One Spark Firestarter ~ DIY Bushcraft Style ~ The BEST!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Good job. Looks like a handy fire starter. I personally am partial to natural local found materials. This method of yours fits that criteria very well for places that have those or similar materials.

[@davidmoulton5422]

Far North Bushcraft And Survival hey lonnie and Connie

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thanks much Lonnie! If there is a way to do it naturally, you'll be much better prepared in the woods- for sure. TC!

[@HaggardOutdoors]

Far North Bushcraft And Survival like you show in your videos, there’s always fire material around the woods. I use the same type tinder on my fires.

[@asianboy8969]

Far North Bushcraft And Survival lol, I came across your channel when searching tents and stoves. I had a question for you that I have not been able to find online and since you were on Alone you would likely know. Were contestants of the show allowed to hunt the bears or cougars, any other animals that were off limits on Vancouver Island? I have never seen anybody try to hunt one on the show.

[@margaretpholmes2570]

Sept 2021 I am about two weeks into your video's. Love watching them. 💖

[@henryhawk7038]

cup of tea 😇☕

[@DFDuck55]

Where I lived in the mountains I had a few 4 foot across, 4 to 5 foot tall, bull pine stumps that had hollowed out for making turpentine 100 or more years ago. The entire thing was some of the nicest fatwood you've ever seen. I would cut slices off the stumps, split into smaller pieces, and eventually down to 6 inch long and about the size of large fireplace match sticks. Then bundle it up and give away as gifts.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Awesome gifts Duck!

[@paulrice1918]

That is so much easier than rubbing two boy scouts together. Since I have the type of trees you needed to make your fire starter I plan to make a batch to carry along in my outdoor adventures pack. It certainly would eliminate the boy scouts complaining.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

nice- and it works great!!

[@QuantumMech_88]

Your most important words - "Be inventive" . It has been said - Necessity is the mother of invention ... which you most perfectly demonstrate . Respect and Thanks for this video .

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

that's the real crux of survival~!

[@Julian-bq9qv]

I so much LOOOOOVE that dog. I know, I repeat myself. But spent about 20 years with animal rescue, and critters still hold the highest place in my heart... bushcraft and camping are still favorite things but since some health issues, I can't really do that any more but still have a house full of rescued fur kids. Great video as always!!!

[@ellenarchambault8526]

Julian 3 hope your health improves. I had a cat (Maine Coon) that went camping with my family when growing up. He followed us everywhere and befriended a young javalena in Big Bend national park.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Hi Julian 3 yeah the fur babies make life wonderful!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Awesome!

[@davekibbey7944]

For every day carry, I have a good ole Bic lighter, but sometimes they run out of gas just from being carried around. So, I also carry a small ferro rod, a P-38 and a wad of cotton in the watch pocket of my blue jeans. I filed a sharp 90 degree edge on the can opener to use for sparking the ferro rod onto the cotton. Not as sparky as your rig, but it is effective and I've used it often. Thanks for getting out there in the cold and snow to do a demo video for us. You're a pretty tough cookie.

[@gosmoothgolight7567]

An awesome, "all natural" alternative to cottonballs soaked with Vaseline! Thanks for sharing, Brooke!

[@shawnteknapstad3379]

The cottonball+Vaseline combo has been my go-to for years. So easy and lightweight not to mention resistant to moisture. But I love this idea 💡 Definitely have everything you need right outside your door in the PNW where I'm at. Plus Cedar smells so delicious. I will probably always keep my backup tin of cotton balls but I may see about making some of these natural ones too. I imagine they would be fairly water resistant as well if you coat them heavily enough with the pitch. Anyone who has ever gotten pitch can attest to its power to resist soap and water. 🤪

[@DJ-vb9wi]

You've taught so many of us so many cool things! Thanks Girl in the Woods!

[@sarahwood8713]

i dont get to be outside much, so i love watching your vids they make me feel like im experiencing it thank you x

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thanks Sarah glad you enjoy!

