Survival Fire: How to Use a Ferrocerium Rod

[@MistyHaven]

not only is this informative, shows you the wrong ways (super helpful to know why it's wrong), then a super efficient way that has unforgettable results, but it's pure comedic gold.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

😂 you always have to have a little comedy

[@thegreendank1]

I grossly underestimated how hard it would be to start a fire with a Ferro rod my first time. I got some dried leaves, some dry grass, even had some white birch bark but I just couldn't get it going, going to do some serious practice. Needless to say I ate a can of cold soup today while fishing lol.

[@praingmantis1]

On the contrary in my experience, I kind of cheated. I got some cotton balls soaked with petroleum jelly and my second strike in my entire life lit the tinder and I had a nice fire. Today I tried some shredded bark and I got a nice fire after 3 strikes. I used to buy 'Firsestarters' that seems the quality has dropped off. I got a ferro rod 4 days ago and I love it. I'm very new to this technique and I'm practicing. I ain't wasting my money on that garbage in the stores. Ferro rod and natural tinder for me from now on.

[@James-xk8dy]

Char cloth is easy to make and an essential companion of a ferro rod. Otherwise yeah it's damn near impossible

[@garys_shave]

"nothing screams rescue me like that little whistle" love the sense of humour.

[@bigd3612]

I was crying after the "hotter than hells door hinges" the knowledge and the one liners is why everyone is here. Keep up the great vids

[@jmeintz9403]

You're so damn calm in all your videos, if anyone was hunting me they could just listen for all my cussing when things don't work right. in my defense, I am a sailor so, I believe I'm allowed a great deal of profanity. Thanks for all the great instruction.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

j Meintz thanks! I have been told many times that I am a laid back dude.

[@rocket_goblin7755]

ship mate! same... "why wont this damn thing... GRR.. FUCK"

[@djzrobzombie2813]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Nice under armour shirt you .. you have be worn it before it was even hip and cool now a days 👌😎🤙 dude ! And i agree with you black is not a good color in the summer even for shorts 🤣👌🤙

[@jeffsmith6441]

The ferro rod is my favorite way to start a fire. I've only been using one for about a year so I'm always learning new ways to use them. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@pjanoo6973]

It is very addicting, lighters are just too easy and or unreliable

[@smsgtbulldog]

Again, I have learned something from you, one-liners, and Ferro rod techniques.

[@tannera3963]

"hotter than 2 frisky minks in a wool sock in a forest fire" Gonna steal that. I live in Alabama and humid summer days get rough lol

[@Kleiner_Lutz]

I'm currently trying to learn how to build a fire without a lighter, using knife and ferro rod. Today I failed and gave up, used a match. I've just learned that i'm using "spray&pray" 🙈 it always seems so easy when watching someone do it on a video. I'm gonna try out your tips tomorrow, hope it'll go better

[@Kleiner_Lutz]

Oh and by the way: it worked 😁 using the tips from this video I was finally able to get a fire going using only a bit of birch bark, my knife and a ferro rod 😁 I felt so proud lol. I'm gonna practice some more to be more secure with this, but I feel I have finally understood the basics

[@darkh2o716]

Nice technique using the ferro rods.

[@TheLesmarshall]

What a profoundly helpful and informative sharing of survival techniques - thank you for your contribution

[@rockinglock]

" Hotter than hells door hinges " I'll have to remember that one lol

[@RF-ub4qf]

I spat my water 😂

[@Beastro777]

So simple a technique, with so much benefit, keeping the ferro still and moving the striker. Great info

[@markusschaffer9712]

Joshua,you manage to stay so calm during these videos. Must be a pretty laid back guy! I'm starting to appreciate using a ferro rod for starting most fires. Carry on!

[@wranglerman1205]

A lot of info for relatively short video. And the Hells door hinges comment had me laughing for days. I’m glad I found your channel.

[@andrewiglinski148]

haha You have the most country idioms I've ever heard and I love it.

[@thomasnugent3836]

Josh, Very good. Thank you very much

[@jyoung5594]

It’s hotter than 2 frisky minks in a wool sock in a forest fire. Now that’s funny stuff. I needed a good laugh today and that did it. Great info too, thanks.

[@TheGingercontent]

Thanks this helps a lot

[@jyeldarb]

useful info and loved this guys humor...

[@larryhewgley4678]

Good video!

