How To Make Homemade Natural Fatwood

[@JeffreyDuddles]

Great idea! I'm just getting back into some more primitive wood skills, and trying to share then with my 11yo grandson. We set up a tarp in the rain the other day and tried to start a fire with the available saturated fuel. We had some success, but didn't spend enough time prepping our wood. We got sidetracked going over the other gear we put together for his own personal kit, and making cocoa on the stove, so the fire never really got going well. We'll make some of these together on our next trip out!

[@calmarcalmar]

cut it in half.. and check if the wood is with resin also in the inside?

[@MasterK9Trainer]

Beautifully shot video and interesting. I had never heard about fatwood before or ever read about it in any survival books.

[@ObsessedGamerYT]

Thank you, Kirk, that was a good demo. I have never been a real big fan of the , Altoids, kits, this is a good use.

[@OutThereVideo]

Good video - especially for those who can't readily find fat-wood locally. We used to melt pine sap to seal bindings on bushcraft tools also. Lots of uses, thanks.

[@pointfivesecondstorespond1551]

That's really cool, as far as i know the pine trees around here just ooze out sap like this and don't so much impregnate the wood itself. Cool alternative to char cloth.

[@WyeExplorer]

Hi Krik...I was collecting resin pitch the other day and collected a fair bit off the fractures in the trees. I was wondering what to do with it...well you have given me the perfect tutorial. Many thanks for sharing a great way of using pitch. An enjoyable and fruitful video. Many thanks. Mark. P.S I think I will collect some more now...

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

You are correct. We use a purdy nice camera. Thank you for the kind words. -Krik

[@joshjosh1386]

Look at that rich stuff.... almost make me want to taste it...

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

Liam, is it all of the videos, or just specific ones? we are in the process of upgrading our audio equipment as well as learning new skills to go with it. things should start evening out soon. thanks for watching and thanks for the heads up. - stony

[@irishgoose0627]

First time I have seen any of your videos. Very good stuff!

[@unreal1949]

I guess I am pretty lucky here. I can walk where I live and pick up the pitch or pine sap all over here. I gather it to help keep a fire going too. It's great to mix with saw dust too.

[@galenlong937]

Krik, Stony, Excellent video. I have got to try this. Fatwood is pretty prevelent in my area, but i think I want to give this a try.

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

Galen Long If you ever want to trade something for some fatwood, let me know. -Krik

[@galenlong937]

Ok Krik I'll let ya know Bro. I gotta find something I can trade.

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

I want to trade for some fatwood. It's not common around me. You said it's prevalent around you. No?

[@galenlong937]

I'm going to be talking to someone who has a couple dead pines on their property about cutting them down, I am supposed to talk to them as soon as they get back next week, I can send ya some after I get the trees down. They are standing dead, and have been for about 3 years now so there should be some build up.... i'll let you know asap.

[@TJackSurvival]

Great video! Subscribed!

[@Deeceesadventures]

Yeah Krik and Stoney rock. Great HD content.

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

TJack Thanks for the sub. Hope you enjoy our content.

[@AdventureArchives]

Great stuff, and a really cool idea. Also I love the way your videos look. -andrew

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

Thanks Andrew. We are continuing to refine the look of our videos. Thanks for watching man. -Krik

[@danielfields4871]

What kind of video and recording equipment do you guys use? Videos always look outstanding. Really dig the channel. Thanks for all the work.

[@gabrieleciciriello6447]

+Black Owl Outdoors the video is a bit old,but if you scrape that fatwood with the spine of your knife you can light the shavings with a ferrocerium rod

[@theartofshwa]

Tried making some fatwood this past weekend - a lot of fun! Worked great but, I did notice it didn't hold the flame as long - I'm thinking because I didn't boil long enough to get the wood fibers to open up and accept the pitch..? Or it could have been because I was moving the stick around after I lit it - it just seemed like the pitch burned off pretty quick and then didn't wick towards the rest of it. I'll be trying another piece soon so, we'll see!

[@tahanlaoboy]

The best Flatwoods

[@jenniferw8963]

would it be possible to use leftover violin rosin instead of pitch?

[@ruizhernandeztrustfi]

Excellent tip.

[@Steeleprophet]

Great video guys!

[@ChrisGillenwater1]

where did you find the pitch? very good video thanks

[@couz10]

Did you call me a Turtle? Loved the vid, thanks!

