Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute

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When Primitive Skills Meet the Digital Era-Using Apps and Modern Technology in the Wilderness

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One of the principles I teach my students at Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute is this: I am, and always will be, a student.
 
Take edible and medicinal plants, for example. While I’ve accumulated a substantial amount of knowledge, the learning never ends. There is no way I’ll ever master every single plant’s use on this planet—and that’s the beauty of it. I carry that same mindset into every aspect of survival and bushcraft. Whether it’s new techniques or better tools, I’m always refining, always evolving. What I haven’t learned at formal survival schools, I hunt down on my own.
 
One of the most effective ways I continue to grow is by leveraging modern apps and digital tools—many of which are available on both iOS and Android. These resources are invaluable to survivalists, bushcrafters, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Below are some of the most highly rated and useful tools I use and recommend:
 
PictureThis
A powerful plant identification app that can recognize over 400,000 plant species with more than 98% accuracy. Simply snap a photo of a plant and the app will instantly return its name, species, toxicity warnings, and detailed information. I often use this as a springboard before researching a plant’s edibility and medicinal properties online.
 
Knots 3D
If you want to master knot-tying, this is your go-to app. It teaches over 200 knots with 3D, 360° interactive views—immensely helpful when trying to understand complex configurations. For a real challenge, try wrapping your brain (and fingers) around the Evenk Hitch.
 
MyRadar
Skip the clutter of traditional weather apps. MyRadar offers clean, fast, and accurate radar maps with real-time weather alerts—essential before heading into a course with students. It outpaces traditional sources like The Weather Channel or AccuWeather by avoiding distracting pop-ups and advertisements.
 
Spyglass
A navigation powerhouse that turns your phone into a survival toolkit. With features including offline maps, augmented reality navigation, a digital compass, GPS, waypoint tracking, and even star catalogs, Spyglass is indispensable. When you’ve forgotten your compass or paper map but have your phone (and a reliable power source), this app can guide you through.
 
Gaia GPS
Perfect for those who prefer a streamlined GPS app. Gaia offers detailed maps and route planning and is known for being more reliable on the trail than its popular competitor, AllTrails. AllTrails excels in route planning, but Gaia shines in execution. I personally prefer Gaia but encourage others to try both and decide which suits them best. Advanced features require a subscription.
 
First Aid by the American Red Cross
This app could literally save a life. It provides offline access to step-by-step emergency instructions for burns, cuts, CPR, choking, and more. It includes a hospital locator, 911 integration, educational videos, interactive quizzes, and receives regular updates. Best of all—no ads.
 
Zello Walkie Talkie
Transforms your phone into a real-time push-to-talk radio. With both public and private channels, voice playback, and compatibility across platforms, Zello is bandwidth-efficient and reliable in emergencies. It also supports Bluetooth headsets, offers text and image sharing, and encrypts your messages.
 
Signal
For secure communication, Signal is unmatched. It uses end-to-end encryption that even the developers can’t access. It’s free, ad-free, and open source. Messages auto-delete based on user settings and are never stored on external servers. It even supports groups of up to 1,000 participants.
 
SAS Survival Guide
Based on the bestselling book by former SAS soldier John “Lofty” Wiseman, this app offers offline access to practical survival knowledge. It covers essential topics like fire starting, shelter building, Morse code, and sun compass use—ideal for remote adventures.
 
Pro Tips
• Combine a first aid app with a survival manual app to create a well-rounded emergency preparedness toolkit on your device.
• Organize all your survival apps onto a dedicated home screen. In a high-stress situation, you don’t want to waste time scrolling through icons.
If you’re serious about your self-reliance journey, equipping your phone with these tools can be just as crucial as what you carry in your pack. Let the learning—and the adventure—continue. 

