Feathersticks or Shavings

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Dave Canterbury, David Canterbury, The Pathfinder School,Bush Craft ,Survival skills, Historical Lore, Primitive Skills, Archery, Hunting, Trapping, Fishing, Navigation, Knives, Axes, Fire, Water, Shelter, Search and Rescue

[@chrisdorris6207]

In my my existence feather sticks, and the creation of them is mostly just for showing off how cool and sharp a persons knife is. I was tought how to make them when I was a kid in scouts, but outside of that I don't think I have actually ever used a feather stick to start a fire in a non teaching related context.

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

In vintage Boy Scout Manuals, they (feathersicks aka "fuzz sticks") are shown as a way to make a teepee tinder bundle which keeps the shavings on the stick and off the ground. Of course, this entails far more work, time and crafting, but I tend to believe feathersticking was used to make them work harder and learn that skill more than anything. Glad you're bringing that experience into the conversation Chris.

[@redoctober1947]

Survivalist Base Camp A nice pretty Teepee fire is a great thing. It's good to know how to make a quick and dirty fire is important too.

[@duxdawg]

Spot on Chris. In forty years of stomping in the woods I've never needed to make a featherstick.

[@chrisdorris6207]

I am glad that others agree with my opinion on this, although for my part I will continue teaching feather stick making simply because it does help kids learn knife handeling and control. (I will also proof read my posts better instead letting the "smart" phone go wild)

[@kevinvangilder6386]

Some people may laugh but I use a pencil sharpener. I find pine twigs that fit in the sharpener and twist. You get very thin shavings.

[@stevetipps5876]

Dave Canterbury, one of the all time best teachers of survival there is around. He is versed in many survival skills, wood lore, blacksmithing, archery and the list goes on. Keep up the work Teacher, one just following your journey through life. 2-18-15

[@tgillies101]

Using the spine = less edge use saving it for other things = less sharpening time later so great edge saver all round.

[@SteveAubrey1762]

That was cool. Never thought of using the spine, I had always heard of feather sticks. Not only is the spine faster, it preserves your cutting edge. I'm going over to this method! Thanks Dave! MiF

[@grahambrown1480]

your dog is the absolute cutest thing I've ever seen

[@joesneon]

Dave, I saw this and thought are you kidding me, a feather stick vid!!!!! Excellent approach well done!!!!!

[@leesheraton5414]

Great tip Dave, and your right there's not enough talk about the 90 degree spine of a knife for this kind of work.

[@thetruthhershelcyphers]

Thank you Dave for your comments on feather sticks with marginal material. It was spot on, I hope the viewers listen to your advice. Great video!

[@ActionHero29]

Works really well. Thanks for sharing Dave and Iris.

[@karsonbranham3900]

It really shows the dependability of charcloth by the time lapse with you catching a spark, and then adjusting the camera and all before you set the charcloth, arranged the nest and blew it to life! Great demo Dave. Thanks!

[@ARodriguez8t4]

I love going back and watching your old videos. I’ve never been good at making feather sticks, this method had worked for me time and time again.

[@dslag7812]

Great demonstration of how important the spine of a knife is in fire starting. Plus that started well even though the kindling was still slightly damp.

[@vincentc6919]

Cantebury is the man....best bushcraft wisdom out there...keep rockin D

[@jerrymorris1527]

Dave, you tell it like it is. Most of these KZbin "bushcraft" gurus just want to try to make themselves look like they invented bushcraft. Nice to see someone cut through all the BS and tell it like it is. The goal is to make fire, NOT to see how pretty your feather sticks are!! Love your vids and how well you know your stuff. Keep up the good work!

[@Chromanoutdoors]

You do know that feather sticks are good right?

[@jerrymorris1527]

Sure I know feather sticks are good. But the way most of the KZbin "gurus" go on and on about how well they can make feather sticks, and how they totally judge knives on just making feather sticks, it gets to be too much. I am in my 50s and have spent a very significant amount of time in the outdoors and have NEVER worried how any feather sticks looked. The goal is to make a FIRE Period! I mean crap lets face it there are way more ways to make a fire than feather sticks. A good birds nest and a cotton ball or Kleenex beats a feather stick any day. Dave is right to say that feather sticks are NOT the only way. Keep telling it like it is Dave!!

[@Chromanoutdoors]

Jerry Morris Your post just made it seem like dave was saying that feather sticks are bad. And most bushcraft "Gurus" already know how to do this method. They only go on about feather sticks because that is a sure way to start a fire.

