Fuel-Oxygen-Heat: (FIRE) THE most understood concept of survival. Rain-Cold-Fair, an absolute necessity. Physical-Psychological-Sustainable. Master The Basics. Very well done Dave. Beyond what you have on your back.
Well done Sir! A most definitive treatment of a foundational skill. I enjoyed the rope and stick trick at the beginning! Once I used that method to gain dry wood. The momentum of the stick jerked the slick rope from my hand, and the stick lodged in the branches with the end of the rope dangling 10 ft above my head. As I stood in disbelief at my predicament I know I could hear the squirrels laughing at me! Tie the other end of the rope to your wrist! Thanks again Dave!
This is probably THE best video on how to correctly make a fire on you tube! I know it has been said many times, but this should be taught in school. I'm glad you are sharing something that at one time was common knowledge in such an informative and entertaining way. Keep on it brother.
I have been with you for a few years, now. You have become a truly excellent instructor. Your intro was about as good as it gets. Really glad to see you striving and improving, over time.
I'd just about kill for the opportunity but providing for the family comes first, so I'll have to miss you on this trip. Enjoy the banquet and don't stop your outstanding work. Take care.
Thanks again Dave for the lesson. The wet bark versus bone dry bark was a great tip. I have learned so much from your videos and appreciate you teaching The Path.
I love these basic videos for helping to teach my wife these things. We plan on going to the wilderness alot more in the future and this is the perfect primer for her to learn survival skills. Thanks again.
Can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge. Above all, you have a great gift of teaching. I thought you should know that what you share will save lives if they haven't already.....God Bless you brother!
Greetings from Alabama! This was great information that revealed both the theory & techniques of fire building. Now comes the hard part: practice, practice, practice…. 🌋
I swear, you cover so many more of the important little details that almost every other person skips over. That bit the fine fibers falling out of the bark is a perfect example.
great job buddy Im glad to see you are still able to open my mind about fire lays and construction you've been a big influence on me and my channel thanks and keep up the great work
Love the basic vids, Always good to go back to where you started to make sure you haven't forgotten what you thought you knew. Also never even thought of throwing a rope with a stick up and over higher hanging dry branches to snap'em off. Brilliant. Climbed a pine last weekend to get at the higher stuff, but that idea never came to me to get at the Aspens. As always thank you.
Great video just got my first fire lighter at 27. never to late to start learning. can't wait to try this out. I was pleased to see that I already instinctively ordered all of my sticks and resources before starting the fire. I've just been teaching myself but these videos help greatly 😊 so thank you
Dave, Thanks for a great video. Fire starting is such a basic yet fundamental skill that has been lost in modern society where you can flip a switch and have heat. I appreciate your constructive dialog throughout the video, not just useless banter. I have learned or was reminded of a few great techniques such as processing bark into a nest and remembering to move the rod instead of the knife when creating a spark. Cheers.
Nice trick, holding the knife and pulling the rod. So simple, yet I've never thought of doing it that way. Normally I push the rod into my tinder and scrape it. Your way is much better!! So, I've learned my one thing for the day, guess I can go back to sleep! LOL!! Love your channel for all it's great info.
Hi, Dave. As always you have provided another great lesson. Appreciated. I live in Russia and in some areas winter lasts for 9 months and more. Would you pls do something as a video of fire lay right on the cnow surface?We have some tricks how to do that in Sakhalin Island and Siberia where the snow layer is about 3-5 mtrs thick. Thank you and best regards
Excellent Dave, wish you had put this on last week before I went out, couldn't get a fire going for toffee! torrential rain and thunderstorms :-( Another string for my bushcraft bow. Time to get out and practice me thinks, thanks for sharing Brother! Regards Ian
Hey there brother. So glad you're uploading videos regularly to this day. Would love to see some more series based out of the cabin and sustainable living in that scenario. Stay safe and God bless.
Thanks for another great video Dave. I watch your channel often and always learn something. I'm a smoker and I always always have a lighter with me and since I've been watching your videos I've stopped using it for my fires and have picked up the ferro rod. Soon I will start practicing friction fire using the bow.
i cut my hand pretty bad about half a week ago with an axe and using a ferro rod with stitches all over just doesnt work, gotta get me some real dirt time when i get my strength back. thank you for this vid dave.
