Why you should not use plastic tent pegs! Bushcraft Skills

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Stay in the Woods,
Dan

[@jonfisher9214]

Your choice of tent peg will vary a lot depending on where you are camped. I've stayed on a National Trust campsite that was about one inch of topsoil and then solid compacted gravel underneath. We ended up going to a DIY store to buy 6" nails and a hammer! I've also wild camped in a pine forest where the ground was a deep bed of pine needles. For that I had to make 12" wooden pegs before they would hold for the night. The main lesson is be adaptable to the conditions you find yourself in.

[@WardenWolf]

For that, I recommend screw-in polymer pegs if you're doing premade pegs. Grips the ground a lot better while still being easy to remove.

[@greatwhitecat2324]

Yep! Camped out in a sandy pine forest as well and my normal tent pegs were useless. Long sticks worked just fine.

[@irvsstella]

Longer, thicker branches do the trick. Another tip, make bigger loops on the tarp/tent to accommodate the larger "pegs". Use an 8inch loop made of bank line or paracord.

[@williamburton8984]

Central Texas is the same way. I put loops on my tarp and use large rocks. You aren't going to drive anything in the ground around here without a jackhammer!

[@zugmeister314]

I camped out in Death Valley a couple years ago. No sticks to be had anywhere and plastic pegs just shattered in the ground, it was that hard. Now I carry metal 8" pegs with plastic hooks on top. Roping everyone's tent down to rocks to keep them from blowing away in the wind was a total pain.

[@franklegerski9682]

I always made wooden pegs! Iron ones would bend. Steel ones rust and make a mess. 😊 Bonus, hey, it's fun!

[@dasta7658]

Great video, I make my tent pegs when out and about but I still always carry 4 lightweight tent pegs for emergencies ... I still haven't used them yet 🤣

[@sonnybonowig7538]

Common sense and ingenuity are priceless tools.

[@mickbadgero5457]

Thanks. You're a trapper, how about a video on cross-staking. Few bushcrafters, campers, nor backpackers seem to know about this.

[@mdog1615]

I use the steel pegs from a surplus Belgian military dome tent , great pegs

[@robertcrompton2733]

Why branch? Why not?

[@reallymakesyouthink]

One use for plastic tent pegs are festival sites. Some are ran on farms and livestock will use the area after the festival. People leaving metal pegs everywhere is obviously terrible for their feet. Of course this natural solution is great but in a different scenario.

[@apar1560]

👍👍👍 Thanks

[@user-vi6wf4gh9x]

Corporal's Corner disliked this video.

[@dianemyers250]

Why?

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

Must be nice having dirt tocdrive ykur stakes into. Where I am at dirt just fills the cracks around the packed gravel for the couple inches of the surface above bed rock. The only thing that "can" work are large construction nails(9 inch), which are very hit or miss.

[@Quietluxury83]

Set up 👍

[@switchpathbyamypreston5428]

I like "fancy" 😂😂😂

[@zoolanderfred]

I like it, but why don’t you like the plastic?

[@nordmanruss]

I am waiting for you making a pipe out one of this y branches😁😉

[@keithpeverley3869]

You can do anything with a wye branch. I delivered a baby with one.

[@ShihabdeentheCyclist]

what about if straight branches and cut 7 notch on that spike on ground easy work

[@passingthru4383]

The Y branch is your friend.

[@CurvedSlightly]

Yeah, save the planet, don’t use recycled plastic over and over, just rip a tree down 😂

[@adrianjagmag]

I have tbh never owned plastic or metal tent pegs. 😅 Just wood. It seemed like an unnecessary expense.

[@jamespaul2587]

Plastic or metal pegs come free with most tents

[@AclockworkPurple]

Maybe. If a sudden storm rolls in and looking for a good place to hunker down having something ready to go saves time and effort. I don’t want to be out in the wind and rain longer than I have to. You can carry premade wooden ones, sure. If you are going to carry wooden ones why not carry some metal ones that can do other things? You can’t reproduce metal in the woods. Anytime I can carry something I use regularly that has multiple uses that takes up little space and weight I will.

[@adrianjagmag]

​@@jamespaul2587I make my tents using agricultural tarps. They don't come free with those 🙂

[@adrianjagmag]

​​​@@AclockworkPurplewood is lighter and free for me to make and carry. 🙂 And I've got tools anyway to make more if needed. We are bushcrafters after all.

