How to make a rocket stove

Stoking up the rocket stove with a few twigs

What is a rocket stove? It’s a hollowed out log with a fire inside, that has a hole in the side to direct the breeze which fans the fire, and hence it burns like a rocket!

There are a few ways to make a rocket stove, you can cut a log and drill holes into it, make one from a bundle of sticks, and this version where we split a log and do some sawing and chopping.

It’s a lot like the Swedish Fire Log, a log split or cut, then set on fire in the gaps between the segments of the log. However, this version, the rocket stove, will burn hotter, because of the airflow directed into the heart of the fire through the hole at the bottom of the log!

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Visit the Chilterns

Many thanks to Visit the Chilterns for joining me in the woods, it’s wonderful to be able to share my love of the woodlands, teaching Bushcraft and enjoying nature at her finest here in the Chilterns.

This lovely short film was created by Nicola Schafer, she along with Annette Venters, from the Chilterns Conservation Board, visited me in my favourite place of work, a Chilterns woodland!

The Chilterns is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with rolling hills, chalk streams and of course, beautiful woodlands, and so much more. David was invited to take part in their “meet the makers” project, all part of their grand plan to attract you to the Chilterns!

For those of you who have yet to visit, The Chilterns is to the North West of London, just a short train ride or car journey, and you are in lovely countryside, with historic places to visit and wonderful things to do!

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Thank you for a wonderful 2017

No matter how much you assess and focus on your priorities, develop strategies and make plans, the results can so often come out differently. 2017 was another year where, to be honest, I didn’t always know what to expect. Reflecting on the past and planning for the future are important, but, what really counts is being open to opportunities and adapting to change, these make for an exciting (yes, sometimes hectic), rewarding,  and adventurous life! Thank you to everyone that helped me on this journey, those who inspired me, helped make things happen and joined me to learn and have fun. Here are a few of the highlights from 2017…

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The making of char cloth tinder

There are many ways to light a fire and some of the basic deliver the most satisfaction. So have you ever tried to light a fire from a simple spark using a piece of flint and a steel? This should not be confused with a firesteel, one of those ferro or ferrocerium rods. When a firesteel is scraped properly it provides a shower of bright, white and extremely hot sparks to ignite a tinder bundle. Chipping away at a piece of flint with a steel by contrast creates paler sparks that are a cooler orange and far more sensitive to the tinder used.  Continue reading “The making of char cloth tinder”

Whittling with one hand

Have you ever injured your dominant hand badly enough that you had to learn how to use your other hand? I have been unfortunate enough to do this not once but twice, although the second was a shoulder injury, it still meant I couldn’t use my dominant hand. Seeking the positive, there was a benefit to me, in that I am now able to demonstrate carving techniques using either my left or dominant right hand. Being ambidextrous also helps those who are left-handed, because I can show them how to carve the way they would prefer, which means they don’t have to transpose the movements. Continue reading “Whittling with one hand”