This SURVIVAL SKILL could Save Your LIFE! Make FIRE in WET WEATHER!

Knowing how to make a fire is one of the fundamental outdoor and survival skills. But people rarely practice fire making in the rain. Whether you're out for a short hike or tarp camping in the northwoods, this survival hack could save your life. In this bushcraft skills video Clay Hayes shows you some ferro rod techniques and how to start a fire in a downpour. The goal is to find dry tinder but all the fine fuels are wet. But the interior wood from standing dead snags contain dry wood. The key is that they're standing up straight. We'll cut firewood and split it into kindling. Then select a piece of wood with straight grain to make a feather stick which will catch a spark from a ferro rod. Clay was the winner of Alone Season 8 where he survived months alone in the wilderness and used a ferro rod to start fires on a daily basis.
Don't forget to subscribe to the channel. We're uploading a new video each week that features one of the following topics: archery, bow hunting, bow making, survival skills, bushcraft, preparedness, self reliance, primitive skills, primitive bows, hunting, camping, fishing, and a lot more!
Big thanks to our partners who help support these videos!
Backpacks - kifaru.net/
Archery Gear - www.3riversarchery.com/
Tents & Tarps - seekoutside.com
Binoculars - www.vortexoptics.com
Broadheads - siriusarchery.com/tuffhead-home/
Arrow Shafts - surewoodshafts.com/
Clothing - www.firstlite.com/
You can also connect with me on my other media outlets!
Website: www.twistedstave.com/
Facebook: / clayhayeshunter
Instagram: / clayhayeshunter
Patreon: / clayhayes

[@clayhayeshunter]

Hey folks, one note on this vid. I usually use the back of the sawblade for striking the ferro rod. Not sure what the hell I was thinking 🤪Too focused on making the vid I guess! Here's the book link as well amzn.to/3xG0gLP

[@michalpuskar6533]

Glad to read this, because I was really surprised by what I saw 😉

[@JohnsonsOutdoorAdventures]

Saw it, questioned it, went along with it!

[@user-mb4se6km5p]

Don't let it happen again.

[@docv73]

I loved that tip. I've been doing this a long time, and intentionally using shaving from the ferro rod is something I've never seen. I figured it was on purpose, because you were trying to ensure that you could get fine shavings, and wouldn't get spark. Now you ruined it for me. 😅🤣😂

[@stonefox9124]

🤔 I thought ur rod got wet and u knew it wasnt going to spark easily

[@ostekuste3646]

Started learning true bushcraft skills last year. After a lot of time spent watching videos like yours and others like Gray Bearded Green Beret and Dave Canterbury I have become more capable in most situations. Last winter I went out in really bad conditions, days when it was raining after multiple days of snow. Some days it was near zero Fahrenheit, everything covered in ice. I had no problem starting a fire, keeping almost too comfortable, cooking food, and generally making a miserable and dangerous day in the woods actually pleasant. I am surprised at how little I need now to be comfortable in the woods in any weather. Thanks to all you experts for sharing your knowledge

[@rkf2746]

There is an old saying: "The more you know the less your load". Nice job on your outing. 👍

[@Heddanofarsan]

I started as a kid. Old european tradition to start as a kid. Not anymore tho ;)

[@justinmacarrhur1924]

Another comment full of lies.

[@Hannah-zc8gn]

What all do you carry with you?

[@pal6636]

That also applies when she asks you to move in together

[@peterkoval]

if you're ever stranded in the woods in the rain, make sure you have a tarp, sharp knife, rope, a ferro rod, and a saw... i appreciate the 'survival' tips, but if you're really stranded I doubt anyone will have any of these things handy unless you're already prepared to be stranded.

[@IIISentorIII]

Make sure you use 400.- Hilleberg tarp and buy his damn book and bring it with you. The pages are great to start a fire. It also helps parking your car behind the next tree with foot and water, pizza, snacks and gopro stuff

[@JoshuaChamberlain-rw7kh]

You can make a natural cover to keep the fire and fire area dry and aslong as you got a pullmams multi tool and the right know how you can make fire with natural methods

[@user-pi5lz3gs4s]

Better yet, just carry your house in back pocket everywhere you go.

