wolfbushcraft

the long shadow

2011-08-19T20:19:00.003+01:00

As nature pauses briefly,just to rest before the preparation of the winter to come,i too pause and take this time to write a little something..

Ive enjoyed what this summer has given to me so far,ive walked dewy meadows,watched swallows feed over swaying fields of barley,and deer rest in the shade.tWO new faces entered the dance this summer,the goshawk and the buzzard,these two have eluded me,played tit for tat for hours with me,my camera posed ready,just to shoot thin air.But with the patience of an older wolf i sat,walked and scouted until i filmed at the least the buzzards.What creatures of the sky,fearless,proud,bold,screaming out thier meow cry for every one to hear and those that should,... run..Even the crow had little effect mobbing them,when one was mobbed another flew to help,peace and quiet was defenitely not on the menu that day.But amid all this a great connection can be felt,each wave of chaos can be felt within if you listen carefully enough..The birds of prey are truely the warriors bird...
I played and am still playing my usual game with the tree people(squirrels).who gets the hazel nut first...im doing better this year,but not as good as they are..
I sometimes am amazed at the bounty nature gives,the apple tree laden with fruit bowing to passers by to take her gifts,but they blindly ignore her thier apples are selected by the best quality control the supermarket has to offer,(oh what tastes your missing)....
And so as i continue to walk i notice the sun is lower and shining right at eye level,The signs speak of autumn,of preparing for winter...The time of the long shadow will soon be here,and summers seeds will quietly sleep as a baby in the womb of its mother waiting to be born.

2011-05-14T02:39:00.000+01:00

grimbo;s cold steel kukri machete throwing..

2011-05-13T19:42:00.000+01:00

grimbo;s no eye for deer..

2011-05-08T02:45:00.000+01:00

grimbo;s urban Roe buck..

2011-05-01T02:46:00.000+01:00

THE KUNAI

2011-04-17T02:50:00.000+01:00

If youve watched my video you would have seen me throwing the kunai...Whats a kunai?Well originally it started off as a builders trowel in the old days of japan..
you have all heard of ninjas?Well these ninjas were very secretive,their lives depended on it,so they adapted their own weapons out of things they had around them,hence a simple trowel became a deadly weapon.With modification it became a close combat knife,a spear,it was also used to dig out holes in walls allowing the ninja access to his usually sleeping target,they even hammered them into walls and trees to help them climb,and of course in the right hands it could be thrown if needed.So as you can see it had many uses..
So i thought about it as a survival tool and decided to get some.It has its uses,much as it did centuries ago.I to now have an emergency spear,a skinning blade,a digging tool,a kitchen knife,and of course a throwing knife..These one i have are small and flat making them easy to tuck away in any survival kit etc....
So there you have it,the kunai,a simple trowel or a swiss army bush knife...

grimbo;s pied woodpecker.

2011-04-17T02:34:00.000+01:00

grimbo;s quad roe deer.

2011-04-13T19:51:00.000+01:00

grimbo;s bull roarer.

2011-04-09T07:54:00.000+01:00

on the horizon

2011-03-18T12:14:00.000Z

whats this another bow in the making?watch this space....

grimbo magic

2011-03-18T12:00:00.000Z

How many of you have seen films where natives enter a certain woodland or jungle and are terrified,they look around and there are skulls and weird things hanging from the trees?Or they wont go across a stretch of land because its cursed?You know what i mean...Any way id though i would hang a few pieces around my camp area..my own keep out signs to the native vandals, and stray dog walkers whom may happen to get lost off the beaten track..Now i can sit in my shelter listen to the screams of"ah its grimbo magic,this place is cursed"..Of course if that fails zeus will no doubt make them think twice..

trail snares

2011-03-18T11:49:00.000Z

Often you may hit a part of woodland that is a mini highway,used only for travelling through by game.The use of deadfalls and baited snares here are usually non productive,i find the best traps/snares are ones put along the trails...A natural channeling point is good,or you can channel the animal your self using natural materials..Often there may not be anywhere to secure a good noose,so using the fork stick method is always a good idea...Try to use a natural fallen piece rather than cutting one,one it saves on the enviroment, and animals will smell the fresh sap that has been cut and will aviod the trail...

