How I Discovered The Ashed Tinder Technique

[@longbowshooter5291]

When you think about it it makes sense that ashes would readily ignite, they're already "charred" so to speak. I know there has been times when I took ashes from a fireplace and the ashes themselves would ignite and smolder in the ash bucket. So adding ash to the tinder, by hindsight, kind of makes sense. Thanks for the tip.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks Longbow Shooter!

[@joshuaglaude1549]

That's interesting. Never knew. I'll have to try this.

[@holyfirebushcraft6816]

Thank David I'm going to try this I've been have trouble with the solor can technology

[@TheChadWork2001]

Good job David. Thanks.

[@jamesdouglaswhite]

Thank you, I know where I learned this from. You are a master, we who know about it, know.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I think most people still don't understand the importance of ashed tinder or coal extenders in general, Once you transfer an ember to them or ignite them directly, your worries are over. They will not go out. If you're paying attention, and notice when the the coal extender is about used up just transfer what's left to another coal extender. You basically have unlimited tries at getting your tinder bundle to burn.

[@jamesdouglaswhite]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl I had been subscribed to your channel for years, then one day it was no longer in my lineup. Thanks google. I have only recently realized what you have done for the science of fire, several times over, pretty amazing.

[@RPB-nx7vj]

David: love your videos. Learning so much

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thank you friend!

[@arheru]

I want to thank you, David, for teaching me the fire roll technique. The first thing I did after that was impart that skill to a friend, who was thoroughly impressed. Your other videos on the hand drill brought the fire roll to my attention, and I had never seen anyone do that. Therefore, to me it was your videos that taught me that skill, but it was an extra treat learning about Boggycreekbeast and checking his videos out. Acknowledging your teachers leads to others being able to walk in your footprints and following a branching path, and so leads to even more greatness. Thank you from a biologist and teacher from Sweden.

[@thomasgold-1000]

When it comes to primitive fire experiments your channel is the real deal David! Please keep ´em coming, they are very instructive for so many...

[@bushcraftoutback]

That’s a real game changer.Thanks for the work 👍

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

It really is. See my ashed tinder playlist. TY!

[@davidswimsr.8343]

Whether they mention you or not, you have saved many people from freezing to death, thirsting, or even starving to death. You're doing a great service to many people. Thank you, Mr. West.

[@kennethberry6985]

Well Done Sir.

[@markmaier9184]

David.. on a recent trip to our family ranch, I had some time to try out what I have learned from you. I am totally amazed. It made me way more successful with flint and steel, using ashes punk wood that was partially lit on fire briefly then snuffed out. I was able to start a fire on command as long as I had appropriate fire material waiting in the wings. Anyway, you are a great teacher and you have given me and now others in our family a very useful skill. Thanks so much for all you do.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

My pleasure! Thank you!

[@garysheren9353]

I am just fascinated with the knowledge you have its a art .every time I watch i learn something I missed before .thank you for spending your time showing every one how knows it could save somebody's life

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

A fun pastime. Thank you!

[@itoibo4208]

just fyi, color is hugely important when concentrating sun to burn something. putting the light on a black object will work so much better than other colors. @@DavidWestBgood2ppl that could be contributing to the success of you putting ashes on it, in addition to whatever properties ash may have in assisting burning.

[@azimuth4850]

That is crazy! You are the fire master dude!!!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Lol! Thanks friend!

[@kryptoknight69]

Just want to let you know having watched most of your videos that you are greatly appreciated. Through your trial & errors you have pioneered many techniques that I'm sure will be emulated for years to come.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks krypto! I appreciate it!

[@HaphazardHomestead]

That is slick as a whistle with the ashes in the pine needle ball. Such a clear difference. You've really helped me appreciate the value of ashes!

[@josephb7460]

In the history of man, they have thought of ideas and did experiments. Then through the generations someone else will continue the idea and expand on it. Everybody should be recognized for their contributions. I thank you for sharing the knowledge.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I have no doubt that through the ages dozens of people have also recognized the properties of ashed tinder.

[@basicnomad]

David West David West .... You taught me several techniques using objects I had not considered. David West David West. Thank You!!

[@larrychronicjr3186]

I bet sparks come out when you snap your fingers. Very happy that I found you.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

... when I sneeze!

[@randy-9842]

Hi David, you sent me back to your Ashed Tinder Playlist for your previous experiments / demonstrations on this. I'm impressed and kind of amazed. I wish I understood the principle that makes this work - fully burned ash should be non-combustible so I'm not sure I understand how this works so well. That said, I don't really need to know why or how, just that it does! :D Many thanks for ALL your videos (ps I even found two vids with your backyard birds)!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Occasionally, I'll try to watch just a few minutes of bird videos. LOL! Once I get started, though, I can't stop.

[@randy-9842]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl - Yup, I understand that! I once had a Carolina Wren surprise me by landing on my arm and plucking my arm hairs out. I presume she was gathering material for her eggs, not for catching Ferro Rod sparks. Kinda cool actually!!

[@akbychoice]

@@randy-9842a couple years ago a pair of Carolina Wrens made a nest in my shop while the door was open. I had to leave the door open about 6” every night till their young hatched and flew away.

