10+ Bushcraft Firesteel Skills in 10 Minutes

Here are 10 bushcraft firesteel skills and tips in 10 minutes. The firesteel is easily in my top 5 most used bushcraft items in my pack. It can light fire in heavy rain and soaking wet conditions, it's durable and compact and I can get thousands of fires lit from it. Over the years I have learned different ways of using them, which have helped to make fire lighting much easier.
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[@Kumantomek]

Hello TA Outdoors. Thanks to you i started my bushcraft adventure and i already built my first shelter. Thank you for helping me with this topic and i hope you don't stop making more. Thank you again

[@TAOutdoors]

Thanks, Nice to hear! Plenty more vids to come.

[@janicewood5561]

I love hearing this. Don’t you just love Mike for getting us out there! I don’t bushcraft, but Mike gave me confidence to explore and not be caught un-prepared. 70 year old female that travels the US with confidence now.

[@Ryderamazing]

Same

[@Kumantomek]

@@TAOutdoors that's great to hear that :)

[@XyzyX154]

​@@TAOutdoors mmmmmm.... i cant seem to find the membership button..

[@chriskinghorn3181]

That feather stick tip is so simple and looks so professional anyone should be doing that and impressing their camp mates!

[@clivedunning4317]

Great informative video. Just one point of information, to help beginners and those who are in the environments of damp climates, marsh or fresh/seawater. In addition to waxing the ferrocerium rod you can simply apply a liberal coating of Vaseline, or something similar. Works great if you are a fisherman,kayaker or canoeist, always do this when you return home or get back to your base. Keep up the great videos.

[@TAOutdoors]

Great point!

[@fitzdevlin]

there have been FAR too few videos over the years that employ the method where the ferro rod is pulled away instead of the striker/knife. thanks for showing people that important option!

[@Zombiekillahx5]

I just bought a fire steel yesterday and was looking through your videos for some tips so this is perfect timing. Thank you

[@MissileGuidance]

Same such a strange coincidence 😅👍🏼

[@funkyprepper]

Nice skills here, not many know about the candle wax idea. 👍🏻

[@Jakoshdw]

I enjoy your vids Mike. You have a very calm and collected presentation. From personal preference I prefer to lock my striker (saw or knife) either against my shin or pinning down my tinder and pull back with the ferro rod. I feel I can get a much more controlled shower of sparks directly into my tinder without fear of sending it flying as you demonstrated. It's my personal opinion that the "pin and pull?" method is the superior method that should be taught first. If only because it could save a life because of that reduced chance of failure and potentially ruining your tinder. I've got beewax tea-lights in my fire kit... not sure why I never though to just rub a little wax on the exposed section of ferro rod after use. Makes perfect sense... need to keep that in mind. 😊 I know the tree species "across the pond" is much different than we have here in Florida... but I also like to keep some Fatwood (Fatlighter, lighter wood, pine knot, heart pine, or Ocote) in my fire kit since we have so many pines here. That along with some jute twine and I've been able to get a fire going even with wet pine logs. That being said... your method with the feathersticks was very interesting. I've see it mentioned that if you have the time you can leave your feathered sticks in a sunny patch for a little while to also increase the chance of catching a spark.

[@mehdyalsaidy6730]

can you please make a video of all of your equipment that you have used for your survival shelters it would would help me a lot

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Thank you for a comprehensive tutorial on fire steels and their use.

[@Foxholeatheist]

Many of the strikers I've seen come with ferro rods don't have a good sharp 90° edge. A few minutes with a file or other abrasive will go a long way towards making it sharper to throw more sparks. Alternately, you can buy a cheap hacksaw blade and break off a few inches of it. The back of the sawblade typically has a very good edge, and some tape wrapped around it makes for a comfortable handle.

[@carlosspeicywiener7018]

I'm not ashamed to admit that I only knew 3 or 4 of these. Well done indeed.

[@TAOutdoors]

Happy to help 👍🏻

[@Kranky_Bloke]

I didn't know the candle wax trick to stop them from turning to dust. Thank you for sharing. 👍

[@CP-ji2bb]

My favorite Bushcraft channel. Thank you. Cheers 🍻

[@glorfendell2967]

Excellent knowledge, thank you!

[@skjelm6363]

Coat with wax, that's what I learned today! Thank you very much! Top Video, short, compact, informative!

[@reddawnsurvival2752]

Excellent - thank you !

[@sleazy1drache]

Our favorite series continues.!