[@chiefkirk]

Great job Josh. A lesson I learned many years ago, I'm older than you, is never wear a black shirt in the summer unless it's raining. LOL. They actually draw heat. Great demo on the ferro rods brother.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Thats for sure! I learned it when I was younger, but normally I am up in the Adirondacks and the black shirt draws the heat in and makes the cooler temps a bit more comfortable. Wasn't thinking about that in NC heat. First and last time I forgot that one here

[@chiefkirk]

I totally understand. I live in Central NC and only wear black during late fall and winter. ;)

[@moriel-bareli]

Hey, why does my fera rod become full of “skid marks” and grooves when I do this a few times with l the spine of my knife?

[@doctorcropse2795]

It's normal

[@padfootgold9206]

I wish I watched this before I just tried to use mine for 39 minutes, I think my Tinder was crap too but still. Good video,

[@752brickie]

Great video. They really area needs amazing tool to have!

[@GtJrGrowsItAlaska]

Thank you for this information. 👍🏾

[@arnaud1908]

Thank you somuch for sharing all these informations and skills ! So useful.

[@valentinocosmabosa6884]

Oh, that is why I tried for 30 minutes without success. Now it all makes sense :D

[@callsom]

Nice and helpful

[@gracepurcell7825]

I am SUCH a newbie to this so thank you for this video. Will you be at Rabbitstick this year (2021) by any chance?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Yes, for the first few days and then I have to scoot down to TX to teach a class

[@gracepurcell7825]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret what classes will you be teaching teaching at Rabbitstick? It will be my first time attending..hope to see you there : )

[@hahockyang4440]

best show in tell,Josh !

[@DreamsCatcher101]

The explanations of how hot it is are hilarious

[@garywells3874]

I love your sense of humor...

[@1991tommygun]

Thanks bud

[@jackg.7745]

Great video sir. Thanks for sharing.

[@bowdiersackett6433]

Thanks for the video

[@stuffbywoody5497]

Something I find handy to have is char cloth. I usually make mine from old 100% cotton denim jeans (don't use stretch denim as it is blended with elastic). It doesn't take much spark to ignite it, and it carries an ember really well.

[@tang0561]

Great video, thanks; black shirt on a hot day probably wasn't fun.

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

Good stuff. I used to go through half of a 1/2" rod in a night when I'd be experimenting. OH! And nice Biloxi Blues reference there. (Africa hot) 😂

[@TOM20000]

"This is Africa hot"!!! 🤟 you should come to north Queensland Australia mate!!🇦🇺

[@toomanyclamps130]

"Pfffssss... PFFSSSPFFFFSSSSS... geez.. " best part 🤣🤣🤣

[@sublyme2157]

Finding natural tender that will take a spark has always been the hardest part for me. Even when it appears dry as a bone, it's so dang difficult! As far back as I can remember, I have only started one fire using natural tender, most cases I need something like a cotton ball or dryer lent. Practice, practice, practice some more I suppose!

[@stuffbywoody5497]

You might find char cloth helpful. Search out "David West char cloth". Char cloth makes it so much easier and I find David Wests videos to be very helpful.

[@jackdundon2261]

I came here with the intention of getting a large rod.... The biggest i can find is 8"long (no handel).. Do you know of one larger ? Online link?

[@andrelarocque5967]

Interestingly an opinel will fold and comes with a 90 degree spine and 1095 steel. The handle can store a fero very readily. Its a little flimsier than a mora companion but at half the weight as long as you are careful I find it to be a better carver as far as basic blades go. Your second thumb assist method is great, Interestingly Mors Kohanski considered anyone that could produce spark from 1/2 in of fero masterful in the art of firestarting.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

I have a no. 8 and love it! I haven't used it long enough to publish a review on it (I like to use something for around a year first) yet but after a few months now I am loving that knife. I think I paid $13 for that with the leather sleeve. And Mors Kochanksi is one of my favorites, just to get to spend a day with that man in the woods would be incredible.

[@savage_the_wild]

I love my Opinel.

[@Rikard416]

Good methods: 6:37 Pin-and-pull method 7:25 thumb-assist method (for shorter, softer firerods)

[@tonyweaver2353]

Thank you

[@marcjohnson4385]

Trying to find the most comfortable and lightweight khakis what are the ones that You wear

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

These are Mountain Khakis Alpine Pants, they are heavy duty so not really lightweight. They are thicker canvas than Carhart

[@marcjohnson4385]

@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Thank You so much loved the use of Ferro Rod learned how to correct some mistakes I was making. Thanks, Marc Johnson (The old Jarhead)

[@SpiritForest]

nice video..fun to watch with your little distractions. lol.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Thanks! I could have done another video full of out-takes of those distractions! I thought I would leave a few in to lighten it up.

