This is the sort of content that UA-cam needs to see more of in the bushcraft/survival community. Short, concise videos that don't muck around with theatrics and keep to a straightforward format, organized format. The two main lessons in this video were explained and demonstrated very competently. I'll have to steal this for AAFC buschfraft lessons.
A great way to start a fire with a ferro rod is to use Vaseline-soaked cotton balls as the initial tinder. They catch the spark easily and keep burning like a candle giving you time to get the next level of tinder alight. This method is especially good when the ground and wood is wet. They are very easy to make, weigh next to nothing and can be packed tightly within a ziplock bag into a small carry kit.
Yes, we demonstrate this method on our courses when it is extremely wet as a fall back measure in an emergency, it works very well. However there is no real learning outcome in practising this all the time as it is easy and doesn't really teach you anything about fire making in wet weather as you are relying on man made substances. We prefer to teach people to source and prepare their natural tinder correctly, dry it out in their pockets if necessary, have the correct amount and thickness of kindling selected in the first place or how to make feather sticks. This teaches proper firelighting technique regardless of weather. In an emergency use what you have and what is quickest, but practise without it. Thanks for watching.
Good work mate, nice presentation, very clear and instructional. A good logical manner of laying out all the preparation in sequence so you have a successful fire. Actually a good preparation system to use no matter what you are using to ignite a fire; even matches! I also prefer the pull back method of using the ferrocerium rod, ensuring your tinder bundle doesn't go flying. Very well explained mate.
Way to go Gordon, we need more Aussies that are doing bushcraft or are bush savy to make a few more videos. I'm a keen student of the craft and look forward to more videos from you. I once tried paperbark but it refused to burn (same species as you used), I presumed it must have a fire retardant in the bark! Cheers, see you again as I've now subscribed.
Thanks for the positive feedback…more video's on their way as i find time to make them. The paperbark might not have burned due to it being damp or it not being buffed up finely enough to accept a spark from a ferro rod.
Really love the videos you make. So helpful and informative.. On top of all that I just noticed that's you playing the trumpet on here! Amazing, so talented indeed. Thanks for all the knowledge you share. Truly appreciated
Thanks for the positive feedback…much appreciated. I lead a strange life of mixed skills. If you're interested you can check out my full bio on the website to see what they are.
Nice to meet you to Marcus. The Mora Adventure was great, I had a fantastic time and am looking forward to the Australian Adventure in August. Thanks for watching Marcus.
Hi Gordon! Really great and informative video. Awesome to see videos from the aussie bush, looking forward to more! Wanted to ask, I'm new but really interested in bushcraft survival so this may be quite a naive. I live in Victoria and more or less all state and national parks do not allow fires unless (in some cases) it's in the designated fire pit. if that's the case, then when can I use these techniques to practice and in a serious situation if it is illegal to build a fire?
Thanks for the positive feedback. You need to check the fire regulations in your state and the type of area you are in. Depending on where you are, you are allowed to have a small cooking fire that needs to have the correct clearance (3-4 metres to bare earth, fire pit and it needs to be manned at all times. Obviously you would not light a fire in bushfire season when there is a high fire danger or when its windy. Always exercise caution and common sense.
Awesome video. New subscriber here. I usually ‘camp’ in my caravan but i now have a bush block that my best mate and I are getting back to basics and camping light at through the winter on weekends. Can I ask if this paper bark technique works with bark from eucalyptus?
It depends on the species, you have to experiment. Anything (including steel) if it can be buffed up fine enough so that it is light and fluffy with lots of surface area like cotton wool will take a spark or coal….look at steel wool! Most Eucalyptus barks are too dense however others like stringy bark can be buffed up nicely although a little stringy. Thanks for your feedback.
I really love this video and love what you did with your Channel thank you very much for making it you have my subscription would love to have your support as well on my way to your channel to check out your other videos thank you my friend
Dont source it from the ground, try and collect wood from dead standing trees and deadfall which has been suspended. Split it and try to find some dry inner sections to make feather sticks out of. Suitable tinder should be dried in your pockets ahead of time with your body heat.
The knife i am using in this particular video is the Ray Mears Bushcraft Knife which i have had for a few years. It is a great knife. I often also use "Mora of Sweden" knives as well which are terrific knives at an affordable price.
I just heard you on the radio, good to see you're on UA-cam though I must say you have an unfortunate last name for a survivalist 🐸does your book contain food and medicine plants for the southern states? Previously all I could find is from tropical regions and nothing for Victoria.
I am pretty sure I learned from you about certain tree roots I think it was silver birch trees containing vital water supplies if you ring them out and other tree roots aboriginal people relied upon in the desert for water?
Hi there, definitely not me as i have not been on the radio or written a book. Sounds like you are referring to Bob Cooper….i know him quite well and have done many course with him. He has a great school.
