How To Make Perfect Feathersticks- Bushcraft Basics

[@nigelgregory4777]

Have used the fixed blade moving stick method for a number of years, (53 and knee and back old injuries) make this a perfect option for a seated position. This is a great method to help people in wheelchairs to get involved and to be part of the team, I'm sure you know many people in that situation, they want to be outside but they can't get there because nobody will give them the chance. Sorry for the rant Nick, I'm a supporter of 'tough enough to care' These guys and girls have done their bit, and are then told that they do not qualify and have to sit looking at the same four walls every day, Looked at your website, BIG respect on what you are doing, shame about lock down. Take care, Nige.

[@guzgrant]

What's great is that I'm. A fire stick artisan, yet your video is still like a calming mantra .

[@slipperyorca8092]

I used this technique to start a fire today and it was the easiest fire I've ever started. I created 3 shoddy feather sticks and making the fire was a breeze. Thank you!

[@dawnbromley6580]

I loved doing this at HVB, it was so relaxing!I completely switched off.

[@devfaulter]

Yesterday I tried this technique to make 4 feathersticks for the first time and I'm happy to say that I started a fire straight away, without any firelighters or accelerant. I'm slowly getting more confident in my bushcraft skills, thanks Nick for your great videos

[@dennisleighton2812]

Hi there, It was interesting watching you use the method of stabilising the blade and moving the wood to create curls. Presumably, the reason is to try to reduce the amount of movement of the two contact points relative to each other as much as possible so as to get fine even curls. I recently saw a video made by Felix Immler, where he uses a humble little Swiss Army Knife blade to make very similar feathersticks! He takes your method a step further. He inserts the blade tip into a stable surface ( a large log in his case) at a 45deg angle (he says this is MOST important!). He then holds the top of the knife in his LEFT hand and draws the twig backwards towards himself, noting the angle and assessing the amount of "bite" he's getting. If too much, he'll mover the blade a bit left and if too little he'll move it fractionally right. Once he's got the right line, he continues much as you did making very fine curls! I was wondering if you have ever tried this method? Thanks for the video.

[@keithorbell8946]

Safety tip (from personal experience, surgery under general anaesthetic and 15 stitches) when splitting wood like you were at the start, kneel on BOTH knees.

[@keithorbell8946]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 My “axe-ident” as my daughters refer to it, I banged the axe out of the bock, but it kept coming, and hit my knee, luckily missing anything important. I was playing rugby 6 weeks later.

[@markwray8143]

Thank you for the lessons with the knee, was hulking my way through. Now it's just slow down the wood 😁

[@thomasrcleary]

Love the idea of making a bag of feathersticks for a wood burner stove 👍🏻

[@mictaylor9531]

Calming just watching that 👌🏻

[@therealronswanson]

glad i found this channel recently, you deserve alot more subs

[@eagleridge1972]

Lovely videos and the channel. I would love to see a detailed review on that knife and its specs, very purposefully designed

[@davehumpleby3440]

Great variation on knife placement and tips for fine control. I've adopted this method with much better results. Thanks Nick.

[@redcoatapparel5506]

Looking forward to getting down to HVB and smashing some of this out. Awesome vid and awesome channel Nick, I’m hooked brother. 🖤

[@justinlloyd2446]

I tried this for the first time yesterday. My first two attempts where really quite coarse and haggard. I began to get frustrated with myself, then I just thought about what you said and it calmed me down instantly. This exercise was quite cathartic and relaxing. Very good for anxiety. Thank you for these videos sir. I truly appreciate it.

[@leslieharding8560]

Thanks Nick 👍, first I have to sharpen my knife following your tutorial, then have a go at feather sticks!.....soooo much to learn!🙂

[@markhyde1970]

Nick is hidden valley bush craft for ex service men and women only? I'm not ex services , but I'm hooked on your you tube channel. When I was a bit of a kid , I got beaten and bullied daily. Anyhow, to save you a sob story, my escape was the outdoors, photography and a thirst for knowledge regarding both. No problem if it's for ex service personnel only - I'm all for helping them, they deserve support - I shall just continue to watch and learn on here.

