Chaga for Survival - Fire Starting: Bushcraft, Survival Skills, Flint and Steel Fire

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Dan

[@BaseDeltaZero1972]

I'm not an outdoorsman these days, but I am subbed to a stack of interesting bushcrafting and wild camping channels, this one is new to me, my sub was sealed when this guy said he could sell you chaga, but stuff you can gather will serve you just as well...I've watched around half a dozen episodes so far, and this channels core motivation really has become clear to me - Educate people and get them out there and doing something beneficial to themselves. Profit and sub counts seem to be a secondary concern. Massive respect you Coalcracker.

[@carollinson]

In the uk we have a fungus called horse hoof fungus that is useful to light fires and transfer embers

[@X-79]

Hihi dan, I’m from Germany and I really find your videos great and easy to follow and interesting! Thanks from Franz😁👍🏻

Love your videos and thanks for this awesome tip :) I think it is important to mention though that chaga is a very slow growing fongus. It is vital to leave at least two thirds of the mushroom on the tree when we harvest some! It as such great medecine to it, and it is very precious :) Lets not overforage it!

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Dan, your knowledge is extensive! Not all who have knowledge can teach. That's a special gift. You're a great teacher. 🙂 Even this 67 year old nana has learned much from you. Thank you!💜

[@georgerector9252]

Great example of understanding the resources you have access to. I’m hundreds of miles from the closest chaga but can literally step outside and trip over fatwood. Its good to have the knowledge, just in case. I believe one should find their resources naturally and not worry about sourcing them via the net. I make my own traps (oilcloth), bushpots (thrift store SS canisters), bags/packs (waxed canvas bank bags) and knives (modified thrift store OHK). Knowledge is what is valuable and thats what you provide. Great video even if I never touch a piece of chaga.

[@ullr_4780]

That's where that possum mentality comes in too. I stopped carry anything more than horse hoof fungus (slice it, pound it flat and boil it in urine). You will never need another fire again.

[@mikelovesnifer]

Great information on the Chaga!!! I love the idea of natural char!

[@brianferris1233]

🌲🦅🌲 thank you for posting your video today have a good happy week ahead 🐻

[@ericdee6802]

Interesting, I've never heard of "Chaga". Definitely won't find that stuff in the desert, gonna have to get me some.🇺🇸👍

[@dannyadamson4189]

Awesome

[@cellerfeller1474]

I use Chaga for tea - 2 cups a day really helps keep your energy level up and ward off colds. When you harvest Chaga for tea it should come from a living tree. Check the Chaga closely to see if there are any little beetle holes. I got two chunks this week. One was perfect but the other came off a dead tree and was full of beetle holes. This is the one I use for fire starting and I processed the good one for my tea stash.

[@oldmutt9758]

👍💯👍We have it in the Catskill mountains of NEW YORK.

[@TheVerbiousOne]

I've been shopping the coalcracker website and have chaga in my cart. Thanks for another great tip.

[@blackwillowbushcraft5632]

One of the best places for gear. Dan has some awesome stuff on his site! One of my favorite channels always great tips!

[@kidbach]

I bought some of Dan's chaga from his store a couple of years ago, it is primo stuff.

[@TheVerbiousOne]

@@kidbach I had it in my cart yesterday. Ordered it this morning after his video dropped.

[@aaronlbuchanan9861]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@sosteve9113]

I like chaga tea as well

[@afternoobtea914]

Chaga (actually from the russian word for mushroom) or sprängticka (Inonotus obliquus) as we say here is kind of a novelty nowadays but over here we have used it constantly. Sometimes it surprises me how knowledge suddenly goes viral again lol. Good video though.

[@Carterironworks]

Great video, keep up the good work

[@heysmitty1231]

Really appreciated that you mentioned Simon Keaton...

[@HarshmanHills]

chaga is such a multi use item...fire start, drink, medicinal.

[@hoovestol3610]

I still use your trick for the Trucker's Hitch. Your channel deserves more subscribers. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

[@davidphillips698]

Thank you for everything. Your outstanding!!!!

[@Chevrolet1994]

Great video Dan! Good stuff thank you for the info you put out.

[@billbucholz5125]

Once again, a very cool tutorial! Love them!

[@kenneth4992]

I tried a different idea today. Instead us using a saw I rubbed two peices of chaga, grinding them to get chaga powder directly into my tinder bundle. Took several strike with my flint and steel but I got an ember. I was using oakum a my tinder, it is a little harder than jute but easier to prepare it into a tinder bundle. GOD Bless you and your families

[@shovelhead8]

I have to try this out. Thank you for the lesson. Stay safe and stay warm

[@jasongarling20]

I've looked for it in the Carolinas but never have found any. I would love to try the tea! And would love to have a chunk to carry for emergency situations! Great stuff my man!