[@jiminmontana]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

That's a good question. You wouldn't need to melt down the pitch to use it in a torch. But you could. With just the chunks of the pitch, you can mix it in with the other torch materials (wood, birch bark, etc.) Thanks for watching. -Krik

[@j.higgins5408]

dude great video! i will for sure be doing this and keeping it in all of my bug out and SHTF bags. very informative! wish i had seen this years ago.

[@bigfootbushcraft7063]

Im in PA we talked when you was in a Allegheny Forest in a few of ur vids but lol yeah I thought you bought it somewhere the way you said it lol

[@Nickadeamus11]

think I'll try this the next time I am out in the woods

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

I found it on a pine tree. I don't have that much left. It's a rarer commodity in these neck of the woods. Where are you located? No pines in your area? -Krik

[@glennlawrie-smith8570]

Great video. Also subscribed. And a helpful hint... learn to use chopsticks. Or use a green stick bent in half like tweezers.

[@hammocksponge3994]

Glad I subscribed.

[@bigfootbushcraft7063]

Glad to see you back bud.& where did you get that pitch or wanna sell alil bit?

[@SuperSaltydog77]

Good vid. This should remind people that when we're in the outdoors to keep our eyes open to resources that can be used. But folks have to know what they're looking for. Maybe a vid on resource hunting?TY

[@richardgerber7692]

Where do I collect the pitch or resin?

[@Timberjo2]

Could you use the melted down pitch to make a torch somehow?

[@dlighted8861]

Another use for pitch. I have mixed pine pitch with Bohners hot melt for arrows. An absolutely homogenous mix. It makes me think Bohners hot melt is a very natural material.

[@TheOne-mg3dk]

where can I buy pine resin online for fire starting applications?

[@rosewood9839]

What kind of wood do you use?

[@abrahmbutts]

How did you get the pine resin to be solid did you find it that way?

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

No. I already used that tin and pitch to make fatwood. That's how the pitch looked after I let it cool from making it earlier. -Krik

[@snakemonkey555]

Great video!! Two questions, what kind of wood do you use for fat wood and what is pitch? Where can I find pitch? Thanks!

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

snakemonkey555 Most people find pitch on pine trees. It's also called sap, resin. The tree uses the pitch to heal its wounds. It also builds up inside of the branches where they meet the trunk. There are lots of videos on finding fatwood. -Krik

[@aztek54208]

+Black Owl Outdoors - you missed ^^'Monkey's^^ first question above, which I was wondering the same. What type of wood did you lay into the sap to create the Fatwood? I don't believe you stated. Thanks!

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

Oops. I was using pine pitch. It's also called pine sap or resin. Thanks for watching. -Krik

[@lilmike3314]

I am new at this stuff and was wondering if you could explain fatwood and pitch as far as where do I find it and process it. Great video

[@ianclarke910]

Please

[@DanielSmithForge]

The resin is found on pine trees, it can appear different in color it can be almost clear to black. If you are having trouble finding it look around dead branches and if you see a lump on the side of the tree more than likely it is pine resin. And fatwood is a concentration of the resin in dead pine trees or branches. If it is a red wood and glossy looking and has a pine like smell it should be fatwood. Hope I helped

[@KosukiFire]

Another good wood is woodstove/pine pellets/animal bedding. Can get a 20 to 50 lb bag for under 10$ at farm supply. Tens of thousands of pellets. Mix in a stainless steel 1L Or bigger cup with some pitch and some of my friends mix some candle wax gel. Works GREAT

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

We're glad you did as well. Are there any particular types of videos you'd like to see more than others? -Krik

[@sfehlbaum]

Do you find it's better to use a porous wood to soak up the sap or a hard wood to make a more dense version for shavings?

[@commonsensecamper]

Good stuff!

[@FrancisR420]

Sue desist only work with Pinesap or any significant advantages because I got a silver Oak that's bleeding like a sieve near my house

[@FrancisR420]

*So dose it

[@frankc6430]

...got to learn how to use chop sticks!... is another tool to grab hot stuff ,not just to eat!.... should crack one stick open to see sap penetration or just a stick covered in sap and did not needed to be boiling that long ?...nice video .

[@Ajourneyintobushcraft]

Awesome!!! gotta try this, great videos keep them coming! All the best Danny

[@graywolfgaming5531]

Hey guys awesome video! Could you let me know what equipment you gentlemen use? Camera? Lens? Microphone? Thanks!

[@00coyote60]

Good video. I have "unlimited" access to kiln dried 2x4's. Thinking I'll cut them to about 3in and baton them into sticks. Pitch is easy to get where I live.

