Every Survivalist Should Master This

[@marklesniak8038]

Fun fact. I met Dan at my basic workshop at the Caterbury school years ago. We were doing the wet weather fire protocol or whatever they were calling it. Dan was one of the instructors and he grabbed the piece of tulip poplar I was processing to demonstrate what he goes over in this video. He started pushing shavings off of it that looked like hairs off the head of an angel. Long, light, and super thin. One of the other instructors just looks at him and flatly asks "how are you doing that?" "Sharp knife, good technique" is all he says. There are a lot of charlatans in the bushcraft world. Dan ain't one of them.

[@Fistmybeer]

O7

[@rickheasman8547]

5 minutes of truly useful technique , no waffle . Easily the best and most concise video I have seen . I'll be checking your channel for more tips , 57 years old and I'm still learning . The 21 dislikes must be hard of thinking .

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

Yes, very likely. Some people are just too smart for their own good. Everybody should be able to appreciate a great instructional video whether you know the stuff or not.

[@shanewells9067]

Hey I’m 63 never to old to learn, ❤️✌🏻

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

@@shanewells9067 Quite right. When stop learning you stop growing.

[@shanewells9067]

❤️🧡💛💚💙💔🤎🤍🖤💜☮️

[@usernamemykel]

77 and on my way to 78 Imperial, not Metric years of life.

[@johngeverett]

I have a dead tree in my back yard, will begin practicing this and some of your other techniques. City boy is stepping out of his comfort zone!

[@cliffordmattern2454]

You know what makes this guy so cool to watch and enjoy? He teaches grass roots style. Takes you to places and things we overlook as bushcrafters. And that's what makes it fun. And let's face it gals and guys that's what it's all about. And I got to have that hat.

[@gravytrain8041]

I have been trying to figure this one out for a while now. You are literally the first person to show this technique of only cutting the ridge. Thank you. You have no idea how much this helped me bubby. 🍻

[@aprilgarrahan3245]

I REALLY appreciate these small lessons.

[@randysoutdoorgearopinions9748]

Fantastic video! No fluff and very informative and to the point. I am 50''sh and am always looking for tips. Thank you!

[@joegarcia1674]

You have one the best channels on KZbin. I don't know why you don't have more subscribers?You always have awesome videos and some of the best approaches when teaching.

[@ambilaevus7607]

Hearing the verbal explanation is really gonna help me teach this to my kid this afternoon. I don't remember my dad teaching me this but I know he did. I don't even think about fire starting or building, I just do it absent mindedly and move on with my next task.

[@abelnunez-guerrero3832]

One of the best videos on feathering sticks 👌🏽🔥🪵🔪 on KZbin 💯🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@miken8820]

I have been studying to learn more about preparedness and such. Your videos are among my favorite. Always concise and to the point. No fluff. No yammering away of self importance. You just get to it, you know what you're talking about and I learn. Thanks

[@lorduthrdarrus9392]

Thanks for being such a good instructor. Between you Shawn Kelly and Matt Mercer I have gotten back into the woods with more tools in my toolbox.

[@jcwolfe1751]

I’m not really into Bush crafting, but I love all your videos. I live way out in the country in rural Northern NM and all your tips come in handy in my daily life. Thank you so much!!

[@georgegonzalez-rivas3787]

Thanks! Useful tip about the ridges! My feathering just got better!

[@marclee5250]

Great video, From beginner to advanced. Something for everyone.

[@cj_m2477]

I love your videos Dan. Short, concise and straight to the point. Four minutes of woods wisdom. Thanks.

[@sacwriter7400]

Good information Coalcracker, but another trick to making feather sticks is to give the blade a little twist into the wood at the end of the stroke. This gives the "feather" a more solid stem where it meets the stick, keeping it from breaking off. By going around the stick's circumference you can also make it easy to break the stick just above the feather, which makes a little round bloom shaped tinder. You can make multiple "blooms" from a single stick, which make for a really great fire starter.

[@D9everything]

I've never seen anyone else explain this. Perfect. Thanks and subbed (because every other video I've seen of yours is just as informative and to the point).

[@andrecharlebois705]

I like to plant the end of the stick in the dirt or on a log, to stabilize it. Makes for better consistency.

[@dawnhill830]

Since I am in the woods for bushcraft and camping for quiet some time I thought I did it the right way all the time, but you are such a good instructor and I learned something new. Thx for that

[@Borealwalkabouts]

The best explanation by far. Thank a lot sir

[@FnFrk]

Excellent video. Easy to follow instructions. Good tips. Thank you.