[@Echo4PapaBravo]

Intuitive Survival Show me how to make feather sticks without the knife though. I always laugh when people talk about how they have to make fire some way then are able to whip out a $300 knife to do their carving. Primitive to me means doing it with nothing you brought with you, because if you are able to bring 1 modern tool to start a fire, just bring a lighter. Semper Fi

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

Jerry Morris Agreed 10,000%. Anything that burns is good, but not everything is expedient or necessary. One of the best feathersticking knives is the lowly Mora, but that won't make them "bet-my-life-on-them" batoners. Because the overwhelming context of getting a fire from having to create your own tinder (i.e. because you can't find anything dry in nature) is about being in a survival situation. In a survival situation, shavings beat feathersticks hands-down for a quick down & dirty Get'r goin' fire. It's it and that's that. It's a matter of objective reasoning. Just making shavings will produce more ignitable material in shorter time than going through paces it takes to make a featherstick and to keep those curls on your stick. I didn't get the impression that Jerry was saying that making feathersticks was bad at all. He just made a blunt factual point. Objectively speaking, making shavings is a more efficient manner of producing combustible material.

[@stephensgate1]

I learned this from you Dave about a year ago, in your wet fire video, making shavings from the heart wood when everything is soaked after a heavy rain. I practice like you suggested using hard woods.....it really forces you to work at "owning" the skill of making a fire in wet conditions. Thanks for teaching all of us. Cant get enough of your teaching. God bless you and your entire family. Stephen, Ohio

[@TheGrayman1234]

And that is how that is done. Good points Dave.

[@PrimalOutdoors]

That is a skill I have not worked with, but I am going to start working with it now. I hate making feather sticks like you said it takes too long and I never end up making enough because I get impatient.

[@bushlifeaholick790]

DAVE your the man! Seems like a good time to thank you for everything you teach me&others freely I’m 61years old man&grew up Cub Scout to eagle came from a outdoors family&still loven&liven it you’v inspired my passion &iv learned even more from you.fownd a few skills I need’d to sharpen agen allso”thanx Dave God bless ya brother you&yours

[@TomsBackwoods]

I use the same method on fat wood. Making shavings or scrapings like this is the method I prefer to use rather than feather sticks most of the time! Always Great info thanks!

[@seanmtactical6069]

Yep, fibrous inner bark is pretty hard to come by when you get 8k and up here in CO. Once in a blue moon you will come across Rocky Mountain Willow, but almost everything else is tough luck. I use fat wood shavings a lot. I also like dried out pine shavings as a filler to catch the initial spark better and old mans beard.

[@danielchilders7070]

Sean M What part of CO are you in? I'm in Estes Park. I've found that processing down aspen bark and then using the aspen wood itself as kindling makes for a good fire. I have been having a tough time finding fatwood as of late. It seems like all the limbs have been stripped back off the trees in the area I go to. But I've been trying the one log fire and getting that down to an art lately, and Aspen is definitely my go to.

[@seanmtactical6069]

I'm down in DougCo and spend a lot of time in areas around the Heyman burn area, Lost Creek Forest. All the older aspens in that area are gone. Finding dead aspen bark, forget about it. The good side is I can't fall down and not find fat wood. In your neck of the woods, ya, I would be shoving aspen bark in my collection bag every day. You have a little Rocky Mountain Willow in the norther parts of your area too. It's better up in Medicine Bow, but you can run into it now and then.

[@smokeycanopy]

These are the skills I try to pass on to my Scout unit back in the UK ,giving them a basis in woodsey knowledge, Thanks once again my friend.

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

Is it just me or am I looking at Jeff Bridges as "Master Gregory" in the movie "Seventh Son"? Just having fun Dave... you rock! Nice job and very correct!

[@bluesGs]

I use shavings almost every time, especially when I make one stick fire with wood that's not so good. If you don't have the weeds to make a stick bundle you can put the shavings inside a feather stick. You can make a full bird's nest with only shavings / feathers and it will work well with flint and still.

[@TeriyakiBoy]

I watch "outdoor/survival/primitive living" videos on KZbin much more than I care to admit. This is one of the most practical uses of a knife that 99% of these "experts" fail to mention. Thank you for the videos I've learned a lot through the years

[@carolinaprepper540]

You are at the cutting edge of survival skills and knowledge. Thank you for making these videos .

