[Closed] Legal to carry a hunting knife bikepacking in the UK?

Necessity in the UK? You're never more than 20 miles from a pub ffs! 😆 no idea on the legality of knife carrying in the wild, but it's unlikely you'll meet a polis in say the scottish highlands anyhow, so I wouldn't worry about it, we'd an axe at the weekend. Though I'd be wary near any population centres, if your are stoating about with a Rambo knife that may well prove a little difficult to explain.

I'd be more worried about the hunting laws if I were you. What and where are you planning on hunting?

Yep, what are you planning on hunting/poaching anyway?

Thans for your reply! It was quite helpful. Well this is gonna sound kinda stupid, but I guess I might as well say it. Basically, I really want to just go into the wild on my newly built for Surly ECR, literally, just set off on a great adventure across the land, but my worry is in food and water. I mean to survive, I obviously need some source of food and just carrying money isn't sustainable, so again, this must sound really stupid, but I was going to see how I get on with a hunting knife... :S dont shout at me too loud! I am 16 which I didn't want to mention - could contribute to my obvious ignorance, but I am very, very determined to make this work.

So where will the great adventure take you?
Have you ever caught and killed anything before?
Where do you plan on cooking it?
What are you going to eat aside from meat that will sustain you?
Do you know how much food you will need to eat each day to continue on your adventure?
What happens who you don't get the rabbit one day?

You can go wild for a weekend and carry enough food to survive, you can get in and out of some stunning places in that time. I'd suggest doing that first and seeing how you go before heading out for a self sustaining adventure.

Get to bed youth.
Seriously, you're not going to be butchering stags so I'd keep it small. You don't need much of knife to skin a bunny.

[s]Couple of[/s] Three things OP.

1). The most you will catch will likely be a cold...
2). If you do manage to hunt or trap something wild in the UK you could pretty much sort it out with a pair of blunt nail clippers
3). You are not unless I am very much mistaken Ray Mears. As said above do a couple of overnighters and see if you like it and for chrissakes take some normal food...

After watching "Into the Wild" I set off on a quest to find myself in the unforgiving wastelands of Hampshire. I found that deer and rabbits were too quick to catch with my knife so I tried sheep. Unfortunately they too outwitted me so I turned to cows.

These are the beasts that will sustain you, they are far too trusting they only problem being the furiosity of the attack needed to take them down.

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Lol @ rureadyboots 😀

Knife carrying - for virtually any knife on your person (or in your vehicle), you must have a reason for carrying it.
In addition, any knife with a blade over 3" is an offensive weapon, so you can be arrested if found with one without a valid reason.That doesnt mean they are illegal - you can still buy them and use them, but you cannot carry one around 'just in case'.

Work is a good reason, got to skin a deer is another.

Needing it for protection down the pub is a criminal offence - carrying a weapon. Even a Stanley knife can be a weapon.

So if you have a knife with you, make sure you can justify its use.

"Why are you laughing in the bathroom?"
"Because I just read something funny about killing a cow"

Back to the OP: I think a stack of fairly basic high carb and protein food in your bag and a few quid in your pocket will serve you much better than a knife. If you do take a knife you might want to also consider a catapult and or bow and arrows? Not overly sure of the legality their either though.

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needs a knife to...

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alanl - Member
That doesnt mean they are illegal - you can still buy them and use them, but you cannot carry one around 'just in case'.

Can't buy one if you're 16

On my similar principle, I no longer take gels or bars on races or rides - I'm becoming a dab hand at catching, killing, gutting, and eating the stragglers and 'lap fodder' at the back of the pack....

DrP

Rich pickings at SSUK this weekend for you then DrP... some come already pickled too!

Snaring rabbits isn’t that difficult, but if it’s your only source of food then it’s a massive risk.

As an anecdote, when I was in my late teens I went on a week-long survival camp in the lakes, we had a few days been taught trapping/shelter building etc. Then we were bundled in the back of a landrover and chucked out in the wilderness approximately 3days walk from our final destination. All I managed to catch was 2 eels one night, a couple of lads resorted to scavenging carrion/roadkill; everyone broke into their emergency rations before 24hrs was up!