[@hellsbellspreparedness2722]

That’s was funny about the heat.😂 I really luv how u explain things and go in depth with different techniques. I can’t believe I just found your channel. Do u do your own training or schooling? As for in the field.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Thanks! My channel is pretty new. I am the Founder and Lead Instructor for Flint & Steel Critical Skills Group and I am also an Instructor at the Pathfinder School. I teach physical classes mostly in Ohio and the Adirondack Mountains.

[@hellsbellspreparedness2722]

Ok I just watch the gear dump for three days with pathfinder. I actually buy a lot of gear from them and would like to take some classes out there. I saw they have some classes in November in Florida coming up. I was thinking of signing up but don’t know if it will work out around that time. Is that something they do often down here or is that the first?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Gene Skipper that particular class in Florida is a joint class between Flint & Steel Critical Skills Group (which is my school) and Pathfinder (which I am also am Instructor at). That is a first but won’t be the last.

[@hellsbellspreparedness2722]

Ok sounds good! Can’t do it this year I would luv to join or maybe even some future events down here. Ty and really enjoy the channel.

[@MrYeah8]

I’ll be honest, I just got a rod so I could start backpacking, and I was using the “spray and pray” method like an idgit 🤦🏼‍♂️. Thanks for the help bud, Semper Gumbi

[@annabouthillier9115]

Do you know why my brand new Mora knife won't throw sparks?

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

What Mora knife is it?

[@garry-garaidhbryant-obriai6700]

Question: read in book titled “Frontiersman”, in book is mentioned digging a hole in ground filling it with ‘white Ash’ bark & wood, cover hole with two holes so fire can breathe, then sit on top covering oneself with blanket one stay warm while snow falls. Is this correct? ‘White Ash’ said to be smokeless. Live out west so don’t have this tree in abundance. Book takes.place in Kentucky duriing late 1700s, about Simon Kenton.

[@76Stankfinger]

Another great video sir. I didn’t realize you had a 2nd channel. I just subbed you on that one too. It was the one where you were building the Dakota Fire Pit. I believe it’s your channel? Lol

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Ahhh that is Prepper Advantage, I teach for them and do video content as well, but it isn't my channel. My second channel is Flint & Steel Critical Skills Group. Many of the same videos from me over there, but several other instructors on my team on that channel.

[@kidbach]

I saw one of Mors Kochanski's students, set his knife next to the tinder pile and angle the ferro rod on the spine of his knife downward so that the sparks would fall into the pile. p.s. I know you were trying to convey something about the heat, but you were being so vague about it. lol

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Yes, I should be a bit more expressive to really convey how it felt that day. That technique you are describing is one of the three that are on the continuation video for one-handed fires.

[@katiewray1712]

I just bought an uberleben one to keep in my purse... I just pray that I'll never have to use it.

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

Uberleben makes the ones I use these days, best one I’ve found. You should practice using it though

[@Petra999]

Holy shit you lit it on the first try

[@chrisbaron1706]

great job i do disagree that the pin and strike method is not good its how you prepare ur tinder

[@thegreendank1]

7:07 that made me feel inferior and I'm no longer a man 🤣

[@GrayBeardedGreenBeret]

😂

[@PlayaSinNombre]

Black Shirt Bushcraft!

[@arazseyfinezhad5444]

Dude there is sth with audio in headphonr only left one is active you must do sth abouy it

[@uncletomscabin2073]

Just grab a Bear Grylls knife it comes with a ferro rod and a whistle and it's got survival in the name.

[@papatacomoto]

Fucken legend

[@ShaneNull]

I've had ferro rods get destroyed while travelling on gravel roads, think it's limestone that does it

[@dennisking4589]

"middle eastern marksman" followed by, "don't work" :}

[@garywheeler2055]

Roberta ???

[@lypsohgameing2859]

Is it just me or when useing earbuds there's no audio for this vudeo

[@p7outdoors297]

Only audio in left ear for me

[@professormidnight4884]

i though my earphones are broken

[@lopez5678]

That whistle is horrible

[@RF-ub4qf]

This is Africa hot lmao