Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Commercialism vs Self Employment



NEW GEAR IS LIKE A NEW CAR, do we really need all the Newest Gear on the market? OR is it a matter of WANTING the Newest gear on the market? I have had several cars that Ran fine, got me where I needed to go, didn't give me mechanical problems, still looked and performed fine....but.....I thought hey I just WANT a new car! Gear is sometimes the same, we don't actually need anything if what we have performs it's functions well enough, but sometimes it's nice to have a change. I love me some Quesadilla, but after about a week I would get tired of them even though they taste great, fill me up, are not expensive??? But human nature is to never be satisfied with the status quo per say. I dont think we buy new gear most times because we actually need it unless it was something we did not already have 10 of anyway but we buy it to see if the grass is greener or the piece more suitable to our liking. Any old knife that meets all the criteria of a good knife will work if you have the proper skill set and I have said MANY MANY times I would take my old 3.00 butcher over anything, heck I can make all the knives I want, but even this does not keep me from buying a new knife once in a while or trying a new product when it comes along. It is a sickness I think but man it feels good to be sick!

"To be sure, even though a man rigs up his own outfit, he never gets it quite to suit him, every season sees the downfall of some cherished scheme, the failure of some fond contrivance." - Kephart

So with all of that said do I sell gear YES, do I create and design gear YES, do I help other companies by acknowledging that their gear is worth buying YES, Do I make money by providing services and consultations, as well as from teaching skills YES, it is called SELF EMPLOYMENT, everyone loves to speak to Self Reliance and not being dependent, but by Golly you better be doing it somewhere else besides this community or you are a Sell Out!, Really? I don't compromise I tell folks exactly what I think of any said piece of gear ,including my own company, and most of the time I pay for Gear even if I review it or at least pay for something else from the same company before I review a piece of their gear, why because I want my opinion to be based solely on experience! Now do I sell the same gear I review or create, or design, HECK YES, It's call SELF EMPLOYMENT, Its called not LIVING off the Government TIT! I chose to make my living in the Outdoors, and I don't tell the Guy at the Tire Store selling me those 35" BF GR All Terrains that he is a sell out because I know he is making money off the sale, I expect him to sell me the most quality tire for my vehicle based on his experience and if he makes money in the process BRAVO, you are not in line for a hand out! Pat that guy on the back for being a worker and not a shirker.

I try very hard in this "business" and yes it is a business and anyone that tells you their SCHOOL, ONLINE STORE, or YT CHANNEL that is MONETIZED is not a business and an attempt to make money is FOS!, Sorry tangent alert! I try very hard to help smaller companies that make great gear to get ahead and I use any reach I may have to help them promote product and if I make something selling that gear as well, YOU GUESSED IT! SELF EMPLOYMENT! And Lets not forget I have Posted well over 1000 educational videos most of which are still up and cost nothing to view and learn, do I make Money from Google of course that is called SMART BUISNESS, do I review the latest gadget to get views NO, The vast majority of my Videos promote or teach actual SKILLS-

There are Many FINE Schools, Stores, and Businesses in this Industry and I don't think you have ever heard me one time bad mouth any of them on a public Forum, You got a good Book I will sell it, I don't care that you have a business or if you have a School, you got a good product, I'll take it and I don't care if it is sold somewhere else, if I can help you and I can make some money as well, but I would expect the same courtesy in return and not to be bad mouthed by you later on a forum or board, especially when my COMMERCIAL business is making YOU money-HELLO!

This Community (Which some try hard to tear apart at every opportunity) is a fantastic chance for us to all learn and promote and make things work TOGETHER! If you think for one minute there will ever be enough Knife makers to supply the demand think again! You got a School in another Environment or Are you teaching something I do not? I would love to send folks your way for sure, but that should be a mutual feeling.