[@ArcaneAnouki]

Gotta be good to be lucky and lucky to be good

[@lobster7799]

He should add mini propane tank stove or at least a lighter to that list of hand saw, tarp, rope, hatchet, and rain coat that he already had haha. Maybe throw in board game in case you get stranded with friend. Help pass the time while it’s raining. 😊

[@Friend_2162]

You don't have to be good, you just have to be persistent. Very true.

[@EchoTangoAlpha]

I agree, though, I have been looking for a few days now for a dead, standing tree. The only thing I see is sand dunes. I'll keep looking.

[@scottlee8645]

I started a fire in a wet environment last night. What a confidence booster. Thanks Clay!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Nice 👍

[@chadvagbuster6580]

now do it without flint and steal :)

[@tesla-spectre]

Fixing the knife in the wood was a genius idea I never had come up with myself. So much more logical, reducing risk of slipping etc and increasing stability of the whole cutting process. Excellent video.

[@infiniLor]

Yes!! Such an excellent hack!!

[@BillOweninOttawa]

Except for the part where he uses his hands as a hammer.

[@myyoutubename1756]

"genius idea I never had come up with myself weirdly" narcissistic person right there

[@tesla-spectre]

@@myyoutubename1756 ah our amateur internet psychologist is on the hunt 🤣😂

[@joeberger3441]

​@@myyoutubename1756he's saying it's so effective and simple that it's a wonder anyone didn't come up with it. Don't be a mook

[@weekendwarrior7117]

Clay, I struggle with feather sticks too. Driving the knife into the log and pulling the wood was a great tip. Also, pulling the ferro to prevent hitting the bundle (I’ve done that a hundred times)…that was a game changer. I feel stupid for not trying that before now. Thanks for the video.

[@larrywhalen596]

Greetings Clay, I came across your video on starting a fire in the rain and enjoyed your techniques to get a fire going in adverse conditions, as well as how to obtain "dry" wood from a dead tree which is still standing, but one thing I've found, is a tree which has been dead for awhile will still be more than dry enough inside to obtain good/viable wood to make shavings or a fire stick with, as well as fuel for the fire. One thing I've used, for so many years now since I was in my early teens is a small plane to obtain the shavings I needed to initiate those first flames from a meager spark. Speaking of which, sparks, the early VW's eng cases were made from magnesium for several years and due to the fire hazard we're eventually discontinued in favor of aluminum instead - and as a result I managed to obtain a couple of cases which a friend would break up and file/grind into fine shavings with great care which I've used for years to produce more than enough sparks from a few grams of magnesium and only carry it in small apothecary bottles to avoid any possible static build up, One other item I've started using is the lint from the drier since it is 'safer' than magnesium and doesn't weigh practically anything, and a considerable amount can be carried without taking up any space to be concerned about. Although I'm 76 and have been doing this since I was ten I learned something new here so thank you.

[@survivingnewmexico7177]

Thank you. I just spent 4 days in the woods and had a hell of a time building a fire. I'm a desert rat and usually have dry wood but not last weekend. It was so humid with the rain and hail that receipts I found in my bag wouldn't burn. I'm glad you showed how to do this in the rain rather than wetting wood for a few minutes under a sprinkler or quickly dipping tinder in a stream. I'm getting your book now.

[@searchingfor6thgear44]

On the lighter side of starting fires in the rain... I was in military training at Ft. Bragg, NC in the early spring. We were in the field being all tactical. A major winter storm/ice storm/rain came in. It was about 33 degrees and raining for hours. Finally our cadre said, you can have a fire if you can get one going. One of the soldiers I was with was a lineman for the power company in California. He whips out half of a road flare and commences to get it lit and start a fire! lol. Then it was a matter of bringing in wood close enough to dry out before putting it on the fire. He said he always carries half a road flare, "just in case."

[@clayhayeshunter]

They’ll work!

[@lisawheeler4917]

Lol. I am proud of my fellow Californian! I am also proud of you. Thank you for helping to keep me free. 🇺🇸 🙏

[@jameshurd4815]

Most humble Alone winner to this day.

[@rustyshackleford9017]

how does one measure humbleness? lol

[@jameshurd4815]

@@rustyshackleford9017 same way he measures dumbness. Lol

[@saggot420son]

Which season

[@captainchad8933]

@@saggot420son the previous one before the current season happening right now

[@ldtexas1648]

@@saggot420son Season 8

[@josephbriceno2799]

One of the best fire starting videos I have ever seen. I didn't think I needed to learn anything new on the subject. I love the direction you drug the blade on the ferro rod & the knife stuck in the log to drag your feather stick on was pure genius my boy!

