"Blast from the Past": How to Build a Survival Fire Kit

[@tk00903]

Lol, we need to relax a little. So glad we have these channels to inform us and instruct us. We need help.

[@datnotme9921]

16th Century Match. Jewt twine braided dipped in wax. Glue a piece of leather around on one end of brass tube. Put waxed braided jewt through. Fray the end, light. Pull it back to put out flame and reuse another time. Stored in altoid tin

[@whatnext715]

I never thought of a mesh bag to collect tinder. It’s a lot lighter and stores compactly unlike the canvas bags I usually see used. Great tip. Thank you for sharing this information you have a very clear way of explaining it.

[@SpookyKitten1]

Great information, and well put together. On a humorous note the camera angle makes it look like you are telling all this to a dead tree😂

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Sometimes they are the only ones listening

[@kongandbasses8732]

How dare you assuming his personality! Maybe the tree identifies as a survivalist. Check your human privilege! ...and have a good laugh, because I didn't mean to offend anybody.

[@stormytrails]

With all of my experience with wilderness survival yadayadayada...GBGB has been one of the few! credible survival information sites; old and new knowledge as well as tried and true. His science is SOLID. Sometimes he gets his terms mixed up but rarely and he always corrects those little details. Actually I like imagining that he is purposely making mistakes to see who is truly paying attention!! Grins. Yup, this guy KNOWS this stuff very very very well and is able to translate it to us peon city folk...

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I appreciate that. Sometimes my mouth can outrun the headlights a bit and I will misspeak and not notice until the editing, but that is going to happen from time to time.

[@stormytrails]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Of course! But those that NOTICE should get gold stars doncha tink? Grins! You are an incredible teacher, this is a tough subject to 'teach' people sitting on couches.

[@stroop3666]

Liked I do NOT want to be stranded somewhere WITHOUT the ability to make FIRE!!!

[@nedeastwood4630]

I continue to be surprised how many survivalist don't use magnesium shavings for damp or wet conditions. Glad to see you use it. Petroleum jelly coated cotton balls also help . I have the same multi-use paracord. Love it

[@VashsAngelArm]

Helpful tip with the fire tabs. Do them in hot wax let them cool but leave the fluffy part exposed it really extends the life of the tab for wet conditions.

[@billycanbushcraft]

Hey Brother great video. If you ever get a chance I would love to see you show people just how difficult it is to have to keep one fire going for a full weekend and carry a coal for a mile or two each day like you're going to a different campsite. You know leave your camp and hike a mile out and a mile back while keeping a coal burning and start a new fire when you get back to your camp. This is a skill that almost no one teaches anymore. The bad part is if someone is in a survival situation while hiking a large percentage of people will have to put this skill to use at least once. This is a great skill to learn especially for ultra lite backpackers and day hikers. The reason is because those groups of people normally don't carry backups in layers and just carry everything they are carrying in their backpacks. Keep On Keep'in On Brother!

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I do plan on doing a couple of different videos on carrying a fire (with Horsehoof Fungus, Chaga, or a Birch bark cigar) and banking a fire. They are definitely lesser known skills.

[@talkingwithtrash8879]

I've only seen that once or twice. Great idea.

[@mitch7739]

Another great set of kit. Fire is so important, for the obvious reasons and also just the mental aspect. A fire can be a very good friend if your lost and spending a unexpected night in the woods. Really enjoying your content man. Thx 👍

[@texasgrayman3492]

This guy makes such good videos. The information thisman shares is priceless! Thank you.

[@--press]

You are never out of fuel with a lighter..they all have flint dust for spark--called a flint bomb !!! 💯❤🇺🇸

[@timdeboer8804]

This is perfect! My son just accepted a job with the California Forest services and this video wonderfully laid out what to carry in a fire kit. I watched it and immediately shared it with him. Thank you Gray Beard! I know he's going to get some great information.

[@KernowEDC]

Man, I always get so many great tips from you. Thanks again for the incredible insight you have, and for sharing it!

[@maverick4462]

Awesome explanations on gear everyone should carry. Note on candles, I switched to trick candles😉 can't blow them out.

[@hellsbellspreparedness2722]

Still a great fire kit and setup. I took cotton balls, Vaseline, and dip them in candle wax. Works great and burns for about 12-15 minutes. Also have fatwood and the self reliance outfitters fire starter. Both of them hands down the best.