Heat Stroke vs. Heat Exhaustion: Can You Spot the Signs Before It’s Too Late? (Video)

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Description: When temperatures soar, your body’s ability to regulate heat can be pushed to the limit. In this essential guide, we break down the key differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke—two heat-related illnesses that can escalate quickly if not recognized and treated. Learn how to spot early warning signs like dizziness, heavy sweating, and nausea, and understand when symptoms like confusion or loss of consciousness signal a medical emergency. This video is a must-watch for: parents, athletes, outdoor workers, campers, bushcrafters, foragers, outdoor enthusiasts, beach goers, and anyone preparing for extreme heat. Stay informed, stay safe.

Wintergreen: A Survivalist’s Ally

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Wintergreen is an evergreen plant native to North America and the Eastern Woodlands. Renowned for its potent medicinal properties, this plant’s leaves and oil contain methyl salicylate—a compound with remarkable pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Historically, Wintergreen has been used to address a wide array of ailments, including muscle pain, headaches, nerve pain, sciatica, arthritis, joint pain, menstrual cramps, colds, and flus. Beyond its pain-relieving abilities, Wintergreen boasts antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties, making it an invaluable resource in the wild.
At Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute, I’ve introduced many students to the delights of Wintergreen tea—a soothing, minty infusion that offers both flavor and medicinal benefits. Typically, students enjoy two or three cups, and I often brew this tea when dealing with headaches during camp. The plant’s dark green, waxy leaves and vibrant red berries make it easy to identify. While the berries are minty and edible, it’s said that consuming just one is equivalent to taking a single aspirin. Interestingly, the strongest medicinal properties are derived from Wintergreen leaves harvested between late winter and early fall, when they take on a purplish hue.
In one experiment, I combined an infusion of Wintergreen tea with a poultice of the same plant to treat my aching knee. Used in tandem, the tea and poultice proved highly effective at alleviating my pain—a testament to the plant’s dual functionality.
Preparing Wintergreen Tea:
  1. Gather a small handful of Wintergreen leaves (5–10 should suffice).
  2. Place the leaves on a hard surface, such as a skillet, clean log, or flat rock, and gently crush them using the back of your hatchet or knife. Alternatively, chop the leaves finely.
  3. Simmer the leaves in a cup of water to create the tea.
For brewing in the wild, I often use an improvised setup, such as an empty energy drink can suspended over a fire on a tripod stand. For an enhanced infusion, try adding White Pine needles and honey to your Wintergreen tea. This combination offers a powerful winter medicine, blending the vitamin C from pine needles (an immune booster) with antimicrobial, expectorant, and pain-relieving properties. The honey adds its soothing touch to the throat—perfect for colds and sore throats.
 

Wheeping Forsythia: Medicine of the Yellow Flower

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Wheeping Forsythia

Weeping Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) is a hallmark of spring, and one of the first bloomers to catch my eye each season. I typically spot this plant alongside Snowdrops early in the year. It has been valued in traditional medicine since ancient times for its numerous health benefits. The yellow blossoms can be eaten raw, though they are bitter. However, the flowers make a pleasantly flavored tea. Below are some of the plant’s medicinal uses:

• Anti-inflammatory properties: Weeping Forsythia contains compounds such as phillyrin and forsythoside, which help reduce inflammation throughout the body.

• Respiratory health: It can reduce inflammation in the air passages of the lungs (bronchiolitis).

• Antibacterial properties: The plant inhibits the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.

• Antiviral benefits: Prepare a tea using the flowers and consume it when dealing with colds, the flu, or other viral infections. Gargling the warm tea can also soothe a sore throat. Additionally, it boosts the immune system, aids in tonsillitis relief, and reduces fever.

• Allergy relief: In spring, I use this plant along with Purple Dead Nettle to alleviate allergies.

• Heart health: The plant contains oleanolic acid, which supports heart muscle function and helps regulate blood pressure.

• Pain relief: Weeping Forsythia’s analgesic properties are effective for relieving pain and headaches.

• Topical applications: Prepare a fomentation or wash with the plant for antiseptic use. The tea can be used to clean wounds, cuts, burns, rashes, and other skin problems.

