Survival Hack: Handheld Fire: Starting a Fire in the Rain and Snow, Survival Fire Starter

[@justinlarrabee7932]

Even dry weather this is a all around cool trick.

[@moimeme725]

Dan, I enjoy your bushcraft videos; and, your website name, “Coalcracker,” brings back memories of my youth as I was growing up in Muskegon, Western Michigan. Back in the 1950’s, we were heating a small, four room house with a coal stove in the living room. Periodically, the coal company would deliver a ton of coal into the bin on the side of the house; and, some of the coal lumps were the size of a basketball. It was my job to go into the coalbin with a ball peen hammer and break up those lumps into a more serviceable size, occasionally revealing fossilized plant matter in the seams. Hence, I was a coalcracker at an early age. Thanks for the memories.

[@papajeff5486]

I used to work at a little old hospital in Muskegan, Michigan. I lived in Grandrapids, but, liked the little hospital. I liked Muskegan too. You’re the first person I’ve ever heard from back there. Anyway, Hey. I live in Portland, Texas, now.

[@godwarrior3403]

@@papajeff5486 Texas! Wow! Cadillac MI area here. Texas seems a world away. Would love to get out there.

[@edf9577]

I saw this done with a slight modification. Once the feathers are cut and rolled up, still attached, a cut/proud stop is made next to the feather start. This way your ferro rod starts and stays put against that hard edge so it won't slip and take all the feathers with it. Try it :)

[@justinpyle3415]

nice idea, i will definitely remember it

[@edf9577]

It makes the whole thing very stable. Plus you can rest the end of the log against a tree or the ground without it hanging freely. Extra win :) The feather stick is such a cool thing tbh.

[@onionhead5780]

Thanks

[@mushercdn]

Excellent! Thanks.

[@markashlock9017]

Great vid! When making my feather stick, I usually incorporate several “extra thick” feathers. Still lights easily, but extends the burn time, often long enough to ignite the stick itself. Thanks for passing on your copious knowledge!!!

[@justinpyle3415]

great idea!

[@brickempire4427]

Wow. That flare at the end looked awesome! It'd be cool to incorporate that to be your 'thing'

[@garyminick1050]

Your videos are getting more and more professional. I think they are excellent ! You also used the small amount of wind to your advantage ,which I thought was clever also .

[@rrcaniglia]

Best advice in this entire video is that “… it takes time.”

[@fryeguy9939]

I LOVE ALL THESE LITTLE TIPS ... I KEEP COLLECTING THEM ... A LOT OF LITTLE TIPS ADD UP TO ONE BIG SUCCESSFUL OUTING...KEEP THEM COMING 👍👍👍

[@djtblizzle]

Dude you are the modern day Mors!!!! Love this!

[@joeday4498]

At first I was thinking; "Alright, a feather stick. No biggy." Then you did the whole ferro rod trick, and my jaw literally dropped open. So simple, yet so profound. My toolbox runneth over.

[@SuperNobby1969]

Excellent stuff here. Looking to use some of the demonstrations to our UK Explorer scouts.

[@Charles.Spillman]

I was down behind my house at a river bed and i used this, Thank you for all these survival tricks and tips im 15 survival is one thing i'm intrested in I can't stand to be indoors id rather be out. Thank you

[@johnbaldwin143]

Love your teachings. No bull just excellently explained techniques! What's more no preaching and complete with a demonstration.

[@olwynskye417]

Small Material is my rapper name. Also my father taught me how to do this when I was around 6 while we were ice fishing and still using this technique almost 30 years later. Need to keep your knife really sharp so you don't injure yourself or mess up the mess you're making. 😊👍

[@garvon1967]

Just found this channel and I am sharing it with all of my bushcraft buddies. Excellent tips.

[@ericathompsen8110]

Another amazing and awesome easy video I never get tired of watching his videos

[@erict5878]

learned that in Boy Scouts but as always a great tip! If you don't have the skill to feather, you can always carve the shavings into the lid of your cook pot or the pot itself. No pot,, use your hat! Just keep it off the ground!

[@rickdrasch2804]

Great tip. Love your videos Dan. Rick from Rochester NY.

[@johnskitzis6540]

Great tip! Thanks Dan.

[@per_sev]

Thats fantastic. Definitely gonna remember that trick, even for dry weather.

[@jentrue]

Great tip! I've made many feather sticks but the trick holding the ferro rod along with the feather stick and striking is cool too know for bad weather. Thanks!