[@stevelobley3588]

Great tip to keep the knife static and move the wood... I am ALWAYS carving nice curls then just swish the lot if them off the end... will try this tomorrow. Cheers Nick.

[@columbiascouse]

Great video, thank you Nick. Stuck in with covid so I'll have a play at this.

[@karlrovey]

Honestly, that thin corner is easier to get a thin curl than the roughly 90 degree corners from building material. Even if you lose some of the curls, you can use them for starting your fires.

[@dianneborrelli1056]

Awsome skill.what would you recommend to those of us who have motor difficulty bending .

[@HarmerSimon]

Great advice mate, I'll be using these techniques for sure.

[@user-kk9cw]

Great tips and video as always. My feather sticks are getting better but could be better and your tips will help. Are there any woods to avoid when making these?

[@heidikirk-mackrell5135]

This is wonderful! Thank you 🙂

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

What you building in the background Nick, look's interesting, the wife kicked you out lol. Did my first feather stick back in 79 during a Survival training session up on the knoll on Woodbury Common, we called them Fire sticks back in the day, but all we had was the old issue clasp knife.

[@harrydirty2750]

great skil, thx 4 sharing

[@LexLuthor1234]

Lovely feathersticks, and lovely knife too. May I be so frank as to ask what the inscription says? :) Once more thank you for your videos (y)

[@freddyoutdoors]

That's cool stuff

[@PurifiedShino]

The way my mental health is and how much my emotions change. Being in control of a "lethal" tool might take away that urge to... you know, and maybe find a new me. My mental health stops me from leaving the house so maybe forcing myself to try camping could change that.

[@paulhester1904]

Batoning, time for my esse 5.

[@kevinthompson507]

A nice feather stick is beautiful. How necessary is it that the feathers stay attached for fire making purposes? If I cut off the end of my feathers they’re still completely useable for fire making, aren’t they? Or does it actually make for a better fire if the feathers stay attached?

[@begbie672]

Did you learn this axe technique from Ray by any chance...😊

[@EokaBeamer69]

I always found feather sticks to be a bit time consuming and high effort. I simply make wood shavings and collect them in my jacket for fire starting from the timber I could make feather sticks from. I don't really see the advantage of feather sticks but maybe you can explain?

[@Hhkkk7979]

This guy loves feather sticks so much his hairstyle is also a feather-stick

[@renooggooner]

Hi, I just found your channel and it's GREAT! Just a question, I came across you by looking for bushcraft knife reviews. I am buying the Casstrum SFK no. 10 knife. What's your thoughts on that knife?

[@renooggooner]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 No worries. I'm going to use when I try your tripod next weekend.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

This is a date palm stick now to cover the feather

[@madcat1007]

Just out of interest, where did you learn all this bushcraft stuff? I have a feeling it was not in the Royal Marines.

[@madcat1007]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 Nice. You certainly have learned a lot and one of the best things about your videos is the way you teach that stuff to us. Very easy going, non condescending and very professional. Thankyou for that and will avidly await your upcoming videos.

[@com2stay]

The belly of the knife is the curved part of the blade.

[@com2stay]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 well if everyone makes his own definition it might get funny.

[@TheRanger1uk]

we sould do tho comedy version with all the accidents in

[@Rockhopper1]

bz buddy

[@TheVeganeater]

Why do people make these feather sticks? Its like this new obsession .

[@cameroncole2929]

its a survival technique taught for wet weather survival. making a feather stick can ensure you get a fire going in wet climate. plus it lasts quite a while.

[@kevinroche3334]

At last, someone who uses an axe to split wood instead of Splatting their knife... Why do it?

[@Solipsismic]

Thank you. However, being a cricketer, I hate the idea of of using seasoned willow as firewood! 🏏