winter shelter lean too

2011-03-16T19:27:00.000Z

If you remember my winter lean too,you can see now how much ive added to it..throughout the winter ive gradually brought in more foliage to add to it,its a job that can really be finished..This will be left now until i use it again next winter..

swirls

2011-03-04T19:58:00.000Z

ive not posted much lately,.....sometimes the river flows smoothly and evenly,this has been the case of my journeys into the woods,now and again ive noticed a little swirl but nothing worth writing about,until now,I decided the best course of action would be to remember the little swirls and write about them in one posting......
Depending on where you are in the world mother nature will be awaking at different stages,for weeks now there has been been little changes(swirls),if you venture out just to quickly give the dog a run before work each day,you will not notice such swirls.One thing everyone notices is daylight increasing,with this many things stir in nature,the longer the light the more happens..The sap is running through the birch now,many people miss this when tapping because they tap early mornings when it is cold,if its there it may not flow,leave it later in the day when its warmer and you then may see it flowing..The woodpecker has started drumming the song of spring,bluebell spikes have already carpeted the woodland ground,the cuckoo pint leaves shine out boldly amoungst them,soon the cow parsley will tower above them all..Ive seen birds checking out potential nesting sites.Soon mother nature will release her spring tonics,usually in the form of wild ramsons,mustard garlic,She gives us these to detox our bodies,toxins that have built up in us throughout winter.This is earth medicine once known by many,now taught by few..
Ive seen buds on trees like sycamore,and hawthorn just waiting to burst open...There is much happening out there some obvious some not...
One thing that is overlooked is the changes in ourselves this time of year,we too want to burst open our buds,we want to feel heat from the sun on our bodies,we stretch more,we are slightly restless.Why is this so?You have to remember that we too are from mother earth,we act as any other living thing when the season changes,we are related to all living things we feel as they feel,wrapping ourselves in concrete doesnt stop this happening,it just prevents us from understanding it,and acting on it.....
My thoughts now turn to warmer days of watching swirls become whirl pools,of deer browsing on the food of summer,the swifts returning,and new life all around.....
I hope many of you can get out from time to time to share the summer ahead with all that you are related to...
The old crone of the woods is leaving,in here place the white fair lady sits,the old crone hates to give way to her,she limps off all bent over and gnarled muttering to herself,suddenly she stops and glances back at the lady,she grins a toothless grin,she knows it will not be that long before she returns with her gnarled walking stick and uses it to summon jack frost once more...

foggy doe deer pics

2011-02-25T12:38:00.000Z

At this time of year most does are ready to give birth as soon as the weather warms up and there is a bit more selection in their diets...This doe ive tracked and stalked all winter,she has been running with another,maybe her sister,but this is the first time ive seen her alone.Sometimes this means the other doe has gone to find her own territory to have her young,perhaps a Buck may be around the area she chooses,..

grimbo;s foggy doe deer

2011-02-25T12:16:00.000Z

grimbo;s smokeless scout shelter fire..

2011-02-11T12:29:00.000Z

shelter pics

2011-02-09T19:09:00.000Z

My winter shelter has done me proud so far this winter..i hope it is still standing next winter.

grimbo;s smokeless scout shelter fire.

2011-02-09T19:05:00.000Z

red fox pics

2011-01-26T19:18:00.001Z

grimbo;s ambush hunting tips

2011-01-26T19:17:00.000Z

harpoon pics

2011-01-20T19:03:00.001Z

grimbo;s toggle head harpoon

2011-01-20T15:50:00.000Z

sinew backed yew ambush bow pics.

2011-01-06T10:18:00.000Z

grimbos sinew backed yew bow.

2011-01-06T10:11:00.000Z

A new year and an old year.