[@alainaarrhodge5413]

Awesome tip for those of us up here in the usually very moist and wet PNW!! Thanks!

[@masterprediction7353]

Tree resin is really flammable and last a good bit. Get some tree resin on the end of a twig and even a tiny spark will light it.

[@Occupuyourspine]

FYI: believe it or now! In Vancouver BC strike anywhere & waterproof matches & lighter fluid have all been banned. Merchants are prohibited from stocking them.

[@scottseverythingoutdoors462]

You definitely have some of the best survival hacks! Also I just like the way you teach them! thanks!

[@evangelosstamatakis2559]

Amazing video!! Simple and you talk about the simplest stuff!! We all struggle at the small simple things rather than cutting down trees and huge pieces of wood!! 💪🙏🙏

[@thesimpleusername2237]

guys the wood has to be “dead” wood by the time you find it because if its alive then the tree would had used that water to use it for whatever it needs through the trunk or something.

[@earlshaner4441]

Thank you brother for sharing the facts and truth

[@richardkight4482]

One pennsylvanian to another,Awesome video. 👍

[@davidkiser5250]

Been watching / keeping up with Dan for a couple years or more, and the more I watch, the more I am convinced he is one of the best "bushcraft" creators on YT. Would love to take a skills class one day with him. I had never seen or though of this method before.

[@jannoble3123]

40 years ago we called it a 'Fuzzy Stick' at Girl Scout Camp.

[@mikerogers9711]

😂 40 years ago in the Boy Scouts we called it a feather stick. 🤔 Gender studies I guess. Same thing different name 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@tornagawn]

Never trust a Boy Scout who wants to show a Girl Scout his ‘fuzzy stick’

[@per_sev]

@@mikerogers9711 more likely its a regional difference. But 40 years ago, boomers were raising their children, and getting teaching jobs, so that's probably when gender studies began blighting the world.

[@williamastorino9551]

Now that is a new trick for me. Thanks. This is a great tool.

[@williamkeck7378]

Another good video. Suggestion: if you are going into snow or rain country, carry a couple of DRY 2×2s WITH YOU FOR YOUR FEATHER STICKS. IT'LL SAVE YOU TIME. GOD BLESS.

[@crafter170]

Very clever .So simple keeping the shavings on the stick .I never even thought of it .....We used to take the small dead branches from live pine trees .They went up well.Thanks for your time making the vid .Great .

[@m005kennedy]

This technique works with jute cord also. Holding he jute cord with the same hand as your ferro rod like you have demonstrated with the the feather stick.

[@trueword247]

2:39 Wizard! he's a wizard! seriously though. stunned. that was amazing.

[@jwalker6260]

Definitely a good method for a lot of environments. I live in the northeast, spruce are everywhere. You can almost start a fire under water with spruce.

[@curtiscrawford9241]

Great video! One thing I still need to work on is the feather stick, but practice makes perfect right

[@shanhutchison7332]

That burns me up.

[@godividarr]

Grammar ;-) Love the channel. Thanks for producing it. 👍

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this, potentially, life saving video. All the best of good things for you

[@garbagecanfriedspam6254]

I love your videos. Great information. Many skills and how to's. I do believe your best tool is between your ears.

[@jonathansevert8400]

Good tip! I try to make a few sticks when i need em. Thanks!

[@rubyliam6631]

A lot of people have pointed out that the thumbnail has a mistake in it... I think it’s genius, put a typo and get people to comment about the typo and other people will like those comments and the KZbin algorithm will do it’s work. nice work Dan lol

[@nowakezoneforever6021]

There are 140+ comments right now. Less than ten have commented about the title. Dan isn’t the type of person to scam the system, it’s not his style. You, on the other hand, have a lack of honesty and integrity all figured out. Well, go get’em Ruby.

[@rubyliam6631]

I wasn’t implying that Dan was a scammer. Thank you for clarifying that, and I hope nobody takes my comment the wrong way it was all written with good intent 🙂

[@JD-gn6du]

Great knife skills, I’ve never been able to get a feather stick half that size and I’ve been trying for well over 20 years.

[@scrider5493]

Gold. I did not know the why of Feather Sticks. Thanks.

[@petersallander6913]

Dan that's good advice 👏👍

[@tinytree100]

brilliant demo, great Idea!

[@royharrell1760]

I love your presentation style. Thank you.