I watched a programme on the telly where some guy goes in to the jungle/desert island etc naked with nothing.

A knife just isn't necessary. He managed to make a grass skirt and kill and eat things just using things he found. That's what you should be aspiring to. Taking a knife (and clothes) is just cheating.

Any animal that you need a hunting knife to kill, if you could get close enough, has a better chance of seriously injuring you first.

Looks over shoulder and sees DrP gaining... 😮 pedals faster...

[url= http://www.scotsman.com/news/adventurer-trying-to-live-like-bear-grylls-in-scottish-wilderness-found-dead-1-2069431 ]some light reading before you go.[/url]

I think if you're backpacking and it's obvious that you're camping,then you'll be fine to carry a knife. In my pack, usually have a small mora clipper knife which is great for prepping camping food.
On a day to day basis I have a swiss army knife too but the blade is folding and less than 3" and the most used bits are probably the tooth pick and tweezers!
I think the problem here is that you obviously have very little experience which could get you into trouble.
Don't get me wrong, I love those types of TV programmes too but in the real world, it's all a bit unnecessary. On the trips i've done, it's almost too much hassle to light a camp fire.
If you really feel that you want to learn survival skills, do it with an organised group so that you keep yourself safe and get some experience under your belt before venturing out on your own.
In the meantime, get a few bits of camping kit, some food and a stove and start getting out on overnight trips close to home. Work up to the bigger journeys. There's a wealth of knowledge in the bikepacking thread on here.
Good luck and remember to post any stories/photos.

Anything carried with the intent to injure or designed or adapted to injure is an offensive weapon . unlawful to possess out of home full stop save for limited defences. So no swords , flick knives or socks full of sand.
It is also unlawful to have any bladed article without a reasonable excuse except for a folding pocket knife with a blade less than three inches. So you have to justify your hunting knife or lock knife but not your Swiss army knife. The case of "Povey" says you will get dealt with at the severe end of the scale for any breach of these laws involving knives.

There is nothing you could successfully hunt with a hunting knife . Hunting requires snares or cross bow or a firearm.

So you risk a possible brush with the law and certain hunger. Take a swiss army knife and a tin of beans.

Take a look at the "Water to Go" bottles. Seem likely to at least minimise the risk of ever running out of water in this country.

On the point of folding knives, if it locks out, then its length doesn't matter in terms of being found with one in your possession in a place where you shouldn't really have one.

There is obviously common sense to apply to carrying a knife. If you're out and about in the open countryside, then I'd agree with most of whats been said above.

If you're going through the towns with your backpack etc as part of your journey, and still want to have the knife, then my advice is to have it well packed away deep down in the bag, so that it is not something that is easily accessible or to hand.

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Lets be kind.
You are not allowed by law to do what you want to do.
Taking animals and fish is poaching and seriously banned. Unless you happen to be based by the sea where you can fish as you please (within a very few and specific rules) Carry your food, that's what we all do. There is no where in the UK that needs you to be self sufficient. Drop in the middle of anywhere and you could walk to a house or road in a day and you would go more than a bit peckish if you didn't eat for twice that. The creature that you will find in remote area, deer, mountain hares, grouse etc won't be hanging around for you to have hand to hand combat with.
Survivalism as practiced by the SAS books or various Rambo types isn't an option in the UK.
As to knives. You don't need a big one. I have skinned and butchered deer with a sharp pocket knife although I must admit that a 6" blade is neater.
If you wish to carry a knife the law is clear but realistically in the microscopic change that you get your collar felt in the countryside something like a normal pocket knife won't get you any grief on a camping trip. Bear in mind that virtually every Leatherman type multi tool breaks the rules unless circumstance dictate.
Sorry to piss on your bonfire, I suspect you need to do some research.