Totally agree with you man, my son wonders why I'm always taking him out for weekends in the woods and practicing all these techniques. We need to hone and sharpen our skills or else they dull just like a blade.
In your series, I'd be quite interested in information regarding how much wood should you gather for an "all night fire" outside your shelter. I know that most people do not come close to gathering enough firewood, or do enough processing (splitting, sizing) to make it work. Could you please do a video showing comparative fires and show how long they burn and the differences among different types of wood in terms of use in a long burn fire? This might be a challenge as some fires don't last!
Dave, lighting the birds-nest while it is in the fire lay is different than I've seen you do it in the past. Generally, I've seen you light the nest, roll it in the air to get it to flame sufficiently, then put the nest in the fire lay. Is the method shown in this video for ferro rods and the I've seen so many time in the past used with charred material in the nest? Thanks for a great vid.
As a cheap trick I like to weave tiny sticks into my tinder bundle. No bigger than tooth picks. Or use lightly thick shavings. This helps extend the initial flame. Not sure if you've gone over this. A discussion on examples of fire setups. Ie this type is good for heating an area or this setup is good for wood conservation. And or self feeding setups . Thanks
You remind me of my Airborne-Airassault Infantry brothers. Are you a veteran by any chance bro. I love your UA-cam videos. Makes me miss my Army brothers. Peace be w/you bro & many blessings! RLTW, Hoo-ah!
I was going to ask how to find good bird nest material in the rain but you showed it first thing. I didn't even think of dead standing trees. I could have used that idea last weekend. I do have 1 question. What are the odds of being attacked by a pack of coyotes. I woke up at 2:30am, fire's out, & had at least 6 around me, & I mean close enough to see one, eye shin of three, & hear at least 2 more behind me! I'm 6'5" 245lbs. & still almost wet myself !!!
Great video as always Dave! Have you ever considered doing any videos on utilizing / working with a dog out in the wilderness and for what purposes they can be used?
Great vid brother! I know you prob get tired of these what if questions, but just curious as to what you would do in an extremely wet environment, unable to find any dry materials, with only a cig lighter? Needing to get a fire started quickly, curious to what you would try first. I'm sure the answer is prob in one of your vids, just not sure which one, lol. Thanks again brother for all that you do...appreciate all these great vids!
Hey brother. Are you ever planning on making it to the TN region for any meet and greets? Bought a fantastic book from your site that I'd be honored to have your mark in. Take care and keep doing what you're doing.
Dave, do you know anyone that is doing these same sorts of videos here in the N.W. It would be awesome to see someone using the materials I'm around. Trask Mountain Oregon. P.S. bow season started this last weekend and I bagged a beautiful Roosevelt. Keep it up brother, thanks again.
Love the vids brother I do have a question or a request but the neck of the woods I'm in doesn't really have a lot of water how can I find water with out having some kind of creek or river close at hand thanks in advance
Another win hard to find a bad video on this channel. You can also pick up other debris (pine needles, grass etc) put them in a scarf, hanky, or anything else that will draw moister out while you're walking. (If the fire is just for utility and security not warmth you could put it in a pocket careful not to sweat on it.) By the time you make camp they should be dry enough to help supplement in the birds nest or put in your kindling to help it go up with a smaller or less effective tinder bundle. A birds nest/tinder bundle (lightly) laced with dried pine needles and (small) bits of sappy pine cone can help in moist conditions. If you put to much in your bundle, it might burn well up or burn to fast to.
Is there a difference between a ferro rod and magnesium? (I hope I spelled that right) I hear people using both words and wasn't sure if there was a difference. Also, I see how you use tree bark a lot and was wondering, being pine is also flammable, would that work in a birds nest with the bark? In my wooded area it's all leaves and pine needles. Thank you for your videos. They Help me out a lot.
Great video Brother. I am a Youth Pathfinder and this is what we are taught, hope to come to a basic class soon, keep it up. And as a question: have you ever tried the fire thong method like in the FM-71 survival manual? it looks really interesting.