• Support for internal organs: The plant is beneficial for liver health and can help regulate blood sugar levels.

Methods to Prepare Weeping Forsythia for Medicinal Uses:

  1. Tea: Use a tablespoon of fresh or dried yellow flowers and steep them in hot water for 10–15 minutes. This tea helps with fever, sore throat, and inflammation.
  2. Tincture: Fill a mason jar with dried fruits and leaves, then cover them with vodka or brandy. Seal the jar and let it sit for 4–6 weeks, flipping it upside down once a week. Afterward, strain and store the liquid. This tincture offers potent medicinal benefits, boosting your immune system and aiding in fighting infections.
  3. Infused oil: Place dried flowers in a jar and cover them with almond, olive, or coconut oil. Let the jar sit for 4–6 weeks, then strain and store the oil. This infused oil can be used for topical applications, including burns, wounds, and sunburns.
  4. Syrup: First, prepare a tea using the flowers as described above. Strain out the flowers and mix the tea with honey. Store the syrup in the refrigerator for up to one month. This syrup is effective for treating coughs, colds, the flu, other viruses and lung ailments.

The Wilderness Delusion: When Fantasy Meets Reality in Survival

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Are You Really Prepared for the Wild?
 
I always enjoy when people dive into conversations about their “survival plans” for when disaster strikes. It’s fascinating how many tell me they’d grab their bugout bag and head for the vast wilderness of North America. Some even imagine escaping into Canada’s untamed frontier.
But before you romanticize living off the land, consider these 10 critical survival questions:
 
1. What’s in your bugout bag? Are you carrying the essentials or just guesswork?
2. Have you attended any survival schools? Do you have the skills and knowledge needed to thrive?
3. How will you find safe drinking water? Without it, your plan ends quickly.
4. Do you know North American plants? Can you name five with medicinal uses or find a plant to treat a deep wound?
5. How will you start a fire without matches, lighters, or a ferrocerium rod? Fire is life in the wilderness.
6. What’s your food plan when hunting or gathering fails?
7. What kind of shelter will you build, and how? Shelter is critical to protect against the elements.
8. What happens if you’re injured or ill while alone in the wild?
9. Can you handle threats from wildlife (like bears or wolves), hostile humans, or severe weather?
10. How will you navigate without GPS or a cell phone? Do you understand land navigation and map-reading?
 
The reality? “Bugging out” into the wilderness is not the glamorous survival strategy many imagine.
 
Here’s why:
 
• Most people underestimate the sheer difficulty of regulating core body temperature. The majority of wilderness deaths stem from hypothermia.
• Food shortages are inevitable. The knowledge to forage or hunt enough calories is rare, and even small groups can quickly deplete local resources.
• Survival is brutal. From starvation to broken tools to severe illness or infection, the odds stack up against the unprepared. Something as simple as a cut can lead to life-threatening sepsis.
• And let’s not forget the competition. Countless others will head to the same wilderness, untrained and desperate. Overhunting and overforaging will exhaust the area’s resources rapidly.
 
Even with my experience, after just a week in the wild, I’m tired, hungry, and craving a hot shower and comfortable bed. The idea of vanishing into the forest to “live off the land” is more a dangerous fantasy than a viable plan.
 
Want to actually prepare for life’s unexpected disasters? Learn real, life-saving survival skills by visiting survivalschoolmichigan.com. Whether it’s building shelters, mastering fire-making, land navigation, water purification, or understanding foraging, we’ll equip you with practical knowledge to face the toughest challenges.
 
I’ll see you in the wild!

The Best Wood for Bow Drills in the Eastern Woodlands: Your Ultimate Guide

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In the Eastern Woodlands of the United States, selecting the right wood is critical for successfully making a primitive fire using a bow drill. Among the various options, tulip poplar and cedar are my go-to choices for creating friction fire with a bow drill due to their superior performance.