2010-12-31T20:58:00.000Z

As my mind wanders back over the last year,i smile and remember all the experiences i have been fortunate to have..i remember the proud bucks in the fields in the summer,The feeling of being soaked in the early spring rains..Every year something new pops into my head,something to make,something to share,something i can pass on to others..This years unusual heavy snows has been quiet fun,zeus was in his glory,and i learnt snow,snow became my teacher,but just like an old year the snow has quickly passed..i seem to have my clothing sorted out now,and found wool to be the best answer,my capote is the best thing i have made,this combined with my deer pelt is a union in harmony...i find each years lessons much easier to understand,im learning the song of the universe,it sings quietly within me,and to understand it fully will take more years to come...My one thing that plays on my mind is that i may be seen as some kind of american native wanna be,but i feel that bushcraft and spirit should be shown together.My respect for other cultures and thier crafts is shown in my crafts,but i do not claim to be anything else than me....
My main aim is make my teachings entertaining and enjoyable,i think this is the best way to teach..it pleases me much when people say they have tried out things that ive shown,not because they have done it,but because they are out in the bush,and not watching a tv..
So what will a new year bring?I dont really plan ahead or make a schedule,i live the moment,and wait for a passing deer,or a guide to inspire me...
my thoughts go out to all my friends i talk to or who comment on my videos etc,i know without these people there would be no wolf in bushcraft...I have had thoughts on stopping making videos and blogging,but i think of my subscribers etc,and i feel maybe it would be a selfish act..perhaps i may pad off silently one day into the woods and walk my path with my wolf brother zeus,just me and him,sharing the moment,feeling the heart beat of mother earth in our hearts,as we have done since a time that is ageless..But not just yet..i still hear the calling,the calling which is eager to learn,eager to share,eager to hear the song.....

I wish everyone who reads my blog a happy new year,,remember to want for nothing and you will recieve much,to embrace the world as a child sometimes,To treat everything you see as if youve never seen it before...do this and each day will be a gift,a treasure waiting for you have..open your heart and recieve it,its your gift you are self...

grimbo;s 2010 memories

2010-12-28T05:26:00.000Z

bone wind chime

2010-12-23T22:13:00.000Z

Sometimes i have more bones than i care to mention..i like to use every part of any animals that i can,thats the way of things..even if its a simple Amulet,or a small carving on the bone..Here ive made a wind chime,i like the sound of bones clanking together,i hear this in the necklaces i make,so i thought id put a wind chime in my honouring corner..

snow shoe pics.

2010-12-21T21:06:00.000Z

grimbo;s snow shoes pt 2.

2010-12-21T20:53:00.000Z

deer pelt

2010-12-18T12:31:00.000Z

a good useful item,that can be worn inside my capote with fur inside,or wear it outside with the fur out is my roe deer pelt,i use it to sit on,and lay on,i even roll kit up in it and scout carry,i can also roll it up and put my hands in it to keep them warm.

bird net trap

2010-12-18T12:25:00.000Z

im experimenting with a ground net trap,to see if i can trap a game bird..ive baited around and inside the net..

merry christmas

2010-12-16T22:46:00.000Z

merry christmas to all my followers on the wolfbushcraft blog.

possibles bag

2010-12-16T22:43:00.000Z

a bit of tarting up..

some bird snaring methods.

2010-12-16T22:40:00.001Z

grimbo;s christmas thankyou..

2010-12-16T22:29:00.000Z

grimbo;s possibles hunting bag..

2010-12-16T20:08:00.000Z

grimbo;s finnish game bird snare..

2010-12-16T11:19:00.000Z

special thanks.

2010-12-09T21:07:00.000Z

It always reminds me that the world isnt just full of bad things all the time,sometimes things happen that remind me of the good things,and the good people that are out there..my friend who i have had good contact with through the internet al,(ghost of the woods),sent me my christmas present today,he has took the time to make me a possibles bag on the same model i saw he had,.i said i liked it very much and he offered to make me one..this is the second time al has sent me something..the last gift was my brass tinder box..He also threw in some animal fur and bits..All i can say is thanks al,you are very kind person,i wish you well..

vistors

2010-12-07T12:10:00.000Z

ive noticed when it first snows there is not much activity by animals,They seem to let it fall, settle and when the worse is over they seem to move around more..This morning there were many tracks scattered around,they formed well in the snow that has now turned to ice.....i picked out crows, squirrels,and rabbits.

snow day.