There are loads of things. It's knowing the texture of things that's most important. Light and fluffy like a birds nest. Many dead stringy plant fibres work once they are buffed up, ripped and torn to produce a fluffy ball. Many grasses, stringy barks, rushes fluffy seed heads can be buffed up to make tinder. You need to experiment with different plant fibres to see. Hope that's a help. Thanks for watching.
+shane martinez It's The Ray Mears Bushcraft Knife. I have many different knifes. This is not the only one I use but it's a beauty. Here's a link to Ray's Shop. www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/743-The-Ray-Mears-Bushcraft-Knife/
Hi Rurikau, I'm actually still in (reserves). Ex 1st Commando Regiment and currently posted to NORFORCE, a Regional Force Surveillance Unit (RFSU) based in Darwin. We do a lot of patrols in remote areas of the NT and we have a large survival emphasis. Also done loads of survival and bushcraft courses with various instructors worldwide. see brief write up on channel "about us". Cheers
Ah, ok, that shows in your presentation. My Grandfather was in the British No.3 Commando, later 1st special service battalio(only discovered recently) so I'm a little commando mad now. Love the Aussie commando story too.
This is the sort of content that UA-cam needs to see more of in the bushcraft/survival community. Short, concise videos that don't muck around with theatrics and keep to a straightforward format, organized format.
The two main lessons in this video were explained and demonstrated very competently.
I'll have to steal this for AAFC buschfraft lessons.
great video mate. everything you need to know.
A great way to start a fire with a ferro rod is to use Vaseline-soaked cotton balls as the initial tinder. They catch the spark easily and keep burning like a candle giving you time to get the next level of tinder alight. This method is especially good when the ground and wood is wet.
They are very easy to make, weigh next to nothing and can be packed tightly within a ziplock bag into a small carry kit.
Yes, we demonstrate this method on our courses when it is extremely wet as a fall back measure in an emergency, it works very well. However there is no real learning outcome in practising this all the time as it is easy and doesn't really teach you anything about fire making in wet weather as you are relying on man made substances. We prefer to teach people to source and prepare their natural tinder correctly, dry it out in their pockets if necessary, have the correct amount and thickness of kindling selected in the first place or how to make feather sticks. This teaches proper firelighting technique regardless of weather. In an emergency use what you have and what is quickest, but practise without it. Thanks for watching.
Brilliant video Gordon, cheers from the state of Oklahoma USA. 👍
It's my pleasure and I'm glad you liked it. Thanks so much for watching.
Good work mate, nice presentation, very clear and instructional. A good logical manner of laying out all the preparation in sequence so you have a successful fire.
Actually a good preparation system to use no matter what you are using to ignite a fire; even matches!
I also prefer the pull back method of using the ferrocerium rod, ensuring your tinder bundle doesn't go flying.
Very well explained mate.
Amazing video thanks keep them coming!
Thanks for the positive feedback John, much appreciated.
Great video Gordon, good to see some Australian Bushcraft content on youtube :-)
Thank you, i appreciate the positive feedback.
Thank you. I tried it today and it worked first time, my first fire without matches!
The first one of many. It's a terrific feeling isn't it. Thanks for watching
Thanks for sharing! Very thorough and informative.
Excellent and clear video, Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the positive feedback.
great videos mate. keep it up.
Thanks…..more on the way soon.
Very nice Gordon.Great demonstration of how good paperbark is for fire lighting.
Cheers Kim.....
Thanks Kim, yes paperbark makes a wonderful tinder, its also great for a number of other uses...shelter building, bedding, cooking, wrapping etc.
Nice job good clip keep up the good work.
Thank you, more video's coming soon.
very good explaining,and well understandeble
great video's
Hey Gordon. Thanks for this excellent demonstration. A thorough instruction for lighting fire.
+Jeff Camilleri Thanks Jeff for your support.
Way to go Gordon, we need more Aussies that are doing bushcraft or are bush savy to make a few more videos. I'm a keen student of the craft and look forward to more videos from you. I once tried paperbark but it refused to burn (same species as you used), I presumed it must have a fire retardant in the bark!
Cheers, see you again as I've now subscribed.
Thanks for the positive feedback…more video's on their way as i find time to make them. The paperbark might not have burned due to it being damp or it not being buffed up finely enough to accept a spark from a ferro rod.
Excellent! subbed and liked, looking forward to more !
Good information thank you for the video
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching
Really love the videos you make. So helpful and informative.. On top of all that I just noticed that's you playing the trumpet on here! Amazing, so talented indeed. Thanks for all the knowledge you share. Truly appreciated
Thanks for the positive feedback…much appreciated. I lead a strange life of mixed skills. If you're interested you can check out my full bio on the website to see what they are.
I just came across your channel and subbed right away. I was disappointed to only find 4 videos. Hope to see more soon.
More video's on their way as soon as i find some time.
+Bushcraft Survival Australia Rite on. look forward to them. but I know how it is finding time to get out.
It was great meeting you in Mora Gordon! You got a great channel here, gonna have a good look at your videos! Thanks for the bird-trap idea!
