Bushcraft Magazine

[Ken]

Found their website on my Internet foraging. Does anyone read this mag? Is it any good and worth the subscription? I see they have a May Day meet in Kent as well. Anyone been?

[Martin]

Bushcraft Magazine readers recently voted NaturalBushcraft best bushcraft website. Not only that, but Matt (Quarryman Moderator) won their competition for a bushcraft course.

Never read it myself but with credentials like that I think you should buy it. ;)

Martin

[Matt]

It was Bushcraft and Survival Skills magazine, don't know if they're one and the same?

Regards, Matt.

[Ken]

Bushcraft Magazine readers recently voted NaturalBushcraft best bushcraft website. Not only that, but Matt (Quarryman Moderator) won their competition for a bushcraft course.

Never read it myself but with credentials like that I think you should buy it. ;)

Martin

Anything that might help with which shiny things to buy ;-)

[Ken]

After Martin's post have done more research, there are two magazines. One is the Bushcraft Magazine, with a not so good website and the the other one being the Bushcraft and Survival Skills Magazine that Matt mentioned. I think I'll subscribe to the latter for now as it is bi-monthly, the other being quarterly.

[willyb]

I have a flick though the Bushcraft magazine when ever it comes out, but i wouldn't go as far as subscribing to it! Better to go down to WH Smiths and read it for free!

[klause]

I bought a copy of the Bushcraft & Survival Skills mag for the first time this month after visiting their website.
I thought i'd buy a copy before subscribing just to see if it was any good and i have to say it's not half bad.

There are plenty of relevent articles and reviews along with the subsequent advertisements (of which somepeople may like - not me).
£5 but 82 pages of good content overall.
The very fact 'NaturalBushcraft' has won best online content shows they must know a little bit lol, and hence must be worth at least one scouting purchase..

[Mang]

I'm a subscriber to Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine and I look forward to it being delivered. It sometimes gets a bit of a pasting on a *certain* other forum which I feel is mainly unjustified (a bit like the impromptu slapping of the passenger in Airport!). I've built up a good amount of magazines and they make useful reference material and have covered everything from bow making to flint knapping.

[JonnyP]

I subscribe to the Bushcraft mag.. I have met many of the contributors and I have a lot of respect for them all. The Editors are genuine people wanting to pass on knowledge rather than send out a mag full of adverts.
Its the best bushcraft mag out there imo.
I used to like the BcUK mag too.. Its a shame it went under..

The May Day meet was a big success by all accounts, review here.. http://www.bushcraftliving.com/reviews/44-media/165-bushcraft-magazine-may-day-meet

[Humakt]

Bushcraft and Survival magazine (www.bushcraftmagazine.co.uk) that voted this site as the best and can be bought in WH Smith, is VERY different from the Bushcraft Magazine (no Survival bit, and can be found at www.bushcraft-magazine.co.uk - note the hyphen) that runs the May Day meet in Kent.
Opinion seems split on the two. But for every one person who likes Bushcraft and Survival magazine, there are ten who prefer the Bushcraft Magazine.
I don't subscribe to either, though have picked up the odd issue of both.
My feelings are that B&SM is aimed more at beginners (light-weight articles that never go indepth - almost certainly due to the amount of space that has to be given over to adverts to help pay for publication), whilst BM seems more aimed at those who want to explore their skills more indepth - probably due to the fact that it's a subscription-only magazine and doesn't have so many overheads and can give more space to articles than adverts.
Which you prefer depends on what you want from a magazine - something to occupy the mind during lunch break or something that helps expand your knowledge and understanding and will prove a useful reference.

[Ashley Cawley]

I used to love the BCUK Magazine, beautiful little mags, miss them.

I've subscribed to Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine for a couple of years now and of course was absolutely stoked to see NaturalBushcraft voted best in Bushcraft online content in it!... And then to steal my thunder close-friend Matt had his name featured on the opposite page winning a prize for entering his vote in the same competition! :happy-clapping: Couldn't believe it.

Anyway, as for the magazine itself, whilst I like it's content & format I have noticed an increasing amount of adverts; so much so that sometimes articles have turned into adverts, but that's not always a bad thing if you are looking to buy a new watch or bag etc. Magazine's have to have adverts to support themselves but it's hard finding the right balance I suppose. I miss reading articles from Dave Budd in it, but I think it's still worth the subscription.

As for the Bushcraft Magazine I have never had an issue but would love one, so I think I'll have to sub. I recently heard good things about it; that was possibly up on Dartmoor from JonnyP but I can't remember for certain as the mead was flowing freely that weekend!

[IBrown]

Went into Smiths today and asked about the magazine and they said they have never heard of it. I will try another smiths just incase it was the staff.