Love the videos you post.Have a question.Have you ever thought to use dryer lint as a fire starter?Anyone who has a dryer has a way to start a fire if they collect it.Thanks,and keep the videos coming.
Dave, have you ever done a video on the Swedish torch or the council fire (upside down fire lay)? Do you have any methods of your own for making self sustaining or longer lasting fires? Thanks
While I agree with most everything in this video, I prefer to make the tipi only of the matchstick size wood first with only a few pieces of pencil and thumb size. As the fire takes I add more pencil and thumb leading to the fuel size. The idea is that much of the heat in the early stage of the fire is being lost to latent energy. Feeding the fire slowly keeps the fire hotter which is more conducive to igniting the larger pieces. The dense tipi shown here has less available heat for ignition.
How is that Martini knife stacking up against the Mora for you? I hope you decide to carry them at the Pathfinder store, since I prefer the handle grip of the Martini.
Good video. It is important to note that you don't have to be out in the woods to practice this skill. Gather up some natural materials and instead of reaching for the lighter to light your backyard fire pit, put these skills to work.
Dave, I like your methods, it is basically how I was taught, but is it personal preference or availability of why I don't think I have ever seen you use pine cones in your initial set-up. I like crushing one or two in my initial bundle (bird nest), and having a few in my kindling since they burn so hot and fast it helps start even damp would quicker (at least from my experience). Just would like to get your opinion on this since you put it in practice more often than I do.
And I always fanned the fire. It turns out you can just take off the hat and fan the fire hat. Thank you very much for the video. It is always interesting to watch.
Awesome video Dave. When I was a child my grandpa taught me to build fires like cross cross style, so it almost looks like an ancient funeral pyre. Have you ever used that style?
Question for ya brother. How often are you able to go out and get some dirt time and just enjoy being out without having to mess around with a camera but just get some time that's all your's? Thanks for all you do.
If you get stuck in am ice storm this method works so long as you can find dry tender. Had to get heart wood because everything was wet and coated in ice. You have to follow his building method to even have a chance at success.
I have probably a stupid question but how did you get that branch down at 1:12? Did you tie the smaller one with cord, throw it like a spear so it tangles in the branch? Thanks!
If you put a layer of fuel sticks on the ground first, you have better air flow and stay of the cold and damp ground. When the fire is sustainable, the underlying fuel will burn and become part of the fire.
Fuel-Oxygen-Heat: (FIRE) THE most understood concept of survival. Rain-Cold-Fair, an absolute necessity. Physical-Psychological-Sustainable. Master The Basics.
Very well done Dave. Beyond what you have on your back.
Well done Sir! A most definitive treatment of a foundational skill. I enjoyed the rope and stick trick at the beginning! Once I used that method to gain dry wood. The momentum of the stick jerked the slick rope from my hand, and the stick lodged in the branches with the end of the rope dangling 10 ft above my head. As I stood in disbelief at my predicament I know I could hear the squirrels laughing at me! Tie the other end of the rope to your wrist! Thanks again Dave!
This is probably THE best video on how to correctly make a fire on you tube! I know it has been said many times, but this should be taught in school. I'm glad you are sharing something that at one time was common knowledge in such an informative and entertaining way. Keep on it brother.
Excellent. Love that you clearly explain the reasoning that underlies the steps in your process.
Best fire starting vid yet. Simple and straight to the point. I will be sharing this. Thanks Dave.
I have been with you for a few years, now. You have become a truly excellent instructor. Your intro was about as good as it gets. Really glad to see you striving and improving, over time.
I'd just about kill for the opportunity but providing for the family comes first, so I'll have to miss you on this trip. Enjoy the banquet and don't stop your outstanding work. Take care.
ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW - GREAT THANK YOU DAVE. HOWDY ROCKY MTS.
Thanks again Dave for the lesson. The wet bark versus bone dry bark was a great tip. I have learned so much from your videos and appreciate you teaching The Path.
I love these basic videos for helping to teach my wife these things. We plan on going to the wilderness alot more in the future and this is the perfect primer for her to learn survival skills. Thanks again.