[@SageToSawtoothBushcraft]

Of all the great videos you’ve done this is one of the most practical and helpful. Thanks

[@peterb4510]

Wow! Just recent discoverd this channel. Damn great videos no small talk but real stuff. Please keep it up.

[@Exiledk]

Finally. Someone talking sense...

[@jeffnotti9932]

HEY this is probably the best video on the subject of feather sticks.. The steps you describe are perfect for not only learning but refining technique. I am pretty good with a knife. I took a piece of wood and did exactly as you instruct and BAM better shavings consistently PERFECT.. Thanks for this instruction.. J

[@howardchambers9679]

Watched a couple of your videos, have to say I'm impressed with your style of teaching. You got a sub 🇬🇧

[@chrisrockwell9358]

realized recently that something that looks as simple as shaving A stick can be more difficult than it needs to. these tips would have made it much easier for a novice like myself, to effectively feather down a stick

[@matthewpace5834]

I want to pass on a trick I stumble upon by accident. Go to Home Depot and buy yourself a carpenters pencil sharpener. About $1. Then you can take any twig that will fit into the opening and in minutes you will have a good pile of shavings. Stay safe everyone. In fact buy two. Two is one, one is none.

[@wesleytillman9774]

Great idea. And, practice primitive fire making but carry two high quality large butane cigarette lighters in your pack for most of your firemaking.

[@gregbeeman2077]

You can go overkill on the concept and get a "spill plain", make your spills and carry a few dozen. They weight next to nothing and are durable, but yes, way overkill.

[@freshoxygen2176]

Check out online for “the boring companies” flamethrower. Best ta toss one in your nap sack. Maybe two. If your Like me, I Just leave the extra one in my hall closet in my minimalist survival condo I have with me when I’m out roughen it

[@thebruceisloose7595]

Great idea

[@dobermanpac1064]

Absolutely !! You can make what you need in half the time.

[@globyois]

Great idea. There may be times when you must hurry - rain coming, darkness, whatever - so getting the tinder quickly could make all the difference. Yeah, good stuff, thanks.

[@earlelzy7243]

Nice video. Great tips from the start to finish.

[@zchuss1]

Took me a long time to learn this when I was a teenager... Wish I had been taught this way 40 yrs ago.

[@bushcraftnorthof6012]

That certainly is a sweet knife! Great advice for instructors there. Take care.

[@Flashahol]

Not enough instructors insist on rotating the wood to keep cutting at ridges. Thank you!

[@StevanOutdoor]

Because you don't have to. I just turn the angle of my wrist holding the knife. But of course that's a more advanced technique.

[@thebruceisloose7595]

This is a really great tip can't wait to try it out. Thanks a lot man

[@dr05guitar]

Dude you are a great teacher!

[@hornerinf]

You are a great teacher!

[@doughroasterbushcraftandsu3947]

For perfect feathers keep the arm that’s doing the slicing locked straight don’t bend the elbow use the shoulder to move the knife up and down the stick,check Ray Mears out for a demonstration 👍🏻

[@StevanOutdoor]

True. But change the angle of your wrist every time without turning the piece of wood. Tip up, straight, tip down.

[@mariesonoma]

Thank you excellent step by step look forward to watching more of your videos

[@Rezornch_and_Dvelenktronx]

One of your best videos.

[@Inshore_Angler]

Short, to the point and great advice again. Subbed 👍

[@FrankChristopherOutdoors]

Badass as always Dan!!!!!

[@aljones238]

Dude! Another great video. Great teacher! Love it. Thank you.

[@chuckbodnar5756]

excellent focused video, thank you

[@flashingit]

I bought one of the new Bushcraft knives at Blade Show. Dan is a super nice guy.

[@tony7106]

Feather sticks I do struggle with still. Sound advice.cant wait to try this.

[@AnthemBassMan]

Making feather sticks is not just a bushcraft skill. It’s for anyone who may have the remote chance of being outdoors and needing a fire. Whether you use a Bic, matches, or ferro rod, fine feathers are much easier to ignite. And when all else fails, that’s why I always have a few pieces of nice Ohio white pine fatwood with me. Look out when the sparks from my ferro rod hit those shavings!

[@mygodjesus1229]

Your a great teacher, I even get it and am very new at learning... Thanks 👍

[@jamesmontgomery2795]

Love the way you explain this. It definitely makes learning this much more common sense.

[@benjamincoetzee1369]

Good video, thank you 🖒

[@jamescooper2618]

I like your short tips videos.

[@JefeDow]

Have used this technique before, but not with same level of understanding for finer points involved, as so clearly taught here. Four plus minutes, four "plus" points: dry wood, start square, ride ridge, slide blade.

