How to Make Charred Natural Tinder in the Field

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Different microphone setup, can't say I am happy with it at all in this video but thats how it goes some times. I will continue to try and better the quality of the video and audio, but I am also a better woodsman than a videographer, editor, and audio technician and I am okay with that! Thanks for watching! Make sure you subscribe and click that notification bell!

[@somebodyelse50]

Love your videos man.... from Canada

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

@@somebodyelse50 awesome! I was beginning to wonder if anyone from Canada was watching! I got quite a bit of hate from up North there for some reason. Glad to have you with us.

[@somebodyelse50]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret screw the haters (probably from eastern Canada and they're a bunch of pussies) your videos are great, I appreciate them very much.

[@impermanenthuman8427]

Can you make char in titanium bottles/canteens with their nesting cups too? Or does the Titanium warp? I’ve got a Keith/Heavy Cover titanium bottle as my edc bottle which is .5ml thick which is thicker than many titanium bottles/cups but don’t want to wreck it experimenting with it dry in a fire, only other con with the Keith/HC bottle and charring is the narrow mouth, but it’s just so comfortable and light for an edc bottle so it’s the one I’ll always have on me I also have a Titanium Vargo which is a full 2ml thick which I struggle to see warping as it’s so damn strong but that stays at home until I go bush

[@impermanenthuman8427]

Saluting you from Australia btw

[@FT4Freedom]

Great video. My favorite fire kit is a 1 liter watertight nalgene bottle with 20 bic lighters stored inside. One thing we learn here in constantly wet tropical environments is that everything is wet all the time. In the right situation a lighter is also a valuable trade item.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Good solid advice.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Thanks, Lonnie! I appreciate you stopping in again, sir!

[@NicholasTyrrell77]

Hey Lonnie! How you doing!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

@@NicholasTyrrell77 Doing very well my friend. Hope you are as well.

[@brent8994]

Keeping to the basics, and you explain at the right level where us dummies can understand thanks . Well done

[@rhondadills8275]

Plain dry good punkwood works great for ferro as well as solar. You can also thouroughly inpregnate raw denim or cotton with sifted ashes. I mean REALLY get it in the cloth deep. Now char the edge and you can use Flint and Steel or ferro...and not have to completely char ALL THE CLOTH up at once. The raw cotton will continue to smoulder. Dip a long cotton rope in wax or lamp wick and use a piece of metal tubing etc around the rope or a simple piece of thin sheet metal. Slide it up and down as a flame snuffer. Instant LONG waterproof flame extender. Char the ends for Sparks😀 great video

[@houstonsam6163]

Josh your videos are great. Your narration provides clear reasons and context, you editing gives us maximum information for the time spent viewing. Thanks so much for the work you put into teaching us, and for your service protecting our country.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Thanks, Sam! Wish the audio came out better on this one but its a work in progress. Thanks for fighting through it

[@houstonsam6163]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Not at all, every word was completely clear. Really appreciate the insight you share, for example the difference between a char chamber with a screw cap and one without. Wish I could take a course from you, maybe one day life's obligations will abate and I'll be able to. All the best to you and yours.

[@oabouhatsira4901]

Informative and to the point video. I like your videos as they are always a prefect use of the viewing time without too much talking. The sound gave it more of survival atmosphere 😂

[@thomasleebrown3136]

Thank You GBGB; it's very good information !

[@fifthof9501]

Thank you very much for the lesson. I appreciate all the information you and guys like Dave give us. Invaluable. It amazes me how fast you got that spark on the smaller tin. I literally said "wow" out loud.

[@sol3427]

Finally! Yes the clue is in the word ‘char’. Good one as usual buddy. Keep them coming.

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

That was a great video sir!!! Thanks for opening our mind's to other ideas!!! Blessings to you and your family 😇 🇺🇸

[@twistnshout3031]

One smart dude! Great lessons and videos.

[@jamesgarland4990]

Thank you for both videos! Awesome!

[@treerat6959]

Good video can't say I like the microphone quality but oh well right it is what it is and we work with what gear we have. I watched a video on another Utube channel and he made charred natural material without a canister pretty interesting as I like variety.

[@timroseberry9079]

Awesome man..that bark went up fast

[@cousineddie8949]

Important part of my fire kit is an Altoids box.