[@brianthesnail3815]

That was impressive. I especially liked the way that risk in cutting the kindling was thought about and minimised. In my experience it is really easy to go from a relatively safe position into a dangerous situation outdoors just by getting injured needlessly. Losing the use of one hand with an axe, knife or saw accident makes everything 10 x harder even without major blood loss.

[@hallelujahhomestead]

I’m loving this, Clay. This kind of content - taking the hardships seen on Alone and showing us real, practical ways of addressing it... that’s prime A1 stuff right there. I watch Alone with my daughter as a bit of educational entertainment. But yours is even better because you show us the skills and the ways you’ve come up with to be even more successful. Thank you!

[@corvuscorax9900]

Great video! Like Ray Mears once said about fire; "The harder you need it, the more difficult it is to make."

[@MulhavenBushcraft]

A very true statement indeed!

[@iggreene9512]

Excellent tips man. Making a base as you show is one thing I see so many people fail to do. Fire burns up and down and as you show, it helps retain heat and keep coals/embers going. The tip for splitting kindling and suggesting having everything prepped before sparks are thrown is spot on. Great vid and I appreciate your humility and attitude amigo!

[@ArtByHazel]

If you can start a fire amidst the rainy season - that’s rad!!😃👌🏼🇨🇦

[@BryanTheHunter513]

Always a good thing to practice. I found myself in a really heavy wet snow last elk season. It had rained a lot the prior day so everything was soaking wet. As I sat in some semi-protected place waiting for some visibility to return, I decided to test my fire making skills. I was under impressed by what I did accomplish and how long it took me to actually get one going. However, I learned a lot and have some new tricks to try next time. Thanks for putting these videos out there!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Always good to practice

[@Glock2201]

I agree. I should at some point practice on a rainy day.

[@MySockKeepMyToesWarm]

Dude these are literally alone episodes just of you Clay. It is absolutely amazing. What you have done with the production of these and the camera work and everything that you learned from Alone I’d assume are absolutely incredible. It’s amazing to see you doing what you love man.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Austin

[@YG1989Natty]

Here, here!!

[@age_of_reason]

Alone will do.

[@mq9893]

@@YG1989Natty Here, here!!

[@QuavanteZingletonTheThird]

@@mq9893Here, here!!

[@jackrichards1863]

Hi Clay. I have a little tip for you from a foreign military background and years as a truck driver before the intro of racheting straps. I'll put it in a message on your FB . I'm a bit past hunting and tramping . Almost past truck driving too. I appreciate your open sharing of surviva; WELL THAT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN? Facebook has become too twitchy to function , there's some problem? Hang your loose end over the dominant crook of your arm . After it's all around your tree. I'm visual of a load anchor on deck. Pinch a bight where theres enough distance to tension up. Now lower down grab a bend in the tight side and drop your loose end into the gap between the bight and the bend. Which bend goes through bight to become captive. Now pulling the new loose end your hitch is already installed and tension everything. If it's done right you don't have to feed a hundred yards of rope through a loop. Truck hitch in half the time a rookie takes.

[@goodtimeeric]

Thank you for this. 😊

[@terrybutler-fl4dx]

I believe every prepper, survivalist or whatever you want to be called should look and know this important skill. Especially, getting out there in adverse conditions.

[@dougsnavely847]

Years of doing this - still learned several cool tips. Love your humility and honesty, rare in these ‘I know everything’ vids. Thank you. Looking forward to reading your book…. Thanks brother…

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Doug

[@donnievance1942]

Clay, I think you're the best survival skills video producer I've come across. I'm 73 years old and lived alone for many years in the backwoods in northwestern Montana. You've taught me a few wrinkles I didn't already know. Many survival videos I've seen have silly aspects to them, but everything I've seen you put out is always sound and to the point. You also have a great sense of video production, balancing thorough presentation against unnecessary tedium, your shots are well set up, and your audio is great. Subscribed.

[@infiniLor]

Very well said! Agree!

[@UCyYuGkOkjrLqRgKh-_j1oNA]

36 years old and couldn’t have said it half as good. Just started the show this April and practically unhooked my jaw and took it all in in a matter of days. Your words resonated in me. I too subscribed now because of this. Clay, you’re the man.

[@user-lm8sv7ih9w]

Ditto on all you said!