[klause]

It must be i got my copy from Smiths in Warrington...

[Alba Albion]

I used to subscribe to Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine for a couple of years but not now. The quality of writting went down hill and I really got the impression that it was geared towards children rather than adults, not in the subject matter ie; knives, but in the way the article was written.
I'm glad to see that there is an alternative, so will look at Bushcraft Magazine's website.

[Mang]

I have subscribed for a number of years and I'm currently knocking up a document on my PC so that I have a reference to where the articles can be found (rather than having to trawl through them all!)...The latest issue is due but this is the current one:

Fergus Drennan-Wild Literature (Wild Food Related Books Review)
Ben & Lois Orford-An Axe to Grind (Axe Sharpening)
Ian Maxwell-Call of the Wild
Emma Hampton-Survival of the Fittest
Winter Time (Outdoor Watch Review)
Survive! Tree Craft & I Love Dirt Book Reviews
Ian Nairn-Budget Bush shirt pt I
Jason Ingamells-Building a Rucksack Frame
Annette Stickler-Warm Memories of the Artic
Jonathan Simons-Walk on by! (Structure of Feet)
Tristan Gooley-The Wind & Clouds
Dale Collett-Fire Plough
John Rhyder-Bone & Antler Work
Pablo-Stalking a Squirrel
Dave Craze-More Dutch Oven Cooking (& Recipes)
Fraser Christian-Rod & Line Fishing for Food
Kaktus H20 Rain collecting device/ Jompy Water Boiler (purifier) Reviews
A New Frontier (Stove) Review
Simon King Article
Bushcraft Course/ Retailer Directory

There's a lot of writers here at the top of their game and to be fair, I can't really see (m)any articles in this issue that are written in a childlike way. Sometimes they will have basic articles but of course they are having to potentially please beginners, amateurs, intermediates, advanced, bushcrafters, survivalists, children, youth leaders, males, females and folk with specific interests like canoeing, fishing, leather work, flint knapping...

Having visited their stand at the NEC & The ExCel this year I consider this to be a learning extension of the magazine. Yes, they are there to promote their magazine but they have loads of demos, giveaways and a Bushcraft 'Mall' on site where I've had the opportunity to buy stuff and talk bushcraft-indeed, I'm pulling together a bushcraft base with others at a national Explorer Scout camp in July and I've had the chance to run stuff past professional bushcraft instructors in one place that wouldn't be there if the mag didn't exist. They are also doing their own meet by Lake Windemere (with folk like lars Falt & Gransfors coming), plus a forthcoming gathering in Scotland. It would be easy for them to just turn up with a 'buy me' stand at shows.

I've seen the other mag and liked the articles but found it a bit thin and it's not a well known publication so folk that like bushcraft may never see it whereas B.A.S.S. Mag is at least on the High Street...I guess you pays your money, you takes your choice (incidentally Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine has never gone up in price).

I've stuck up for the magazine before and admit to following them on Facebook and Twitter but I blow smoke up no ones backside and this is my honest opinion of the publication. Knocking up my reference document has reminded me how many cracking & useful articles/ prominent writers they have/ have had.

[Ashley Cawley]

I have subscribed for a number of years and I'm currently knocking up a document on my PC so that I have a reference to where the articles can be found (rather than having to trawl through them all!)...
What a great idea! Might have to start doing that myself :)

Would you mind sharing the one's you've documented so far?.. seeing as I'll no doubt have the same back-issues as you it'll give me a head-start.

I also think the mags getting an unnecessary bashing sometimes. :confused2:

[Mang]

What a great idea! Might have to start doing that myself :)

Would you mind sharing the one's you've documented so far?.. seeing as I'll no doubt have the same back-issues as you it'll give me a head-start.

I also think the mags getting an unnecessary bashing sometimes. :confused2:

I'm nearer the finish than the start and was going to offer it to anyone who wants it when done. It's been great finding stuff you'd forgotten and it's quite enthusing actually.

[Ashley Cawley]

I'm nearer the finish than the start and was going to offer it to anyone who wants it when done. It's been great finding stuff you'd forgotten and it's quite enthusing actually.
Superb - I would love a copy when your done. Greatly appreciate your time and efforts on doing this. You should be able to attach/host it here on the thread, any issues let me know.

I'm looking forward to seeing what I've missed! - Probably a lot lately :(

[paul standley]

I'm a subscriber to Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine as well - this is my first years subscription but read 2 or 3 copies previously. I still consider myself a bit of a beginner (born again as it were late on) so I get a lot out of the mag but maybe for those with honed skills and steel for ba**s it might be a bit light weight.

My advice is buy a couple of issues from Smiths and if it's not for you then not a lot lost really.