[@MrRoman-lo6ih]

Hey Joshua, just asking about your experience. When deployed in other countries, did you ever learn how their people do survival? For example, a shepherd in Afghanistan, what they carried for fire or food or shelter when moving their herd to remote areas, etc.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

They didn’t really range much farther than their village for the day. The nomadic folks had full kit just mobile tents and such. I didn’t really see anything I would label as survival abroad personally

[@MrRoman-lo6ih]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Roger that. Thank you for always answering brother. Lots of us appreciate the knowledge you share, your experiences and what you have done. Over.

[@DanSlotea]

They don't do survival in Afghanistan, it's just how they live.

[@MrRoman-lo6ih]

@@DanSlotea oh I understand Dan. My question was mostly based on his observations when in Country. Since GB has to be in Country for a period of time and blend in with population etc etc, my question was based on what and if Joshua learned from them. :D

[@DeborahThird-og1uo]

They fluff up yak wool, and also dried yak-patties. You asked.

[@jackieeastom8758]

Homemade tender quick is round lantern wick soaked with paraffin wax cut into chunks. Also, I love my Esse fire steel! Chirt is found all around my area in parking lots and gravel roads so I always have a supply.

[@iordnbrun5498]

I like a small container of ashes. A little plant fiber, a couple of flat surfaces (premade or improvised) and you can make coals, even when the fiber and ashes are green or wet.

[@arctodussimus6198]

Very nice video. Well done, easy to understand. I’ve been at this “survival” stuff for a very long time. But I can always take away something new from folks such as yourself. Yeah I’ve been using flint and steel as my primary source since 1967 (I was 8 when I made my first fire). Always had matches as a backup. I like the primitive methods. Couldn’t consider myself a real “mountain man” until I made fire by friction. The last five years or so I’ve started adding ferro rods to my kits. Never liked the Zippos because they leak and evaporate too quickly. When the Exotac Fire Sleeve came out, I started adding a Bic.

[@descattysBushcraftbydescattys]

That super match is a good idea mate, I have bought all the other parts to make some just waiting on the matches to arrive, then I'll be knocking some up for my Fire lighting kit. Thanks 🙏

[@Jerrylance-ty1re]

Mt man here watching 👍👍 always give this man 2 thumbs up I do😊

[@kidbach]

great info and great video. your explanation and groupings of right now firemaking and traditional firemaking was clear and concise. your reaching out to the viewer to use differing methods from survival fires to traditional, bushcrafting, primitive was not preachy or condescending like other individuals. subbed

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I appreciate the feedback, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for subbing!

[@dalemeyer8207]

Nicely down...covered all the Happy in a small easy to .... "Get it , Got it ...Good " Kind of way ! T.U.

[@3thirty689]

shared on Facebook. There's nothing i can say that you don't already know. I keep a tiny bottle of mineral oil for my knife (high moisture location) and that stuff catches a spark bigtime.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Rothrock Reliance good call! I carry a small bottle of olive oil for tool maintenance as well. Been switching that to fixin wax lately though.

[@erinhellebuyck7527]

Thank you

[@K3Flyguy]

All good ideas but, if fingers are cold and numb from the cold or your arm/ hand is broken many of these things are very tough to use. Something to keep in mind, the ability to start fire one handed is worth much more to me. Individuals thoughts may be different, respect that. Super match would be fit the bill! Thanks!

[@teresakines8888]

You can actually light those tinder quirks and they’ll burn sitting on top of water. Impressive. On spark start.

[@gannetam]

super instructive, thank you! love your depth of knowledge and method of presentation.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback. It's very encouraging.

[@tedsamuels3203]

That was awesome ,A backup plan for backup plans ? Thanks Man

[@jeffgrumley8230]

Josh, what got you into wilderness survival?? Understanding a little bit of your military background has made me wonder what made you delve further into the survival aspect?? Great vid man!

[@jeffgrumley8230]

Maybe a video can be made explaining this

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I grew up in the woods which led me to my chosen profession in the military. My chosen profession in the military exposed me to some survival training in the Rangers and Special Forces (with SERE mostly), as well as some survival training that was included in three trips to the Jungle Operations Training Center in Panama back in the '90's. I was an Infantryman first, and then a Weapons Sergeant, many of those skills are not exactly in demand in the civilian sector, so strip away the guns and fighting and you are left with skill in the woods and survival skills. This was the closest thing to what I was doing that I could still do afterwards (at least in my assessment). Now I get to pass on what I learned to folks and still get to train the military as well.