[@Dellen-Roger]

​@@user-lm8sv7ih9wDo you recommend any good books?

[@coydog6665]

Excellent video Clay, been doing this “bushcraft” stuff for about 45 years. Your video was well explained and executed. Well done 👍

[@prnzali2010]

I love the safety approach to avoid the obvious dangers of cutting yourself. Why didn't I think of that? And the same approach to avoid knocking down your pile of kindling and start materials. Brilliant. 207 thousand + 1 subscribers

[@EthanPageHunter]

Great content as always Clay. As it was once described to me; "cold, wet and windy is the worst case scenario. If you can still achieve flame you're golden." Thanks for all the hard work you are doing in the Trad and outdoor community. Keep it up!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad ya liked it

[@EthanPageHunter]

@little drane flame simply refers to getting a fire going... You must think I mean a "spark". because IF you ACTUALLY know how to get emergency fire than you know how to properly PREP before you ever get a "spark".

[@benhumphreys1515]

@little drane 😂😂😂😂

[@andrewmcintyre8774]

Love your work Clay......as an ex Aussie special forces soldier it's great to see you adopting the 7 P's rule. Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents a Piss Poor Performance!

[@Sothpawman]

Did you serve with Ben Roberts smith?

[@happydazeharvick4399]

The 7 Peas, I like that...

[@peterm3964]

Yeah sure you were . With Millions of dollars worth of equipment at your disposal and you are starting a fire with an axe and a saw and a knife and a flintstick . And a fighter jet with a thousand gallons af nape . , gunpowder c4 deisel petrol Car batteries potassium permanganate in the petrol tank and you got a FUCKING INFERNO going in seconds . Yeah right sure you were. Get real .

[@whipsnade13]

Lots of simple, common sense tips that are often overlooked. Excellent video. Thanks!

[@papajeff5486]

Absolutely, practice in adverse conditions, when you’re not in trouble, just for fun, just for the experience. This is great advice for many important outdoors skills. That way, when you do get outdoors, the skill is not the issue. You’ll do the right thing and it should work. Kentucky

[@micahthompson3762]

Have watched a number of fire starting videos and yours was the first to see you stabilizing the knife and pulling off that. Excellent idea. Thanks.

[@Alaska_Mac]

Just be careful not to use the cutting edge of your knife. Ferro rods throw sparks in the neighborhood of 5,000 degrees, so you risk ruining the temper of your blade edge. A sharp 90 degree spine like the back of the saw blade is what Clay and many others usually use. If you want a dedicated scraper, those "speedy sharp" carbide tool sharpeners are hard to beat. They're for sale under different names, but they're relatively easy to find at a hardware store.

[@crs_stl]

Wow it’s that easy? This should be the only how to start a fire tutorial on KZbin. Everyone makes it look so hard with hit or miss techniques. Thank you!

[@taylerhines6389]

That feather stick method is 🔥🔥🔥

[@zonark5856]

Clay, been watching your content for years. You got me into instinctive archery. I use a horsebow not a recurve now but you introduced me to the concept. I like that you don't act like a master of any of this stuff. Saying you're not that good at feather sticks and are still learning, but we know you're a legit survivalist, that's the mindset. Always learning. If it ain't raining you ain't training. I'm gonna go try this.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Many thanks 🙏

[@lisamcqueen8509]

Nice to hear a great woodsman express a weakness, " creating feathers" and how to overcome, persevere! Not real skillful myself with feather sticks, so have found that the serrated blade in my Wave, can hog off shavings very well. The single bevel of this blade, works great, bevel down! Dead, dried, Catapa wood is my, fatwood, here. Thanks for sharing, Clay, Steve

[@docv73]

That's a nice tip. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnalarcon5006]

Iv learned to do this over 45 years ago now my daughter knows how to do this , everyone should know basic survival skills

[@terrybutler-fl4dx]

I don’t need to know all the info, I just need to know the basics.

[@joshofalltradesgendron5464]

first off I love the cut safety tips alot of people do not know those ways. Especially how you made feather stick. Thanks clay, you give so many of us hope who are drawn to the woods but have our leashes to society snap out necks pulling us back into the never ending day to day chase of $. I'm 38 now it's been my dream since a small child to homestead deep in the woods every year goes by it's just seemingly more unlikely it will ever happen. I hate cellphones and this rat race were all forced to play. Only reason I have a smart phone is to keep my skills sharp being able to watch people like you until the small window opens allowing us to get out for a day or two. Ty. In all seriousness ty. If it wasnt for videos like yours I'd be truly miserable. They give me hope and even just while watching I drift off to my own experiences in the bush. Than the time clock rings and I'm snapped back whiplashed punching the clock again.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Josh. Make some time. Go to the woods. Slow down and be happy.