[JonnyP]

I have heard the latest copy of Bushcraft and survival mag has a picture of the fruit on some cuckoo pint (lords and ladies) and saying its rose hip.. Is this true..?
They are not two fruits you want to get mixed up.. Not good..

[jus_young]

Couldn't say if its true or not ....

MINE HASN'T ARRIVED YET!

[jus_young]

Couldn't say if its true or not ....

MINE HASN'T ARRIVED YET!

Has now :happy-clapping:

[J_P]

I have heard the latest copy of Bushcraft and survival mag has a picture of the fruit on some cuckoo pint (lords and ladies) and saying its rose hip.. Is this true..?
They are not two fruits you want to get mixed up.. Not good..

a reminder why i dont buy it..

[jus_young]

Got to admit - this may be a bit embaressing for them :oops:

[J_P]

err a bit! id say so too buddy! lol .... with a mag like this giving out info on wild foods you would expect it to be spot on as incorrect info could lead to someone in hospital or dead...

[jus_young]

How does your work colleague Pablo feel about this one then? Doesn't he write for the magazine?

If your so against it how come you promote the mag on your web site?

[Martin]

How does your work colleague Pablo feel about this one then? Doesn't he write for the magazine?

If your so against it how come you promote the mag on your web site?

Err, they don't Justin. They promote Bushcraft and Survival Skills Magazine. Might be worth a short note to JP acknowledging that fact. :)

Martin

[jus_young]

Good review on cooksets, nice to see the set I have coming in as runner up. Completely agree with them on this one and I didn't even pay that much for it.

Good magazine all round me thinks.

[jus_young]

Err, they don't Justin. They promote Bushcraft and Survival Skills Magazine. Might be worth a short note to JP acknowledging that fact. :)

Martin

My appologies to all as its not in my nature to try and offend but looking back at the posts J_P copied in a post that stated

Originally Posted by JonnyP
I have heard the latest copy of Bushcraft and survival mag has a picture of the fruit on some cuckoo pint (lords and ladies) and saying its rose hip.. Is this true..?
They are not two fruits you want to get mixed up.. Not good..

I am looking at the picture now unfortunately. Still love the magazine though.

Again my appologies to all.

[Martin]

Oh god, another thread with the potential to libel one organisation or another. :(

Happy days.

Martin

[IBrown]

Good review on cooksets, nice to see the set I have coming in as runner up. Completely agree with them on this one and I didn't even pay that much for it.

Good magazine all round me thinks.

How is that a good review on cooksets when the winner is a stand alone FRYING PAN with a folding handle. It's a no brainer.. it's obviously going to cook a better breakfast than a billycan or a lid to a 5 piece cookset that doubles as a frying pan. The work cookset should of given it away.. the word SET surely means more than one item. I didn't see anything other than the frying pan. If I am wrong, and the picture of the frying pan was misleading then i apologise for my rant..

[jus_young]

How is that a good review on cooksets when the winner is a stand alone FRYING PAN with a folding handle. It's a no brainer.. it's obviously going to cook a better breakfast than a billycan or a lid to a 5 piece cookset that doubles as a frying pan. The work cookset should of given it away.. the word SET surely means more than one item. I didn't see anything other than the frying pan. If I am wrong, and the picture of the frying pan was misleading then i apologise for my rant..

Agree with you on this one. I like the fact that my SET was mentioned. I would also think that the winning item would probably be awkward to pack? Working on the philosophy of two uses for every item, I am struggling to think of another use for their winning pan. A fly swat perhaps?

[Ashley Cawley]

If you've got the Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine checkout page 62! NaturalBushcraft has an appearance! :D

[jus_young]

If you've got the Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine checkout page 62! NaturalBushcraft has an appearance! :D


you certainly have an appearance. Good effort Ashley, recognition deserved.

[paul standley]

If you've got the Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine checkout page 62! NaturalBushcraft has an appearance! :D


Poser... :-)

[IBrown]

Well done Ashley

[Mang]

How is that a good review on cooksets when the winner is a stand alone FRYING PAN with a folding handle. It's a no brainer.. it's obviously going to cook a better breakfast than a billycan or a lid to a 5 piece cookset that doubles as a frying pan. The work cookset should of given it away.. the word SET surely means more than one item. I didn't see anything other than the frying pan. If I am wrong, and the picture of the frying pan was misleading then i apologise for my rant..

I guess you could argue this point but you haven't given a full account. The winner (a picnic Muurikka) was also given the wild card award as well as the best in test and the reviewer said that the Tatonka kettle (also reviewed) was better at certain things. The Gerlert set also got the runner up award, and the Tatonka best cookset.

In conclusion the Tatonka pushed it close and was described as the most verstatile. The Gelert & Crusader Mess also got a name check for compactness.