As above, carrying a knife is perfectly legal if you have a reason, after all 100's/1000's of Chefs walk into busy restaurants full of th epublic every day with 10" knives. You just need a valid reason for carrying it. Huntiing [b]would[/b] be a valid reason. [b]But[/b] you're not proposing hunting, you're proposing poaching, which is also illegal.

If you did get over the hurdle of catching meat, then you've got the problem of finding fruit and vegetables, which tend not to grow wild in this country for most of the year. Otherwise you'll have scurvey (or scrumping apples) to add to your criminal record!

and just carrying money isn't sustainable

I'd suggest getting a job so that it is :-p There isn't anywhere in the UK you couldn't ride to fueled only by supermarket brand noodles and the occasional pub stop.

This has got to be a wind up surely.

Pot noodles . Easy to catch and cook.

The answer to your problems, young 'un, is Super Noodles. The number of expeditions I've been on fueled only by Super Noodles - they're light to carry, easy to cook, can be found in any tiny store, and you boil the water so any dead sheep that gets in isn't a problem.

Plus you won't be able to poo for a week, so won't need worry about wild dumping.

I have skinned and butchered deer with a sharp pocket knife although I must admit that a 6" blade is neater.

How small a pocket knife are we talking? The way that sentence is put together it seems like you've done it more than once?

Also, I assume you had a sharpening stone with you each time? How many times did you need to sharpen the knife?

OP
Just carve some nice things from wood that you find on your travels,then trade them for food and drink.

Good luck ,and get whittling

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All great adventures, are bound to end well.

The Highlands get a mention somewhere near the start of the thread. Can I politely request that you don't undertake this adventure in the Highlands. Anywhere south of Stirling should be fine. Many thanks.

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The recent "what trail tools are in your backpack" thread got me wondering what the official line on those fold up saws (or massive, serrated lock knife, depending on your perspective) is, since so many folk mention carrying them.

Admittedly pudgy, middle-aged, garishly attired gents on expensive bikes probably don't rank highly on the police shakedown list, but you never know.

I regularly walk through Glasgow with a scythe - never had a problem.

(it's because I do volunteer work in the local park)

[img] [/img]Ben earlier....

I was hoping Ben spends his time dressed as the reaper, pointing at random locals.

ben, I once bought an axe from the wee tool shop at Charing Cross on a Saturday afternoon. After a good chat with the owner, he asked if I'd like a bag. No, I thought, I'll just wander through the city centre on a Saturday afternoon with an axe in my hand 🙂

Probably wouldn't have been the only one mind you!

And the one highland polis you will meet will be armed!

4 1/2" blade and yes it was a pain and yes it needed some sharpening!
It's the tidy butchering that needs a decent knife. After all even elephant skin isn't that thick.

I think the othe problem you're likely to find is, finding time to ride!

2000 years ago when people did live in the woods in the Highlands, they were firstly teeming with four legged food, secondly, still spent all day trying to catch it.

2000 years ago when people did live in the woods in the Highlands, they were firstly teeming with four legged food, secondly, still spent all day trying to catch it.

And this, my friends, is the reason there wasn't an obesity epidemic.

Paleo diet, my chuff.

</tangent>

I regularly walk through Glasgow with a scythe - never had a problem.

That reminds me of the time I was walking through a busy Edinburgh shopping centre carrying a crossbow
( I was trading it in at a shop for some other [s]weapon[/s] toy ).
Stopped by the polis with the words " You can't carry that in here"
Me .."Why not?"
Them .. "It's a dangerous weapon"
Me .. "How's that then, it has no string and I have no bolts with me?" 🙄
Them "Oh right" 😳

🙂

OP, I think I probably had similar ideas at your age. I guess what I found out that what I imagined to be problematic (like food and water) isn't really a problem in the UK and things I hadn't considered so much like staying warm, dry, and insect bite free were more problematic.
Rather than stepping straight in at surviving indefinitely in the wild, start by say riding three days or so away from your house and you'll find a set of experiences that won't be how you imagined.