[@Sarahofthewoods]

Though it isn't bushcraft per se, I shred my junk mail and put handfuls of it in silicone muffin pans I thrifted. Then I pour salvaged wax from candles that burned unevenly over the paper shreds and stick in the dried evergreens from our Christmas tree and wreaths along with small dried pine cones. The wax binds the mix into a wild little puck of flammable goodness. Lighting a protruding piece gives me about 30 minutes of constant flame to build a fire around, even in wind and light rain.

[@cadillacdrone7709]

You & Dave do such a great job. Love both your videos!!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thanks Cadillac Drone!

[@davidmoulton5422]

A little piece of Canada always keeping you warm

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Oh Canada!!

[@janetwithers7427]

Are you playing with fire? Ha ha. Great demonstration. Easier than I would have guessed. 😺💞

[@davidworthen6104]

Last weekend I made my first fire, using the pitch, Cedar bark and ferro rod method. I found all the materials in the woods that day. It worked amazingly well. Girl in the Woods, speaks the truth.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Awesome David!

[@gregpenny4384]

Great video, many years ago more than 25 years my wife and I were kayaking along the west coast of Vancouver Island after days of rain and dampness are lighters would not work it was a big hassle to get fires going, when I got back from that trip I found my first fire steel, now I never leave on any trip with out at least 3, one on a lanyard and my fire kit. live and learn, never stop learning it will save your life. keep up the great work teaching!

[@stevecallaway8457]

I used to break up pine tree stumps in SE and E Texas and make “sticks of heart of pine” for fire starting. . Still have some of them. Yep works!

[@ekaymartin]

Such a beautiful fur baby! She just wants to keep going momma. Lol. Thanks for all the info. ..love love watching your videos! Yay Brooke!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

yes-thanks ellen!

[@psyamok3735]

This lady has some serious surviving skills!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thank you

[@pattiallen7284]

this is super helfpful! Love that you have the best dog breed in the world!

[@cjc9088]

Girl...you are something alright! One smart cookie fo sho!! I learn so much from you. Thank you for sharing it all with us. Cate

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks cate!

[@marcdaigle7701]

Hi...we all know Brooke, that the spark in your eye will start a fire much faster than your secret fire starter !!! Great video !!!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

LOL thanks much!

[@6426Dave]

My dog Buddy would get mad when the hike was interrupted. I think it is universal in dogs that get to hike a lot.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

totally

[@DonnaConrady]

I've used this before . . . it smells heavenly. Thanks for the video Brooke. Take Care, Donna

[@danhooper1056]

Thanks Brook. Stay 😊

[@NewtonWashinton]

Girl in the Woods, Thanks! looks like a great combination to start a fire in the woods. and yes i use those Altoids box's for everything.

[@brunomoreira5014]

Newton Washinton too bad we don't have this Altoid box in my country :(

[@sueachord9661]

I love watching her I’m all the way down in texas

[@shelbyarmit6027]

That's quite interesting. (Starting fire). The marrow of a tree.

[@farnorthpicker56]

Enjoyed this video. Growing up Dad always carried some pitch and a little coffee can to patch canoes/boats etc. Works great. Great fire starter. I love dry old mans beard too!

[@ArthurBaker]

All your videos are awesome. Watching a fire can tell you a lot of things.

[@lisabarrios8235]

Hi, Brooke, This is my first time that I see this video, out of so many Ive seen of yours. well I was showing my husband, and he recognized the pitch, how you call it, and he is from Guatemala, he calls it ocote, translated in english means, torch. The tree, if you cut small thin strips of the wood, will also light up quik. The Mayas used that wood for the rituals, the smoke. How interesting!

[@davidpeterson7726]

My favorite fire starter is Brooke.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

lol

[@markwallingford3252]

WOW very well done and the flame seems to last quite awhile to light other tinder .... Great video thanks for sharing ..... Mark ....

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks Mark

[@jenniferw5095]

Thank you Brooke

[@stuartrogers621]

Nice one Brooke it’s great learning your secrets!

[@Seamus3051]

Thanks Brooke. Always enjoy your VLOG's... Be well and stay safe....Cheers.

[@andreapecoraro6972]

Good new video, with excellent explanation. I also see some snow and humidity. Great trick! Hello from Italy.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Hi Italy!