[@Calibri57]

Love you vids. Always quick, to the point, and informative

[@johnclark3431]

Great video! I harvested a chaga fungi a few months ago, it was like the size of a basket ball! Plus found more nearby on the property, Altho I never knew it was good for fire, thanks for the video!

[@branni6538]

It can be used for friction fire. Use as a bow drill base or rub on a stick with a blade like edge to do a fire plough/saw. The chaga catches the friction spark.

[@Flashahol]

SOooooo... both Chaga and Horse Hoof fungus grow on Birches..... Now I need to go for another 3 hour hike to the local Birch tree reserve and I get to blame you for it! :-D

[@kevbee8325]

Also the birch polypore or razor strop fungus is another bracket fungus which as its name implies is also great for honing and cleaning a blade.

[@Flashahol]

@@kevbee8325 Great info, I'll have to try that when I ind one, thanks!

[@dekprei]

Great idea so I need to learn more

[@tommythuntdeer]

That’s crazy! Thanks!

[@twobrothersbushcraftandsur8723]

Phenomenal stuff, got a great big chunk I'm getting ready to process

[@davishlamburnt3734]

Thanks for the video man. I ordered some of this from you a long time ago and I had hell with it. Time to give it another go.

[@MikiBlue]

Short and clear explanation. I am now watching every video that you put out. Loving it. Great channel. Thanks

[@gringo3009]

Good stuff!

[@alidalavezzari4103]

Thank-you very usefull.

[@GetUrPhil]

Chaga is also good in a chunk if you want to transport your ember to another location that is a distance away. I believe that Otzi the iceman was found carrying some. Chaga isn't the easiest to find and it's said that you shouldn't harvest the whole thing. It is usually found on old and Dying birch trees. There is also another fungi that grows on Birch trees called Horse Hoof Fungus that also will hold and ember for transporting. I've tried it and it works great. A small one (About 1 1/2 diameter) will last approximately half an hour(Give or take). You just have to blow on it every once in a while to keep it going.

[@middknightdream1577]

In order my fire starters goes lighter, UCO storm matches, box matches, book matches, and then ferro rod. Im not too much into flint and steel or friction fire making. I can do friction fire no problem. But if I had to choose between a ferro rod and knife or flint and steel. The ferro rod is less complicated, but flint and steel is more historically fun to other people. No matter what you use remember the 10Cs and have redundancies is the #1 rule that all bushcrafters should follow to heart.

[@oneuponedown]

Flint and steel and friction fire are great skills to know if you don't have modern fire starting methods available or the situation you are in makes it not possible to used them. Adaptability is one of many keys to living life.

[@danielblanchard6487]

Thanks

[@karenkoontz4248]

I never knew what chaga was. Thanks!

[@brianyoung8731]

I was just asking about this stuff on a social media group this morning. Some guy from the other side of the world shares the link to this video shot practically in my backyard. Gonna go find me some Pennsylvania chaga tomorrow! Thanks.

[@dedperdedtld]

I was quite surprised to find out that in English the Latinised Russian name of this fungus is used. It sounds pretty much the same: "чага". In Russian this word is probably a derivative of "чай" meaning "tea" as it was used by people in villages as a substitute for tea when tea was too expensive.

[@markw.3743]

Down South we have fat wood, but I wouldn’t try to make Tea out of it!!! 🤣

[@eddiezero1403]

I'll be looking during my next outing. Should definitely be able to find it around CNY since I'm north of you.

[@paulie5267]

Ok that was cool

[@waveman0]

never used it for drinking, only for fire, ember making. I don't get it here in Australia so I have very little to do with it but the few pieces I have played with have been wonderful ember makers.

[@nanomaine]

Great and educational vid, as always - thank you! Supposedly, Milk Weed Ovum also functions as a coal extender. That would be a great vid to make!

[@rlbranch65]

Really enjoyed this. I live in PA and was wondering what it was and how to find it. Thanks for making it easy to understand.

[@regalbowman3143]

I'm a new subscriber, good content.

[@MiscMitz]

Great information. Thank you. Just wanted to let you know that I will continue to watch every video (I'm a little behind) but they are really cracking down at work, so I won't be able to comment as often. Please know that one of the thumbs 👍 is mine.

[@vazsurvival7539]

Great video! I recently made a video demonstrating chagas fire starting benefits and got some crap from hippies. They were upset that i harvested it. I took one good chunk and preserved most of it for tea. Lol.