[@keepthefaith35]

This will come in very handy as I sometimes have a problem with this. Will practise and let you know how I get on. Thanks.

[@Jack-oz4bf]

I have about fifty cotton balls with a tiny bit of petroleum jelly in the middle of each, one alone lasts about twenty min in the rain. Not to mention a waterproof lighter a flint and striker, a magnified glass.

[@thomasnugent7602]

Very good. Thank you very much. Will definitely practice up in the Adirondack Mountains.

[@Pakkerotten]

Dan that was an amazing vid

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

Thanks much for sharing this video!

[@MuskratJim]

Nice one, Dan!

[@wfldfire]

Love these short little hints

[@texasgrayman3492]

What a great video! Thank you

[@jewelhome1]

Cotton balls impregnated with mineral oil or Vaseline. Pull a few fine “wicks” out and they burn like little candles for about 10 min each. I teach our SAR groups this and other fire starting techniques. I will definitely include your video, too. Your bit about holding the blade steady and pulling the stick towards you is good. I teach a similar thing with flints and steels. Brace the flint close to your tinder pile, then pull the steel backwards to create the sparks but not knock over your tinder. Thanks for a straightforward video, no fluff.

[@zoltanvonsomogyi7272]

Well done, and I like that blade.

[@brianmagnuson8362]

Excellent information!

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

Thanks. I will try that exactly for my kindling.

[@dominicschmidt4988]

Thank you for your tips that help really well, greetings from Germany Your Dude Dominic ☺️Stay in the woooooods

[@danno1800]

Another really nice video - thank you!

[@linklesstennessee2078]

Good information Dan

[@MrOldzimm]

I seldom use a feather stick but this is good to know, Excellent video.

[@matthewvelo]

Really like the shape of that blade. A Coalcracker Special?

[@147569238]

What kind of knife should I buy? I'm interested in "sharpenability."

[@freshoxygen2176]

@@147569238 : butter. Definitely

[@jeffgrumley8230]

Dan I like the new style of video man!! Looks great

[@pnyarrow]

Hi Dan. How do you keep making these great videos? I enjoy every one! Saty safe. ATB. Nigel

[@tombeckett4340]

Great information thanks.🇨🇦👍

[@briangraham367]

Great advise! Thank you.

[@darrylarthur5283]

thanks Dan

[@goyemfather7632]

What knife are you using in this video

[@thaddeusmikolajczyk9055]

Good tips.

[@boatkid888]

Great video! Do certain types of wood work better as feather sticks than others? Soft wood vs hard wood?

[@usernamemykel]

Wow - terrific!

[@nagaviper1169]

Excellent video. This helped me.

[@chrisheadley2980]

Great advice as always

[@thomasnugent7602]

Very good. Thank you very much

[@chesterwatkins9265]

Great information...

[@Fedor007]

thank you Dan thats how youtube videos should be

[@scottsodyssey2485]

Very cool video, Thank you for sharing.

[@stevenensminger5737]

You r the man ..

[@lappeldelanature5634]

awesome video lad good teaching

[@Q-BinTom]

Wow now I know why I have premature shaving........ My wife will be delighted.....

[@seawater777]

Very helpful thanks

[@elijahboesche6663]

Love the knife.

[@Ballenxj]

Thanks and thumb up.

[@RobEvansWoodsman]

Just the right blade shape and grind for feathers. I've made a few myself.....few thousand!

[@JLH1956]

Good instruction.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Good tips. Thanks and take care.

[@thewildonions]

Great tips!

[@kevinw9073]

I like to start out with matches. Why complicate?

[@Caintuckee64]

*Take the time to get to know your knife, some blades are better at feathering than others. A small folding knife or lock blade may be better at feathering than a larger bushcraft blade.*

[@tankbennett7]

Questions.. if you got the shavings can I put them in a zippy bag. For later use. Next how long will it hold in such bag.

[@AnonymousXIII]

Next time you buy a pair of shoes, keep the little silica pack (that says "DO NOT EAT"), and keep it in your ziplock bag; it'll help keep stuff like that dry. You don't need to open the packet, and it's better if you don't... (DO NOT EAT, remember?); it's designed to absorb and retain moisture.

[@paddlerbenny]

gentle, friendly and exact coaching - how kindly you share these top tips!! Thanks man ....

[@neckredgringo5372]

Great video, alot of people overlook those small details you highlighted. You get a new camera? Looking alot more clear and hd

[@jimmiddleton5093]

Great tips 👍