[@mikeeygq]

Wax tip was a really good idea

[@peterott-tn6pf]

That was awesome and very informative brother! I learned something new in that i had no clue ferro rods could oxidize and rust. The tea candle wax was extremely helpful man! Thanks for sharing this with us!!!

[@unknown-fs3hj]

I love this series of yours

[@kingrafa3938]

Thanks for the video Mike. It is very helpful and informative.

[@thecotex7068]

Had to say, out of all the videos I've watched you are only the second person to mention the black coating on the rods and needing to scrape off a layer to get sparks. It may seem small and simple, but it's the little things like that a lot of people don't know. Awesome tips!

[@Jack-Sage]

TA Outdoors I have been watching your videos for a long time. and bc of them I have started a ww2 fox hole and made a camp. so thanks for giving me all the ideas.

[@TAOutdoors]

Awesome!

[@bobhead6243]

Good honest Facts which will benefit any newcomer to Budhcraft , well done TA ! .

[@jaymeswheeler]

Thank you as always

[@lyndonmarquis414]

Just acquired a TBS MKII Grizzly with firesteel so that’s timely and helpful!

[@janneliimatainen6186]

this was very informative. thanks for the tips!

[@23PNS12O]

Thank you Mike, I've found this video very helpful. I'm looking forward to some more "skills videos" in the future👍

[@danbaldwin9511]

Always good stuff. Keep them coming.

[@Krisenvorsorge-Bushcraft]

Thank you for the good content and well structured video. We love to start fires with Firesteel ^^

[@hunterjackson8185]

This is exactly what I needed today I’m about to go in my first Kayak camping trip and I’m hoping I can start a fire with a ferro rod this time around

[@janicewood5561]

I love all your videos - and now I will order a striker.

[@ArielleViking]

Wonderful firesteel tips there Mike. Such an informative video. 👍❤️

[@williameddy7217]

Good Information Thanks

[@kennethwilson8633]

It’s forest fire season please show some fire safety tips…Love your videos have fun stay safe.

[@freddyoutdoors]

Really enjoyed watching cheers Mike

[@xavieroudin2791]

very usefull tips !! wax on firesteel is very cool !! thank you Sir.

[@mauriziobarbati9081]

SUPER.

[@condor1961]

Great video Mike. ❤️👍

[@bristolrovers27]

Another quality video

[@graemer3657]

Great video!

[@saritaford3667]

I love your videos!

[@bilalkurdish.berlin5237]

So good and nice

[@terrybpickin9941]

Very good demonstration my friend 👍

[@thedundonian]

Great informative vid....nice one👍

[@MattGeo4754]

Hello TA Outdoors! Love your videos.

[@TAOutdoors]

Cheers!

[@user-bi3if4sw8f]

I use the old flint striker myself.

[@kirkharrington5592]

I don't know if it's been said yet but you can put a thin coating of clear nail polish on your firesteel to seal it from rust also

[@vukjovic1645]

Very good video this is for ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@wyattshoulders1794]

Something I learned is to get a break away chain that way you can keep your Ferrocerium rod around your neck and if you somehow get it snagged on something the chain will break plus the break away chains are light enough you can easily fit a couple of extra chains into your pack or your sewing and repair kit

[@gunterlangesschwein.kieran1784]

I bought a cheap bushcraft type knife as a backup, it had a 90° spine but only produced a few sparks, I put it on my bench grinder and now it produces a fireworks display 😅 I am going to experiment with a suitable round file and make a semi circle groove with a 90° edge on the back and see how that goes.

[@user-gn5uy6lx7z]

I would suggest if you are planning on using a ferrous rod to start a fire that you make your own fire starter " biscuits " made from 100% cotton, a little lighter fluid, and wax. This will save you time and effort. If the wood is damp or wet, this trick will help you start a fire because made correctly the " biscuits " will burn for a few minutes

[@sergeykoshelev4566]

Some addition tip, maybe. You cant ditch the scraper and change it to piece of a hacksaw blade. Don't use paint covered though. GL and good trips!

[@Travis_Hackney]

Another technique is to hold the knife still and pull the fire steel against a resting knife so that the sparks fall a certain way This way, you don’t knock your tinder pile all over the place

[@Zeppathy]

Yup. Was looking for this comment. It's safer to move the rod rather than the sharp steel too. : )

[@patrickodonnell4271]

This technique is addressed in the video.

