How to make a feather stick

[northernbushape]

If you have not seen this simple technique for fire preparation you may find this video helpful. I use feather sticks a lot, especially in wet weather conditions or if I am using only hardwood to build my fire lay. A feather stick can take the place of a tinder bundle and make it very easy to get your campfire going. I use them for camping, hiking, even my back yard fire pit and indoor fireplace. All you need is a stick and a sharp knife. I have done this with my axe and tomahawk too as I keep them very sharp.

Enjoy the video.

YouTube - Making a Feather Stick for Fire Lighting

[Mysty1]

This makes total sense, I don't know how I've never heard of doing this before and I'm definitely going to practice so I can do it the next time we go camping. But how does this help in wet weather conditions? is it because you need to split the wood first?

[northernbushape]

It helps in wet weather in a couple of ways. First, it replaces the need to gather dry tinder which can be next to impossible to find when it has been raining for a long time. By splitting into the wood you can access the dry inner core to make your feathers which will readily burn. Secondly, because these burn so well, by making 3 or 4 of them and lighting them all, they will flare up enough to help dry out any tiny kindling that you may be using - if it happens to be a bit damp. Sometimes we think the wood is dry because we can't feel the moisture, but then we try and light it and it will not stay lit. A nice, big, hot flame such as this can dry out the wee stuff enough to keep it lit.

The fire lay is still the same as any other fire lay - you start with tinder, then pencil-lead sized, then pencil sized, then finger sized etc, but the feather sticks can replace the initial tinder layer and really help to get things going.

lol, I hope that all made sense :-)

[Michael]

Thank you so much for this video. I've heard descriptions of how to make these, but seeing someone do it gives me a much better idea of how to do it properly. I'm definitely going to have to try this out the next time I'm in the woods.

[northernbushape]

No worries Bud, glad ya found it useful

[SAR Guy]

Great tip and video. Also keep in mind that a good full tang knife like the one used in this video is essential. Far too often we see folks with a useless folding pocket knife that just will not work in a full on survival situation. You need something that not only will feather the wood. But will chop it down as well.

Thanks for sharing this.

[Jobiwan]

Great video! Will this work with flint and cotton as opposed to a lighter?

[SAR Guy]

Yes, Flint and Cotton (with petroleum jelly) is the prefered method of building a fire, and is apart of the ten essentials that you should always have in your pack.

Not to speak for the maker of the video. as it is an excellent video. but keep in mind that this apears to be done in the back yard, as he states that the wood was from his wood pile.

[Jobiwan]

Thanks SAR Guy. Flint & cotton are always in my packs , day and backpacking. I use Bag Balm though for the antiseptic in it. It works great for blisters, chapped lips and mild abrasions.

[northernbushape]

Originally Posted by SAR Guy

...
Not to speak for the maker of the video. as it is an excellent video. but keep in mind that this apears to be done in the back yard, as he states that the wood was from his wood pile.

No offense taken. I often film in my back yard when I don;t have the time to get out into the woods to shoot. The application is the same regardless of where it is shot. I say that because even in the woods I would still split down the raw wood to get to the dry inner core and create my edges for ease of feathering.

This is part 2 of a 3 part series on basic fire lighting techniques. The first was making char cloth and using a traditional flint and steel, tinder bundle, and feather stick to create fire. Part 3 will be actually entering a wet environment, gathering raw material and getting a fire going using the techniques from the first 2 videos.

Part 1 is here ...

YouTube - How to make Char Cloth

Good to see a SAR guy on here too. I have a strong connection to our local SAR group and have been pressed to join a few times. An old injury makes me unsuitable and I cannot see myself serving by staying in base. As an old tracker that would drive me nuts. My oldest son is on the team and is currently in the leadership program. I could not be prouder.

Edit: I agree on the cotton / PJ combo and carry some in my EDC fire kit.