[@joshofalltradesgendron5464]

Thank you I have plans. Oh do I have plans. I need to get out of Massachusetts I'm still waiting on my renewal of my shall issue constitutional right since December smh. If I miss deer season I'm going to loose it. But I have plans I'm getting out. And I spoke with my spouse she suffers from multiple scelrosis almost in a wheelchair at 36. But I'm going to audition for alone because I truly need it. It's in my blood it's how I was raised half nipmuc native half french Canadian. I sent some emails not asking but telling work I'm leaving this weekend. I'm going off grid for a bit couples trip. My spouse has multiple scelrosis really bad where she went from adventurer, where we would climb mountains. Now possible wheel chair within next 5 years so I'm taking a couple weeks and we're going to do an adventure. Hopefully not her last. But it needs to be done. Your words were the shove I needed ty brother. I'll let you know how it goes.

[@Boxerrich121]

Excellent video. I love the way you made the fire stick and your method for striking ferro rod. I'll be doing both from now on. Thank You🇬🇧

[@erikcarey215]

Simple instructions,demonstrated well,great video! Thanks clay

[@clivecrichton]

Hey Clay, was watching this video randomly and didn’t even realize who you were until halfway through. Watched alone with the family and we were rooting for you. Congrats on your success.

[@raythomas2628]

I love the way you put that in there. To build a fire in the rain or when everything is damp. I have been watching a lot of survival videos and I never thought about building a fire when it was not dry outside. Lol. Now you gave me something else to think about. Real life situation. I think I’m going to buy your book. Keep it up buddy!👍…… I also watched your video on how to get fresh water beside Creek By digging a hole in the ground….. You are right, our ancestors have been drinking water out of rivers for thousands of years. The government only teaches our children what they want them to know. True survival skills need to be taught in school.

[@troygillis3499]

This guy is my favourite outdoorsman hands down!

[@ChristianSteinheimer]

It is, for sure, and even favorite bowyer

[@wildnwelloutdoors1420]

I like how you’re honest with areas your not so great at. Shows confidence in your abilities overall and is inspiring to others. Subscribed for sure!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Many thanks

[@jaredwojciechowski5850]

Good tips with keeping the blade fixed and pulling the feather stick against it. This is usually where most people injure themselves. Slow down, assess, then act. Good advice with the rod as well. My rule of thumb is ALWAYS BE AWARE OF ANY BLADE. A small cut can quickly become deadly in the bush.

[@cash5627]

From the looks of it, you did this during the spring and wet! A terrible time to find dry dead crispy material... Which is why this video is great! 👍

[@bowhuntingleprechaun5268]

Thanks for giving me another skill to go in my book. I love the fact that you taught us things throughout the video you gave us more info than we thought we were getting and that's the way this stuff should be

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad ya liked it

[@stevesither7270]

I agree. Love the knife into the log, then shave , for feather stick....very informative--- thank you Clay..great info

[@johnm840]

Nice edits and camera angles. Well done. The knife mount into Log is a nice trick, had not thought of doing that. "Adds to tool box"

[@limitnl]

I love watching someone who knows what he.s doing! And the way things are going, we might need this some day. Greetings from the Netherlands!

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Great technique on making a feather stick. Thanks for sharing.

[@MadCowOutdoors]

Another great vid! Made me realise that i definitely practice in ideal conditions more often than not.

[@bobbydelamar606]

Great tips! What about starting a fire in the same conditions but with no fire starter tools.

[@WaynesAdventure]

I’m trying to learn all the bushcraft skills because you never know when you will need this. Thanks for sharing

[@shannond2707]

Thanks for posting survival tips for those of us who are injury prone! For real-camping usually equals major first aid and sometimes stitches... much appreciated 👍 (I'm dead serious!).

[@ethanlula6810]

Since Alone, do you find that you carry the axe more when heading into inclement weather? I haven’t noticed it in your recent hunting videos so am curious on when you think an axe is worth the preemptive space/weight. Great work! Thanks.