There are five key factors to consider when choosing bow drill wood in the Eastern Woodlands:

  1. Softwood: Opt for softwoods. Refer to the list below for the most suitable types of wood for bow drills.
  2. Dry Wood: Ensure the wood is dry. Seek out dead branches hanging from trees, wood from dead standing trees that have been exposed to the elements for extended periods, or baton a section of wood to access the dry core. The latter is especially effective in wet conditions, such as during rain.
  3. Availability: Familiarize yourself with the local tree species and their uses. Understand the resources available in your specific forest area. For example, in the forests of Michigan, where my survival school is located in West Michigan, tulip poplar is rare, but poplar and cedar are common and effective choices. Interestingly, I once found a tulip poplar along Wildcat Creek, south of Whitehall, Michigan, which was surprising since this tree is generally more prevalent in southern regions.
  4. Non-resinous Wood: Avoid pine, as the resin can hinder friction when using a bow drill. Pine can contain up to 20% resin, which can be found in branches, needles, cones, stems, and roots. While some success has been reported with white pine, it is not my preferred choice for a bow drill set.
  5. Consistency: Typically, using the same wood for both your hearth board and spindle yields the best results, although exceptions exist. For instance, pairing a poplar hearth board with a willow spindle can be effective.

Below is an alphabetical list of the best types of wood for a bow drill:

  • Aspen
  • Basswood
  • Cedar
  • Cottonwood
  • Juniper
  • Poplar (known as “popple” in Michigan)
  • Staghorn Sumac
  • Tulip Poplar
  • Willow
  • Yucca Stalk (referred to as Adam’s Nettle in Michigan)

Discover the art of primitive fire-making with a bow drill, and much more, at Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute. Join us for a transformative course—visit our website at survivalschoolmichigan.com to learn more. See you in the wild!

Battling the Freeze: Essential Tips for the Prevention and Treatment of Frostbite

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Frostbite is nature’s brutal way of reminding you who’s boss. When temperatures plummet and you’re exposed to the biting cold for too long, your skin and the tissues beneath can literally freeze solid. It’s the extremities—fingers, toes, ears, and nose—that take the worst hit. Initially, your skin turns ice-cold and red, then goes numb, hard, and pale as it progresses. The more severe the frostbite, the deeper it bites, tearing through muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, sometimes leading to permanent damage or even amputation. From a mild stinging sensation to skin turning a sinister shade of purple or black, frostbite is relentless. Dressing in layers, covering every inch of skin, and seeking warmth as quickly as possible are essential to stave off this icy menace. Once frostbite sets in, immediate medical help is your only lifeline.

Remember the colors red, white, and blue? They’re not just about patriotism—they’re your body waving the white flag to the cold.

Red: The early stage, known as frostnip, where your skin turns red and cold. You’ll feel pain, numbness, and that dreaded pins and needles sensation, especially in your hands and feet. Time to escape the cold, find heat, and seek shelter.

White (and early blue): This is superficial or second stage frostbite. Your skin turns white and stiff, like wax, with the tissue freezing underneath. Strangely, your skin might feel hot at this point. Your body’s sending out distress signals—get warm now!

Blue: Deep frostbite is the real deal. Both superficial and deep tissues are frozen. Your skin turns blue and splotchy, circulation is clogged up, and you’ll start getting blisters. Ignore it, and your skin will turn black and die, leading to potential amputation.

Immersion foot (trench foot): Think WWI. When feet are stuck in water below 60°F for too long, it wrecks the nerves, leaving lasting damage.

So how do you stave off these icy attacks? Get out of the cold, find shelter, find heat, and strip off those wet clothes and shoes. Start rewarming—slowly. It’s gonna hurt, but it’s necessary. Too fast, and you risk stopping your heart. For frostbite, soak the affected area in warm water (not above 103°F) for 30 minutes, replacing the water as needed. Skin should turn red again. Give Ibuprofen for pain and to help blood flow. Whatever you do, don’t let the tissue refreeze—that’s a one-way ticket to more damage. And no rubbing frozen skin!