[@scully7733]

Last summer I took my wife prospecting with me in a remote area of the mountains. As I was preparing the materials to start a fire she asked if there was anything she could do. I told her she could gather some sticks and dry pine needles and I would make a feather stick to start the fire. Her eyes lite up and she asked if she could make the feather stick. I asked her if she knew how to make one and to be careful using a knife. She looked at me like I was an idiot so I said no more. I watched her walk to the jeep and pull out a roll of duct tape and walk off. I was confused but I just went back to doing my thing. About 20 minutes later the came back with her hand behind her back and had a huge smile on her face. I asked her if she was able to make the feather stick and she said of course. She pulls out a stick about twelve inches long with a half dozen crow feathers taped to it.......Next time I need to be more specific.

[@garyminick1050]

Hope you told her excellent job !

[@justinpyle3415]

🤣🤣🤣

[@travailer594]

If she could find 6 crow feathers that quick she's a keeper

[@scully7733]

@@garyminick1050 absolutely and her feather stick is hanging in my office today.

[@scully7733]

@@travailer594 earlier in this day she had found the feathers. When I said feather stick she knew right where to go.

[@GirlCarpenter]

I’m a new subscriber. Al Gore’s Rhythm brought us together and I’ve enjoyed your videos! Thanks!

[@wooki_in-the-wild]

Great technique, thanks for sharing ,Dan!!

[@cee8mee]

Great idea! Never saw anyone do that before. Very cool 😎

[@pierreaucoin2480]

Cool maneuver.

[@evanf1443]

The point about having nowhere dry to set the shavings is a good one, because that is something I’ve questioned. It generally seems more effort than it’s worth when you can just carve off strips or even use the back of your knife to make wood dust.

[@Fireatank]

Nice... great idea. One thing, that's an amazing ferro rod... yeah, yeah... lol One's sold with knives etc are tiny. To attach to a jacket zipper etc. Survival usually depends on inprovising with what's on hand. Going into an area making do with what you have. I'm impressed with the ideas and skill shown. Not in doubt at all... awesome. However going into an area with some of the tools, gadgets etc. is camping or roughing it... big difference. I taught Air cadets in the Yukon, Canada how to improvise if their plane went down etc... Survival vs Camping. 2 very separate themes and senario's. And in a pinch, a cigarette lighter. Never smoked, always had a couple on hand, in 30 some years in the Canadian Army, never needed to use them... replaced periodically of course. Always had fire when in a group. How about when you're alone, lost, injured from a crash, car or plane, etc... Different story. Why I loved the magnesium block with ferro rod attached to it. I improvised a piece of hacksaw blade the size of the block and wrapped it in paracord, also useful for improving. And carried on my person. Always. Great idea. Stay safe.

[@robbieguerrero3351]

Dan, the experience of starting a fire with either primitive or modern methods always seems exhilarating as a survivalist. I have three methods to make fire in my survival camp bag, and a funny thing, it is a designer Kenneth Cole bag for now, and I am not funny if you know what I am talking about or pinkish. Yet, Dan, teach the rainbow brigade survival bushcraft skills and make them eat a worm for protein, literally a good ole earth worm. So, I have a magnifying glass, a lighter, and a ferro rod, and that keeps me happy knowing I have three methods to create fire, but god darn, I need to perfect fire plowing and two stick method. For now, I am chilling out and watching great KZbin videos and thank you Danny boy for excitement.

[@deanstirling2089]

Thank you my friend. I am in Eastern Europe here in a very rural environment indeed and always appreciate your advice :-) Have to say though after much experimentation I think I may have found the ultimate 'ferro rod/ flint steel instant combustible. It is a very natural resource here but lights almost first time with the ferro and Morakniv. Cant post pics here but it looks like a kind of dandilion seeds on a vine. Not sure if you have it over there, Im sure you do though. Itl'll defo be added to my tinder box :-) Thank you as always Coalcracker and by the way ... God Bless you :-)

[@jerrydeanswanson79]

Thanks Dan...always so interesting and informative! Hello from Wisconsin!

[@tomosdavies2353]

Great little tip 👌🏻

[@darrenevans6111]

Cool trick and il love that t 60 bought one. Forest green love it

[@Jacquesous]

What is a t 60?

[@finntheraven]

I'm definitely using this trick next time I go camping! I always use feather sticks, but never thought to spark them while holding the stick.

