Once upon a few years ago there were some monthly challenges, I won my first Esee (Izula) using a Becker knife and then won my second Esee (another Izula) using that first Izula. Not bragging, I lost way more than I won. My central point here is, those contests were fun and very skill building. I learned how to make a de-salinization still out of a paint can for those challenges. I lost that one, but the still worked. And I never before or since used my tools as much as when I was participating in a contest. Anyways, were'd those challenges go?
We'd be willing to kick in some of these re-conditioned knives and maybe some other gear as prizes if we bring this back. Main thing is to get folks in the woods practicing skills.
I just have a had hard time making time to participate the last couple years. All my free time turned into working around the horse farm time.
Maybe repeat a couple of the bigger favorites? Try sticks Weather spotting and ID Fishing Foraging Animal identification tracking Just spitballing some ideas.
Maybe doing them every month is too often. Every other month maybe? 1) Make a bow drill fire 2) Make an animal trap/snare 3) Build a shelter
One suggestion I have is to move the thread into a higher traffic area of the forum, or possibly pin a link in a couple of other sections. I know I was late to the party on a few just by virtue of having not wandered into the wilderness and survival sub for a while.
I would really like to see this come back as well. These contests really did get me outside doing things I have not tried before... The reconditioned knives would make a great prize. Just a suggestion... maybe offer a prize based on the best entry and a second prize that is just a random number generator? This would help get new people trying the tasks even if they won't turn out the best. I think a couple of the past contests also had a really good entry that was submitted early and caused some people to not even try...
I could see running out of contest ideas, maybe a quarterly contest. 4) make cordage 5) make a campfire pot hanging hook 6) make some kind of camp furniture.
contest idea, Teach a kid some wilderness skill. The kid has to do 50% of the work. Don't have a kid, borrow one. 7) knot tying 8) Carve a fork/spoon with a really big knife.
I demand that 'Roo skinning and preparing croc tail for the BBQ are included !! I think these challenges are great, though for the longest time I didn't have the time to participate to much. Strig does a wonderful job organising and running them, glad to see he is going to get back to doing so
i won an izula back in the day for my makeshift snowshoes (i used bamboos and some cordage)...that was fun. if the new contests involves some kind of boozing i'd be all in again.
I'd like it again. I kinda bombed out of the one handed fire making because I got busy on fence work. But I at least did do it later on, and since the contest also. Major woods skill contest? Try wiping your butt with your offhand while squatting in the rain. Think I'm kidding? I won't provide pictures. You're welcome.
A shelter building contest in 2011 where I won an ESEE 4 for second place was my first introduction to ESEE Knives & I have been hooked on them ever since (I pocket carry an Izula daily & even got all 3 of my kids, & sons fiancé engraved Izulas from the Knife Connection to start them off right) I think this is a great idea & would definitely be down for whatever challenges come up. I always liked to take one of the kids out while doing stuff like contests & use it as a teaching moment so that the skills can be passed on to the next generation