Can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge. Above all, you have a great gift of teaching. I thought you should know that what you share will save lives if they haven't already.....God Bless you brother!
Every time I watch a new video I pick a little something up. Thanks Dave.
Greetings from Alabama! This was great information that revealed both the theory & techniques of fire building. Now comes the hard part: practice, practice, practice…. 🌋
Thanks Dave
Once again you are on top of it Dave. Ill check it out.
Great video. Thanks Dave.
I swear, you cover so many more of the important little details that almost every other person skips over. That bit the fine fibers falling out of the bark is a perfect example.
great job buddy Im glad to see you are still able to open my mind about fire lays and construction you've been a big influence on me and my channel thanks and keep up the great work
Coffee time......Good job Dave !!!!!!!!!
Love the basic vids, Always good to go back to where you started to make sure you haven't forgotten what you thought you knew. Also never even thought of throwing a rope with a stick up and over higher hanging dry branches to snap'em off. Brilliant. Climbed a pine last weekend to get at the higher stuff, but that idea never came to me to get at the Aspens. As always thank you.
Best how to with fire building I've seen. Great job bro. Nothing wrong with getting back to the basics. Love it.
This information is going to make a big difference for me. Thanks brother.
Great video just got my first fire lighter at 27. never to late to start learning. can't wait to try this out. I was pleased to see that I already instinctively ordered all of my sticks and resources before starting the fire. I've just been teaching myself but these videos help greatly 😊 so thank you
Dave, Thanks for a great video. Fire starting is such a basic yet fundamental skill that has been lost in modern society where you can flip a switch and have heat. I appreciate your constructive dialog throughout the video, not just useless banter. I have learned or was reminded of a few great techniques such as processing bark into a nest and remembering to move the rod instead of the knife when creating a spark. Cheers.
Nice trick, holding the knife and pulling the rod. So simple, yet I've never thought of doing it that way. Normally I push the rod into my tinder and scrape it. Your way is much better!! So, I've learned my one thing for the day, guess I can go back to sleep! LOL!! Love your channel for all it's great info.
This is a pretty awesome technique, I tried this out tonight and had my fire going strong in less than 2 minutes.
really enjoy all of your lessons and take it all to heart. One day I may have to rely heavily on these skills. Thanks
Hi, Dave. As always you have provided another great lesson. Appreciated. I live in Russia and in some areas winter lasts for 9 months and more. Would you pls do something as a video of fire lay right on the cnow surface?We have some tricks how to do that in Sakhalin Island and Siberia where the snow layer is about 3-5 mtrs thick.
Thank you and best regards
Excellent Dave, wish you had put this on last week before I went out, couldn't get a fire going for toffee! torrential rain and thunderstorms :-(
Another string for my bushcraft bow.
Time to get out and practice me thinks, thanks for sharing Brother!
Regards
Ian
Thank you Dave much appreciated! This precious info has been stored in the memory hole and will be put to the test shortly.
Nice job. You are the professor of woodcraft teaching
great lesson Dave... another one to save... thanks
Hey there brother. So glad you're uploading videos regularly to this day. Would love to see some more series based out of the cabin and sustainable living in that scenario.
Stay safe and God bless.
Thanks for another great video Dave. I watch your channel often and always learn something. I'm a smoker and I always always have a lighter with me and since I've been watching your videos I've stopped using it for my fires and have picked up the ferro rod. Soon I will start practicing friction fire using the bow.
Very cool..
I need to get out more and try that.
Thanks for the great video Dave
Another amazing vid dave. Great vid for a beginner or seasoned woodsman. Like the tip on the ferro rod being pulled back towards yourself.
Thanks for another great vid Dave.
This isn't about trying not to die. It's about learning how to live.
Love the videos, brother. Lots of thoughtful, helpful information ALWAYS. Thank you, Dave!
Great video Dave, thanks for sharing these great knowledge.
Love your videos, Dave.
Thank you so much for the class.
How can we keep the fire going in marriage, is another story !!