[@de14jabs]

It’s funny cuz hippies are all talk no information. Like how “animal rights” activists do less for wild animals than hunters do. Hunters tend to care more for animals and nature than an activist who’s more of a keyboard warrior

[@georgeblair3894]

You should've cranked some Slayer.

[@bruceyoung8036]

Ya some people don't understand the difference between "conservation" and "preservation". A fact often overlooked by the rabid tree hugging hippie crowd. Don't get me wrong, I've hugged plenty of trees in my day but failure to "prune the hedges" in the name of "conservation" (which is actually "preservation") will only result in situations like what we see in California with all the big fires. Anyway, Chaga is not exactly an endangered fungus, lol, so using it wisely, like in all things, is not going to have any impact on the species. Actually, you might encourage new specimens (through spore dispersal) by removing it from the tree. Great video coalcracker, excellent information.

[@JoeInTheDark]

Holy hell, I just found your channel! I had no idea you even had one, I remember seeing you on the show Alone. lol Damn dude. Nice to see you on here. Also. Wow Nice camera for sure

[@brian1674]

Selling this stuff myself for yrs in my old website,THE FATWOOD EMPORIUM….and one things I discovered,a chaga embers are FOR SURE the hottest and most sustainable embers you can use for a fire starter!

[@thefucrew9865]

In the Chicago area, I have rarely seen birch trees....especially, in the Forest Preserves

[@GrumpyGrunt]

They're all over the place in the planted landscape there, even downtown, especially River Birch and White Birch. They like the edges of wet areas with plenty of sun, so check there. Not sure which FPs you're looking at, but I used to see them in Kane and DuPage Counties. They were all over the place up around the McHenry/Woodstock/Harvard area when I was last there too, but it's been years. Good luck.

[@thefucrew9865]

@@GrumpyGrunt, Cook County Forest Preserves, Bub. Also, none in the SW side parks...including near the lagoons. Plenty of Maples, Oaks, and Pines, though.

[@kenneth4992]

Thanks for the saw advice. The powder caught an ember in a few strikes. Now how to transfer the powder ember to my birds nest tinder bundle? Peice of foil worked tonight. I have some chaga that I bought online and at first it worked great catching a spark from flint and steel. However a month later give or take not even sparks from a ferro rod would get an ember. Solar credit card magnifying lens will still work. I think the high humidity here in the Houston area is the problem. GOD Bless you and your families

[@ODDySEEy]

Great video... but I think I will keep the Chaga for the medicinal and dietary and go with something like staghorn moss or phloem from the tree bark. ;) (not anti anything about your video... life saving fire starter Chaga FTW... but when you know the other things :D )

[@danielgoode2782]

Another great video. I've found and used Chaga to light fires. One thing I've never worked up the courage to do is try making tea. Mostly out of a respect and fear of fungi. While I'm pretty sure I have Chaga (found on birch, looks like it and takes and ember) is there anything that can be mistaken for it?

[@oneuponedown]

No chaga here in South West cause no Birch trees had to order some online.

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

i carry fatwood. haven't seen many birch trees in california. or at least were i live.

[@trudiswanson9855]

Aarrh, interesting. Our Eucalypts have massive, Echidna-- looking, spikey round, woody growths on their tree trunks which can be harvested safely from the tree also. They also are an invasive external growth like the interesting 'charga'. Trudi. Queensland Australia 🇭🇲🌤

[@danielkutcher5704]

I will have to start looking at local birch for chaga, as I wasn't aware of its name, but have probably looked right at it and mentally noticed that I was looking at a fungus. I have long been aware of the fire making potential of birch bark used with a ferro rod, which I always carry, and solar ignition with a Fresnel lens. Scraping the backside of the bark with a blade produces a powder which ignites readily and transfers directly to the bark. Thanks for another great tip. Question: could this block be used to start a friction fire?

[@billmelton8993]

I live in the very south of Mississippi down by the Gulf of Mexico he does not grow in my area it would be very nice of you if you would send me something to play with and try and experiment with

[@bille1954]

Just found your channel, love it. I too grew up in the coal regions. Where are you located if I may ask? Thanks.

[@davidsawmandave8731]

I wish we had this in Virginia

[@mikebrookover8649]

We do. There’s plenty here.

[@davidsawmandave8731]

Mainly on beech trees , good to know will be looking for some , thanks for chiming in

[@stevennelsonmn]

How would dust from other wood work for catching sparks from flint and steal? Fatwood dust? Dust from birch bark? Or does Chaga have something that makes it better at retaining an ember?

[@commonweakness9060]

Will other tree fungus work if you don't have chaga? I live in an area where chaga does not grow...just wondering. Thanks.