[@michaelcarter8209]

Outstanding

[@ericcapell3455]

Thanks for another informative video. I was hoping you would do a video on natural char materials. Thanks.

[@BushCraftBums]

Great idea and display of skills man, keep on rockin.

[@KilldeerSurvival]

Thanks for your videos, there awesome. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

[@jakerushell5520]

Awesome instructional videos, really enjoy your channel thank you for the hard work

[@thomasgarza-hazel7803]

Good deal josh! Thank you for your help! Keep up the good work!!!

[@thomasnugent7602]

Very good ideas. Thank you very much

[@johnswift500]

Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@hillbillynick2000]

Outstanding!

[@MichaelR58]

Joshua, thanks for sharing !

[@jamesmurphy8014]

Excellent video and technique!!!!

[@ldtexas1648]

Gonna hafta try that too now! 🤔 Keepum coming!👍

[@vince4578]

Works flawless...

[@sosteve9113]

nice demostration

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

The FIRST thing I do after I build a fire is to secure charred material from the pit and to protect it. You never know when you're going to lose your fire starting implements and where one's knife (carbon steel of course) can be used to ignite it with a spark. #NextFireMentality

[@michiganexplorer7945]

Thanks! Great video!!

[@JuanGonzalez-eo1es]

Great video!!!

[@duxdawg]

Many ways to make char without a metal container, or even without a container of any kind. If the char is fragile or sooty, you over charred it. May still work, but it's not as optimal as you could have done. All plants and fungi can be charred then used with ferro or solar. Many plants and fungi can be charred then used with F&S. There are many nuances to punkwoods. Some work much better than others.

[@mistastabs5840]

Very nice thank you...

[@86hj49gt]

Thank you for explaining this and showing each step including proving the char by lightning it. How do you clean out that steel bottle? It looks like it will be a chore. Also, is there a heat range to make char but not destroy the case? How do you judge hot enough / too hot? Love your channel, it picks up where the Scouts left off.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I don’t clean out the steel bottle, there is very little residue left inside and what is left is usually nothing more than some dry carbon powder. I just throw it in the fire and let it go, I have never really gauged the temperature. Covered in fire for about 10-15 minutes does the trick, longer if the material was wet going in and of the container isn’t completely covered. I have never seen a stainless steel container damaged by charring

[@pistolpetepeterson]

Very nice, i love how that charred bark just took off like no ones business. Whats a good rule of thumb for for cook time on natural tinder? I know you said a few min in a hot fire but the video was time lapsed and id guess close to 20 or 30 min to burn down all those larger chunks.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

When charring in the field I just throw it on and let it burn down since you can't burn it and I don't need it right away since I already have a fire. I would estimate at least 10 minutes of good heat if you are trying to make it on the fly.

[@rawtothecore61]

well that answers that question

[@thomasjanos2030]

That is very useful

[@bradfrancis9473]

Great video! Thanks I have never used the bottle and cup method. I have always thought that the process would make the bottle a mess that would be hard to clean thus rendering it less desirable to hold water since it may leave the water with smoke flavors. First is that true? My idea was to turn the bottle around put material to be charred in the cup, then insert the bottom of the bottle. This way it spares the bottle (at least you don’t have to clean the inside). Cleaning the cup needs to be done with either method. I would love to here what all of you think about this.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

In truth, I primarily boil my water to disinfect it, and while its cooling I like to drop a few coals from the fire along with a handful of white pine needles into the water. The cooling process takes 30-45 minutes usually. The charcoal adsorbs odor and taste, and the white pine needles add vitamins and give it a great flavor. I have never actually washed my water container, and likely never will since every time I boil in it I am disinfecting it. The outside of my bottles and cups are blackened from use in the fire, and the inside has always been fairly clean. The residue from charring in the containers is a very fine, very dry charcoal powder that I have never even noticed. What it sounds like you are describing, placing the material to be charred in your cup and using the bottom of the bottle as sort of a "lid" will absolutely work also.

[@bradfrancis9473]

Thank you. Your comment about the powder answers my concern. The tips about coals and pine needles is great. Thanks again.