These are the beasts that will sustain you, they are far too trusting they only problem being the furiosity of the attack needed to take them down.

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4 1/2" blade and yes it was a pain and yes it needed some sharpening!
It's the tidy butchering that needs a decent knife. After all even elephant skin isn't that thick.

Ah, for some reason I was envisaging a 2" blade! 🙂

From my limited experience of skinning deer (twice!) I found a 5" blade was actually pretty much perfect for me (I swapped blades a couple of times to something larger and smaller but neither felt as useful), but it did need to sharpen quite a bit. Took ages, but my technique is probably rubbish.

I was hoping Ben spends his time dressed as the reaper, pointing at random locals.

There's a bunch of elderly dog walkers who spend their whole time moaning about everything we do - I could go stand in their gardens 😉

At what point would the blade length fall into the camp of 'safe' again?

1 inch - safe

4 inches - dangerous

60 inches - ?? safe!!

DrP

Legally its more down to intended use - a flick knife is smaller than a scythe but is designed for a very different and more dangerous purpose. It'd actually be pretty hard to attack someone with a scythe, the angle and weighting is all wrong. The billhooks and slashers we use for hedging and undergrowth clearance would be a lot better, though the blades are half the length.

Try it with a scimitar...................."Yes officer, just off to the park to do some jobs."

Try it with a scimitar...................."Yes officer, just off to the park to do some jobs."

"This? Oh, it's ceremonial, my religious beliefs require that I carry it."

I'm surprised The Church Of The Hoodie hasn't sprung up yet... (-:

Rather more years ago now than i care to remember, when i was a bit of an "off roader" (yeah, yeah i know 😉 i used to carry a pretty comprehensive kit in my Land rover. One evening i was stopped for a random carcheck in Portsmouth city centre, and the Officer pulled out the 10" hunting knife i had wedged behind the seats! The conversation went something along these lines:

Officer: "er, hmm, this is a bit much isn't it, you could use this (waving knife around) to hurt someone!"

Me: "not really".

Officer: "What do you mean?"

Me, reaching into back and pulling out my trusty 12inch Stihl chain saw "Nawh, i'd use this!"

Luckily he saw the funny side of it and we both had a good laugh about it 😉

Couple of refs to archery and hunting in this thread.

1981 wildlife and countryside act officially stopped hunting with Bows and crossbows and arrows and explosive's.

Being anywhere with a bow and arrows without permission from landowner is i belive called armed tresspass.

Spearguns in sal****er is ok but not all fish species are fair game.
Spearguns in freshwater/inland lakes is ilegal.

Snares in Scotland must be of a certain type that can't entrap or harm deer, the wrong bit of brass wire loop is ilegal.

The little MORA's are handy for UK stuff and fishing. Take some fishing gear, a handline and try catch a fish for tea, or go coastal and try the wild mussels/oysters/limpets etc etc 🙂

acehtn

1981 wildlife and countryside act officially stopped hunting with Bows and crossbows and arrows and explosive's.

Sensible, explosive arrows are just "cheating" surely?? 😉

bencooper - Member
There's a bunch of elderly dog walkers who spend their whole time moaning about everything we do - I could go stand in their gardens

Now that would be a forum worthy Go Pro video....

maxtorque - Member

Sensible, explosive arrows are just "cheating" surely??

Only if it's through John Lewis's...
Primark on the other hand.....

ha. funny thread. not sure how long its been since the majority of people replying to this thread have been out for an extended period of time without their comfort blankets and shop bought supplies. 😈

Admittedly pudgy, middle-aged, garishly attired gents on expensive bikes probably don't rank highly on the police shakedown list, but you never know.

Honestly it annoys me that people be so discouraging to the lad.

Carry a hunting knife when you go out into the 'wild'. It is probably one of the most useful tools just after your lighter/flint. Your genuinely going to want it. Mine goes every where with me, don't act like a dick and wave it around town and all will be well.