[@jamespaul2587]

@adrianjagmag Good point, I assumed they came free with his kit

[@michaelmaier7262]

I think you realize what's at stake here.

[@DoodsVsWoods]

Speaking of tent stakes, I was setting up camp last weekend near Breckenridge Colorado, and as I was driving my last metal tent stake, I hit something. I thought it was a rock so I started digging. Turns out it was a very rusty Hewing ax head from the 1800s! Just a cool story I have to tell. 😂 Great video!👍

[@tomcatt998]

i was driving my pegs in the pine barrens & hit something,,,,, Turned out to be the remains of jimmy hoffa ☠

[@sm00419]

MSR groundhog or clones are just too easy and light not to carry. 6 of them aren't even 3 ounces and cost $5. Plus it's one less thing to worry about when setting up camp.

[@samhain9394]

Cost $5... *EACH* 6 may weigh 3 oz but they cost a lot more than 3 minutes with a stick and a knife. Wah wah wah you wasted your money on gear. Come on here and talk shit why dontcha 🤡

[@latigomorgan]

I'm usually setting up in rocky soils. Metal tent pegs have a hard time in it. You can pretty much forget a wooden or plastic one. Usually a rope around a rock suffices.

[@romanmallery3894]

Great video. I would love to see a top 10 Y branch uses video. Thank you.

[@jamespaul2587]

Good demo, but you never explained what the problem with plastic pegs was 😊

[@mdbbdm7850]

You didn’t listen…. He said he doesn’t have a problem with plastic pegs. He’s simply showing you a better option.

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

​@@mdbbdm7850 so, the title was just click bait. There is nothing wrong with carrying plastic ones, and he admits he still does. Maybe the person listened but Dan never really validated his claim.

[@jamespaul2587]

@mdbbdm7850 I did listen. My point is that he never gave a reason not to use them, despite that being the title of his video

[@mdbbdm7850]

@@jamespaul2587fair enough

[@worm_vaquero]

Good tinder in a pinch, no?

[@stevenchurch8901]

I wouldn't say tinder, but extender for sure. Beat me to it

[@mikepaz8385]

Pretty good for taking out vampires too!

[@asmith7876]

I guess I’m lazy. I carry aluminum tent pegs, 8 of them in fact. They weigh almost nothing and I’ve had them forever. We usually hike in at night and I’m not farting around setting up my tarp.

[@RollinJones-np8gk]

While you're dicking around in the rain making stakes, I'll be fine after using my manufactured stakes.

[@JohnnyHildebrand1969]

Making tent pegs is better for the environment, less stressful, and less stuff to account for when leaving camp. Thank you and God bless.

[@WardenWolf]

You can get screw-in polymer tent pegs. This has a few advantages. One, they're a lot harder to pull out of the ground. Two, they're a lot easier to remove because you don't have to yank them. If you want the most bulletproof tent pegs, that's the way to go.

[@jackmessick2869]

The latest tent I purchased has these slowly twisted pegs. They are amazing; easy in, easy out.

[@sethmoking]

Never heard of these until your comment. Thanks!!

[@chriscjjones8182]

Straight stick with a notch cut in the top if you don't have a Y branch works well too and just about as quick to make

[@billg7101]

Y Not this

[@abandonedotter4270]

I use Easton aluminum tent pegs. I tie them off to my cover and leave them. Quick deploy, Quick to drag up and go.

[@brianduval1225]

Never thought of using Y-branches. I guess i just liked carving notches - made me feel sorta woodsy McGyver. But is is hard to argue with you. Your way is more secure and probably a good deal quicker if there’s hardwoods around. Thanks!

[@KoniB.]

wow. just... wow. all these years with broken yellow and having to pack "extra, in case" scenarios, when I had it in me to just make one!

[@holts9596]

Great video ready for a 25 min trap line chill video

[@tomritter493]

Hey Dan I'm maybe 80 to 100 mile north of you what kind of kit are you carrying ? Just scout kit

[@madtownangler]

I don't have to worry about weight when I camp so I bought a bunch of aluminum tent pegs but can use wood easily with a knife

[@butchbinion1560]

Thanks. ✌🏻👊🏼

[@jeremiahyeo5863]

You didn’t answer your own thumbnail description - why you shouldn’t use plastic 10 pegs. So… Why?