Nice demo. Thank You
Dave, another great video. Thanks!
the program in discovery was only an introduction, that is the highlight! much more deeply learning! thanks
Awesome tutorial brother. Great tip on the rod.
i cut my hand pretty bad about half a week ago with an axe and using a ferro rod with stitches all over just doesnt work, gotta get me some real dirt time when i get my strength back. thank you for this vid dave.
Totally agree with you man, my son wonders why I'm always taking him out for weekends in the woods and practicing all these techniques. We need to hone and sharpen our skills or else they dull just like a blade.
Great vid I'm lucky we have birch bark all over NE its been a life saver for fire buliding thanks for all ur vids brother
Ty for the throw explanation of how to use the rod and knife I was doing it wrong Lol. Now I got knowledge I should be able to get it on first try...
In your series, I'd be quite interested in information regarding how much wood should you gather for an "all night fire" outside your shelter. I know that most people do not come close to gathering enough firewood, or do enough processing (splitting, sizing) to make it work. Could you please do a video showing comparative fires and show how long they burn and the differences among different types of wood in terms of use in a long burn fire? This might be a challenge as some fires don't last!
Dave, lighting the birds-nest while it is in the fire lay is different than I've seen you do it in the past. Generally, I've seen you light the nest, roll it in the air to get it to flame sufficiently, then put the nest in the fire lay. Is the method shown in this video for ferro rods and the I've seen so many time in the past used with charred material in the nest? Thanks for a great vid.
Hey Dave could you do a video about the cloths you wear into the woods during the different seasons? Thanks
this is a very good fire video dave. *added to pathfinder playlist* :)
thank you. :)
As a cheap trick I like to weave tiny sticks into my tinder bundle. No bigger than tooth picks. Or use lightly thick shavings. This helps extend the initial flame.
Not sure if you've gone over this. A discussion on examples of fire setups. Ie this type is good for heating an area or this setup is good for wood conservation. And or self feeding setups . Thanks
You remind me of my Airborne-Airassault Infantry brothers. Are you a veteran by any chance bro. I love your UA-cam videos. Makes me miss my Army brothers. Peace be w/you bro & many blessings! RLTW, Hoo-ah!
I was going to ask how to find good bird nest material in the rain but you showed it first thing. I didn't even think of dead standing trees. I could have used that idea last weekend. I do have 1 question. What are the odds of being attacked by a pack of coyotes. I woke up at 2:30am, fire's out, & had at least 6 around me, & I mean close enough to see one, eye shin of three, & hear at least 2 more behind me! I'm 6'5" 245lbs. & still almost wet myself !!!
Great video as always Dave! Have you ever considered doing any videos on utilizing / working with a dog out in the wilderness and for what purposes they can be used?
Great vid brother! I know you prob get tired of these what if questions, but just curious as to what you would do in an extremely wet environment, unable to find any dry materials, with only a cig lighter? Needing to get a fire started quickly, curious to what you would try first. I'm sure the answer is prob in one of your vids, just not sure which one, lol. Thanks again brother for all that you do...appreciate all these great vids!
Hey brother. Are you ever planning on making it to the TN region for any meet and greets? Bought a fantastic book from your site that I'd be honored to have your mark in. Take care and keep doing what you're doing.
Dave, do you know anyone that is doing these same sorts of videos here in the N.W. It would be awesome to see someone using the materials I'm around. Trask Mountain Oregon. P.S. bow season started this last weekend and I bagged a beautiful Roosevelt. Keep it up brother, thanks again.
Love the vids brother I do have a question or a request but the neck of the woods I'm in doesn't really have a lot of water how can I find water with out having some kind of creek or river close at hand thanks in advance
Another win hard to find a bad video on this channel.
You can also pick up other debris (pine needles, grass etc) put them in a scarf, hanky, or anything else that will draw moister out while you're walking. (If the fire is just for utility and security not warmth you could put it in a pocket careful not to sweat on it.) By the time you make camp they should be dry enough to help supplement in the birds nest or put in your kindling to help it go up with a smaller or less effective tinder bundle. A birds nest/tinder bundle (lightly) laced with dried pine needles and (small) bits of sappy pine cone can help in moist conditions. If you put to much in your bundle, it might burn well up or burn to fast to.