[@Look_Upon_The_Heart]

For an Axe, you want to bring one whenever you are more than a 10 minute walk into the woods Haha

[@williamhoover1515]

Sweet steps to a very successful fire start. The search for the vertical dead wood seems to be a huge first step. Great instructions for all explorers of any skill level.

[@Jedi_Jed]

The best part is how warm you get preparing all this. Nice techniques. I like the knife in log for the feather stick. Thank you.

[@willparsons32]

Remember this - if nothing else; fire needs a air vent. An air vent is a form of air which is able to pass through the wood in order to fuel the flame. If you add too much wood to your intended "fire pit" you'll smother the flame real quick. Just make sure you have a sufficient amount of wood (preferably cedar kindling) then add your hardwood after your flame has been well established. Using cedar at first is a great way to get your coals (cinders) established then start to add your slightly larger timbers until you get to the 1/4 sized "stump" wood. (Approximately 6" x 4" chunks of wood - depending on the size of fire you'll need) I've been teaching backwoods survival skills for 35 years. This video is an excellent start to what's required for one's survival in the woods.👍

[@ksdoubledrop]

Awesome stuff as always Clay. You have provided some great information since my family and I started following. Love the break-down each week following the new season of Alone as well. Keep up the great work!

[@deanfromtrapline53-colwell61]

I took a course with Mors Kochanski almost 20 years ago now and making fires with a feather stick and twig bundle were emphasized because of their importance to people in the boreal region and how quickly shit can go sideways if you can't get a fire going when you need one. Lessons from Mors are hard to forget, god rest his soul. I can tell Terry never got a chance to read his book, Northern Bushcraft, or study with Mors cause if he had of i doubt he would have had the issues that were shown. Good explanation and demonstration Clay, I'm sure some of your viewers will benefit from your tutorial.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Dean, Mors put out some great stuff.

[@angelarigido7161]

To anybody out there who loves learning these skills. ALWAYS carry all cotton OB TAMPONS. They can be used for everything from starting a fire, to staunching wounds, and are pre-wrapped to stay dry, and easy on your pack weight. PANTY LINERS can be used as bandages as well, when applied cotton side down on a wound, then wrapped with a material strip against the adhesive side that shows up.

[@laineysilva3146]

Great video, very refreshing to see up do exactly what you said you were going to do...without complaining about KZbin suppressing your page or pushing your Etsy store with your merch. Very much enjoyed it!

[@MrsJustinWilkerson]

Love this video! I've always wondered if there was an easier safer way to cut wood. And the featherstick idea was awesome too! Such great advice for starting fire in the rain! Thanks.

[@mikewolfe6496]

Great video Clay! Very informative and may just make someone a lot more comfortable on a very bad night. Like I said before, you can keep the long term survivalist stuff! Although I respect it, I’m not doing it. But I do study what may keep me alive when stuck out one night. Thank you

[@clayhayeshunter]

Right on!

[@grominwithrob1339]

When you get a fire during rain or snow when you're cold from processing, you get such a rush of joy!😂 I motorcycle camp quite a bit and practice primitive fire starting because it's fun and helps me pack light.

[@Its_just_me_again]

i found the best way to accommodate for such instances as needing to start fire in rain is to prepare not to be in such an instance. failing that, my friend bic always comes travelling with me.

[@middknightdream1577]

@ 8:25 great advice on the shavings, but never use the blade of your knife to scrape the ferro rod, use the spine of your knife if it has a 90 degree spine( you can make 1 with a file on any knife), or use the saw or file attachment on that multi tool. You risk the edge of your knife for when you need it. Other than that a very informative video.

[@yourmum69_420]

why not use a lighter?

[@davidwsmith316]

Thanks for this video Clay! While I was watching you do this, I imagined myself doing each step, near my campsite in the forest near me, using my tools and gear. I believe I will take you up on your suggestion, and actually go out and practice this, in rainy and wet conditions! Thanks again! Excellent video! David 😃

[@clayhayeshunter]

Do it!

[@Longtack55]

Good tips mate! I don't bother with the feather stick, and just shave a pile. There's always the temptation not to gather sufficient material before one lights the fire. Too late once the fire's going to be running around in the rain looking for more. I cheat with a small piece of bicycle tube.