[@jeffgrumley8230]

That's really freaking cool man!!! Well glad that were able to take knowledge from such a deep seeded passion of yours. Thanks for all you've done for our country and passing down your knowledge.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Jeff Grumley might be a good video, you never know. KZbin is one of this things that’s hard to figure out, videos you think won’t do well people love, and ones you think will do well don’t. You end up throwing a lot of spaghetti against the wall and seeing what sticks. I wouldn’t think that would be a very interesting video but I have judged wrong several times on here

[@jeffgrumley8230]

Never know man, just an idea. I would definitely watch it! As I am sure other followers of yours would as well.

[@j.markforemanii5585]

On the subject of birthday candles, I carry the "trick" kind that are really hard to blow out as an emergency option.

[@hanka3930]

thank you for the knowledge.

[@321southtube]

Great job as usual. Thanks so much

[@richarddiss1643]

Thx very much!

[@cedarmountainsurvivalsearw1893]

Great video!!! I learned something from your video and plan on incorporating it into my kit. I liked your solar philosophy about concerving emergency resources. I also enjoyed the Esee Flint Steel tool with the built in bearing block. How much of your experience comes from the service? My thoughts are that it kindled a passion! That is what happened to me. Great Video!

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I grew up out in the woods, plus a lot of time in the woods in the service, and of course SERE school which gave me a baseline for survival skills. That gave me a taste of it and I have just always enjoyed it from there

[@cedarmountainsurvivalsearw1893]

The Gray Bearded Green Beret I also grew up in the woods when that’s what we did spend time outdoors. The USAF SERE school rekindled my love for the outdoors and taught me some things. Now I just like to get out there and enjoy it. It’s my hobby and what I like to do most. It’s nice to see someone who really knows what they are talking about. Nice vid.

[@Grond605]

Birthday candles are also good for when a group member remembers that it is his birthday. Then they can Celebrate🎉🎂🎂🎂🎂

[@vegasvato55]

My Fire Kit consist of a pair of Reading Glasses for Solar Ignition, and a Key Ring Liquid Match, which gives me both a Spark Ignition Source with the Ferrocerium striker, and flame ignition with a wide variety of common fuels. 3 independent sources of ignition with two common items.

[@markbutler7601]

What belt pouch are you using to hold your fire kit?

[@markpoore3260]

I carry a small road flare there great for hard to light fires

[@coydog669]

Thanks for sharing! Guess I need some Titan survival cord! Semper Fi

[@michaelcarter8209]

Outstanding

[@anzerupnik1442]

Ha I got the same bag for a fire kit but in black :D

[@rayferrer1709]

Where did you buy that tan pouch/bag that you carry your kit in?

[@thomasnugent7602]

Very good ideas, Thank you very much

[@theAussieG]

Would a tea light candle be useful in a kit. I was thinking they are small, have their own metal holder and could be used over and over to get difficult tinder to ignite. Once the tinder is alight the candle could be removed and allowed to cool and re-solidify for use next time.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I used to use tea lights in my earlier kits. Definitely useful. It is hard to fish the tea light back out of a fire it started in my experience though, so I switched to the birthday candle so I could hold it and extinguish it after I no longer needed it.

[@theAussieG]

Thanks for the reply. I have been watching a lot of your videos and learned a lot. Much respect to you for passing your knowledge onto all of us. Thank you.

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

Just watched a video wear you can dry out using one tea cup candle. Light it up and sit over it while wearing your poncho. Something I never thought about.

[@gunguy353]

Thanks for your video.

[@hiddenrhythmsmusiccircles]

Your modern ignition source/char tin...is that Altoids sized?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Probably a bit smaller than a full size altoids tin but larger than a small altoids

[@hiddenrhythmsmusiccircles]

And the Exotac sleeve is standard size? I can’t get mine to fit in what I think of as a full size Altoids tin. Too bad Exotac doesn’t make a sleeve for the Bic mini...

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Yes the Exotac fireSLEEVE is for a full size Bic. I can fit it in an SAS-size tin but not an altoids. 5iveStarGear.com has the one I used

[@hiddenrhythmsmusiccircles]

I will check into that. I love what you’ve done with the kit and I absolutely love compartmentalizing my gear. Thank you!

[@chriswright8114]

all the videos I've seen and this is the first guy I've seen that knew what 'lighterd' was. Never even heard fatwood until KZbin came along lol. My granddad taught me it was lighterd, and that's what it's always been.

[@fgbrewer24701]

Did you make your "SUPER MATCH" Joshua? and if so will you do a video on how to make please? Thank You

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

There are two or three videos on it here on the channel

[@dannyh9010]

Is that the 9x12” Equinox mesh bag?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I am pretty sure that’s the size, the big one they have

[@dannyh9010]

Thanks!

[@gettingback2primitive228]

good information and good vid

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Thank you for the feedback, and thank you for taking the time to watch! I hope you saw something in there that you could use for your own kit.