Remember, it’s a cold, cruel world out there. Stay warm, stay vigilant.

 

Cutting Edge: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Bushcraft Blade

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knife, hunting knife, hand

Embarking on an adventure in the wilderness requires the right tools, and the most important one is a good knife. When deciding on a bushcraft knife, you want to look at the following qualities: full-tang, preferably no coating, no serration (no saw teeth on the spine), 90-degree spine, 4.5-6” blade length, high-carbon steel, and a good Scandinavian or flat grind.
In the wild, a good knife becomes your best friend and sidekick, useful for numerous tasks that you will encounter. In my experience, the problem of knowing which bushcraft knife to buy always surfaces. There are endless options, and choosing the right bushcraft cutting tool can become daunting. In this article, we will cover some of the prominent knives out there and weigh their strengths and weaknesses. Whether you are a beginner or on par with Mors Kochanski himself, we’ve got the insights you need to make a wise decision when purchasing a blade and will have you wilderness-ready for your next adventure.
I will describe 10 knives that are among the best in the bushcraft world. As a survival instructor, I have noticed that, on numerous occasions, new students arrive at my school with a Gerber knife, either the Bear Grylls knife or the Ultimate Survivor knife. Sometimes students will spend another $40 and get the Gerber Gear Strongarm knife. Every time I cringe. These knives would be good if they were the ONLY thing I had in the wild, but apart from that, they are little more than a paperweight. I own the Bear Grylls knife, given to me one Christmas by a well-meaning in-law. The Bear Grylls and Ultimate Survivor are serrated knives that cannot throw a spark when partnered with a ferro rod (or at least not very well). The spine is next to useless, and I dislike the coating on the blades. I found carving to be difficult when using this blade. If I had another pair of hands, I would give Gerber knives four thumbs down, Dave Chappelle style when impersonating Rick James. I have now gotten in the habit of telling prospective students to not buy a Gerber knife! Save your money and buy one of the following. You are welcome!
I have found that some of the best things come from Sweden. Sweden has the best heavy metal music and some of the prettiest women on Earth. Not only that, but Sweden also makes some of the best knives, such as the Fallkniven F1. The F1 is the official survival knife of the Swedish Air Force, and for good reason. The knife is 8.3 inches long, and the blade length is 3.8 inches. My only complaint is that the blade is a little short, making batoning wood difficult. The knife is made of VG-10 stainless steel. It is a drop-point knife with a convex grind, making it good for splitting and easy to maintain. However, I prefer a Scandinavian or flat grind for finer cutting and carving. The knife is full tang and comes coated in a satin finish or black CeraKote if you request it. You can purchase an F1 on Amazon for around $171. The other Swedish knife on my list is the Mora Pathfinder. The Pathfinder is extremely durable with a practical design. I attended several survival schools with a Pathfinder on my hip. The overall length of the Pathfinder is a whopping 11.6 inches, and the blade length is 6.75 inches. I find this knife to be more useful than the shorter Mora knives, although they are good too. The Pathfinder is made of high-carbon steel, maintaining a sharp edge that has been easy to sharpen. It has one of the best 90-degree spines I have seen and shoots sparks from a ferro rod like it’s the Fourth of July. The blade is full tang and has a Scandinavian grind, making it an ideal carver and excellent for batoning. My only complaint with the Pathfinder is the black DLC coating. Even with the coating, if you neglect the knife (which I have been guilty of doing), it will rust. When you try to remove this rust, the black coating gets everywhere and makes a fine mess. Apart from that, I do recommend the Pathfinder. The Pathfinder is probably the best “bang for your buck”. You get upper level knife quality at more than half the price of the more high-end or custom knives. Amazon seems to have the best price for a Pathfinder at $68.99. I have also seen these knives in the $90-$120 range. 
The next knife is one I have played around with whenever it has been brought out to my primitive skills institute. The knife is the White River Ursus 45, and it’s a beauty. Surprisingly, I have yet to own one, considering how close the company is to my home. It is so close that my wife works in the same city, Fremont, Michigan, where the company is based. The company is White River Knives, most likely named after the nearby White River that weaves its way through West Michigan. This knife is currently priced at $249.95. Although it is a little pricey, it seems to be worth every penny. The overall length of the knife is 9.5 inches, and the blade itself is 4.5 inches and full tang. This puts it neatly in the 4.5-6 inch threshold and checks the boxes, making it an ideal bushcraft knife. The blade is made from CPM S35VN or CPM Magnacut steel, giving it excellent edge retention and resistance to corrosion. The knife is a drop-point style blade with a flat grind, making it ideal for all tasks around your campsite. This type of grind also makes it easy to sharpen in the wild.
The next great knife company that comes to mind is L.T. Wright. I have had the opportunity to try out their Genesis Scandi knife, and I must say I was impressed. My only critique was that I thought the blade was a touch too short. After trying out the Genesis Scandi, I accessed the L.T. Wright website and discovered their Larry Roberts Signature Edition Gen 6. The knife is full tang, made of A2 steel, and comes in at a whopping 11 inches. The blade itself is 6.125 inches and has a Scandinavian grind. While I have not gotten my hands on this knife yet, I already know I want one! The price tag for this fine knife is $269.95 but varies depending on where you are shopping. Although it is not cheap, I will say buying a bushcraft knife is a time when you do not want to cheap out.