[@melissabarrows8189]

Thank you for this i know some people on here dont know but this video is for those of us who have never made a fire in wetness with flint and steel my dad always used a blow torch. He never taught us this way. I now keep a small fire starting kit in my car you never know when disaster will happen. Ive been snowed in and the electric went out ive been in 2 hurricanes with out any way of cooking. So don't listen to those who want to point out the obvious. Some of us are completely oblivious to this.

[@aaronfranck123]

Great video Clay! Thanks for making great content. Question: were you not worried about the heat from the fire damaging/melting your silnylon tarp?

[@docv73]

Right? I've been bushcrafting and doing survival and primitive camping stuff for almost 40 years, and I always wonder the same thing when I see people do that. I've used tarps to protect my fire to get it started, but once it's going good, I don't leave the tarp over it - I will keep wood under the tarp though, and I've built lean-to style covers over my fire, with wet wood if it was raining really hard. I have never been formally taught to build a fire under a tarp, but I have seen with my own eyes, guys use tarps and space blankets over a fire without issues. I think there's a fine line where your fire is hot enough to warn you without damaging your tarp, and where your tarp is low enough to keep you dry and trap some heat without being too close to the fire. I've always been afraid of it getting too hot while feeding it to keep it going, and melting my tarp, or sparks from the fire putting holes in my tarp. Just goes to show, you're never experienced enough to know everything.

[@clayhayeshunter]

As long as you keep the fire low, and the tarp high enough, it’ll be fine. Especially in the rain when thr tarp is wet. If it were dryer, I’d have put the tarp higher.

[@thomasdemaio53]

instead of standing your chopping block back up every time, try just laying it down perpendicular to your axe. I like to camp next to downed trees to gather wood easier and provide the most stable chopping block. a "V" shaped notch allows you to step on sticks and logs to buck them down easier too

[@thomasdemaio53]

@little drane Swedish fire torch requires splitting or a drill

[@PDBath]

I came to this site to learn how to start a fire on a cold wet day. I wasn't expecting to have to make a fire so I had no ferro rod. That turned out to be one of two crucial ingredients: dry standing dead wood and a ferro rod.

[@WeinsEarp]

Hello! This is one of the best instructional videos I have ever seen for bush-crafting. Maybe it is even the best if it comes to start a fire in wet conditions. Greetings from Germany.

[@dada_man]

Great approach to tough conditions. The most important part is being patient enough to bother with the shelter first. One thing I've noticed on feather sticks -- they're much tougher with a mediocre knife like a Leatherman. My Spyderco and Esee deliver great results every time.

[@docv73]

Great video! I like the tips about fire building, not just getting flame, alot! I also really like the tips about dry wood in the rain/snow. Little things like standing dead, compared to leaning dead, or downed trees are useful bits of knowledge that so many people overlook. Thanks for taking the time to do these, and share your knowledge and experience! Not second guessing you, but to add a tip from my experiences, for people watching these and reading comments to learn, I like to put a little more time and structure into my build, rather than just having all of piece close by. The downside to my method is you actually have to be careful with what method you use while lighting it, because it is susceptible to being knocked over, and it is time consuming, so there are negative tradeoffs, but... I use two large pieces to surround my work area, then I make an open face teepee (open so I can still access the bundle) pile of tinder over/around my bundle. I like matchstick to pencil diameter sticks long enough to cover the bundle without having to use the bundle to hold them up. Around that I make a 3 sided (so I can still access the bundle) "log cabin" pile of a little larger pieces, about pinky to forefinger diameter, and build it up so it gradually narrows as it gets taller. That way, when the bundle catches, the fire is already built, so I just have to watch the flame spread. As the "cabin" starts to burn, the large pieces I had surrounding the work area become supports to lay larger pieces across, or prop up against, without risking knocking the fire over by trying to add them, or crushing it out by adding pieces too big too soon. That's especially helpful when it's cold or wet and the bigger pieces need more time to catch. The structure of the teepee catches pretty quick, and by placing it before lighting the bundle, again, I avoid smothering or knocking down the flame in the bundle, and the structure of the "cabin" will support the weight of a few pieces leaned I against it, slightly larger than the pieces is made from, without it collapsing, so you can keep the fire burning/building, if needed, until it catches the larger pieces. If you build it right, it's a single strike fire nearly every single time.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Good tips

[@3passa]

Just a joy to watch you do your thing. Great featherstick technique, great wood splitting technique, great video. Love the detail about the ferro rod shavings. If I could take only one thing into the wilderness, it would be a collection of your videos!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Many thanks

[@torquebiker9959]

Some nice good ideas, like making the feather stick this way. Thanks for sharing!