[@feralwoodcraft]

Great demo Dave. Very good, and accurate, points. Thanks for taking the time to put that together and share.

[@CBGMaker]

Thanks Dave. I'm like you when it comes to the 90 spine on a knife. To me it's a must. Not only is it good for making tender, it also helps me smooth peaks down my knife makes in wood when making handles. A 90 spine has lots of other uses too.

[@aaronroberts560]

Really enjoyed this video, no sugar coating it, just get a fire started, not trying to sell me something to do it, I really enjoy watching your channel.

[@paulsheppard5837]

Nice to see someone showing that cheers Eco have you looked at hazel, virtually every hazel stand has some standing dead in it even If it has rained a lot you can collect that and use, birch bark as well also on pine, spruce and fir you can get 'fat wood'. Then look at the direction of rain and look among close trees or grass for the down wind side and look for other kindling that way Thanks dave Happy trails

[@mitch60609]

Thanks Dave Well done simple and to the point with great results.

[@heathcoat67]

you rock dave......

[@Deeceesadventures]

This is also a great technique for smoothing out items you've carved, like spoons ect.....

[@hangswithraccoons]

"Looks like a chia pet" Lol!

[@LarryRobertsbc]

Good video. For me feather sticks are just plain fun to do sometimes. They take way to long like you said though. I've used this method with a mullion stalk and it actually works pretty good.

[@ABSnaturaleza]

Good video! I think the Feathersticks are made to feed the fire when you've already lit the tinder. Because if you use Feathersticks as a tinder, you will not get anything. The technique that you show in this video is much better. Have a good day.

[@mitch2jzrz]

Great explanation, thanks again Dave for for sharing your knowledge and experience. Look forward to watching each and everyone one of your video posts. Cheers

[@lurezero]

hey Dave, shout outs from miami. wanted to tell you Dual Survival is not the same without you. You rock brother. By the way, i loved the way you hunted game and processed it. your skills with processing small or large game is one of my favorite...i replay those episodes often:)

[@johnjames218]

that just blew the feather stick kings out of the water lol good work dave

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

Absolutely totally agree 100%. My reliable "go-to" natural tinder method is shavings. Feathersticking is great for maintaining your knife handling skills, but shavings give fire just as good and a whole lot faster. A minute or two of some quick "don't worry about it staying on the stick" shavings and you're good-to-go. In the end, that matters to me more than aesthetics. If it burns, it's a win. Thanks for posting this Dave.

[@honeybadger660]

Awesome vid dave

[@Woodenarrows]

Great video Dave and a fine reminder for us all. That 90 degree spine is a great tool to have and my knives have it, even my folder (because I ground it in) but... just like your cutting edge, it needs to be kept sharp too. Over time it'll lose it's sharpness as you use it...

[@RedDogBushCraft]

Like Tom, I do this all the time with fat wood and Iv'e used shavings left over from wood working taks but I have never tought this method to my students. Thanks for reminding us that some times it the simple things we over look. Great vid man and Ruffus looked like he was having a great time too. God bless

[@Atkrdu]

Dave, you should do a video on how to light a candle with that flint & steel. You do it the same way as lighting a fire with charcloth, but you hold that charcloth under the candle & the heat from that coal will melt the wax which will burst into flames when a drop of it hits that coal. Not really common knowledge, but it's something I saw & figured I'd share (I presume you know about that already, but at least describing it would pass it along reasonably well).

[@mastergeebo]

Stands to reason that the more surface area, the quicker the fire. Good tip.

[@jdmerwin]

I absolutely love your videos thank you for sharing your knowledge with the rest of the world please keep it up Dave Canterbury. I can't wait to get to your classes next summer

[@andrewengstrom1516]

So 8yrs later I decided I should get some expert wisdom on feather sticking. Sharpen up on it (eh? eh? hehe). ANd I'm scrollin scrollin, looking for something with a lot of views, or that looks good - watched 2, learned stuff. scrolling - DAM oh that's Dave! *guaranteed lesson on new material* ONE MORE TIME not disappointed. God bless you brother.

[@rgillis9338]

Thanks Dave.......perfect example of simple is better!

[@wyattoneable]

Simple and effective.

[@cillaloves2fish688]

Much faster than featherstickin!! I like it! Thanx Dave! Keep up the vids!

[@yveskc1]

Thanks for sharing.

