Interview with Martin from the Bushcraft Buddy YouTube channel

Martin from
the Bushcraft Buddy channel

Hi Martin, thanks for the invitation, and I'm glad you like my channel.

Yes, producing videos for YouTube weekly is quite time-consuming. It starts with the time it takes to shoot the video, which I am pleased to do because trips in nature, with everything that comes with it, bring me a lot of joy and balance.

Then comes the post-production of the equipment and of course the editing. For each video, 4–5 hours of work can come together quickly, if you create a thumbnail and write the appropriate text.

But I actually enjoy it and through filming I am outside more and even more aware of nature and the things I do outside.

What I find even better are the many comments, suggestions and questions from the community. I thoroughly enjoy interacting with all of you and also learning from your videos.

So, I'm pleased that I started YouTubing.

Martin from
the Bushcraft Buddy channel

Since childhood, the forests, primitive skills, and the freedom in nature have fascinated me.

In my teenage years, I started buying robust and cheap military equipment from my savings at flea markets, starting with a uniform and a poncho. I still have the poncho today and use it for all kinds of purposes. The rest then developed little by little.

Martin from
the Bushcraft Buddy channel

Freedom, mindfulness, craftsmanship, originality, and connection with nature.

What makes it special is its simplicity. Unlike everyday life, you have few things with you and relatively simple needs like hunger, thirst, and cold.

It's nice to see how, through knowledge, experience, and skill, you can defy adversity and even create amenities.

You enjoy the simple things, like watching the sunrise in the Black Forest with a cup of pine needle tea from the trapper cup with spring water, cooked on a crackling Hobo fire.

Martin from
the Bushcraft Buddy channel

I prefer to light my fires in different ways.

Lately, I've been using my self-built saw, which I made from a broken Silky blade and a piece of wood. Silky saw blades are excellent for creating sparks.

It doesn't have to be a flintstone that you use. Often a "glassy" stone is sufficient.

I use self-made char cloth as tinder. But I also like to use matches and Firesteel with Fatwood.

Martin from
the Bushcraft Buddy channel

When it comes to rustic cooking, I prefer to cook directly on or in coals. A piece of meat directly on the embers or vegetables/potatoes covered with coals and done.

If I want to be more refined, I like to use a small pan or even the Dutch Oven.

The latter is more like glamping and is associated with a lot of weight in the backpack. But it offers undiscovered culinary possibilities that make my mouth water just thinking about them.

I also like to use the Hobo stove because it requires little wood and the fire is very controlled.

Martin from
the Bushcraft Buddy channel

Currently, many gear providers are jumping on the bushcraft hype.

They're putting together random things from the cheap outdoor segment and selling them as "bushcraft sets" or "survival sets." I don't agree with that.

Examples are: cheap ponchos, cheap compasses, ready-made EDC kits, cheap binoculars, ready-made Fatwood, ready-made tinder, folding shovels, etc.

Bushcraft means - as the name suggests - making something yourself (Craft).

This includes putting together your equipment individually according to your needs.

It doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be of good and robust quality. Military surplus gear is often a good choice.

You can also make a lot of gear yourself with relatively little effort, such as Hobo stoves, paracord bracelets, stakes, tinder, alcohol stoves, etc.

The beauty of this is that you learn something new yourself.

Martin from the
Bushcraft Buddy channel

Before I spent my first night alone in the woods, I had spent countless nights outside with friends. This creates a routine, and you get to know the sounds of the forest.

For the first night, I built a relatively well-protected camp, as seen in my Video British-Polish Supershelter.

This made me feel very safe, and I knew what to expect.

The night was restful, and I was even surprised at how soundly I slept.

I think most of it happens in the mind, so it's important to feel confident and confident in what you're doing.

Martin from
the Bushcraft Buddy channel

I would like to answer your question in two parts.

Actually, I find bow drilling by far the most difficult discipline. Since I like to make fire with materials that I found directly during a tour, it means a lot of effort to find dry wood.

Building the board, spindle, and bow and then drilling afterward. That's why I do it relatively rarely and don't have much practice.

I just need to practice more, it will probably become easier.

What I don't like doing at all is post-processing. Drying equipment, cleaning boots, charging batteries. Storing everything away after a few days. These are things I don't like doing.

Martin from
the Bushcraft Buddy channel

Especially at the beginning, one is happy about every piece of equipment that is taken on board.

That resulted for me in taking all these things outside as well, which meant a lot of hauling and a full backpack.

Today, my motto is to only take what I need for this particular tour.

My goal is to use every piece of equipment I pack on this specific tour. Things I haven't used will most likely stay at home next time.

The exception, of course, is my first-aid kit. I always carry it with me and am happy if I haven't used it.

Martin from
the Bushcraft Buddy channel

You're welcome. It was fun for me! I wish you a lot of joy in nature, and I appreciate the invitation.