It might not burn well or burn to fast.
Is there a difference between a ferro rod and magnesium? (I hope I spelled that right) I hear people using both words and wasn't sure if there was a difference. Also, I see how you use tree bark a lot and was wondering, being pine is also flammable, would that work in a birds nest with the bark? In my wooded area it's all leaves and pine needles. Thank you for your videos. They Help me out a lot.
Thanks for the videos man! Ive learned some cool stuff in the past week from you
Dave is great, learnt so much :)
Great video Brother. I am a Youth Pathfinder and this is what we are taught, hope to come to a basic class soon, keep it up.
And as a question: have you ever tried the fire thong method like in the FM-71 survival manual? it looks really interesting.
looks good brother!
say we don't have tulip poplar in my area, but cottonwood works good for me. have you work with it any?
Love the videos you post.Have a question.Have you ever thought to use dryer lint as a fire starter?Anyone who has a dryer has a way to start a fire if they collect it.Thanks,and keep the videos coming.
Excellent video! Like button approved!!!
Dave, have you ever done a video on the Swedish torch or the council fire (upside down fire lay)? Do you have any methods of your own for making self sustaining or longer lasting fires?
Thanks
Excellent!
While I agree with most everything in this video, I prefer to make the tipi only of the matchstick size wood first with only a few pieces of pencil and thumb size. As the fire takes I add more pencil and thumb leading to the fuel size. The idea is that much of the heat in the early stage of the fire is being lost to latent energy. Feeding the fire slowly keeps the fire hotter which is more conducive to igniting the larger pieces. The dense tipi shown here has less available heat for ignition.
How is that Martini knife stacking up against the Mora for you? I hope you decide to carry them at the Pathfinder store, since I prefer the handle grip of the Martini.
Good video. It is important to note that you don't have to be out in the woods to practice this skill. Gather up some natural materials and instead of reaching for the lighter to light your backyard fire pit, put these skills to work.
Dave, I like your methods, it is basically how I was taught, but is it personal preference or availability of why I don't think I have ever seen you use pine cones in your initial set-up.
I like crushing one or two in my initial bundle (bird nest), and having a few in my kindling since they burn so hot and fast it helps start even damp would quicker (at least from my experience). Just would like to get your opinion on this since you put it in practice more often than I do.
excellent vid DC
How do you classify birch bark? It's flammability when wet seems to make it a good candidate for multiple categories.
Good video!
And I always fanned the fire. It turns out you can just take off the hat and fan the fire hat. Thank you very much for the video. It is always interesting to watch.
THANK YOU. .
Are there any other plants, barks, or trees that you would use to build your bird's nest?
Awesome video Dave. When I was a child my grandpa taught me to build fires like cross cross style, so it almost looks like an ancient funeral pyre. Have you ever used that style?
It would be cool to see a couple of tree identification videos and their uses.
Even his hat is multi functional.
is that pack for sale on pathfinder or is that your personal pack
Another great advantage to your tee-pee method is that it will help shed water should you be doing this in the rain. Great video. Thanks.
nice vid Dave.
Question for ya brother. How often are you able to go out and get some dirt time and just enjoy being out without having to mess around with a camera but just get some time that's all your's? Thanks for all you do.
You are the man.
Love the back to basics series
How much wood will you need to gather to keep goings for 4 to six hours. .?
If you get stuck in am ice storm this method works so long as you can find dry tender. Had to get heart wood because everything was wet and coated in ice. You have to follow his building method to even have a chance at success.
I have probably a stupid question but how did you get that branch down at 1:12? Did you tie the smaller one with cord, throw it like a spear so it tangles in the branch? Thanks!
What do you have against stainless, is it just that it won't create much of a spark off a ferrorod?
If you put a layer of fuel sticks on the ground first, you have better air flow and stay of the cold and damp ground. When the fire is sustainable, the underlying fuel will burn and become part of the fire.
Awesome vid....Will a surgacal SS knife do to throw sparks...I know it is better to have carbon steal, but will SS work....Thanks Dave
Awesome stuff
Thanks dave look forward to seeing it
Very helpful.