[@rcg5317]

Great starter. Do you ever carry a table spoon for use around camp? You can melt stuff in that and pour over the bark fibres. It is also good for light digging, carving, and gutting. You clean it by putting it in the fire then plunging into water.

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

we need two things to stay alive water and fire , thanks for the vid !

[@susanstoltz2555]

Really like your fire starter better than mine and I have all the things I need in my woods to make it. Why didn’t I ever think of it?! I’ve been using wood shavings, pine cones and stuff that I put in paper egg cartons and fill with melted paraffin. Not the same as when you’re out in Vancouver Island. You gotta do it in the wilds instead of bringing it from the house! I’m going to try your method. Love the use of the shells!

[@callienash1798]

Sunday June 21, 2020 Hey Brooke! Callie in the house, Awesomeness! That was truly amazing! By the way, my daughter and son-in-law just love their ferrer rods! They truly thought they were amazing! They're outdoorsy people, such as yourself Brooke. Thanks for sharing your fire start a secret with us! That's what makes you the best on KZbin, is that you have the biggest heart! With much love and affection, Your fan and friend, Callie from Apple Valley California 🍎

[@assistantscoutmastercole9903]

My go to has been dryer lint with petroliem jelly. Same idea but I bet the pitch mix dries better, so it is a little less messy. I gotta try this!

[@sciencewithmrc]

Thanks Brook, i recently had collected a bunch of pitch and working on a way to get to light easier, you just saved me a lot of time. I was going to mix it with some jute twine.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

awesome good luck

[@medtech1a]

Rosie loves to explore to and hates stopping but I give her a little treat and she settles down.

[@sharonpeterson896]

Most of the contestants on Survivor have a very difficult time starting a fire, even with a flint! You could train them , Brooke!

[@GEOPUZZLE]

"She gone"...for now but I can't wait till She's back! Thanks for you vids.

[@debjohansen7867]

Can’t wait to make me some fire starter using your recipe. You sharing your knowledge inspires me, thank you!

[@crearley]

That was a Pitch perfect video. Thanks for the share.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

lol

[@HaggardOutdoors]

Loved you guys on Alone, I use the same tinder and I’m from Ohio.

[@kitrhodes6963]

I started my bushcraft shelter, more close to my home in some woods that hunting isn't allowed, has a stream down the hill top a block or so to carry water up. Lots of pine , maples, cedar , oak ect.. looking forward to crafts like that to start my fire. Thanks for the training girlfriend!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

awesome go girl!

[@kitrhodes6963]

Girl in the Woods thanks! I will send a photo if I figure out how!lol

[@yveskc1]

Cool! My favourite fire starter is a drop of balsam fir resin on top of a piece of birch bark. I did used cedar bark as well but it is not the most common resource in my area. Best regards -Yves

[@underthecarolinasky2363]

For us who love the outdoors -just watching a fire start is way cool! lol. Loved the video!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

totally!

[@gladysmassey4520]

You can also use a small onion bag, or a potato bag for the web bag.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Yep good idea

[@The.Alabama.Woodsman]

Beautiful pup! I have very little Birch in the deep south so I have to find other bark to use or make sure I go prepared with redundant methods of delivering the flame. NICE JOB!

[@guns4funcajanajustin]

Nice one spark and a huge flame. Nice DIY pitch work miracles

[@robinblack9598]

Awesome video. Really like your show. Thanks for all the tips.

[@grant7431]

Thanks again for sharing your skills & knowledge 😊

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thanks Grant!

[@bgurtek]

This is great info, Brooke. Being in the Northwoods, like you, this is a technique my family can use. When possible, it may be helpful to strain the pitch through a sieve to extract only the resin. Pure resin might work even better. That's what Dustin at Bushcraft Tools does.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

yes but you won't have a strainer in the woods

[@bgurtek]

@@therealgirlinthewoods Correct. Dustin brings one in the woods when he specifically is going to make pitch. (His dog is Amber.)

[@Waldhandwerk]

Now that's a ferro rod 😎 Great firestarter and video. TC

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thank you Sepp! Cheers

[@KCSmith1]

That was cool. I will be putting that in my bonnet!