[@andnowi]

I'd rather not hack down vegetation if there's an alternative (e.g., plastic pegs which you already have)

[@skydivingcomrade1648]

I'm personally convinced I will use two kinds of tent pegs, wooden or metal. Steel, aluminum for harder ground or places with no woods to cut, or laws prohibition on cutting and brush of ANY kind. Rolls eyes at stupid laws for stupid people

[@BandGeek2210]

I like the plastic pegs…l can shave them and make fire extenders….l like those nice light titanium ones…buuuttttt kinda costly. Whatever l do…l try to make sure “ the juice is worth the squeeze”

[@easygroove]

Kill a tree everytime i need one? Search always the wood to find somethin i could use ? - i rather habve a few in mit Tarp or Tent Package AND know how to make on from the Woods

[@HarshmanHills]

plastic, metal, stick...whatever is on hand

[@aleksasolc43]

I disagree with 6:26. When sticking pegs into the ground, tighten the loop, place it exactly where you want it to stay, and then stick or hammer the peg down (at a 45 degree angle). The peg shouldn't really have trouble sliding through the loop and it's gonna be a lot tighter than if you placed the loop on top of the peg and then hammered it down.

[@Jaden48108]

I'm plastic tent peg guy. They do the job and good at starting fires using shavings. Making a tent peg in the field is one of the easiest bushcrafty things one can do. It's always there if needed . . . but that's about it.

[@yakfishin4912]

How is plastic helping with speed and efficiency over aluminum as you stated in the beginning of the video

[@jamespaul2587]

It's not helping over aluminum. He meant it's faster as you don't need to create your own wooden pegs for the shelter, with plastic ones included

[@yakfishin4912]

@@jamespaul2587 Not what he said at all. He said he uses plastic when he carries his emergency shelter because they team up well and he's looking for speed and efficiency. My question is how does plastic help better with speed and efficiency over aluminum.

[@jamespaul2587]

@yakfishin4912 it doesn't, pre-made plastic or metal pegs save time over making wooden ones, it's not a difficult concept for most people to grasp

[@GrasslandsG81]

​@@jamespaul2587The video title states PLASTIC - not "pre-made" or "manufactured", "mass produced", etc... I'm not sure why the question has given you such a conniption 🤔

[@GrasslandsG81]

Where I live and where I travel, I would never even consider plastic. Wood is frustrating, but a fun challenge (pick ⛏️ required). Wire or rod style for the win in my neck of the woods...

[@jameshall5784]

Remember that those plastic tent stakes can also be used for starting a fire in an emergency situation. So I would recommend still carrying at least one.

[@sonnybonowig7538]

I mean why carry tent pegs? That's room for an extra MRE

[@andrewkeeton3627]

Good luck doin that anywhere in Colorado. West you got the Rockies, East there’s no trees

[@CAPTDAVE55]

A wood peg about 3/4 to 1 inch with a 7 notch cut in it works well too, especially if you decide to pack them for reuse the Y pegs tend to hang up on gear in your pack. But truthfully I prefer the yellow plastic pegs for convenience plus they can be shaved for an emergency fire starter in damp conditions but to each their own and no two conditions are ever the same it’s always good to know the alternative techniques

[@jackvoss5841]

That idea could apply to knives and axes too. Only stone knives and axes allowed at CoalCracker. And, participants have to wear animal skin clothing. Etc etc. When it comes to technology, I don’t draw the line somewhere behind me, in the past. I draw it right beside me, in the present. (With single malt scotch, however, I draw the line back as far as I can afford.) 😏 Courtesy of Half Vast Flying I like to know the skills of yore, and the skills of now.

[@shannonbarattini5772]

DAT'S RITE. SINGLE MALT NOOOO BLENDED. NOPE, NO SIR.

[@ManInTheWoods76]

Wood pegs are also competitively lightweight

[@yakoobjunior9631]

Great presentation and smashed the subscribe button 👍🏼

[@richardjohnson4052]

I am in the desert. Making tent pegs is not only almost impossible, it is nearly illegal.