Set snares and traps in the right places and you should do alright. Fish the rivers and collect shellfish at the shore. Accept you will get hungry long before you succeed. Learn to deal with it and enjoy the little things. You'll come back with a greater appreciation of the ecosystem we're part of and some peace of mind.

Castanea, earlier:

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Mine goes every where with me

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Probably the most useful thing to carry would be a length of heavy-duty fishing line, with a biggish hook, and something to bait it with, and go fishing for crayfish. Any river/stream with a decent population of Signal Crayfish should provide some decent eating. All you then need is a pot to cook the buggers in.
I sat watching a couple of blokes fishing for them a couple of years ago at a pub on the banks of the Thames; they went away with twenty or thirty after about thirty minutes, every time they threw the line in it came back out with a large crustacean clinging to the end after only a minute or two. I've seen them in water less than a foot deep near Castle Combe, you could just pick them up and put in a pot.
Much easier than trying to catch and kill bunnies.
And knife-wise a cheap Mora would do, like a Clipper: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clipper-Carbon-Stainless-carbon-steel-2-5mm/dp/B00IAM6G26/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1409765873&sr=8-5&keywords=mora+frost
And learn how to sharpen it properly; a blunt knife is more likely to slip and injure it's user due to having to use more force when cutting.
Carbon steel is easiest to sharpen, and hold an edge, but it will stain and rust if neglected, stainless slightly more effort to sharpen, but easiest to keep bright.

Explosive ammo or just explosives was deemed unsporting and banned, not just thunder heads on arrows 🙂 or Dukes of Hazzard type antics.

Heard a term called "whumping" years ago. Poachers would go down the fish farm, with dynamite, "WHUMP" fish get stunned by shock wave, float to surface, get skimmed up and poachers leg it. Sort of smash and grab robbery poaching style.

Technically you aren't supposed to use a baited line for crayfish and you need an EA authorization to trap them.

Join the Scouts* - you get a fetching uniform, badges and a nice warm Scout leader to keep you warm in the evenings!

*(I may be doing the Scout Assoc a bit of a disservice here 😀 )

I thought Signal Crayfish were an invasive species? You cant catch White Clawed Crayfish as they're protected (& native to UK)

I think we've been here before....

Ah Ha!
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crayfish-tapping-using-the-right-trap

I stand corrected. (said the man in the orthopeadic shoes)

Anyway OP, good luck with your knife & you manage to creep up on it & kill it. 😉

I carry a leatherman at work and a small legal leatherman on my keys the rest of the time.
Most of the people I know who hunt (rim fire and air rifle) use an opinel wooden handled jobbie for skinning and gutting small game, as they are both very good and relatively cheap so not the end of the world if damaged or lost.

