time multi-day canoe tripper, canoe saddles, bug suits, skills for a River Spey trip, transporting canoes, moving to larger rivers with rapids and stronger currents and more...

I answer questions about finding flint, wind and shelter, wool blankets, managing fires overnight, if Millbank bags are a niche item, becoming a bushcraft instructor, removing the plastic taste from MSR Dromedary bags, PLCE side pockets and why I like them, plus what are my favourite matches…

In this episode, I answer questions about canvas vs synthetic fabrics, aluminium pot safety, clothing which is tough enough for the woods, dealing with fear when camping alone, whether to use tents or tarps in blackfly season and what’s my opinion on survival tins and foil space blankets....

Answers to questions about how viable bow-drill friction fire is as a real world technique, should a grandfather take his grandson on an overnight camp, how to get fit for backpacking, what is my kit mentality and what's my opinion on survival shows...

I answer questions about getting started with carving utensils, avoiding exploding rocks in the campfire, precautions against dangerous gases in heated tents with wood burning stoves, what to do with worn firesteels, whether charcloth has a shelf life, reducing sleeping bag condensation and what on Earth are Spoons and I up to on Snapchat?...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about if it is still possible to live sustainably from trapping and hunting, where can you source birch bark of high enough quality for birch bark containers, how do you find decent firewood in winter, is the pain of portaging worth it, will a Mora Companion hold up to field use and what are my daypack recommendations...

n this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions asked by a live audience of students on a bushcraft course in the woods. It was a wet and windy weekend and filming this was made quite "interesting"....

In this episode, I answer questions about tinder bundles for friction fire in winter, GPS, tree and plant uses in Australia, organising wilderness trips, advice to group leaders, meat and cooking over pine or spruce. I also talk about my favourite Gore-tex and Primaloft combination of garments, plus answer some questions about cameras and tripods for outdoor use...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about how to get started with canoe camping, water bladders and water bottles, my long term, go-to stove when not using a fire, firesteel and knife combos, how to increase your bow-drill success rate, identifying animal hairs, knife skills to practise at home, my pants, socks and boots, where to go to wild camp and to practise bushcraft skills, and whether or not you should be drinking your own urine...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about cramp balls as ember extenders, natural soaps, tapping trees for sap (other than birch), have I still got my Woodlore instructor knife, are combinations of wild edibles always safe and waterproof jackets on a budget...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on bow drill consistency, bow drilling with natural cordage, winter tents, the top three areas of bushcraft to concentrate on, beginner and budget axes, alternatives to the Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe, what to do with your wallet, phone and passport while out in the field, and whether or not wearing your clothes in your sleeping bag stop it from working efficiently...

Answers to questions about power in the wilderness, water purification, chaga, what I’ve got in my pockets, what you do when you get the silent treatment and reasons why I left Woodlore. There's also a question for YOU to answer...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on various considerations with respect to shelter and sleeping arrangements, bivvybag condensation, wool blankets (again), Tyvek as a material for beds and tents, setting up tarp ridge lines and the important question of whether or not there should be such a thing as a wilderness licence?

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on the breathability of eVent fabric, the utility of military surplus gear for bushcraft, fire management for first timers, gaining consistency with bow drill, and provide some thoughts on realistic year-round carbs foraging as well as getting a little philosophical towards the end.

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, Q's to your A's about bushcraft in South Africa vs Scotland, bivvy bag issues, firebowls, squeaky bow-drills, mix & match NCFE courses, snakes & bugs under tarps, canoe vs kayak...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on toxic firewood, down sleeping bag cost vs weight, what to do if lost in the woods, what knife to carry, sharpening knives on coffee mugs, using contact lenses outdoors for extended periods, the minimum knowledge to be a bushcrafter and rewilding Britain...

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about boots, EDC kit, preparing your equipment for outings, getting started with animal tracking, bushcraft during the hunting season, alternative bow-drill positions and ways of managing without refrigeration while camping.

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer questions on bushcraft qualifications and what you need to do to start a bushcraft company, where to store your bushcraft knife and firesteel so that they don’t corrode, burning rubbish in the campfire and cooking starches found in tuberous roots when foraging.

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about multi-tools vs knives, bug nets, am I ever going to run courses “up north”, how and where to store outdoor equipment when you are not using it and where in the world can we go to practice all aspects of bushcraft.

In Episode 10 of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer questions about knife lanyard holes, dromedary bags for water storage, my preferred method of sleeping - hammock or tarp, making tinder boxes for Explorer Scouts and discuss if there should be an NGB award for bushcraft…

In this episode I answer questions about useful bushcraft knife techniques, wool blankets, hammocks and poncho liners as well as revisiting medicinal herbs and book recommendations. In addition, I discuss outdoor first aid, in particular first aid for wilderness journeys. I also give some advice on where to find or source materials such as hides, antlers and the like for practising primitive skills...

In Episode 8 of #AskPaulKirtley, I offer some thoughts on preppers and prepping, make some suggestions for helping kids who get frustrated with learning bushcraft skills, suggest some quiet places to camp and forage in the UK, give some specific advice on aspects of firelighting, fires and leave no trace as well as provide some book recommendations for bushcraft and wider campfire reading.

In epsisode 7 of #AskPaulKirtley I answer a request for advice on picking up roadkill deer, offer some thoughts for new or aspiring bushcraft instructors, explain what a mirror on a compass is for, scratch my head a bit while choosing five medicinal herbs and talk about edible snails and why they are not further up the bushcraft menu...

I answer questions about my bushcraft aspirations - personal and professional, favourite memories from the Bloodvein, bivvy tents, how to minimise the chances of being caught out by the weather, as well as wild camping in the UK - where we can go, where we can camp, where we can have a fire and how we preserve that privilege for generations going forwards....

I answer questions about bears and camping in Sweden, bushcraft/survival knives and what we do with them when we are travelling or in public places, knife and oilstone recommendations for a beginner to learn bushcraft knife sharpening, where to park our car when going for a multi-day hike and how to stop getting bothersome bits in our boots…

In this episode I answer questions about how to deal with biting insects in the woods, my favourite wild foods for foraging, how to use Alexanders as a food, how to go about learning more about trees and their identification as well as making sure you can find and purify enough water while on the move during a hike (rather than being static in a base camp)...

In #AskPaulKirtley, I answer your questions on wilderness bushcraft, survival skills and outdoor life. In Episode 3 I answer questions about getting kids started with bushcraft, dealing with the increasing problem of ticks as well as people’s fears around ticks, alternative tinders when birch bark is not available, my favourite friction fire woods for bow drill and hand drill as well as giving some tips on tactics for seeing more wildlife while out and about…

In #AskPaulKirtley, I answer your questions on wilderness bushcraft, survival skills and outdoor life. In episode 2, I talk about bivvy bags, tarps vs Jerven bags, automatic wristwatches, and I also give some thoughts on titanium cooking pots. Plus, what should you be wearing for bushcraft? And what should we cook in the bush?...

In #AskPaulKirtley, I answer your questions on wilderness bushcraft, survival skills and outdoor life. In episode 1, I talk about bushcraft knives, books, hammock knots and the kitchen sink...