[@deaconfaith]

Is it possible to let it dry out after making tea with it to then use it for fire making?

[@rockyroney2666]

Can it be found in Missouri

[@mikebrookover8649]

What is the benefits of the tea?

[@thatairplaneguy]

Never seen any here in KY

[@johnpurcell931]

Does it grow on yellow birch?

[@finnmacky7106]

Just wanted to let you know that when I liked your video the number didn't changed nor did the "thumbs up" highlight. It's fine this not just to you but a number of creators, but not all.

[@0Hillbilly]

Chaga, is this also know as Artist Punk? We harvested artist punk and used it the same way.

[@davidjustice1848]

Something similar grows on locast trees but dosent take sparks very well. Do you know if it is good for anything other than artist canvas.

[@jimbobf8017]

What you are talking about is not good. It'll take a spark but after you smell the smoke you'll never try it again lol it reeks

[@keithhepworth4934]

Can you just yank it off the tree and make dust with it? Does it need to dry first?

[@alvinylisuvanto6792]

Have you dried it or does it work straight of the tree?

[@natemcdonald8853]

Is there an I've been trying to my wits in to figure out how you came up with a name coalcracker could you please respond? Please please please

[@johncarpenter5415]

Did you make your axe and knife ?

[@alphapatriot8405]

Titanium striker will step up ur flint and steel

[@renelaurs]

Hey Dan. Horseshoe fungus, I mean can be used the same way, Is this correct?

[@eschneider8799]

I'm not Dan but " horsehoof fungus" can be charred & used to catch a spark. It won't work without charring.

[@matthewfarrell34]

Chaga only grows on birch? I harvested something that I thought was Chaga last time I was in Wisconsin but it wasn't on a birch tree. Any way I can get you a picture of it?

[@eetubremer8802]

If it looks like it, then you probably found chaga. At least here in Finland it grows on alder as well, though it´s not as common.

[@matthewfarrell34]

@@eetubremer8802 I will have to see if it takes a spark. That will be the true test.

[@KartizaK]

Hi There. New visitor. Gonna cruise around before Subbing. but had to say @0:15 your looks remind me of Cowboy Cerrone. You've probably heard that before. Cheers! I hope I sub.

[@LycaonsMemories]

i wonder if they are studying chaga in the usa.. i know in norway they are doing studies with it for cancer

[@derekinverarity2130]

Hi every one can eny one tell me can this be found in Scotland uk thanks

[@jackn.4047]

Sure can

[@mattandheathergoben6050]

I'm dying to know what that logo is on your shirt and hat. I've seen it several times and can't place it. Help!

[@NullB]

Gerber knives logo.

[@buntoskiffler]

why not use regular voting instead of pass/fail? Downvotes don't matter at this point of ur channel, and I enjoy seeing a video's level of acceptance. -b

[@billg7101]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@peatmoss4946]

if looking for chaga....look for older birch..older the better...as the chaga fungus fruiting body (conk) will be bigger and better for harvesting ..it wont grow on young healthy trees.

[@karatemikepatolino]

Only Embers Remain!

[@jaxrcexplorer]

I wonder how many of your viewers live in an area where this can be found? In Florida, there is Pine, more Pine, Oak and Maple ( did I miss any?). "Fat lighter" or Pine which has died and is rich in sap, makes a great "fire starter"... I wonder if the same approach would work with it? Otherwise, there isn't much else to work with... charred cloth seems to work best.

[@EdmundoAyarzagoitia]

Fatwood is excellent with other means of fire starting devices like ferro rod, matches and obviously a lighter. I don’t think the weak spark from the flint and steel will make it work. With fine shavings magnification ignition will probably work.

[@willybee3056]

Also,, I have found that if you char bracket fungus. It will work to accept a spark...

[@brickempire4427]

Use it to make tea? Noob: grabs a tea bag to go start a fire...

[@gwgez]

LOL! Thank you for that!

[@jkgkjgkijk]

California prop 16 warning: " Chaga is a know carcinogen and reports of cancer and respiratory ailments have been associated with it's use. Lol 😂

[@rockyreynolds4027]

What is your thoughts on the election in ͏y͏ou͏r state? I'm in Texas and just seeing all the negativity from MSM and if you don't want to get into politics I understand thanks for putting out great content

[@wealldieatthehandsoflovedones]

Y do all these mimic other bushcrap videos?. Wanna live n the woods one night and say they a manly man. But scared of homeless who have to stay out there even when the weather is not good. Wanna impress me cuz? Go help some homeless who have to live everyday like this. Yea I'm homeless