[@ahorseman4ever1]

Awesome technique, David I promise I will give you credit in my next video that I am starting a fire. Can't wait to have some rain so I can have a campfire because I don't want anymore of Washington state to burn. I'm loving your videos and fire starting techniques.

[@margaretgibson7063]

Amazing the difference ashes make to start that spark. Thank you David.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes, fire roll still amazes me too.

[@shotgunsherman]

They should def mention you. I owe you for most of my infatuation with primitive fire. Its because of your channel I have a hobo stove and make my neighbors wonder why there is a large man in his yard rubbing sticks together and lighting up pine needles, especially when they see me with my magnifying glass on a sunny day blowing birds nests to flame lol I have yet to explain to them what I'm doing.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

General techniques that we all know, no shout out necessary... but, when you use 80% of my How to make a flint and steel, steel video, using some phrases word for word, and no mention of this channel? When I make a Pine Cones for tinder video and the same day a huge channel makes a quick video about Pine Cones for tinder? seems pretty wrong to me. I'm not bent out of shape about it. It's just SAD!!!... and those are just 2 that I happened to run up on. SAD!!!

[@simglz]

David West De tus vídeos aprendí mucho y lo comparto con mi club de pathfinders sin duda eres muy bueno y innovador en técnicas felicidades

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

@@simglz ¡Gracias amigo!

[@stormy439]

@David West Yes, Sir, it is SAD. When your special fire starting techniques aren't attributed to you, many of those viewers miss out on finding your amazing channel. Your videos have vastly improved my lifesaving fire skills and even blown my mind on occassion! YOU keep doing YOU and know your followers do put the word out for YOU! Thankyou & God Bless!

[@vancouverislandbushcraft4879]

I would never have thought of that...will give it a try for sure

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Shortly after I started experimenting with Boggycreekbeast's Rudiger Roll Technique, I took a failed cotton and ashes Rudiger Roll and lit just the very corner of it with a BIC and it completely burned to ashes. That intrigued me and I wanted to see if other ashes impregnated tinders would act the same way. I tried leaves, grass, pine needles, Tulip Poplar Bark, cloth, etc and indeed, they too transformed into extraordinary spark catching coal extenders. If you'd like to see some of my first experiments, please check out my Ashed Tinder Playlist. The Link is below. The oldest one that I still have is from May 7, 2016. There were earlier videos, but I deleted them for lack of views. So the above I talk about in my intro, and then I move on to reconciling the mistake I made in my last video that a Subscriber clued me in on. That is, my big fat Pine Needles tinder bundle that I was trying to solar ignite with the polished bottom of a soda can was blocking too much of the Sun. A Dah! moment for me for sure. In this video, I used a thin spear to hold the small bundle of ashed pine needles and got ignition in JUST seconds. LOL!!! Now that I have you thoroughly confused, come check it all out for clarity's sake. Please SUBSCRIBE at the end of the video. Thanks! OTHER ASHED TINDER VIDEOS YOU WILL ENJOY: Ashed Tinder Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLkoXX8XsMW3mlY3P6FW8UH7_q1sY_xssX Using Ashes, You Can Solar Ignite ANY Tinder With A Water Bottle, PART 2/2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXPKqGCBpKaZqZI Coal Extender. Apply Ashes To Tinders and Grow the Weakest Sparks Into Flames kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZbSm4GtfZyYlac The Magic of Applied Ashes... How To Make Super Tinder kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWeZlpumicSCqMU Ashed Tinder, Comparing The Ashed With The Nonashed kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIS0hoigd6Z7qbM Coal Extender, Wood Ashes Turning Tinders Into Super Coal Extenders kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXi5eWuBhZujgdU Ashed Tinder, We're not limited to just Bracket Fungus and Punk Wood for coal extenders anymore kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXiTXpyCidV9nrc

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes, that's what I do with char cloth and the soda can ignition. I turn it sideways.

[@reginaestevam5663]

Olá. Mais um vídeo para meu acampamento 🇧🇷🌄🇧🇷 Obrigada 😍

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Than you!

[@larrylhanson]

Thanks David, great demonstration. Does ash type/content matter? Have you tried ashes burned from a number of sources and would any source burned to ash work equally well?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Any tinder thoroghly saturated with any type of wood ashes will turn that tinder into a great coal extender. See my ashed tinder playlist. TY!

[@TravisTennies]

Now that we know you came up with Ashed Tinder...everyone knows to give you credit. Very awesone discovery!!! I really like your videos. I just discovered you early August 2018.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

It's sounds shallow of me when you put it that way... It's just that more and more people were picking up on the technique and I was starting to get asked more often about who developed this technique. It seemed a good time to make this video.

[@TravisTennies]

David West ... Not shallow. I was comming from this standpoint: I was very interested in knowing who came up with the concept of adding ash to any tinder. And I am glad to find out the story. And I believe most people like to credit the right person(s) for discoveries.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

NO, I didn't think you were insulting me. On the contrary, they were kind and supportive words.

[@Missourioutdoors1]

That’s awesome!! Could you or I do the same with the winter sun?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes, see my solar ignitions playlist.