[@davidwrobel8089]

I have the stay at home skill to keep me warm and toasty

[@ljbbushcraft6640]

Great tip Dan, stealing this one for sure! 👍🔥👍

[@Fireatank]

The hacksaw blade as a scraper and igniter on the magnesium block... Sorry should have mentioned. Also hand a knife edge on on side of the hacksaw blade... A very useful survival item. Thanx

[@luigiK1]

Great video, Dan. You got some skills bruv

[@J.Little844]

I totally have to practice this. Thanks!

[@jimpage1296]

Dan is the man !

[@johntoothman4888]

Pretty darn cool!! Never thought of that one. 🤪

[@sar4x474]

Great tip, Sir. Thank you.

[@ninjabush187]

good little trick that thanks from the uk

[@jimpetway8907]

Love all your vids Dan 🙂👍

[@kennethcruise7635]

Excellent idea , thank you .

[@tomoutlaw6270]

You’re the best! Keep ‘em coming.

[@chillshock2144]

One of the best parts of "getting into the woods": Suddenly it becomes important to take your time with whatever you do. Stark contrast to the omnipresent time-efficiency of everyday modern life. Taking time has become somewhat of an art. :/

[@per_sev]

Go for a walk in the park, or the woods, find trees that have fallen branches, collect those, and bring them home. Practice carving feather sticks, and other bushcrafting tools from them at home. You can make tent pegs, then turn them into L7 triggers, then turn them into feather sticks, and so forth. And if you have a barbecue, or at least an aluminium pie plate, you can practice lighting them too.

[@waylanator]

Great tip Dan!!

[@outdoorvideoswithbrad]

The first time I went backpacking I did it in the rain to test myself, now I did cheat tho I got a zippo I do carry a fire rod too, look under pine trees for material and dig down in the leaves to get to the dry stuff

[@blainesmith5695]

When I carve the "feathers" I start with thick pieces the work to thinner towards me and that way it last a little longer.

[@gavinharvey6418]

Just found your channel. AND IM LOVING IT. Flicking through your shop too some really cool products. I'd love a link in your shop to your videos reviewing/showing the different products. Specifically the hutchins roll. The different sized tarps, tracker tarp. Sleeping quilt over wool blanket. Love the channel. Love from Australia.

[@ryanfarley4463]

This is another great video.

[@alexfloyd7]

Love the content man!

[@johnruckman2320]

Tje totle said Handheld Fire. I thought you were going to talk about a torch. Interesting method by the way. Less wiggling and sparks going astray. Have you done a video on carrying coals for your next fire?

[@RecklessRick]

That's a Great idear many thanks and a great vid again thanks

[@cillaloves2fish688]

Thx Dan!

[@flnflnfln]

What do you think about spokeshaves for creating shavings?

[@anotheryoutuber_]

love that knife

[@genbud78]

Great video! What knife, make and model, are you using in this video?

[@psavelli65]

Thanks. I'd never seen this technique before.

[@busterhyman103]

You are fun to watch : Great information, well-spoken. . .but waving your hands at the camera makes me flinch. If they tied your arms to your waist and asked you to describe a spiral staircase you would break into a thousand pieces. Love the videos.

[@praharin]

Don’t talk to my friend Ricky Bobby like that

[@busterhyman103]

@@praharin Small insect chirping to nobody, small insignificant insect is not happy. So sad and small defending his hero.

[@andymccormick1900]

so you recommend batoning the sticks first, then feather the inside? I always struggle with feather sticks, but I also always try to shave away the outside, then feather starting a few layers down. It seems the idea of getting a bigger branch, batoning, and then feathering gives you dryer wood which would shave with more ease. 🤔

[@VentureSoftCo]

Hey the thumb nail of the video says the skill you need to made it out alive i think it was supposed to say make it out alive just figured I'd help thanks for the awesome videos

[@teachmecuriouscrow8593]

Nice as always

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

very nice. or some 100% cotton torn up. catches sparks. at the base of the shavings real good. then add 10 , 20 feather sticks. blazer. good to go. have a good day stay warm.

[@sn1peron33]

Nice idea brother

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Good stuff Dan. Thanks and take care.

[@Misanti888]

Love ur vids, sir, especially the short hacks! More power!

[@christiangreif9865]

Would good to see how to come into the middle /dry wood

[@claudeoverstreet8791]

Awesome! Love it!

[@mulleinroots]

so what is the preferred types of wood to use?

[@thisoldditty]

thank you