Allen Hamrick
Knowledge is power and the use of that powerful knowledge makes one unstoppable. Let’s face it, without some form of evil, some trial in our lives or perhaps a controversy, we tend to become gentle-minded, thinking only about things that are right in front of us. Life is a single journey for all of us, and our ability to adapt to circumstances is paramount. The way we shape our life is the outcome of all we do; sometimes the simplest of means and our ordinary actions dictate our wellness, not how much we have. We tend to prosper as long as there are neediness and destitution barking at our heels. We stimulate our communities through necessity because then it becomes survival. That survival takes away fear and instills the human desire for living no matter what the foe.
Many of those that lived when need was overtaken by labor and invention have already gone on. Those with soft hands and lack of preparation are more likely to perish under the weight of suffering, distress, difficulty, and worry. Those that have work-hardened hands and skills often have more than the richest when life goes off track. Essential skills must be learned and, along with action, can save us from ourselves – the proverbial making of a silk purse from a sow’s ear, so to speak. Skills in gardening and hunting and preparation with bug out bags and survival packs can be basic essentials for survival. Our ancestors knew how to face adversity head on and deep down, so do we. We need shelter, water, fire, and food; beyond that it is icing. In times of need, keeping up with those basics can be a 24 hour a day job.
We can master many of the skills needed for bush crafting and homesteading. Making your own knife requires tools – safety glasses, a hacksaw, an angle grinder, metal files, sandpaper, a small drill press or brace and bit, some form of vise and a whetstone. If you’re going to use a forge, then it gets a little more complicated. You will also need metal to construct your knife. Recycled bull saws from a large mill are a good metal for making tough knives for survival and camping. Also, the band saw on the mill itself is great for paring knives and butcher knives. Car springs and old horse rasps are great for forging knives as well as high carbon railroad spikes. If you’re interested, get with someone who knows the process and get started on making your own. Knot tying has always been an essential skill that everyone should have. Knowing how to tie different knots can save lives in perilous situations, but you must know how to tie them properly for them to be dependable and usable. Useful knots include the square knot, the clove hitch, the bowline, the figure eight, two half hitches, the taut line hitch, the double fisherman’s knot, prusik knot, alpine knot and butterfly knot. There are literally hundreds of knots, and learning to tie them can be a lot of fun and prove to be very useful in many of life’s situations.
Primitive trapping is an almost forgotten skill that has largely been swept under the rug but can be useful information. You may never need it but … Two of the most used traps in the day were the trail snare and the figure four. Both, if used properly, will help provide food in a survival situation. I remember my dad talking about using the figure four to catch game when the family was running low on food during his childhood years. In preparing to be able to handle the unexpected, honing your skills never gets dull. You never know when they may come in handy.
Gardening and preserving foods are vital knowledge that seem to be making a comeback. Being able to preserve the food you grow and harvest along with knowing exactly what is in it can be very rewarding as well as tasty. The truth is that practicing these survival skills when times are quiet and calm will prepare you for the difficult times. Even if you are well off and have need of nothing, these are good to know. The older generation lived by the mantra of being able to take care of themselves, and we must embrace the idea that our future depends on us. Society needs to get back to believing that we are part of nature and the natural world and not its enemy. Let’s walk with a positive impact and welcome the opportunities.
