Barefoot Bushcraft

We're in the "ber" months. Autumn is fast approaching!

So proud of our UK groups. In particular our UK cohort from 2025 ( all women! 🔥👌) had a really challenging couple of days with various factors

To cap it all their fire was extinguished this morning by an unfortunate accident, not to be deterred, they rallied and were able to relight it with their bowdrill set.

Producing fire with a bowdrill can be challenging enough in damp conditions.. but they did it with no metal tools, and no modern cordage.

And to cap it all they managed to look like a renaissance painting while doing it!

Living by Nature
Www.livingbynature.co.uk

This exact thing happened to us here at Barefoot Bushcraft - everything has rotted from using the wrong paint.

Applying a solid stain (or paint) to a solid log home is highly discouraged by restoration professionals because it traps internal moisture. Unlike standard wood siding, whole logs need to "breathe" to release humidity, condensation, and seasonal dampness.
Why Solid Stains Fail on Whole Logs:Trapped Moisture and Rot:
Solid stains form a non-porous, paint-like film over the surface. Moisture entering through log checks (cracks), upward-facing joints, or interior humidity becomes trapped behind the coating, creating an ideal breeding ground for hidden wood rot.
Masking Underlying Damage:
Because solid stain completely hides the wood grain under heavy pigment, it conceals active wood decay and insect infestations. Homeowners often don't realize their logs are rotting until the damage is advanced and requires incredibly expensive structural repairs.
Cracking and Peeling:
Whole logs constantly expand and contract with changes in humidity and temperature. Solid stains lack the extreme elasticity required to ride out this heavy shifting, causing the finish to crack, flake, and peel away relatively quickly.

Mmmmm... cave water...