[@Zeppathy]

@@patrickodonnell4271 For about 2 seconds, immediately followed by a compilation of him striking it in the air. Lol

[@louiseleather4042]

Hey ta outdoors I’ve just wanted to say that I have been watching your channel for about a year now and it’s always been my dream to do bushcraft but I’m a bit young do you have any good locations in England? Keep up the great work

[@garyjohnson4608]

I have found that I don't lose track of where I place my fero rod and striker by running a length of paracord thru them, tie the two ends together in a knot forming a loop, and I place the loop around my neck and let the rod and striker dangle. There is enough length in the loop to allow me to get sufficient sparks to light my tinder. Once the tinder is lit, I can simply let go of the rod and striker and never lose them.

[@joeholm4591]

Back of bushcraft knife, SLIGHTLY grind or file a small part of the spine to make a flat surface so you can spark off the rod.

[@jouzel8951]

I did not know the the tip of the knife trick!

[@fearthehoneybadger]

You can create, and maintain a 90 degree angle by passing the back of your knife on a sharpening stone.

[@user-lu4yu2ip9p]

What brands are these?? I’ve been looking for a longer chunkier ferro rod for a while! Keep up the good work Mike!

[@planet-erde]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@dennisleighton2812]

6:00 I saw a video (Rob Evans, Wales, I think) where it knife tip is stuck into the log underneath the tinder bundle, and the ferro-rod pulled back towards you, as you demonstrated. This seems to immobilise the knife very firmly.

[@mesutc7296]

hi, does anyone know if the firesteel can oxidate too if you dont use it for a long time when its a magnesium firesteel?

[@SilverFenixFyre]

Where can I get fire steels like the ones shown in this video? Specifically the one in the knurled aluminum tube/container

[@dominicschaeffer909]

Question: In the absence of wax to keep the rod from rusting could you use mineral oil like i do for my high carbon knife or whet stone?

[@TAOutdoors]

Yes I use mineral oil on my knife all the time and it works great. The wax coating would last longer hit to be honest you would have to be barely using your firesteel at all before it started to rust. Most people use them regularly enough that they don’t see them rust.

[@Wildgoatknives]

Does anyone know who makes that knife with the brown handles and scandi grind?

[@user-rf8wz1co7n]

Mike, that xtra-large ferro rod you were using, the one with the wooden handle, was totally awesome. Where can I find one?

[@TAOutdoors]

A kind person called Gareth gave it to me at the Bushcraft Show last weekend!

[@adamdobner1910]

How do you know which brands throw the hottest sparks? Do you have any recommendations? Cheers mate 👍🏻

[@JonathanBell-xl4dl]

i only have a swiss army pocketknife and milwaukee knife rip lol also, building shelters in summer sucks. the forest is overgrown with green and swarming with bugs.

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

What make is that firesteel with the knurled screw-on barrel?

[@anthonywood7420]

While hunting around I found out the folding saw is probably made of high carbon steel, so just need a sharp hard rock and char cloth, and knuckles of steel.

[@Greenhead24]

What faro rod should i buy?

[@xx_nightrider_xx676]

Do you do this in a random forest or camping area??

[@JustinBilyj]

How do you keep your handsaw sharp?

[@Js-eq7yd]

Could you do a video about how to do a bear hang?

[@MartinAhlman]

Lovely! But I like using a firesteel and some flint. But guess who has misplaced mine... Yes, me... I'll have to ask my nearby blacksmith to make one for me. Again... LOL

[@JJSArmoury]

What knife are you using these days? would love to see your knife/axe collection! if you need a new EDC let me know :)

[@dirtythirtys824]

😮😊

[@pyeitme508]

Noice 👌

[@t.j1301]

i'd love to go camping like you do but where am i allowed to camp in the uk. (I live in London) How do i know I'm allowed to camp in forests

[@VintageSlide]

What is the benefit of these vs a lighter? A regular bic etc wont work in high winds and such, but a butane torch-style ”storm lighter” works. How is this better? Of course this has pretty much zero change of it failing, but a good lighter most likely works, and if you have a backup lighter, chances of neither of them working are very low.

[@johngreen4278]

You show several scenes where the striker has a concave curved surface at the end which you never use. If you hold the rod against, or just in front of he tinder, and at a 45 degree angle, strike down with the end of the striker you will have a well directed shower of sparks with no danger of scattering your tinder. That's what the curved end of the striker is for.

[@C.J98]

Can you recommend a good fire steel, or is any good enough?

[@trueword247]

As they're pretty affordable, I'd suggest buying a few that seem to work for your lifestyle and carry needs and then just see what works best for you. Personally, I've never had much issue with any of them - the real problem I've encountered is finding good tender in the wet environment I live in, not the type or size of firesteel I'm using. Though I will say those Coleman magnesium stones with embedded ferro rod...those things are pretty crappy. Don't start with one of those.