2010-12-01T13:05:00.000Z

grimbo;s snow shoes pt 1

2010-12-01T13:04:00.000Z

snow goggle pics

2010-11-26T13:05:00.002Z

grimbo;s snow goggles

2010-11-26T13:05:00.000Z

grimbo;s ulu without third party copyright

2010-11-24T18:16:00.000Z

grimbo;s ulu knife

2010-11-24T06:51:00.000Z

grimbo;s roll bar snare pt 2

2010-11-24T00:19:00.000Z

my diy ulu video.

2010-11-23T23:43:00.000Z

ulu

2010-11-23T23:25:00.000Z

had a go at making my own ulu...

new roll bar snare

2010-11-23T23:22:00.001Z

put in another snare today.

my old friend

2010-11-23T23:15:00.000Z

In my winter are there is a roe deer buck who occupies the territory.ive had many an encounter with him.I know hes still around as i saw his bed and he left me his finger prints.He lays in his favorite spot on the side of a scrubby woodland slope,over looking his domain.

flecktarn trapper hat..

2010-11-16T12:43:00.001Z

picked this up the other day at the camden army surplus shop in London for 3 pounds...it ideal for my needs,it has a smaller sun shade which may stop me hitting my head on overhanging branches in the woodland,which i dont see when wearing a base ball type hat,the inner lining is pure wool,a bit itchy ,but breathable and warm when wet,it fits well too,the ear flaps can be worn down with a shemagh,something i cant do with larger trapper hats as the scarf will keep hitting the bottom of the hat forcing it to ride up and hence come down over my eyes,(very annoying).the inside of the earflaps is made from a softer wool,so its not itchy,and of course its flectarn,my favourite color scheme for woodlands and every where..

grimbo;s roll bar snare construction tips.pt 1.

2010-11-16T12:43:00.000Z

Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change | IsumaTV

2010-11-15T23:03:00.000Z

Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change | IsumaTV

shamans belt

2010-11-15T12:09:00.000Z

Some shaman wear a belt on which are attached many spirit objects.He uses these in his journeys to other worlds.Each object contains the spirit of what it represents,or a masks being his spirit helpers/guardians.It a bit like us today wearing amulets as good luck charms. The shaman may have a small carved bow and arrow to bring luck to the hunt,a fish hook,and so on...
I spend a lot of time crafting certain items and i thought i would start my own shamans belt.I will add to it over time,or as my inspiration guides me..

lean too

2010-11-13T09:59:00.001Z

ive been adding to my new lean too very gradually,its taking shape slowly..

bone needle case pics

2010-11-13T09:57:00.001Z

kukri sheath stages

2010-11-13T09:51:00.001Z

grimbo;s kukri..

2010-11-13T03:12:00.000Z

grimbo;s needle case..

2010-11-13T02:36:00.000Z

Hello to Grimbo and Colin.wmv

2010-11-09T22:11:00.000Z

shamans trance

2010-11-08T22:15:00.000Z

A picture i drew,trying to capture a shamans expression of him as he is in a altered state,travelling to worlds we cannot..

CHECK OUT MY EBAY SITE

2010-11-07T10:32:00.000Z

JOHNNY RAMBOS SITE,WELL WORTH A VISIT..

grimbo;s fig 4 deadfall updated...

2010-11-05T12:23:00.000Z

fig 4 dead fall pt pics

2010-11-02T20:43:00.000Z

the finished product..

grimbo;s fig 4 deadfall pt 2.

2010-11-02T20:42:00.000Z

soul catcher

2010-11-01T12:11:00.000Z

When all herbal methods and other such healing aids fail,the shaman was usually called upon to see if he could heal the sick..The shaman would travel to other worlds with his special powers,and try to retrieve the soul which he believed was missing from the sick person..If he was successful he would put the soul into his soul catcher and on returning to the sick person blow it back into them...He also could put the a soul into his catcher if he was healing someone,he would purify them then return it to them after wards..

grimbo;s soul catcher.

2010-11-01T12:09:00.000Z

dead fall log

2010-10-29T11:01:00.000+01:00

I now have a good log for my fig 4 deadfall.scouting around for a suitable fallen log takes time,and unless your willing to cut down a tree to obtain a log,you usually find yourself having to yomp back through the woods with one to your suitable spot,(mother natures not that kind.Also cutting one near your area is disturbing things,something you really should try to avoid..This log is about the right weight for what i need it for.A hunters or trappers rule is usually the log is twice the weight of your intended prey..

grimbo;s fig 4 deadfall pt 1.