It is such a shame that in a world filled with so much hate and so much wrong, and so much lack of self respect, that we as a Bush craft Community cannot seem to work together for the Common Good of ALL-

Not a day goes by that I don't see someone in this community talking or posting bad of someone else, of course some are sly and don't think you can see it or don't think anyone knows EXACTLY who you mean, REALLY?  I think you need to read the Bible-

I have made it my personal GOAL to rise above the many posts inundating the Web, and to NEVER openly bash anyone, as I believe everyone has at least one redeeming factor about them and until I change my mind I will not change my ways. My Grandma always said, if you got nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all, this community would be a lot better off if folks were that smart today-

I will never be heard to put someone else down to help make myself look better, I can learn from my own mistakes well enough I don't need to dwell on someone else's to justify it- Let me know if I ever tell someone they don't have the right or it is wrong to feed their family, and I will rebuke myself for this entire post-

Life is a One way Train Folks, You only get one ride, make it as scenic and enjoyable as possible because in the end we only have to answer to one! Thanks for reading this somewhat silly but long needed rant-

20 comments:

  1. My name Clay Moreland.I have seen you promote n help many people you don't even know threw facebook.I have a very high respect for you brother.Since I found your YT channel I have learned many many skills.That otherwise I would have never figured out on my own.Thank you brother for sharing the wisdom n hope to make it to your school one day.

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  2. Well said sir.. Even on the many jeep forums I am a part of you got to be so careful on what you post to not be ridiculed on asking a "stupid" question. I have been watching your you tube videos religiously for couple years now and they are awesome keep them coming and maybe one day I can come to do a class at the pathfinder school.

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  3. I don't know what brought this about because it is none of my business but I completely understand where you are coming from. I see it on social media. I read it on forums etc. There are a lot of people out there who love to bad mouth people who become successful. More often than not it seems to be the people who themselves are incredibly unsuccessful. I have learned a lot from you Dave. I appreciate every bit of it and support your business often. I like to see it as my way of contributing to keep all of the informative free content coming from your youtube channel. Congratulations on your continued success! I wish you many more years of the same!

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  4. There is not much anyone can actually add to this on any level, IMHO. Each paragraph sliced as sharp as a "2 edged sword" full of truth and cut to the core. Amazing honest post but that is what I have found makes you a leader Dave, you do not take the easy way in the woods, nor online it seems but it is the RIGHT WAY. The Way, the Truth and the Light, right brother? .....

    -- God Bless you man, I am new to BushCraft as you know but this is LIFE too and this post speaks volumes on things. Just God Bless you man and stay strong in the Lord. Thank you for all you do even if it is hard for people to see and hear sometimes. Growth can be painful sometimes. Ask a woman in labour about to send forth new life. Barry from Canada.

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  5. Dave, you failed to mention one thing. Your retirement is funded solely by the sweat of your brow. From one self-employed person to another. Live free.

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  6. Well said. It can't be easy to see all you do and not feel exasperated with people in general. Your grandma and my parents said that same quote. And I've taught it to my own kids. Words to live by. There are those who can swim across a river because they've put the time in to learn the skill. And there are those that will cling to the backs of those who can swim to get across. Then criticize their form and ability. Some folks have never learned the good old fashioned values and unfortunately this is a spreading rot that can only be stopped by a call back to what we once knew as right. Thanks for all you do for us. I for one appreciate it. Chris.

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  7. Thanks for your great videos they're the best out their don't let people pull you down and get to you. I'll alway watch your youtube channel your a great man.

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  8. Thanks for your great videos they're the best out their don't let people pull you down and get to you. I'll alway watch your youtube channel your a great man.

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  9. I enjoy your work and ideas. I have discovered a simple trick that I think you might be interested in so feel free to use this how you like. I am an MD and work far too many hours at my baseline to really try to get this out there. I like having a lid on my container in the fire amd It needs to be firmly attached. I have watched many videos on line on various modifications people have made to your or other peoples gear to accomplish this. Weight and cost are always a factor. Your system with the fish mouth spreader, notches in the lid and 2 additional holes in the sides of the cup seemed like a pretty good solution to me but still the lid was not firmly attached. I discovered a perfect cheap solution for this that also saves weight. I found that if you use 2 Mini Binder clips (1/2 inch - holds 20 sheets of paper and sells for less than $4.00 for a pack of 70 at Wal-Mart) on opposite sides of the lid it will NOT come off. The lip of the cup and the lip off the lid lock it in place. I have pulled hard enough for the material of the lid to start to bend and it still won't release. This allows for the cup or a pot to be suspended from a ring on the lid without needing the weight of the fish mouth spreader and no holes need top be in the side of the cup. A simple height adjustment system can be made with a short piece of lightweight chain and 1 or 2 small stainless steel S biners. I hope you find this information useful and keep up the good work.
    Randy Ensminger MD