Right, OP is back! And damn, I did not expect 67 replies so this reply is gonna be lawnggg. First things first, you guys are literally unbelievably funny. I was in stiches reading this thread. So thanks for the laughs! And some of you have some brilliant ideas. I really want to reply to each of those, so I’m going to make an effort to do so.
@Mikewsmith
I haven’t decided yet! I was scouring locations, and Hertforshire looks pretty beautiful. I actually just went down to Cornwall this summer (with in bike in car) and saw some of the most amazing sights I’ve ever seen. The stuff of desktop backgrounds. To me, it was another experience. I really want to go there. I don’t know how I’m going to make it work, but when there’ s a will there’s a way. And there’s a will 😉 I’d love some suggestions on places to go! I was focusing on building my ECR which is pretty much ready now, it’s one hell of a setup, even got a Dynamo powered lights with a usb and a mounted speaker on the bike, all hooked up! XD Got 3 1.5l bottle cages coming, got a Brooks B67 and a front and back rack and WW2 Military issue bags mounted on!! Had a ton of fun just building it up, can’t wait to get started! I haven’t actually caught anything before, have cooked caught food though, over a fire. Aside from meat, I haven’t really looked into it yet. I was going to research it etc and for the meantime fill 30 litres of space to the brim with Go Apple and Sultana bars! I’ll need a lot. My main concern is water, but hopefully the 3 x 1.5l bottles will last half a day at least… I think I will do that first actually, just go away for a weekend. That’s a brilliant idea. I’m gonna do that! Would really love some reccomendations, I’m currently located in London 🙂
@shifter
I honestly cannot stand when people take that stand. I just want to live my life as should be, I want to make the most of it, really live it, I can’t stand the monotony that life seems to have become. I don’t let my age become a limiting factor because I don’t see it as such, but when some people can’t see past it, it does get to me. Though I’m sure my undeniable, explicit naivety might contribute to that!
In terms of the knife, I was merely enquiring on the legibility of carrying one around, not asking advice on the size.
@rureadyboots @drp and @FunkyDunc thanks for the laughs, and I mean that! I still have a slight giggle on me…..
@irelanst From now on, call me naked jungle guy?
@duckman I’ll mind myself.
@dknwhy
Thank you for the brilliant advice, if I’m going to get a knife, a swiss army knife sounds like a good idea 🙂 and to be honest, I haven’t watched any of those programs, I just love the idea of being self-sustainable in the wild, but it clearly seems like that’s not gonna work. Are fires really that hard to light? I’ve had success with starting off with one of those light the bag logs. I think that’s the best idea, in terms of survival skills. I actually did a course, in which we learn all the basics and where we learnt how to skin and cook a rabbit properly (a lot of effort involved!) , the uses of a knife, how to use it properly etc, but taking that to the next level sounds like the best idea. Are there any you know of? I was going to sign up to the Duke of Edinburgh but any others would be welcome 🙂 would a stove be a thing to get? I was wondering how practical those would be, given I would have to have a gas canister on me too, would be great for heating water and food, but how long do those canisters last for? Working up to it what I’m going to do now, as opposed to diving straight in, and I’ll check out the bikepacking thread. Thanks bud 🙂 you’ve really helped me out! And I’d love to post some stories, but post it here? Not too sure about that lol
@crankboy
Ascertained this from the thread, think I’mma ditch that idea on exactly the reason you stated; there isn’t really anything it would be viable to hunt one with. Gonna get me a swiss army knife 😀
@cb
Holy shit dude that is SO AWESOME. That sounds too good to be true!!! If it is..If it is…. So you can literally drink any water? That does sound too good to be true….
@mattsccm
That truth is kind of depressing. Really depressing. I mean, it’s like there’s no freedom anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I’m animal person and love them more than I do most people but the fact that I can’t just live out in the wild is frustrating. What do you mean a Leatherman breaks the rules? I thought it was legal to carry a pocket knife with a smaller than 3” blade? And you’re damn right on that, sure do need to do some research
@thisisnotaspoon
Excuse my ignorance if you will, but what’s the difference between hunting and poaching? I’m guessing one is where it is within the boundaries of the law and the other it is not? Getting a job kinda defeats the point in the bikepacking aspect and I doubt I’ll be lucky enough to get one on a quirky beach bar or beautiful rural farm, those are the only I would really consider, and life isn’t a movie. If you’ve got any idea how I can get one of those kinda jobs, I’d love to hear it!
@pk13 and @bencooper is there an efficient way of boiling the water? If there is, then that’s the obvious way to go, but I don’t know of one. I was considering getting one of those camping stoves, but I doubt the small gas canisters will last for more than one boil? I hope I’m wrong. I really do! I hope I’m so, so wrong.

@fasthaggis how did I not think of that? How???
@thegreatape don’t worry, I would come near an old hag like you if I was dying of hunger and had a hunting knife!

@spudface completely forgot that til you pointed it out, especially the pudgy bit 😉

@peterfile I totally wish you did! That’d be a story to tell.