2010-10-28T10:38:00.000+01:00

struts for fig 4 deadfall

2010-10-27T12:29:00.000+01:00

in making the fig 4 deadfall i find that using square struts makes it easy to carve out the notches required for this trap to work easier,the struts fit together easier and makes the fig 4 much more stable.

extended trap line

2010-10-23T12:27:00.001+01:00

put in a roll bar snare,im gradually extending my trap line..

grimbo;s mastery of trapping

2010-10-23T12:26:00.000+01:00

skulls

2010-10-20T17:44:00.000+01:00

i love skulls..i collect them and display them outside..ive heard hunters did this of old,perhaps its an ancient memory with in me.

winter shelter fire pics

2010-10-20T12:11:00.000+01:00

grimbo;s first winter shelter fire.

2010-10-20T12:04:00.000+01:00

woodland badger and fox bone necklace..

2010-10-18T09:26:00.000+01:00

On my journeys i often encounter dead animals.Usually it seems by natural causes. i consider such things as gifts from nature,where others may veer around it i will see what i can find and use.I may use the bones for tools,amulets,toggles etc.Sometimes the carcass of the animal isnt quiet ready and on visiting it,may be described as quiet ripe,at least this leads me or zeus to them.If its winter i will revisit it in spring,if its summer i will check it in the autumn..
This necklace is made up from the bones of a red fox,and a badger i found during the summer,i also added a squirrels jaw bone.I bring the bones home and put them in bleach to clean and whiten them.So next time your out in the wild and you see a dead animal see what you can use from it,and consider yourself gifted from nature..

fly agaric mushroom

2010-10-17T00:31:00.000+01:00

i posted a while ago a video and pics on the fly agaric mushroom..ive now got round to completing what i wanted to add to this info...

These red and white mushrooms, Amanita muscaria, were found in an
alpine forest around Creede, Colorado. A. muscaria was the "sacred
mushroom" used by the ancient tribal peoples of pre-Christian northern
Europe. Its bright coloring suggests the colors of Santa's garments
and of holiday lights. (Photo by Mark Adams)

Although most people see Christmas as a Christian holiday, most of the
symbols and icons we associate with Christmas celebrations are
actually derived from the shamanistic traditions of the tribal peoples
of pre-Christian northern Europe.

The sacred mushroom of these people was the red and white Amanita
muscaria, also known as "fly agaric." This mushroom commonly is seen
in books of fairy tales and usually is associated with magic and
fairies. It contains potent hallucinogenic compounds once used by
ancient peoples for insight and transcendental experiences. Most of
the major elements of the modern Christmas celebration, such as Santa
Claus, Christmas trees, magical reindeer and the giving of gifts, are
originally based upon the traditions surrounding the harvest and
consumption of this most sacred mushroom.

The World Tree

Ancient peoples, including the Lapps of modern-day Finland, and the
Koyak tribes of the central Russian steppes, believed in the idea of a
World Tree. The World Tree was seen as a kind of cosmic axis onto
which the planes of the universe are fixed. The roots of the World
Tree stretch down into the underworld, its trunk is the "middle earth"
of everyday existence, and its branches reach upwards into the
heavenly realm.

Amanita muscaria grows only under certain types of trees, mostly firs
and evergreens. The cap of the mushroom is the fruit of the larger
mycelium beneath the soil which exists in a symbiotic relationship
with the roots of the tree. To ancient people, this mushroom was
literally "the fruit of the tree."

The North Star was also considered sacred, since all other stars in
the sky revolved around its fixed point. They associated this "Pole
Star" with the World Tree and the central axis of the universe. The
top of the World Tree touched the North Star, and the spirit of the
shaman would climb the metaphorical tree, thereby passing into the
realm of the gods. This is the true meaning of the star on top of the
modern Christmas tree, and also the reason that the super-shaman Santa
makes his home at the North Pole.

Ancient peoples were amazed at how this magical mushroom sprang from
the earth without any visible seed. They considered this "virgin
birth" to have been the result of the morning dew, which was seen as
the "semen of the deity." The silver tinsel we drape onto our modern
Christmas tree represents this divine fluid.