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

we've bought some new gear that will allow us to eliminate the proximity to camera and still get a clear sound. stay tuned. improvements are on the way. - stony

[@bombapiotr]

Hey! I think if you have problems with collecting materials (I have same) you should add some wax and mix all things together.

[@bigfootbushcraft7063]

Cool thanks bud ill do the same

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

I found it on the trunk of a pine tree. I believe it was hit by another tree that had fallen which caused a very large wound. -Krik

[@Galeocerdo123]

I was wondering if it mattered what type of wood you saturate? Is pinewood needed, or can a harder wood like oak work as well and give an even longer burntime?

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

Ah, yes. I remember our conversation. Excuse the lapse in memory. If I ever come across another good source I'll keep you in mind. Maybe I can a little out your way. Taker 'er easy. -Krik

[@shamanicvibrations]

What is the resin you are using?

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

Pine pitch/sap/resin. -Krik

[@shamanicvibrations]

But it would be a hardened form found on the exterior of tree? Or is it the viscous form found then dried? Thanks for the response and greetings from canada!

[@Bobster986]

You channel is called Black Owl, but the logo in the video is a Penguin.??? LOL

[@-Honeybee]

Aaaaand that's why we avoid melting resin over open flame XD

[@Peteru69]

He had a lid, could've covered it to make sure it doesn't burn up some of the natural turpentine in the sap.

[@pasdefables2030]

Hi BOO a few quick questions. What sap species do you use? Apricot also make resin. What wood species are the best to make the fatwood? (Oak, Willow...) Thanksn in advance for this great tip.

[@Away.Aweigh.A.Way.]

Conifers will be your best source for highly potent resin/sap.

[@eltenda]

interesting!!

[@jamesratcliffe6361]

Great little video, I've found a pine tree that's been hit by a truck so resins pouring out of it. Be a shame to waste it so I'll make some fat sticks, I'll let you know how I get on... Peace Swampdog

[@dvoz9023]

Could you make this with paraffin wax.? 🤔

[@robertcecil6880]

It would water proof when the wood is soaked, but it does NOT have the properties of burning HOT like Pitch has.

[@schlaznger8049]

Walmart sells Duraflame fatwood pieces in a rather large box for 10 dollars or so. I bought this just to check it out and see if it was any good. Needless to say I was more than impressed. Just figured I would pass on the info, hope it helps.

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

You know, I've been told that before. I wonder if he is into the outdoors. Ha. Thanks for watching. -Krik

[@robertweirjr3196]

Why not remove the heat and set the fatwood on the lid ?

[@Mariam.Ali973]

Use for what?

[@AndTheCorrectAnswerIs]

Why does your black owl logo have a picture of a penguin? You do know the difference...right? Liked the video.

[@harrisonsgroetsch7797]

thank you for calling me a turtle 😋

[@mr.charleshunt394]

IS THAT JUST PINE SAP

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

+Charless Hunt Yes it's also called sap.

[@mr.charleshunt394]

thank you

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

yes it IS just sap it aint pitch till charcoal dust and some fiber i prefer cat tail down are heat and mix then and only then is it pitch to many folk get that wrong this is why they say BLACK AS PITCH OUT TONIGHT

[@mr.charleshunt394]

COOL

[@nancyjames6134]

YAKMAN HERE. !! THAT WAS WAY COOL BIG GUY !! JUST One MORE THING TO Be ABLE TO MAKE & PUT IN YOUR EDC FIRER KIT !! NICE JOB !! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

Are you talking about the shavings? -Krik

[@joshhess6904]

Where in Pa do you live because maybe I'll see you in the woods sometime...if you want to say just say county. I don't want you to have something bad happen because of me.

[@kalleklp7291]

Now thing is...you don't need a fire source like a lighter to get a fire started with this so called "fat wood". Just make some very fine shavings (use the back of your knife) and then use a fire steel to ignite the shavings you just made. It's that easy...! As an alternative, make some charred cloth from old jeans or any kind of cotton stuff. You can make that with the little tin box you had there in your video.

[@xavier3961]

Sub'd!!

[@dragonsbreath8227]

I have watched several videos on fatwood. No one actually breaks down the word and explains what fatwood is!

[@sfehlbaum]

Naturally found it is pine wood that because of damage (broken limb ext.) has become saturated or (fattened) by pine sap thus fatwood.

[@starwarscollectionlive...6787]

I got wood sap in my eye once , that stuff hurts!

[@Boehm92]

Not on all videos, I think it was part due to my crappy speakers.. but also when you're speaking more than a couple feet from the camera (for obvious reason)

[@Boehm92]

Is it just me or are your videos always on the quiet side? Great videos however!