[@Azntrutek2012]

Your multi redundant fire kits take up almost half if not entire space of my bug out bag sir. Goshh… way too many murphy laws 😁😁

[@Soneoak]

for all that extra bits and pieces... i'll just replace with another bic lighter, another bic lighter, and another bic lighter. As for accelerant... I'll bring small bottles of methylated spirits, methylated spirits, and methylated spirits. Methylated spirits and a lighter into a pile of kindling is the most reliable and fastest method to start a fire. Each of my kits will be stored in a ziplock bag, that i'll use to collect lots of wet weather tinder materials so I can hold off using too much of the spirits if possible. And i certainly hope i don't stay stuck in a survival situation for long, otherwise I'll learn fire sticks and hearth board with just bits of broken stones like the primitive technology guy, and skip the whole bow drill thing altogether, and learn how to look for good tinder materials first (because even with a ferrocerium rod, if you can't find good tinder... i.e. paper bark, fatwood, etc). I think all these primitive methods of fire starting is meant to be educational/inspirational rather than reliable... ferro rods are very very reliant on low wind conditions, availability of GOOD tinder, and skill of use, which when you're cold, tired, exhausted... you're not going to do very reliably. even worse when you have to go down the bow drill method.

[@hoopoo3721]

You definitely need gloves with that bow drill. It gets really hot 🔥.

[@pita1999]

What, if anything, has changed since you did this video 7 years ago!

[@lesmohr6289]

And you might want to make a pack of wool into because it won't turn into fire because of the contens

[@markescartin1915]

Need to break up the video into smaller more digestible modules so people can catch on! While I'm sure tins are available everywhere including Amazon The best are the ones you find at a yard sale! Sucrets anyone? Also, the brand PELICAN makes some virtually indestructible containers that will seal out dust, dirt and moisture ideal for ammo storage!

[@benekeoutdoors502]

The bic lighter will at least make sparks out of fual

[@sarriola18]

The assumption that flint is readily available is bold

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Depends where you live. I am speaking to where I live since I am the one making the videos. Where I don't have chert I do have quartzite.

[@clivedunning4317]

Acquire a couple of lumps of flint and put one in your kit. I live in a area with no flint, we have lots of granite, but getting a sharp edge on a lump of granite is a real pain in the arse.

[@madscientist4578]

I quit eating Frito's chips when I realized that each chip burns for 2-4 minutes. I take a small bag when I hit the woods.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

You realize that whatever tinder source you light with the corn chip would light with whatever you lit the corn chip with also? Burning the corn chip is an unnecessary step

[@madscientist4578]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Oh yeah. I wasted matches until I got good with a solar lens. I'm going to attempt a tipi smoker after this Nor'ester blows thru

[@jackieeastom8758]

It’s the oil in the chip! Doritos,Cheetos ect burn too

[@g.rodriguez7445]

Works great 'outdoors'....but it would fail the suburbs or an urban environment. If you were at a park could you boil dandelions, callow, stinging nettle, a tree squierrel, duck??? In the Sierras I'd use a pit, less dishes for bears to rummage...but in the city, you need a stove.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I'm not following...you are saying that lighters, matches, solar, and ferro rods don't work in urban or suburban environments? I would also imagine if I was down to foraging and cooking wild edibles in a park that all bets are off and I can start a campfire there as well. Was this comment meant for another video or something? I agree that stoves are handy, but a stove isn't part of a fire kit, it is part of a cooking kit, this video is about a kit specifically for making a fire only.

[@runningman1156]

❤5 a

[@deanndubois3738]

No offence. But i can get supplies cheaper else where. You shouldn't overcharge because your popular. That's not fair to others , who are low income and can't afford your overpriced supplies.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

That is a ridiculous statement to make. I don't overcharge because I am "popular", I wouldn't even consider myself popular. You can get some things cheaper in other places and I have zero issue with that. As a small business, I cannot compete with the prices you can find on things at larger companies or corporations like Amazon that can afford to buy in larger quantities or have it produced directly for them or can afford to take losses on some of their millions of products while making it up in the other million. If I had a monopoly on everything and was the only place you could get supplies and was overcharging, you would have a leg to stand on. That isn't the case. Nothing is unfair about one business charging a price in the pool of thousands of other businesses charging the same, less, or more. It's your choice as a consumer to purchase anywhere you want. That is how a free market works. It is not the duty of my business to meet everyone at their individual income level to be considered "fair".

[@brendonhunt5530]

What tin did you use for ur primitive fire kitchen