[@davidhall8874]

Do you find yourself in emergency situation very often?

[@donnienicholson6062]

And be sure to litter the forest with your old plastic pegs.

[@Hadronion0]

It would make my day if you tried Alone again...

[@stuartmarkman769]

You can't make tent pegs in the Sahara forest.

[@jimcy1319]

I tend to carry x6 , 8ft x quarter inch angle iron stakes. A bit bulky but I've never had a tarp blow away.😳🤣

[@SonsOfLorgar]

12×1×1inch 2/16inch thick angle iron pegs with a row of a few 1/5in holes along one side for carabiners is what I prefer

[@ClintThomsen]

You’ve obviously never tried this out west.

[@_robustus_]

I still didn’t catch what’s wrong with plastic.

[@tomrandall4722]

Plastic tent stakes are good for fire starter so bring at least one on your trips

[@freddyoutdoors]

Love a wood tent peg made loads over time yesssssiiii

[@canucanoe2861]

"Fancy bishcrafters". Heh, heh, hehhh.....

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

I can think of only 2 good uses for plastic tent pegs: 1) the scrapings make good tender, and 2) they could be used as toggles

[@jamespaul2587]

And they hold your tent in place as well as wood without the work

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

😊Thanks Dan

[@chasewomble]

I’m a proud woods hillbilly.

[@justinsayre4856]

Great video. Would be nice for links to knife and emergency shelter in video.

[@user-bh3ew6ii4g]

The link to his shop is always in the description

[@victorchinchillvas]

That knife is sharp AF.

[@johnduffy6546]

Nice edge on that blade!

[@ForTheFREEMAN]

plastic breaks in the woods it's stayin there, forever

[@jamespaul2587]

Not if you remove it and bring it home

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

What about metal ones?

[@BrosephRussell]

Very nice

[@chicanobluesaz4191]

Try that in AZ.......lol

[@ImTheDaveman]

Educating neophytes like myself will definitely find this skill handy. Thanks for creating this Bush Crafting for Drummies!! It's much appreciated. Not that I'm a dummy. I prefer the term, Idiot. Thanx

[@kncochran1]

What's the knife?

[@billg7101]

🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦🖐👌❤😎🎠🌴🤳🌲🚐🌳🎨🖌🐾 Don't you add shreds of plastic pegs to your fire starter kit?

[@DanielSmith-yu9wq]

Small, little!

[@irvsstella]

Last camp out we did, i asked my partner how confident she was about leaving metal/pkastic pegs at home. Shes cool with it, so next camp will be hand fashioned pegs. We'll leave on site too so hopefully theyll be there next time, but no biggie...

[@larrywright907]

really?

[@lizworkman9967]

Nice!

[@theotheralan5511]

I've tried many pegs and ways. I gotta say for sandy soil, wet and windy conditions, those big plastic pegs and a good way to whack em deep and tight down is a lifesaver. It can be nice to just chill out in your nice dry spot after helping everyone else who is getting blown away. 😂

[@rocketman3474]

Wow. How many times can someone work’Y branch’ into a very well done clear cut instruction on a basic need to have item? I knew it was coming and I didn’t try to count but I imagine someone did. Love your work. Keep it up.

[@xHawgRyderx]

Ever see a huge tent pegged? I’m talking circus, very large tents. They use large wooden stakes. Plastic is very convenient as are the metal type. Neither are worth anything in other than perfect weather. Your wood tent stakes are awesome. The bigger the better.

[@seedy-waney-bonnie4906]

I use big long nails or spikes. I find they work really good.

[@davidalderman9547]

Never gave it much thought if I need a peg would just grab a stick if needed cut a notch in it will have to keep it in mind.

[@1959jimbob]

You nailed it. It’s fun, a great, no make that vital that we know all we can that we don’t know we don’t know

[@laineysilva3146]

Thank you, Very cool, very helpful video!!!

[@berniesbend]

MSR mini groundhogs, quit hacking up trees.

[@earlshaner4441]

Good morning from Syracuse NY

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍👍👍 Another option to go into the Tool Box .. thank you.

[@margareth1504]

Ok I want to know because Im sure I bought some once.

[@katelee670]

That poor tree LoL 😂 thanks for the info..

[@alanrice39]

Thanks for this video