[@SpecialEd_59]

What is the knife you are using?

[@Victor-mv1od]

Do you have a safe bet on a brand ?

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

Like deployed 👍

[@TAOutdoors]

👊🏻

[@thebeardedhomesteader]

You can hold the knife still and pull your fire steal back and you won't hit your tinder pile

[@neoaliphant]

ive had more sparks from the saw on my leatherman surge than any striekrs or knife spines ive tried.....

[@LGBTQAprimalpossumheadquarters]

Usually use roll flick, works every time, only problem is, it really eats your rod up.

[@Theaddekalk]

important about firesteel, dont by a littel with small rod, the bigger the easier and better

[@swedishdagger8410]

A lot of people end up losing their first fire steel or hate it because of the protective coating. The fire steel is a fantastic tool though, but not for everyone. Matches or a lighter for a beginner is never going to be frowned upon. We’re Bushcrafter’s, we’re not aiming for mastery in a day.

[@MastaDJMax]

Literally earlier today I was wondering... 'I have this fire stick, but do I even know how to use it properly?' Now I know I do :) Well, hope anyway...

[@gmsi7d371]

firesteel are the perfect example of the genius of marketers : selling prehistoric things to modern men while lighters ( i am thinking about zippo) are the real, useful, perfect way to start a fire in emergency events . as a marketing student, i appreciate this genius . this is a classic case study

[@konnorwerth4906]

In longterm survival ferro rods will last longer than anything

[@user23867]

Lighters aren't far off prehistoric technology themselves - it's just a flint on wheel next to a wick soaked in fuel. The downside is that the fuel can leak or even just evaporate out over a long time. Meanwhile a coated firesteel can be stored almost forever. And if you've got fuel for a fire, you can almost always make your own tinder from it to catch a spark. Lighter is more convenient of course, but if you stash one away for years, you're going to wish you had the firesteel instead when you come to use the lighter and find the fuel has disappeared.

[@gmsi7d371]

marketing uses our cognitive biaises. one of them is complicating things . lighters are too easy to use. so we complicate things by using firesteel. you have to train to use a firesteel while using a lighter needs no training at all . even a 5 years old child can use a lighter. but this child cannot use a firesteel without training .

[@gmsi7d371]

the human biase of complicating things explains while lottery winners lose all their money . because living a normal life looks too easy and boring. too simple. so they invest in absurd things and finish broke. pyschologists cannot logicaly explain while people love to complicate things . it is hard wired in people 's brain.

[@ApiaryGaming]

zippos aren't a good survival tool. They aren't sealed and evaporate over time, so run out even without use. A small bic or something similar is a great backup to pair with a ferro rod

[@azizsalimazizsalim3380]

💪💪💪💪🙏🙏🙏🙏♥️♥️♥️♥️ ‏‪0:14‬‏

[@seribas]

Definitely don’t have issues with oxidation here in the desert

[@fathersonsurvival]

Where is the torso roll

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

I see most of your demonstratations show both the knife and steel in the air, meaning, not braced against a surface. Wouldn't leveraging against a surface provide better scrapping? 🤔

[@TAOutdoors]

Like I say, I got really used to pushing the knife onto the firesteel and it soon became second nature to me. It also depends on the type of firesteel. Some are much easier to get sparks from then others.

[@DadCanCook]

Why don't they make ferro with orange paint instead of black.🤔

[@margaretbarclay-laughton2086]

Mike I know you are a responsible camper but what is thought to be Britain's largest wild fire has been burning for five days and covers an area of 15 square kilometres. This is near loch Ness where you did the fund raising canoe. Evidence so far points to a careless wild camper. Please folks be very careful even a small escaped fire destroys habitas and vegetation and could cause loss of life and homes.😢

[@TAOutdoors]

Got a video coming up on this type of topic as I’ve not covered it yet in a dedicated video 👍🏻

[@WichalRangai]

*rotating 45 degrees (not 90)

[@TAOutdoors]

🤣you are correct! I’d written so many “90 degrees” in my voiceover notes I totally missed that one

[@WichalRangai]

@@TAOutdoors you also said 'on the side', but it's at an (45 degree) angle ^ ^ TY for your great videos tho! : D Much love from Rotterdam, [wishaal]

[@WichalRangai]

@@TAOutdoors lol funny your smiley is at a 45 degree angle as well lol