The next company to discuss is the TOPS Knives Company, located in Ucon, Idaho. Their knives have been extensively tested and are able to take on the toughest tasks in the wild. TOPS knives are also used extensively by law enforcement agencies and the military. The TOPS knife that caught my eye was the B.O.B. or Brothers of Bushcraft knife. The blade of the knife is made from 1095 high carbon steel, is full tang, and is 4.75 inches long. It has a Scandinavian grind, which makes it good for cutting, carving, and sharpening. The knife also has an exposed tang at the pommel and is designed for striking ferro rods and other scraping tasks. This knife checks all the boxes for a good bushcraft knife. The B.O.B. can be found on Amazon at around $161.
Next is the Ontario Knife Company. This company was originally founded in Naples, New York, in 1889. For many years after, their manufacturing base was in Franklinville, New York. In modern times, the company was purchased and relocated to Marion, Virginia. The knife I own is the RAT-7. This knife is a popular choice among those in the bushcraft community. The RAT-7 has a whopping 7-inch blade made from 1095 carbon steel. It’s a beast! The knife is full tang and has a flat grind. I don’t care much for the black powder-coated finish, but such coatings are easy to remove. The RAT-7 reminds me of the Becker BK7, which is also extremely tough and rugged. I own the BK7 and a BK9; the BK9 reminds me of a small sword! I have two critiques that are similar for both the RAT-7 and BK7. First, I don’t care for fancy coatings; I would rather simply have the steel with a nice patina on it. Second, for cutting, carving, and finer knife work around the camp, I have found that when using these two knives, my hand gets fatigued very quickly. But if you need a knife that will pry open a door, these knives might be your best bet. Or if you need a Roman gladius, get the BK9! The RAT-7 is priced around $104-$135. The Becker BK7 is around $115 and the hefty BK9 is priced at about $127.99.
The next company is ESEE Knives, which is located in Gallant, Alabama. The company is known for making very tough and robust knives that can take all kinds of abuse in the wild. I also own some ESEEs and can honestly say I like them. However, I find myself returning to my Mora Pathfinder rather than using an ESEE knife. The knife in mind is the ESEE 6. The knife blade is 6.5 inches long, made from 1095 high carbon steel, full tang, has a flat grind and a drop point design. The two things I don’t like are the coating and the fact it is serrated along the spine. I will never understand why some companies love serrated blades, but they do! I suspect it is the Rambo movies of the 80s. There is nothing truly wrong with serration on the spine of a knife, it’s just not my preference. ESEE Knives is a great company, and you can’t go wrong with their products. The ESEE 6 ranges around $132-$146.
The next company is Cold Steel, Inc., founded in Ventura, California, in 1980. The company has since relocated to Irving, Texas, after being bought by GSM Outdoors in 2020. Cold Steel is known for producing a wide range of knives and other edged tools. The Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) is a tough and rugged blade. It is designed with survival and rescue operations in mind. The SRK is issued to SEAL candidates during BUD/S training. The blade is 6 inches long and made from SK-5 high carbon steel. The blade has a clip point design and a black Tuff-Ex finish. While this knife may be a good overall knife, there are other knives I prefer for survival. It is good, but not my first choice. If your budget is extremely low however, this may be the best one to buy while still getting a decent knife. They range in price from $53.99-69.99. At the time of this writing I found them on Amazon for $29.15, a price you can’t beat.
The next two are knives for a bargain. The first that caught my interest was the BeaverCraft BSH2 Glacier. BeaverCraft is a company located in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Glacier is full tang and made of 1066 carbon steel. The total length of the knife is 9.45 inches, and the blade is 4.13 inches long. While I prefer my Mora Pathfinder or the feel of the Ursus 45, I will say the Glacier is an awesome deal at only $45. If you can only spend $45, spend it on this knife and not on a Gerber!
The final company on this list is Condor Tool & Knife, Inc. and is located in Santa Ana, El Salvador. The company has been crafting high-quality knives and other tools since 1964. The knife I have in mind from the company is the Condor Bushlore Survival Knife. This knife is a popular choice among those in the world of bushcraft. The overall length of the knife is 9.3 inches, and the blade is 4.3 inches long. This full tang knife is made of 1075 high carbon steel with a Scandi grind. For around $85 it is a solid choice, without breaking the bank.
I will quickly add 5 custom made knife brands that are high-quality, but not cheap. Stephenson Knives are very fine blades that range in price around $300-400. Fiddleback Forge Knives are in the same price range, but also very nice. White River Knives are fine blades (previously mentioned) made locally in my area. These knives range in price around $250. Knives made by Adventure Sworn Bushcraft Co are very nice and range in price from around $250-300. Remember, very fine things come from Scandinavia (remember I mentioned Sweden earlier?). Another fine series of knives that come from the land of the ancient Vikings are the Helle Knives from Norway. This company makes knives that are very robust, beautiful, and highly customizable. They range in price from $159.50-$275.