[@D3adCZE]

Destroying the edge of your knife, the very tool that your life depends on. Excellent idea...

[@williewilson8244]

I got my ferro rod last Monday camping in a week I am in Alabama it’s been like 120 all summer inwent in the back yard this morning and tried to get a fire going spent 2 hours beating up my ferro rod then went to paper and it poured yesterday but never thought it would make conditions wet and damp enough not to start a fire… lots n lots to learn. Note to self damp shit down stay burning 🔥 about 5 times I was for sure it finally got enough heat did some lawn work came back in 10 min back to a smolder very very very good lesson today!!

[@michalluty6501]

Genius! That kind of basics survival skills should be teached in schools.

[@barrytravis5955]

Splitting the tinder with your hand back under the axe handle was an excellent tip. I’ve never seen that before. Thanks!

[@clayhayeshunter]

no problem

[@seanmontgomery93]

Cool! I have exact same Leatherman knife. Wanted to add a trick I learned on a survival trip on the Amazon. Light a plastic bag on fire and drip it on the fire. Amazing how well it works if you're having trouble getting it started.

[@johnkrzmarzick4222]

Scoutmaster for over 30 years. I tell my Scouts to always have a candle for sustained flame and the parrafin. Can be a game changer in wet conditions

[@alphakilo7005]

Good info. I like to focus on natural shelter, though. To find the driest place in the woods, just look up. Walk towards the biggest, greenest, thickest cedar, tree or Douglas fir. There will be dry ground and dry wood at the base. Everything you need to start a fire is right there on a cedar tree.

[@MYZTICTRAVLER]

Fabulous video. I have to add this one to my playlist library. Very valuable lessons here. Thanks!

[@kamaljitsinghattalia]

FANTASTICALLY explained and taught Thank you very much

[@tgiere9082]

I always cut in a trench between my grounding platform. I cut trench (2in deep) between and then extend them out about 6in. The air real pulls to the flame. GREAT POST!! Thank you!

[@user-or1vz6zt9e]

Thanks for the video- watching this will help me teach other people too, because now I know some tricks to make the process easier if your hands are unsteady, or if I'm too cold and my hands aren't cooperating. Good stuff.

[@70agrr]

Bang on, especially the correct method of using a ferro rod, great stuff

[@kentwilliams4152]

Also, someone came up with the use of a wool blanket and a candle to survive in the cold. That is amazing!

[@mountainman2365]

Wow. Great video. Thanks for sharing. I have made a similar video. Without tarp and ferro rod. It was a real challenge. Better to have always a lighter. Greetings from Switzerland.

[@identity7782]

Keeping it simple, and straight forward. Best survival skills.

[@grahamlambert650]

Brilliant I learned so much just from that video of yours . Just must put into practice now . Thank you for knowledge 👍

[@rachael9261]

My father in law used to go out in the woods behind the house and find pine knots that had been sitting a while and those little pieces off there would light like it was soaked in gasoline! With very little spark. Pretty cool

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

Ooh, such a great tool for the skills tool box! Might come in handy someday here in rainy Oregon. Thanks!

[@alecburris4225]

"You don't have to be great at it, you just have to be persistent" never thought I would get some life wisdom out of a wet fire video

[@LtKregorov]

And it’s true for any new things you want to learn in life. Getting good is matter of practice that comes with time. Persistency is a trait you decide or not to have in your arsenal. It’s a powerful tool born from the mind.

[@themaestro5946]

I don’t need you to repeat what he already said, but thanks anyway

[@kayakutah]

I like the safety tips for the use of the ax and the knife in the log to make the feather stick.

[@SkullySkullmeister]

Demonstrating the proper way to use a ferro rod....👏👏

[@stevan.veljkovic]

how to make fire during rain: step one: wait for the rain to stop step two: make a shelter step three: make a regular fire in ur shelter as u would any other fire got it! u saved lives here man!

[@zlostnypopolnik]

He wouldn't win the "Idea of the Year" competition with that.

[@leonardvelasquez4162]

I like the knife fixed into the wood ...genius!! Good video! 👍

[@user-sp5bz2uq8b]

Amazes me how various things just appear out of the sky. I expect there's a local Tesco and hardware shop just over the hill?