[@kidbach]

Excellent tips as usual, J. Have you ever tried to char bamboo or balsa wood? Thanks for sharing.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I haven't charred bamboo or balsa, but have no reason to doubt that it would work. I charred coconut husks once and it worked fantastic. Shredding the bamboo I imagine would work the same as that, and blast is light enough that I would imagine it would char much like punk wood

[@legendarygamer4008]

Just subscribed cool channel I have learned a lot from these videos

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Welcome!

[@johneckert1690]

Joshua, I told you I planned to be active on your channel and I watched the Improvised Speedhook Passive Fish Trap video from the Florida Coastal Wetlands (VERY COOL). - On Making Charred Natural Tinder. I bet 8 out of 10 times a person can find unburned charred wood from the fire. They should collect it, TEST IT, and if it good keep it. I test every batch of charcloth, Charred Natural Tinder, and Rub Cloth I make, That reminds me, I need to get some more black powder. QUESTION, What brand and grade of black powder do you favor and are you going do and videos on Rub Cloth. I think only us old timers (I'm 61 tears young) know about Rub Cloth. HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD AND SAFE THANKSGIVING.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Rub Cloth is the good stuff! I hope to make some videos on it in the future. I want to make some homemade black powder to do it with (hopefully Big Brother doesn't read that) but haven't gotten around to that yet.

[@jamesedwards1588]

Nice

[@RobertsBulgaria]

Glad that is wasn't just my ears!! Yes, it is difficult judging when to use external microphones and when to rely on the camera's microphones themselves. Just had it set too loud is my guess as you have a very clear presentation voice and it is coggled like playing music too loud on cheap stereo system. Anyway, the sound does not distract from the content which is good and useful, just disappointed that you didn't char the Cattails as those are my main source of tinder where I am located in Bulgaria and it doesn't always work if they're slightly damp or not at the stage where they're opening up to seed. However, I had never thought of charring them before. Your Cattails on your Shemagh seemed to have lost or you had removed their fluffy seeds? When opening a few of these Cattails/Bushrushes at the right time of year, I can make Greek Fire, it is really a very ferocious explosive flame from a spark and will ignite most prepared combustibles. Thanks for the Upload.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Yeah, if I had a couple more containers I would have charred the fungus and the cattails. My main goal was to show the process for charring and give broad examples of what could be charred. My hope is that folks will actually take those examples and the how to portion and go out and start charring everything they see to learn for themselves what works in their area.

[@cterrell1343]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret here in Scotland we have Bullrushes... probably the same as Cattails, plus lots of the thin green reeds you referred to with that foamy pith. I'll give that a try. Good to have another use for my worn-out denim trousers too! I may try sheep's wool too, you find that here a lot when the sheep on the mountains are casting off old coats . Lichens on branches could work too... thanks for the ideas.

[@MonkeyDaddy]

Hi Josh. Just found you, loved your stuff, and subscribed immediately. With regard to this particular video I had one question: after you've used your canteen and cup to make char material, how do you clean the hydrocarbon residue (soot) out of them so you can use them for food/water again? Or do you just ignore it and drink out of it anyway?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I just ignore it and drink it anyway. It is only a trace and not worth worrying about.

[@GreencampRhodie]

Helpful. Thank you. If you use your cup / bottle to char, does it affect water / taste when used later?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Not to me, it doesn't. I routinely use charcoal in my water as it cools after I boil it to disinfect. It takes the odor/flavor out of it. I have never noticed a foul taste

[@marvinbrock960]

I love that blade shape.. I know it’s a Kephart but it’s much thicker.. Do you know of anyone making something similar in a quality high carbon?

[@craigjenson2878]

retirement in Thailand ..... putting together a bugout plan .... looking for tinder char material ideas in the jungle on the way to the Mekong delta .... wonder if I will find punk bamboo or tropical fatwood?

[@davef5916]

Josh, is it just the gases that are harmful or do you need to be careful cleaning your bottle thoroughly after making char with it?

[@ThePearfish]

Do you have to store charred material in an airtight container in the field to protect against moisture? Or is it ok to store in the tin with the hole in or a canvas bag?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

It can pull moisture from the air over time so it should be protected as best you can. If it gets damp just cook it again

[@blainebarringer2356]

#trollpatrol good video. Amazing how simple and effective.

[@edwardstagner1021]

X Question wouldn’t you put the material that you’re going to char in the cup and the water bottle bottom on top of it so you didn’t have to clean out the water bottle or is there too much of an air gap maybe .just wondered great Channel

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

That would probably also work. I don't clean char out of the inside of the bottle, its a fine powder and very little is left inside.