Origin of phrase, "to get pissed"

The active ingredients of A. muscaria are not metabolized by the body,
and so they remain active in the urine. In fact, it is safer to drink
the urine of one who has consumed the mushroom than to eat the
mushroom directly, as many of the toxic compounds are processed and
eliminated on the first pass through the body.

It was common practice among ancient people to recycle the potent
effects of the mushroom by drinking each other's urine. The mushroom's
ingredients can remain potent even after six passes through the human
body. Some scholars argue that this is the origin of the phrase "to
get pissed," as this urine-drinking activity preceded alcohol by
thousands of years.

Reindeer were the sacred animals of these semi-nomadic people, as the
reindeer provided food, shelter, clothing and other necessities.
Reindeer are also fond of eating the mushroom; they will seek it out,
then prance about while under its influence. Often the urine of
tripped-out reindeer would be consumed for its psychedelic effects.

This effect goes the other way too, as reindeer also enjoy the urine
of a human, especially one who has consumed the mushroom. In fact,
reindeer will seek out human urine to drink, and some tribesmen carry
sealskin containers of their own collected piss, which they use to
attract stray reindeer back into the herd.

Legend of the flying reindeer and modern image of Santa

The effects of the A. muscaria usually include sensations of size
distortion and flying. The feeling of flying could account for the
legends of flying reindeer and legends of shamanic journeys included
stories of winged reindeer, transporting their riders up to the
highest branches of the World Tree.

Although the modern image of Santa Claus was created at least in part
by the advertising department of Coca-Cola, in truth his appearance,
clothing, mannerisms and companions all mark him as the reincarnation
of these ancient mushroom-gathering shamans.

One of the side effects of eating A. muscaria is that one's skin and
facial features take on a flushed, ruddy glow. This is why Santa is
always shown with glowing red cheeks and nose. Even Santa's jolly "Ho,
ho, ho!" is the euphoric laugh of one who has indulged in the magic
fungus.

Santa also dresses like a mushroom gatherer. When it was time to go
out and harvest the magical mushroom, the ancient shamans would dress
much like Santa, wearing red and white fur-trimmed coats and long
black boots. These peoples lived in dwellings made of birch and
reindeer hide, called "yurts." Somewhat similar to a tee-pee, the
yurt's central smoke-hole is often also used as an entrance. After
gathering the mushroom from under the sacred trees where they
appeared, the shamans would fill their sacks and return home. Climbing
down the chimney-entrances, they would share out the mushroom's gifts
with those within.

The mushroom needs to be dried before being consumed; the drying
process reduces the mushroom's toxicity while increasing its potency.
The shaman would guide the group in stringing the mushrooms they
gathered and hanging them around the hearth-fire to dry. This
tradition is echoed in the modern stringing of popcorn and other
items.

The psychedelic journeys taken under the influence of the amanita were
also symbolized by a stick reaching up through the smoke-hole in the
top of the yurt. The smoke-hole was the portal where the spirit of the
shaman exited the physical plane.

Santa's famous magical journey, where his sleigh takes him around the
whole planet in a single night, is developed from the "heavenly
chariot," used by the gods from whom Santa and other shamanic figures
are descended. The chariot of Odin, Thor and even the Egyptian god
Osiris is now known as the Big Dipper, which circles around the North
Star in a 24-hour period.

In different versions of the ancient story, the chariot was pulled by
reindeer or horses. As the animals grew exhausted, their mingled spit
and blood falls to the ground, forming the mushrooms.

St Nicholas and Old Nick

Saint Nicholas is a legendary figure who supposedly lived during the
fourth century. His cult spread quickly and Nicholas became the patron
saint of many varied groups, including judges, pawnbrokers, criminals,
merchants, sailors, bakers, travelers, the poor, and children.

Most religious historians agree that St Nicholas did not actually
exist as a real person but was instead a Christianized version of
earlier Pagan gods. Nicholas' legends were mainly created out of
stories about the Teutonic god called Hold Nickar, known as Poseidon
to the Greeks. This powerful sea god was known to gallop through the
sky during the winter solstice, granting boons to his worshippers
below.