[@graymanprepper88]

I am very happy you showed this. I am very familiar with the spoke shave from my woodworking. I use both methods depending on the type of wood I have. By the way Rufus looks like a really sweet dog.

[@OscarLopez-gi2sm]

great demo

[@Hutzjohn]

Rufuss is so pleasant and good natured you must be very proud of him. Oh ! thanks for the info also

[@RasDoesBushcraftBackcountry]

i always carry shavings as i am not really a feathersticker, just not my style and to each their own. Shavings are a great add to a fire kit as i am always cutting trees around my property, depends if i want then gone or just need them for pre processed kindling tinder/shavings when i go into the bush. Great vids Dave, tops mate, keep it up!!!!! They don't have too be a hardwood like matai or rimu ( NZ'S native Hardwood ) any old tree or branch will do, just shave all the goodies off, dry it out shouldn't be hard in nz dry summer at the moment and tah dah, tinder for your next bush outing!

[@meddice]

Great video Dave. I had never thought of this little trick. Simple, practical and doesn't waste time getting fancy. "Chia Pet", haha

[@ozoffroader]

Once again Dave just showing it how it is!! Not how it could would or should be.... Another lesson learned.

[@brianpriest3638]

Not sure how I’ve only just now discovered this video. Love your content! I’ve been using the spine of my old German brown mule knife like this for years. I didn’t even know what a feather stick was until all of these urbanite kids started posting on KZbin with their $300+ knives building fires in their back yard.

[@jintonic07]

Hey Dave, I would like to see an updated vid on just walking outside in winter and starting a fire from your knife..fire rod...and what you scavenge. No cuts or editing..cause I'm having trouble lol. Thanks for all your vids!!!

[@rpsky186]

I recently started working with hand planes, making shelves, etc. The shavings are some of the best tinder, just put them in a container or ziploc bag and you're good to go.

[@patrickgermond2750]

Great video. I'm still working on complete stranded and nothing but a knife fire. I just about have them down. Thanks for the video Dace. It helps. I went out last week after winter and a week long rain and practiced almost the same thing.

[@CEverly]

Good stuff Dave. Keep it up man.

[@andrewbieger5004]

great stuff, Dave, as usual. Always good to get a fresh perspective of firemaking. Your video is spot on with the concept of practicing in poor conditions so when SHTF, you can make damn sure that fire happens. I also appreciated your comments regarding the bushcraft community as a whole and the need for all like minded folk to appreciate good info from those of you who have much more dirt time than myself. I have spent many many years camping with the Boy Scouts and as an adult, but have learned that good outside info is ALWAYS useful when your own personal methods ain't getting it done. The main takeway I get is that learning multiple methodologies for firemaking or shelter will ultimately be the biggest survival tools that we could possibly have. A combination of minimal gear and great skills will certainly win out over great gear and no clue. .

[@4570levergun]

One thing I have found with some of the cheaper knives is that the spine is much softer than the cutting edge. So even if you have a good 90 degree spine its so soft that if wont do much for you. Just something to keep in mind. Good video Dave.

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

Totally agree. Quality pays for itself over the long haul.

[@johnlord8337]

Dave, could you go over the various temperatures of char cloth, tinder, shavings, feather sticks, twigs, limbs, and big timber, and why to start with lower and easier burning woods for fire starting, and what is optimum temperatures of big timber fires around camp.

[@congamike1]

As usual, I love everything about this video. Great stuff Dave, I'll do it (again) tomorrow just to burn it into memory.

[@E.lectricityNorth]

I love the fire making vids. Making fire is relaxing and satisfying to do...next best thing is watching you do it Dave. Thank you and all the best.

[@dannybaker4641]

Rufus makes a great video even better.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Dave thank you for the reeducation and lighting the spark under so many butts to get us out there in do stuff away from the electronics teach us so we can teach our kids you are a blessing and a god send in your education thank you for letting us I have it I do find it amazing that so many gurus of woodcraft always use your name as a reference it brings a smile to my face thanks again Dave idea maybe iris can do something for the ladies to get them more interested in a woman's perspective thank you

[@citizen1435]

I like your videos. I learn a lot from them. Thank you!

[@brndncrbtt]

Thanks again for another video Dave. I never use feathersticks just because of the time it takes. I often use this method. Ill play with making feathersticks one my fire is started sometimes just to have the skill in my toolbox.

[@usmcretired2112]

Another good public service for folks to become better suited make a survival situation livable.