What is your favorite go-to bushcraft knife? Is there a blade you would add to this list? Happy hunting!

Unleashing the Power of Yucca: Nature’s Secret Weapon for Survival and Sustainability

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Yucca (Adam’s Needle, Yucca filamentosa) is a plant that can be found from the South up to the eastern United States, as well as in northern regions like Michigan and Canada. The root contains saponin, which can be used to make soap for washing the body, hair, and clothing. The stalk produces edible white flowers that can be eaten raw or cooked and are said to taste like a bitter artichoke. The flowering stem can be cooked and eaten much like asparagus, but it should be harvested before it grows taller than asparagus. The leaves can serve as paintbrushes. When processed, they yield inner fibers that can be turned into cordage for binding, ropemaking, basket weaving, and even clothing. The dried stalk can be used for a hand drill or as a spindle for a bow drill. To make friction fires, cut the stalk near the base and hang it to dry.

Yucca is known for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used to treat conditions such as arthritis and joint pain. The root can be beaten into a salve or poultice and applied to sores, skin diseases, and sprains. It also has sedative effects that can aid sleep and antiviral qualities. The root has been used to treat gonorrhea and rheumatism. The saponins in the plant are toxic to fish; Native Americans once used large quantities of them in bodies of water to stupefy and kill fish, causing them to float to the surface. Adam’s Needle is a bushcrafter’s best friend in the wild!

 

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