Raf

Germany

Raf, also known as Bushcraftsman, is a bushcraft enthusiast and outdoor content creator based in Germany. Bushcraft and wilderness living skills have been a big part of his life for many years, with a particular interest in traditional woodcraft, firecraft, hunting and understanding the natural world.

With a grandfather who was a blacksmith, and having forged several bushcraft knives himself, Raf has developed a strong appreciation for traditional knifemaking, steel, blade geometry and well-designed working tools. He values natural materials and equipment that is made to be used, maintained and develop character over time.

Travelling and exchanging knowledge with other bushcrafters is also an important part of his journey, with connections to bushcraft communities in Europe, North America and beyond.

Activities: Bushcraft, Firecraft, Woodcraft, Hunting

Q&A with Raf

What does bushcraft mean to you beyond simply having the skills to spend time outdoors?

Bushcraft means being able to feel comfortable in the great outdoors. It is about understanding your surroundings, knowing how to use the tools you have and being able to solve problems with knowledge rather than simply carrying more gear.

One of my biggest influences has always been Mors Kochanski. I really connect with the idea that the more you know, the less you need to carry. Learning more about nature, materials and tools gives you confidence and makes you feel more at home outdoors. That is a big part of what bushcraft means to me.

What is one outdoor skill, tradition or piece of knowledge you believe is worth passing on to the next generation, and why?

Definitely firecraft. Making fire is something very fundamental, but there is much more to it than simply creating a flame. You need to understand your environment, know which materials to look for, how to prepare them and what kind of fire you actually need for the situation.

Good knife skills are also a big part of that. Knowing how to safely use a knife to prepare a hearth board or make proper feather sticks can make all the difference when conditions are difficult. These basic ancestral skills have been with us for a very long time, and I think they are worth keeping alive and passing on.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world with only the gear you could carry on your back, where would you go and what would you hope to experience there?

I would choose Arizona. I am already quite familiar with Central European and boreal forests and have spent a lot of time learning in those environments. Arizona would take me completely outside what I know and put me out of my comfort zone.

I have studied quite a bit about desert skills and that kind of climate through people like Cody Lundin, but I have never actually experienced it myself. Spending a week there with a simple kit – a knife, pot, tarp, sleeping bag and ferro rod – would be a great opportunity to put some of that knowledge into practice and see how I adapt to a completely different environment.

Most of all, I would want to learn from the landscape and come home understanding it a little better.