When the Catholic Church created the character of St Nicholas, they
took his name from "Nickar" and gave him Poseidon's title of "the
Sailor." There are thousands of churches named in St Nicholas' honor,
most of which were converted from temples to Poseidon and Hold Nickar.
(As the ancient pagan deities were demonized by the Christian church,
Hold Nickar's name also became associated with Satan, known as "Old
Nick!")

Local traditions were incorporated into the new Christian holidays to
make them more acceptable to the new converts. To these early
Christians, Saint Nicholas became a sort of "super-shaman" who was
overlaid upon their own shamanic cultural practices. Many images of
Saint Nicholas from these early times show him wearing red and white,
or standing in front of a red background with white spots, the design
of the mushroom.

St Nicholas also adopted some of the qualities of the legendary
"Grandmother Befana" from Italy, who filled children's stockings with
gifts. Her shrine at Bari, Italy, became a shrine to St Nicholas.

True spirit of Christmas

By better understanding the truths within these popular celebrations,
we can better understand the modern world, and our place in it.

Many people in the modern world have rejected Christmas as being too
commercial, claiming that this ritual of giving is actually a
celebration of materialism and greed. Yet the true spirit of this
winter festival lies not in the exchange of plastic toys, but in
celebrating a gift from the earth: the fruiting top of a magical
mushroom, and the revelatory experiences it can provide.
DISCLAIMER..
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS PURELY EDUCATIONAL INFO,I DONOT TELL ANYONE TO TAKE THESE MUSHROOMS,WOLFBUSHCRAFT TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH ACTIONS..

the legend of the bow.

2010-10-16T21:36:00.001+01:00

one day an Indian hunter went looking for some game when a bear comes. The hunter only has a knife and a spear so he flees, but the bear pursues him. Trying to lose the bear, the hunter runs through some brush but his spear gets stuck on the vines. He pulls and pulls trying to get the weapon out, and then the bear catches him. Startled the hunter lets go of his weapon and the spear is slung into the chest of the bear. The hunter has just discovered a new hunting technique and tries to duplicate his find with a branch and a vine. Successful he shows his tribe the astonishing weapon and they feast on that bear that inspired the hunter.

wolfbushcraft

2010-10-16T11:38:00.000+01:00

wolfbushcraft

shelter extension pics

2010-10-15T12:59:00.000+01:00

grimbo;s winter shelter extension pt 2..

2010-10-15T12:58:00.000+01:00

first part of extension pic.

2010-10-13T17:51:00.001+01:00

grimbo;s winter shelter extension pt 1

2010-10-13T17:50:00.000+01:00

wolf choker

2010-10-12T13:07:00.000+01:00

Been creative again,had some pipe bone lying about,and found my old wolfs head,i also decided to add a bone arrow head i made some time ago.

grimbo;s zeus.

2010-10-12T12:13:00.000+01:00

antler deer toggle pics and extras.

2010-10-11T12:20:00.000+01:00

Been laying baits around to get things used to feeding in my trapping area,then i will lay my traps etc..i have my wood pigeon triangle perch snare set,and ive introduced one snare on my squirrel log run.

grimbo;s antler toggle..

2010-10-11T12:19:00.000+01:00

winter camp pt 2

2010-10-09T08:54:00.000+01:00

As i mentioned in the previous post,i intend to extend my trap line.Usually this involves scouting around looking for signs of different animals and setting traps/snares accordingly,in scouting around sometimes im a bit too far away from my campsite,so as i did last season ive started putting in lean toos here and there,if i get caught out in heavy rain i can have the option of getting to one of these lean toos ive put or should say am puting around a wide area..This one in the pictures is incomplete,i usually work on them a bit at a time,i still have till november to complete such tasks,thats when usually the nastiest weather and frosts will around..

winter camp

2010-10-09T08:45:00.000+01:00

well ive been lucky,i put my camp well within scrub woodland and it hasnt been found..i will be able to stay off and on here throughout the winter again as i did last winter..ive just got to do a bit of patching up on the shelter,get a good supply of firewood in it,i will also put a fire pit outside this season,im also considering extending the outside so i can sit under a roof near an out door fire on warmer days..The shelter is positioned SSE so i can pick up some sun rays although mid winter the sun struggles to make it across the tree line.I also have to extend my trap line and put in some fig 4 dead falls..