[@cterrell1343]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret thanks that's answered the question I had. I guess as it's mostly carbon the worst it'll do is make your coffee taste a little over-roasted! Really helpful videos, thank you.

[@bombproofbushcraft]

hey Joshua, Great video with great content. As a content provider, I was going to ask what was up with the audio, but I see you are already aware of the issue...lol. Good thing is it didn't interfere with conveying the information at all. Thanks for the great info, another fantastic video. Hoping you can show us the plants that will take a cold spark without charring. Take care!!

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Wireless microphone settings are apparently off or the normalize feature in iMovie really jacked it up, either way I couldn't get it fixed. I think I will do a flint and steel video on this next, and then get into uncharred natural tinders that can be used. I have such a long list of videos to do its crazy.

[@bombproofbushcraft]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret I have a list of about 100 different things and I add to it all the time. Some of the videos I want to do I have to practice at first. I hate seeing people do something the first time and trying to explain it on camera. I hope you get the audio figured out, I wish I could help, but I've never used a remote mic yet. With that being said, it just sounded distorted like the levels were hitting the "red" the whole time. Not sure if that is because the mic is close to you, and the setting needs dialed back, or if it is in IMOVIE and it needs the audio level set down a touch. Keep making these great vids and I'll keep on watching!

[@dojacatslays]

Did you call that a cracked capped polypore? I thought it was horse hoof fungus. They look alot alike and I've found some on dead black walnut and quaking aspen trees. I removed the outer husk with a rasp on a dremel,, boiled in walnut,birch,Osage orange and cherry ashes. Let that dry then get the dremel back out and catch all the powder in a bag. Very easy to ignite. Didn't think about charring it. Hmmm... I must try that!

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Yes, they look similar but cracked cap doesn’t have the same thicker trauma layer used for amadou and it has a different pore structure

[@wenzelilustre9128]

How do you get the char residue out of your bottle? I did this with one of my nesting cups since i forgot my char-tin and I can't get the black soot like residue out from the inside.

[@JFoxC]

Does fat wood make good charred material?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

It doesn't. If you attempt to char fatwood you will actually make pine tar.

[@JFoxC]

The Gray Bearded Green Beret Good to know. Thank you sir.

[@denniscasey986]

pure f_ _ ken magic.

[@robertw1081]

Was that a C130 that went by ?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Actually it was a couple of V-22 Ospreys, loud buggers

[@ianguagliardo4906]

What knife are you carrying?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Custom oversized Kephart that I made at the Pathfinder Blacksmithing II class

[@eddiemason4316]

The idea of using the stainless bottle in a cup as a char tin in a survival situation would suffice. Maybe leave lid off and place bottom of bottle in cup but shew that gassy char smell and taste would take forever to get rid of.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

It won’t always suffice; if that is the only water you have you aren’t going to dump it to make char. More methods of making it are better than less.

[@eddiemason4316]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret indeed, the struggle betwixt fire and water is a infanit one. From one fellow woodsman to another, you put alotta subtle knoldge in your vids that are easy to absorbe, they teach without teaching.

[@timwaldroup9654]

I'm sure its useful but do you think its vital knowledge.? Seems like pre made fire starters would be more efficient.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Premade fire starters cost money, for starters. You can only carry so many, and once they are out you are down to making it happen off the landscape anyway. I have also yet to find a premade fire starter that is as versatile. Charred natural tinder will easily ignite with open flame, Ferro, flint and steel, and solar, and I don’t have to go to the store to renew it, it can be made on the spot. The biggest value to this is that I can use my first fire to make the rest of my fires easier. I may have had to use a bow drill or hand drill to get the first one going, after that I can use this char and a rock that sparks I can find on the ground and get it going with the back of my knife or a piece of scrap steel that I can also unfortunately find in the woods. I think it’s vital for me and for many others, yes.

[@primitiveprepper951]

I found out in the picture wich one you are. Your the one named josh

[@arty4u]

sound is horrible, maybe try another mic ?

[@davidstalter6006]

Horrible audio bro 😢

[@tikkidaddy]

Don't get ashes all over your jeans and let a bunch of sparks hit them either😂