[@sueachord9661]

Love it and when I come across some pitch I’ll be sure to try it

[@alanwilliams5836]

Thanks for showing us how you did it Brooke. It worked for you... and it worked well. That is testament! I always pack an old can in my kit when I go out. I use it to melt pitch down well (pretty much to a liquid state), then add in the broken down cedar. It's a lot easier to do in a can. (I've never found a shell that big here in Michigan, but there are plenty of discarded cans to find) LOL! As well, I have found that the inner bark of a Cottonwood provides a very fibrous alternative to cedar. I learned that from Creek Stewart a couple of years ago., and have used it. I don't know if you have tried that before or not. But pitch is an absolute blessing. The way I really look at pitch is that it is nature's Vaseline on the cotton ball, if you know what I mean. Thanks for all the videos Brooke and Dave... awesome!!!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Cottonwood is AWESOME! We'd find BIG giant wads of it on the beaches of the Yukon River in Alaska- just waiting to be used as firestarter! Makes great bow drills too...

[@redcanoe14]

Hey Brooke, nice video. My philosophy is to learn about the many things nature provides that can be utilized as tinder and kindling, learn about the different ecologies you may be venturing into and what materials they have available. Where I am it is predominantly Paper Bark Birch, Aspen, Spruce and Balsam (Noble) Fir, if I am lucky I may find Cedar and Cottonwood. Dried fibrous inner bark of Aspen is not bad, Balsam Fir resin is excellent, fat-wood shavings off spruce stumps, wild Clematis 'fluffy seeds' (seasonally), Cottonwood seeds (seasonally). Thanks again, WS

[@levidaisyyoung220]

I cant wait to try and make this for myself to keep and use.. amazing.. thanks Brooke now to find some sap. (we call it sap in Australia and not pitch, which is the same but different names. 👍👍👍

[@usernick8928]

I like to find pitch that hasn't dried out yet, easier to work with. Probably easier with fir trees than pine to find. Nice to see someone using something other than Birch bark for once, especially to someone like me who doesn't have much access to Birch.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks NicksNWadventures

[@keithharoldsen1141]

Very informative. Thank you so much.

[@TheGrayManOG]

Fatwood and birch bark are two of my favorite fire starting materials. I like the way you did it. Nice video

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

thanks me too

[@michaelfunk5951]

Great video. Thanks for the fire starter mix idea.

[@kenstrampe7609]

that was easy enough, thanks. think ill get out there and make me some.

[@chevyvantravel9735]

me too ...i was thinking about where i was going to store it lol.

[@rebeccalitterell8396]

You are just the coolest ❤️

[@Casey1pj]

I'm going to have to try the cedar bark shredding trick Book. Awesome technique. Thanks!

[@captnjax911]

Awesome job.

[@charliewebb9173]

We have lots of pines up here in Idaho. I collect a bunch of fat wood. One spark wonder.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

indeed!

[@genefoster9770]

thank you for that Ive used both but never put them together like that cant wait to try it thank you see you on the next one

[@kellym6019]

As always, in highly impressed with you skills. Thank you!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thanks Kelly!

[@Ubette-th7kw]

Another awesome video Brook!

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

What a beautiful area and great content! This is our first time here! We spend our time in our parks and public lands in the U.S. Daisy is impatient. So adorable! Great fire starter! Thanks for sharing! We will check out more!

[@SpiritForest]

Very nice.. Wish we had birch bark, that stuff is awesome.

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

No birch bark there T??? Wow

[@artzreal]

ask some friend or prepper in another state or county to send you a pile to store.

[@jamesnapier107]

Brooke! That is an awesome mix you have. It really just took one spark! I use good ole Southern Kentucky fat wood harvested close to home. I haven't tried using the pitch with it. My do a little experimenting myself. Something I see in our mountains are a lot of turtle shells which can stand some heat but I've never tried to boil with them. Cool cool video, keep smiling...

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Yah fatwood is great too and a turtle shell would work perfect!