2010-10-09T08:41:00.000+01:00

grimbo;s leuku reborn..

2010-10-09T08:20:00.000+01:00

lost and found

2010-10-06T18:09:00.000+01:00

i have been looking for this sheath for ages,i moved something today and there it was,.i originally got it for a mora,but its been lying around.i wanted it for my skinning/utility knife,so i could have the option of attaching it to my belt,and gaiter,.so now i can carry my knife around my neck in its neck sheath,or on a belt or down my gaiter..versatility is a good friend out in the bush..

The leuku

2010-10-06T11:00:00.000+01:00

What a knife,why?,because its been used and developed by the people of the far north, people who relied on this knife 24hrs a day,they didnt have the option of putting in their favorite knife in their rucksac and going bush for a weekend jolly.
The leuku was developed over many years to deal with wood chopping tasks that an axe would find difficuilt.The tundra is full of springy boughs,saplings of willow and birch,Try using an axe against this kind of tree growth and see the result,more likely the axe would bounce back at you.The thin blade of the leuku was designed not to be springy,and the thin edge cut into this kind of wood with ease.In the frozen northern lands survival is so important,blizzards can catch you out,and can kill you.The sami had their leukus on there belts at all times,in the event of a coming blizzard and being caught away from camp a sami would have to either build a snow hole or a shelter very quickly,What did he use?Yes his leuku,chopping of wood requires effort,and will produce sweating,if the snow storm lasted several hours and the sami had sweated he could die within an hour in his shelter,This is the seriuosness of the artic north.With his leuku he would select saplings hold them in the middle and one or two chops with his leuku would cut them to a desired size,quickly and effectively thus produce less effort and no sweating.
The leukus design enabled the person to use it with an over glove or mitten(remember these people wouldnt want to be taking of clothing and putting them on again) in conditions of the far north,within little time exposed hands would freeze and become numb.The handle had no metal rivets or metal parts,thus preventing hands being injured on frozen metal parts,a handle with an exposed full tang is a nightmare waiting to happen in such an enviroment,your hand would stick to the metal,and the result would be the tearing of flesh to release it.any rivets also would do the same.The effectiveness of this blade enabled its user to use pull cuts,when wearing mittens,something a full convex blade has trouble with,A pull cut is the most effective way of carving when wearing over mitts etc.
The thin blade is an effective slicer of meat,and the back of the blade enabled the breaking of bones and antlers,it was even used for filleting,and paring.Its point was thicker and allowed it to be hammered into ice,for ice holes etc.
And of course not forgetting its ability to be sharpened on most rough surfaces.
The sheath also was important and designed with thought,its dangle method allowed ease of access when wearing it with layers,it could be held with over mitts and taken out easily,there was no way this knife would be under layers of clothing it had to be on their belts on their last layer where it could be reached. Is dangle method also prevented uncomfortable digging into and pulling at the belt when sitting,This i totally agree with..
Looking at the art work the sami put into making of their knives one can see how important it was to them...
I myself have used a leuku for many years,i am able to write all the above because of this,im a firm believer in its simplicity and usefullness.A while ago i gave my leuku away to a good friend,he has told me of his love for it and the many many uses he has done with it...Now winter approaches i find my mind wandering with thoughts of snow,ice and colder days,and a leuku..I happened to have a leuku blade lying around this was the partner of my old leuku,i was going to get round to putting a handle on it but didnt.But perhaps now i heard the call of the north,and i have now a new leuku..i will post more details later on it..My leuku has been reborn.

the miller

2010-10-05T19:44:00.000+01:00

miller mushrooms,edible,often found like this growing in rings.

dc4 block pics

2010-10-05T19:37:00.001+01:00

grimbo;s DC4 sharpening block.

2010-10-05T19:34:00.000+01:00

re- birth?

2010-10-04T20:24:00.000+01:00

update neck sheath

2010-10-04T18:35:00.000+01:00

i decided to make my neck sheath a bit more traditional looking ..as i call it..A bit of work here and there..the result...

grimbo;s scoutdog dog shelter 2.

2010-10-02T11:00:00.000+01:00