[@Missourioutdoors1]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppl thanks.

[@NatesOutdoors]

Nice man,I never tried the ashes on anything,I bet it would even work great with a weak sun,thanks for sharing and I'll sure have to try that

[@811stever]

Ashed Tinder Lollipop - I like it. Nice work acknowledging others also. I used the polished soda can to ignite char cloth, I felt like it was cheating it was so easy.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

LOL! one of my favorite ways to make fire too.

[@jamesdevinaspre3182]

Hello David West, I watched another prepper clean a chimney the other day cleaning out the creosote, I was wondering if you could start a fire with creosote? I have watched you start fires with many different types of ash tinder thanks for the reply.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Creosote build up on chimneys has caused a lot of chimney fires. I've never tried it for flammability.

[@akbychoice]

@@DavidWestBgood2ppland now you have, that is an interesting video about the spent railroad cross ties.

[@darrelllee7946]

David West , Thanks for great work honeing the edge of a primitive skill to a sharp understanding of enlightenment. HalaluYah !

[@linklesstennessee2078]

Interesting video David I have learned a lot from you and boggy creek beast

[@egordo2]

Good video David. Greetings.

[@bruceboepple9249]

Hi David, I love your channel! Your videos and presentation style are excellent. I've learned a lot from you. I live in AZ and I'd like to send you some punk would that I collect and process. It is the BEST punk wood for charring or for solar ignition! I collect it from the standing, year old, dead spires from the century plant stalk, which is an agave.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

You're very kind! but no thank you. I'd love to see you demonstrate it.

[@zachknapp9435]

Excited to find this channel! So much great looking info!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks Zach!

[@badger1968]

What about some Mount St Helens Ash? I scooped up several pounds of it back in the day I still live south of the mountain would it be good Ash for your process

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

All wood ash works.

[@badger1968]

Volcanic ash is different from regular wood ash as well as wondering if it would be a good combustible

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I wouldn't think so. I thought you were talking about all the trees that may have gotten burned up in the lava flow.

[@marrt3k523]

Maybe putting a pool of water on the bottom of the can? Then no need to polish. Just an idea, great video bro!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I don't think so... an aqua lens in plastic projects the concentrated focal point below the aqua lens.

[@terrybyrd5105]

Does the ash (completely burnt) to char (still has wood fibers) ratio make any difference? It seems char wud work better, but...

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

It's all about the lye in the ashes, the sodium hydroxide not the char at all.

[@rifleman1873]

I’m thinking adding ashes to my bow drill might expedite that ember also. Have you tried that before?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Doesn't work for me.

[@Wildernesswarriorbushcraft]

Really enjoying your videos David! 👍

[@msmegification]

Where do you live? Somewhere in the South? Those woods are so thick, and there is so much going on in them while you film, wow! Gorgeous area!!!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

SC

[@privatebubba8876]

Ashed tinder is more appropriate.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks!

[@BennyCFD]

Brilliant...!

[@20p65s]

I wonder if adding ash to the bow drill divot would create an ember faster...

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

A common question. No. The grinding action of the spindle just deposits the ash into the dust pile. Also, ashes mixed in with a dust pile is unnecessary because the dust pile already acts like a coal extender.

[@choppersFL]

Your amazing buddy thank you for all the time you put into this

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thank you!!!

[@Army-MacE]

Definitely going to give this a try!

[@Brian-yw7yd]

Wow, Hey David. I've been browsing several of your videos. Great work. I've been spending the last couple of hours researching why the ash works. When I come to a conclusion, I'll let you know. Take care

[@sstrick500]

I don't even know what ashed tinder is, but I'm putting my money on ashed tinder.

[@flmason]

Consider rolling the tinder up thin like a cigarette. Back in the 70's Edmund Scientific used to sell solar cigarette lighters that were reflectors. Would think that would miniize the block of the sun.

[@larryrupert3563]

David I think your videos are great!!!! Please when you have time try a fire roll with something natural we can find in the woods but not needing ashes to get her to go to coal. Thanks keep the videos coming. I saw Boggycreek beast used dogbane and no ashes but I am hoping there is something else that will work too. Have a good day

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I'm no longer interested in Rudiger Roll. Plus, there's no way I could ever improve on the many natural Rudiger Roll combinations that Boggcreekbeast has already shown.

[@davidlehman4448]

what about cigarette ash

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I know they will Fire Roll... don't know about for Ashed Tinder.

[@Brian-yw7yd]

I've used toothpaste with no problem.

[@patrickwoulfe1099]

David do you know about these really cool things called matches?

[@jamesdevinaspre3182]

Just wondering.

[@kevinwu8576]

Wow magic ash XD

[@michaelsebourn3425]

i bet the piece of that t shirt might work unless it has polyester in it ill try with cloth

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Please visit my Ashed Tinder Playlist.

[@afterburner3999]

Wow you did teach me somethin i did nort know that ASHES, Damit hab2 use my earphones agen.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I'm surprised!

[@planeiron241]

A++++++++++ vids........ love going this stuff fun fun

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@stephenmcvay5368]

'Ash tinder' it is.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Ashed Tinder. Thanks!