[@cksoutdoorsathilltopacresf1569]

I have 3 spruce trees and 1 cedar tree in my little bushcraft camp by my house, so I guess I am going to have to make some of your "One Spark Firestarter"!! With our outdoor wood-fired boiler being mighty cantankerous this winter, I have gotten really good at fire starting, but little "fire bombs" like you made would be a good thing to have on hand!! Thanks! ~Kitty

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Awesome Kitty good luck!

[@MrRealdealdd]

Brooke your bonkers but a genius too. Keep up the great work 😁

[@GaerHampton]

I need to make some of this sometime. I often use cedar bark for tender, but I've never added pitch to it. This past summer, out on a hike in Colorado, I was on the lookout for some good fatwood, and/or pitch. Not really finding any, my wife and I sat down on a large fallen pine tree. After a few minutes she noticed something about the tree we were sitting on and drew it to my attention.....a large amount of the bark was absolutely soaked in pitch! We harvested a bunch of it to take with us. She also spotted some great wild raspberries just off the trail that day. I guess that I know who I need to take with me on hikes to find useful resources!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

that's great!

[@ianrichardson3968]

I'm your typical bloke........can't beat a blowtorch.......Kidding..but then again...Hmmmnnnn...I have seen this one before and it works brilliantly, so long as you have plenty of cedar trees about the place. If you have and you ain't tried it...love the channel by the way...give doggy a kiss for me..

[@brianspencer4220]

Hey Brooke: Good job with a fairly simple approach. I cheat & use a match. Only use my friend sparky as a back up. Thanks very much Brian 77

[@larry323]

Not much cedar or birch trees in northern Indiana Brooke. I will need to play around with it and see what I can come up with.. Thanks for the great information. Larry

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Try pine pitch mixed with lint maybe- or cotton balls.... Pull apart some cotton balls so the fibers are very loose and melt your pine pitch and mix in- will be just as effective. Thanks Larry

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Or try this... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYKYdmCfgtl6jqc

[@georgettewood8894]

The ( champion ) of champion .

[@kjonesy4142]

Great snowy day, thanks for the lesson!!⛺👍

[@markw.mullins2208]

Heres a little tip. Take your pitch, and mix it with a little turpentine, store bought or lumber and supply company. Since they are the same thing, the turpentine breaks down the pitch into a more soft, and more easy to use product, then mix either cedar fibers, or even finely chopped or crushed pine bark with the mix. The turpentine also helps the pitch absorbed more easily into the fibers. Works great. Try it and see.. if you don't want to try it, just delete this comment. That way, you dont have to heat it, just mix the fibers with the pitch, turpentine solution, and boom.. instant fire starter just like you got. Great channel.

[@barbarabell1171]

That is so cool,!!!! I have lots of pine, but no cedar😢

[@aaronnelson1099]

Skills that Pay the Bills!! Keep your feathers fluffy B!

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Nice Aaron!

[@lesleyzimmerman5114]

Thanks for teaching us. I love seeing your interaction with the beautiful dog. She is beautiful. I use dryer lint with melted wax. The flames are not as big as your. I will definitely make some for my next fire adventure. Thank you and Happy trails

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

awesome thanks lesley!

[@waynenorton-se9vs]

very good i tried it and it work grate

[@joysheets2412]

Wow, I learn something new from you all the time! Love watching your videos 👍

[@Paulbeck]

Thank you so much, Brook. Great videos!!

[@tjtran1987]

Definitely going to try this. I use birch bark all the time and cedar bark if it's available. Great tip thanks

[@Headwind-sw9eh]

Awesome, as always, Brooke!

[@cherylstokes4000]

I'VE USED A PINE CONE IN A BIRD'S NEST OF TWINE OR WHATEVER'S AVAILABLE SIMILAR (LIKE YOUR CEDAR). THANKS FOR NEW IDEAS. i CAMP WITH MY GSD CAMPING BUDDY NOVA.

[@NickolasGreenOutdoors]

Nice Job

[@NickolasGreenOutdoors]

i really wanted you to win alone but you put up a great show, :)

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thanks Nickolas! Your channel is killin it! Great job buddy!

[@lostcreek163]

Thanks again for good tips

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

Thank you for watching!