@IanMunro Not too worried about staying warm and dry, with thermal and waterproof everything tbh, and even if I do, I kinda like the cold. Oh, the experiences? The ones where you’re always cold and wet, surrounded by nature, where the best part is getting into dry clothes and your warm, warm sleeping bag in what you can feel is well earned, hearing the rain pour down on your tent, it all being oddly comforting? I like it. I love waking up in the middle of nowhere, where all that surrounds is the beautyof nature, waking to yet another adventure. I like it. I like how it’s a bit of a challenge, a struggle, it’s what makes it fun. I like it, because it makes me feel alive. It’s something that I can’t ever really describe as much as I try. I think it’s just being alive.
@bencooper you should totally post them Go Pro vids! After you, you know, make em…

@castanea
It is really, really nice to see some actual encouragement so thank you for that 🙂 couldn’t agree more with that, the negativity is annoying but then you realise that the people that spread it are those that sit at home in the evenings rewatching Jeremy kyle that they recorded earlier, rendering any effect it had to disappear! I’ve been set on getting a Multitool, probably a Leatherman now, still advise getting a real knife? And you’ve got it. You totally get why I enjoy doing this. It’s enjoying life really, and I honestly do love that challenge. And yeah, you’re right, at the end, if nothing else, I’ll just have a greater appreciation for how we don’t have to struggle so much for the necessary things in life 🙂

@CountZero holy shit that’s a brilliant idea!!! And it sounds far, far more efficient in terms of food yield than hunting ever could. So I don’t even need a fishing rod, just fishing line, a hook and bait? I’ve never fished before! Ooh, and regarding the knife, would you still advise getting a proper knife? I was just going to go for a multitool, but would love to hear your take, you deff know what you’re talking about! Also, great tip on the knife sharpening, will bear that in mind thank you 🙂
@rogerthecats
I think may actually, I’ll look into it!
1500 words people....

Summary please.

Hmmm, you seem to be very knife orientated? & Have you thought about joining the Royal Marines when your'e old enough? You'll certainly enjoy the cold then.

[i]I love waking up in the middle of nowhere, where all that surrounds is the beautyof nature, waking to yet another adventure. I like it. I like how it’s a bit of a challenge, a struggle, it’s what makes it fun. I like it, because it makes me feel alive. It’s something that I can’t ever really describe as much as I try. I think it’s just being alive.[/i]

& you haven't got a decent knife yet, after all that?

Love your enthusiasm, so don't take this the wrong way, but get the self sufficiency idea out of your head it's not going to happen. All you need to do is factor is stops at populated areas with a shop every day or 2, carry enough stuff in between and you are sorted(just make sure the shop is open).

I'd advise starting slow. Do 1 night a few times then 2 etc. And get all your kit sorted over these times and learn your limits, and find out what kit you do and don't need, and then begin to get the weight and bulk of that down, after that and you've gained some experience you'll then be able to do longer trips.

Small steps.

Catching your food frees up alcohol carrying capacity...

Hertfordshire eh? I was out for a road ride tonight in the north Herts villages and the little shop I usually pick up a milkshake and marsbar from from was shut. Thought I was going to die. Luckily I passed a bramble bush and all was well. That's about as wild as it gets I'm afraid but if I had come across a deer I'd definitely have stabbed it!

@thegreatape don’t worry, I would come near an old hag like you if I was dying of hunger and had a hunting knife!

I think you may have missed the motive for my request - a fear of missing my dinner several days in a row rather than becoming yours - but I'm grateful nonetheless!

Has the OP been back yet for his [s]outpouring of patronising condescension[/s] advice?

Get a svord peasant and dont be a dick about waving it around.

The lifestyle you want is a dream that'll fail but you'll enjoy finding that out.

Britishblades and bushcraft. Co. Uk forums will have the answers for you go there and poke around.

Hertfordshire? 😯

Ssshhh, he's asleep. Don't wake the little bugger up now FFS!
Sweet dreams kiddo.

aracer - Member
Hertfordshire?

I can’t stand the monotony that life seems to have become.

Jeez. You're 16. Go out, buy cider, chase women. If that has become monotonous for you already then you're in for a long shift mate 🙂