PODCAST

#AskPaulKirtley

Paul Kirtley: Professional Outdoorsman

Answers to your questions on wilderness bushcraft, survival skills and outdoor life

sports wilderness

All Episodes

52:08

#AskPaulKirtley 93 – Bushcraft Mindset, Boreal Winter...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2025/11/28

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I start with a big-picture question: is there such a thing as a bushcraft mindset, distinct from survival mindset? From there we move our thinking to the winter woods and look at how to move from guided courses to planning your own unsupported journeys in the boreal forest. I also answer a practical paddling question about additional buoyancy in open canoes, including when you might reasonably leave the buoyancy bags out. Finally, I tackle a short but frequent

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56:36

#AskPaulKirtley 92 – Sharpening, Sleep Systems,...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2025/10/16

In this episode, I answer a series of practical questions covering gear care, camp comfort, and tool use. I start with how to keep your waterproof jackets and trousers performing properly, then move on to choosing and adapting sleep systems for different conditions—from hammocks in the tropics to bivvy bags in the snow. I also explain how to tell when your knife needs sharpening, why stropping isn’t always enough, and the reasoning behind smaller bushcraft knives such as the PK2. Finally, I address

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1:09:56

#AskPaulKirtley 91 – Top Knots, Good Companions, Fire...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2025/09/02

In this episode I share my top five knots for bushcraft and outdoor life, then answer what really makes a good travelling companion on wilderness trips. I also discuss what it would take for me to teach courses in the USA, offer advice on lighting fire dogs from previous campfires, and reflect on how students today compare with those of 15–20 years ago.

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59:35

#AskPaulKirtley 90 – Canoe Trips, Natural Navigation,...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2025/08/19

In Episode 90 of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer listener questions on where I would go for a leisure canoe trip, how I balance compass use with natural navigation cues, and practical ways to improve weather forecasting skills without technology. I also reflect on some of my most beautiful moments in nature, from mountain sunsets to close wildlife encounters, and finish with some practical tips on making feather sticks.

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37:17

#AskPaulKirtley 89 – Ration Packs vs Bush Cooking,...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2025/07/11

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I respond to a range of listener questions, from comparing rations with bush cooking, to sharing memorable wildlife encounters, including some close-range moments with deer, badgers, and otters. I also explore how to adapt bushcraft skills to unfamiliar environments, such as moving from the northern temperate, or boreal forest, to tropical climes, plus I offer suggestions on primitive projectile weapons worth trying, and share my thoughts on knife danglers versus

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30:57

#AskPaulKirtley 88 – Adze Use in Bushcraft, Bow Drill...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2025/06/28

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I respond to five new questions from the community. I explore the potential use of the adze in bushcraft, how long a bow drill hearth board will last, and the best wood conditions for creating fire by friction. I also discuss how to physically prepare for a Canadian canoe expedition, and finally, I reflect on some of the wilderness skills I’m currently pursuing more deeply, including basketry and lithic technology.

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35:57

#AskPaulKirtley 87 – Upgrading from Small Forest...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2023/11/30

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about why my podcasts play too fast, some thread for fixing gear and for use as fishing line, the expected lifespan of a Bahco Laplander saw and when to upgrade from a Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe?

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49:19

#AskPaulKirtley 86 – The Place For Machetes, Parangs...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2023/11/18

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer your questions about collaborations with other bushcrafters, the place for larger knives, machetes and parangs, alternative knots to square lashings and what are the best materials to look for in a firesteel or ferro rod?

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44:22

#AskPaulKirtley 85 – Water Purification Systems for...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2021/11/25

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about water purification for self-propelled journeys such as back-packing and bike-packing. I also answer a question about an often misunderstood or ignored area of navigation related to magnetic variation and the necessary compass adjustments...

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49:44

#AskPaulKirtley 84 – Forest Access, Wet Clothing and...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2021/11/12

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about forest access and fire rules, how to deal with the issue of kit and clothing getting wet, and suggestions for setting up tarp lines at head height, along with some thoughts on knot repertoire....

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31:47

#AskPaulKirtley 83 – My Go-To Bivvy Bag, How To Gain...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2021/09/19

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions on getting fit for backpacking, keeping leather boots in good condition when out for a while, and which is my go-to bivvy bag.

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49:17

#AskPaulKirtley 82 – The Changes In My Bushcraft...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2021/08/05

Answers to questions about whether I will ever write a book, why some ferro rods or firesteels don't work very well, and whether my bushcraft philosophy has changed over the years...

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1:00:38

#AskPaulKirtley 81 – Covid Effects On Bushcraft,...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2020/10/22

Answers to questions about the effects of Covid/lockdowns on the bushcraft industry, office to outdoor career transitions, how to remember bushcraft and survival uses of plants, and how to promote good outdoor ethics, including leave-no-trace, to people outside of the usual outdoor community.

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47:46

#AskPaulKirtley 80 – Inspiration In Wild Places,...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2019/01/03

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer questions on what’s inspirational about wild places, carrying a lock knife for bushcraft, why use two bags for canoeing and a bit of tree and plant ID on some berries in Quebec.

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1:01:37

#AskPaulKirtley 79 – Sharpening Stones, Boreal...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2018/11/12

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about axe stones and keeping them in shape, using a parang in the boreal, quilts vs sleeping bags. demographics of bushcraft course participants, when to use the finer side of a sharpening stone, visiting North American bushcraft festivals and shows. At the beginning of the show there is an important announcement and part way through I also have a bit of a rant….

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33:27

#AskPaulKirtley 78 – Fire Safety, Use Of Cottongrass,...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2018/09/30

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer questions about campfire safety risk assessment, use of cottongrass and what to do with your shoes while bivvying...

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33:55

#AskPaulKirtley 77 – Moving From Survival To...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2018/08/05

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley I answer your questions about expanding from survival skills to broader bushcraft skills, sleeping bag liners and entanglement, fishing as part of a bushcraft repertoire...

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26:38

#AskPaulKirtley 76 – Inner Bark Tinder Bundles;...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2018/07/20

I answer questions about how to use the inner bark of sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa, for tinder bundles, ideas for minimising smoke from fires, first aid for young people, and some thoughts on every day carry (EDC) items…

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37:10

#AskPaulKirtley 75 – When To Start Teaching...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2018/07/15

In this episode I answer questions about how you know when it’s the right time to start teaching bushcraft, considerations for washing up after cooking when you only have limited drinking water and how to test how clean and pure the water is coming out of a water filter is…

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25:27

#AskPaulKirtley 74 – Featherstick Wood...

#AskPaulKirtley ·

2018/07/03

In this episode of #AskPaulKirtley, I answer questions about featherstick material recommendations, remedying chipped axe edges, washing down sleeping bags and hydrophbic down...

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