[@TandTWilderness]

Fatwood will take a spark

[@roybrauski9409]

He looks like a survival Shia LaBeouf

[@roybrauski9409]

Lol "pull these puppies out" just do it!!

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

Must've spent all their money on the good camera and had none left for a decent microphone. Remember to turn your speakers back down at the end because as soon as the playlist hits the adds in the next video it'll blow your ears out.

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

Roger Flatley thanks for watching and LISTENING! - stony

[@3bh349]

I would close the tin

[@harryroger1739]

If it doesn't take a spark ts a waste of time. Just buy fatwood if you're going to go through all that and then carry it around. Fatwoods about $5 for 5LB anywhere that sells firewood like Walmart.

[@harrisquicksilver6595]

Turtles? R we pets? ....Teh!

[@vemkanmanlitapa]

you remind me so much of Jake Gyllenhaal

[@Wysiwyg101]

Look, let me preface this by saying that I will probably try this. However, just because you are using natural materials does not make this a "natural fatwood." This a manufactured fatwood. When nature itself creates it over time, then THAT is natural fatwood. However, since I don't have access to real natural fatwood, I'm not too proud to not do this method. So, thanks very much for sharing. I do appreciate it.

[@tested123]

i dont think any gets soaked into the wood. only real fatwood is like that. so youre just making a firestarter....not fatwood. and now i want an altoid.

[@palehorsesurvivalandtactic9771]

Pine sap doesn't become pitch until it is mixed with charcoal.

[@tonkapoplol]

Please... Use a tripod

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

check out our latest videos, things are smoother.

[@svent1000]

There is only one way to "make" fatwood. And that is to cut the top of a living pinetree. Fatwood is pinewood full of naturlly resin. You om the other hand, make tinder, not fatwood. Would anyone Reading about what I deskribe, its and old skandinavian way to make the timber full of resin to make better logcabins, because reell fatwood is resistant to Waters and do not rot AS quickly. Google lafting. ☺

[@Peteru69]

Living? Doesn't have to be living. They would dig up old pine/spruce roots in Sweden and extract the resin via heat, that is at least the old traditional way. The pine tar industry was huge up there, but as a bi-product you would also get charcoal. "Real" fatwood doesn't rot at all, unless you extract the sap/resin, then I'm sure the wood would start decomposing again. It's much more likely that it will fossilize under the right circumstances, if not weather away. When you cut into a root of a pine tree that has been filled with resin naturally you're left with a fatwood that's so stuck full of pine sap that it's translucent, sticky and looks like it's slightly crystallized already. In my experience with Scandinavian pines and spruce trees, finding a pine tree on a slightly slope with exposed roots that has either fallen in a storm, died or split/broken is always a guaranteed source of the good stuff. You can cut off branches that has been broken off and get a little bit of resinous wood, but it's not water and rot proof. What you describe is also not at all what they did primarily in Scandinavia to make log cabins water resistant. They used the pine tar to coat the wood. This was done both with boats, traditional skis, lumber for cabins, rope and roofing. You can extract pine tar from other parts of the pine. And you can get decent fat wood off of living trees, but it depends on the season the tree got injured in (if a branch breaks off, tree will pump resin into the branch to seal it, if this happens in the summer when it's warmer the resin/sap is more fluid and will generally seep into the wood better and you'll get better fatwood. It depends on the climate. Sweden is colder than some places in America, but the roots will have a solid amount of resin after a tree dies as the sap settles there. Generally you'll want to go for dead parts of the tree, cutting off living branches is unnecessary.

[@leighmcm]

'How To Make Homemade Natural Fat wood" If the fat wood is home made how can it be natural? :-)

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

are humans not natural?

[@WynneEden]

Stealing the idea of keeping processed pitch in an Altoids tin...or a small tin of some kind. Thanks!

[@Away.Aweigh.A.Way.]

You can reuse that same tin to make char material too. A good tin is an essential part of anyone's fire kit.

[@wolfe-hz8wq]

You can make impregnated wood but you CAN'T made natural fatwood only nature can do that. So why not be accurate with your name of your video. As stated below if you have to make it its not natural.Videos named like this just irks me.

[@aceofspades856]

Here's a tip: If you have to make it, then it's NOT natural!

[@BlackOwlOutdoors]

Ah, yes. I remember our conversation. Excuse the lapse in memory. If I ever come across another good source I'll keep you in mind. Maybe I can a little out your way. Taker 'er easy. -Krik