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  10. I enjoy your work and ideas. I have discovered a simple trick that I think you might be interested in so feel free to use this how you like. I am an MD and work far too many hours at my baseline to really try to get this out there. I like having a lid on my container in the fire amd It needs to be firmly attached. I have watched many videos on line on various modifications people have made to your or other peoples gear to accomplish this. Weight and cost are always a factor. Your system with the fish mouth spreader, notches in the lid and 2 additional holes in the sides of the cup seemed like a pretty good solution to me but still the lid was not firmly attached. I discovered a perfect cheap solution for this that also saves weight. I found that if you use 2 Mini Binder clips (1/2 inch - holds 20 sheets of paper and sells for less than $4.00 for a pack of 70 at Wal-Mart) on opposite sides of the lid it will NOT come off. The lip of the cup and the lip off the lid lock it in place. I have pulled hard enough for the material of the lid to start to bend and it still won't release. This allows for the cup or a pot to be suspended from a ring on the lid without needing the weight of the fish mouth spreader and no holes need top be in the side of the cup. A simple height adjustment system can be made with a short piece of lightweight chain and 1 or 2 small stainless steel S biners. I hope you find this information useful and keep up the good work.
    Randy Ensminger MD

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  11. Dave, I have all ways enjoy your videos! Also your reviews as well! But the best is your rants!!! I'm sorry to say the haters are going to hate!!! Nothing you nor I can do about them! Except ignore them as best we can!

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  12. I find you put a lot of work in your products, reviews, and videos. I am personally not self employed (I have always worked for one government or another). It takes a strong person to strike out on their own in self employment. I respect you and your work.

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  13. Dave keep it up, I've been watching your YT videos and followed you for years! I've tried and tested some of your gear, it's all been better than advertised, and everything I've seen you be apart of has been successful!! Actions are loaded than words, look forward to meeting you or attending your school soo!������

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  14. Dave,

    I am new to this Bush craft adventure and learning more and more every day. I can honestly say it took me weeks to find someone that didn't seem to be trying exclusively to sell me something. Your videos and blogs have been the cornerstone so far of instruction that I will start to experiment with, test myself, and learn the skills shown. That being said, when I can pull together funding and am ready to start the professional training aspect, because of the way your free content has helped me so far, I would look to your institution first for that training. Thank you for everything you do for us new guys and experienced folks alike.

    All that being said, people will always try to tear down those that they see as more successful than themselves. If you haven't made any enemies, you haven't made an impact.

    Please stay the course!!!

    Thank you,

    Nick

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  15. I agree with what you said in your blog with one exception. It is NOT silly. I THOUGHT I knew about wilderness survival, and after watching your video's as well as your instructors, I realized I would be dead in the woods on a longterm situation. I am not well off, (or I would be attending ALL of your courses) but I look to your store every time I buy equipment. People have told me I can buy rthe same things elsewhere for cheaper. Probably so, however I choose to buy from your store as a way of helping to support (in my meager way) ALL you and your instructors do FOR FREE! I wish I could do more, however, the good lord has you to help those learn skills to help THEMSELVES. God bless you, your family and instructors, and all with your organization (also Mark who gets the orders pulled perfectly-THANK YOU BROTHER!!!), for all y'all do.

    I wish all of you continued success.

    In deep gratitude,

    Chris

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  16. Selfemployment is a good thing but only if you have aspecial goal you will achieve it findwritingservice.com/blog/proofreading-services-online-negative-social-habits great to have your dream job.

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  17. Amen Bro! My Dad used to say, and I found it to be VERY true over the years, Quote: " I never got a job from a poor guy" and " If no one will hire you, hire yourself !"

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