[@josephallan8791]

Dave rufus is a bad ass dog. He would protect you with his life.

[@coydogoutdoors]

i got a vid up on your method of doing this as well love it for using a damp piece of wood to start a fire and works like a charm better than a feather stick by far thanks for sharing brother

[@lifesabuzzwhoopwhoop]

As always Dave this video was educational and fun. Time for me to clean up the back edge of this old knife i reckon, thanks buddy.

[@awlach8]

Amazing video. I cant tell you how easy it is for people like me, who can get out in the woods as often as we'd like, to get stuck thinking feather sticks are the only option in bad weather. Thanks for the reminder!

[@Alloran]

I almost never make a feather stick, I greatly prefer doing this to make wood shaving tender bundles. Thanks for demoing. As an aside for anybody who has one/used one I'm getting an Esee 6 in a few days. I've heard some people say it doesn't quite have a sharp 90 spine (to say nothing of the coating) would taking a rasp or file to the base of the spine get me enough edge to make it viable for this/striking ferro rods?

[@joshnagenmurugiah4531]

You're used to this...and Rufus as your sidekick.lol💪

[@dozzac510]

Would you recommend splitting down the middle and then scrapping if the wood was wet..would this work....

[@renemanjr123]

Never thought of using the back of a knife like that thanks for the tip .

[@colorado14k80]

From what I have seen on the youtube videos, your way works the best, I also do this for fatwood as it provides quick and efficient means to start the fire. I find that it is quicker than trying to split fatwood into small splinters to concerve resources. Great video!

[@stevencrawford7409]

Finally someone says out loud feather sticks aren’t the be all end all tender. Thanks!

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

Hi Dave, I think a lot of people use feather sticks purely because there new to bushcraft and its a Ray Mears endorsed method, and probably taught at bushcraft schools, I like your method but a pencil sharpener works well too, atb, Paul.

[@BodhiHorton]

Nice one Dave, would like to know what wood you were using, is this still a viable technique with harder woods. ~Bodhi

[@survivalKurse]

Great idee thanks for sharring Guido

[@bridgettebrown6689]

What knives would you recommend with a 90 spine? Aww awsome pup Rufus

[@northcacalacka545]

I would call that the same or less effort than the feather stick I made the other day. If your knife is other than sharp, the feather stick can be a lot of work. I do like the simplicity of the spine. Since the shavings from scraping are smaller than the feather, they are going to catch better also. I'd say I have a new way of fire making.

[@romurphy9606]

Great upload. Although I would like to know is that is a hard or soft wood you demonstrated? Thanks

[@WELSBYROOTS]

Great video as always! The mittens your wearing, are they old wool socks or did you buy them?

[@waymarkerbushcraft]

Guilty as charged Dave, def going to try using the spine of my knife to get some shavings for tinder next time I'm out. Thanks for filming, Andy

[@dougd2424]

Hey! Are you done with the shadow stick navigation? It's really informative, and interesting. Thanks

[@SuperSwitched]

Easy peazy :) KISS principle. Far too many folks lay too much credence wrt folks having the ability to make a "perfect" featherstick in testing someones BC knowledge. At the end both go up in flames :)

[@hilldm]

Another great video. Is that knife the Pathfinder Scout or a Jeff White knife?

[@19ghost73]

Simple straight truth demonstrated! Thumbs up!

[@novascotiahomesteading455]

Dave My youngest daughter calls you Qui-Gon Jinn because she thinks you look just like him :D

[@highiqretardbear33]

"Look at this featherstick i just made it looks like a chia pet" I almost fell out of my chair laughing.

[@Deeceesadventures]

Great vid but I wish you included how easy these shavings light with a Ferro Rod too. This is the method I use most of the time. I have a black bird sk-5 and tho I'm not to impressed by the knife in a whole the spine is perfect.

[@nathanchristopher5727]

I'll be honest, I never make feather sticks and I always shave tinder with the back of my blade. Works really great on fat wood too.

[@jbarlow8110]

Dave, can you use an inexpensive Mora companion 4.1 inch Sandvik carbon steel blade to do what is in the video? Or is its spine too soft? Thanks for another great video.

[@paulhenry7122]

I use that method regularly I just thought it's been funny watching everyone go through all that energy doing feather sticks its fun to watch good point Dave have tried the rubber grip off the pen trick on the pharaceium rod.it really works great it only works on the 3/8 or larger rods though good video

[@coolweirdgreat]

Very nice!