Nice to meet you to Marcus. The Mora Adventure was great, I had a fantastic time and am looking forward to the Australian Adventure in August. Thanks for watching Marcus.
Wow you play a mean trumpet mate, amongst being an awesome bush craftsmen/survivalist! Love your channel! Wish I'd come across it earlier!
Thanks for the positive feedback and your support, much appreciated.
Hey Gordon how do you go wild camping in Australia I thought it was illegal?
Paperbark is awesome.
Yes it is...the equivalent to birch bark in the Northern Hemisphere.
Hi Gordon! Really great and informative video. Awesome to see videos from the aussie bush, looking forward to more!
Wanted to ask, I'm new but really interested in bushcraft survival so this may be quite a naive. I live in Victoria and more or less all state and national parks do not allow fires unless (in some cases) it's in the designated fire pit. if that's the case, then when can I use these techniques to practice and in a serious situation if it is illegal to build a fire?
Thanks for the positive feedback. You need to check the fire regulations in your state and the type of area you are in. Depending on where you are, you are allowed to have a small cooking fire that needs to have the correct clearance (3-4 metres to bare earth, fire pit and it needs to be manned at all times.
Obviously you would not light a fire in bushfire season when there is a high fire danger or when its windy. Always exercise caution and common sense.
Great vids guys
It’s an old video but thanks for watching and for your support.
very nicely done, one strike
Cheers.
Great helped me out heaps
No worries, thanks for watching.
Awesome video. New subscriber here. I usually ‘camp’ in my caravan but i now have a bush block that my best mate and I are getting back to basics and camping light at through the winter on weekends. Can I ask if this paper bark technique works with bark from eucalyptus?
It depends on the species, you have to experiment. Anything (including steel) if it can be buffed up fine enough so that it is light and fluffy with lots of surface area like cotton wool will take a spark or coal….look at steel wool!
Most Eucalyptus barks are too dense however others like stringy bark can be buffed up nicely although a little stringy. Thanks for your feedback.
I really love this video and love what you did with your Channel thank you very much for making it you have my subscription would love to have your support as well on my way to your channel to check out your other videos thank you my friend
Any tips for where to find dry wood when everything is soaked, in oz particularly. If theres a vid already on that i apologize in advance :)
Dont source it from the ground, try and collect wood from dead standing trees and deadfall which has been suspended. Split it and try to find some dry inner sections to make feather sticks out of. Suitable tinder should be dried in your pockets ahead of time with your body heat.
Hi Gordon - did you play the trumpet solo in the intro?
+Mumme Halfdozen Well - Yes I did.
Cheers cobba
Thanks for watching.
Gday mate, what is the knife you carry and who makes them?
The knife i am using in this particular video is the Ray Mears Bushcraft Knife which i have had for a few years. It is a great knife. I often also use "Mora of Sweden" knives as well which are terrific knives at an affordable price.
Bit different in cost there, $15 vs $315.
I just heard you on the radio, good to see you're on UA-cam though I must say you have an unfortunate last name for a survivalist 🐸does your book contain food and medicine plants for the southern states? Previously all I could find is from tropical regions and nothing for Victoria.
?? think you may have me confused with someone else?
I am pretty sure I learned from you about certain tree roots I think it was silver birch trees containing vital water supplies if you ring them out and other tree roots aboriginal people relied upon in the desert for water?
Hi there, definitely not me as i have not been on the radio or written a book. Sounds like you are referring to Bob Cooper….i know him quite well and have done many course with him. He has a great school.
What do you use when u can’t find any paperbark trees.
There are loads of things. It's knowing the texture of things that's most important. Light and fluffy like a birds nest. Many dead stringy plant fibres work once they are buffed up, ripped and torn to produce a fluffy ball. Many grasses, stringy barks, rushes fluffy seed heads can be buffed up to make tinder. You need to experiment with different plant fibres to see. Hope that's a help. Thanks for watching.
what knife are you using?
+shane martinez It's The Ray Mears Bushcraft Knife. I have many different knifes. This is not the only one I use but it's a beauty. Here's a link to Ray's Shop. www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/743-The-Ray-Mears-Bushcraft-Knife/
Very clear video. Are you ex military?
Thanks Frazer. I'll respond in person ASAP.
phrayzar I am wondering the same thing
Hi Rurikau, I'm actually still in (reserves). Ex 1st Commando Regiment and currently posted to NORFORCE, a Regional Force Surveillance Unit (RFSU) based in Darwin. We do a lot of patrols in remote areas of the NT and we have a large survival emphasis. Also done loads of survival and bushcraft courses with various instructors worldwide. see brief write up on channel "about us". Cheers
That is very cool. You had that look about you so I was interested
Ah, ok, that shows in your presentation. My Grandfather was in the British No.3 Commando, later 1st special service battalio(only discovered recently) so I'm a little commando mad now. Love the Aussie commando story too.
I once cooked an egg in a potato.....
That sounds interesting, have not tried that so will have to give it a go!
Your name doesn't inspire survival.
Wrong spelling 😀