Here's an old military trick that I use. I keep a stainless steel hip flask in my hiking ruck. It's not full of booze. It's full of used motor oil. Dip a few twigs or Q-tips in it & they'll light fast & burn slow enuf to get other wet materials dried out. You can dip cotton string into it and make a wick. Or, you can pour it out onto the ground, mud or even a water puddle & it will still ignite & give you a fer shure fire. This concept used to be part of an old military survival tin kit, but I figure, the oil is the critical part. You can improvise almost anything else, but you Will Have Fire with this for fuel, starter or booster.
@@cheswick617 I don't. Its not something I carry since ferrocerium rods are already part magnesium. Magnesium burns so quickly that it does very little for drying out marginal tinder and getting a fire going in wet weather. That and the amount of effort it takes to scrape off. Fatwood and Fatwood shavings are what I carry for wet weather and would recommend. Long burn time and easier to process.
Bicycle inner tube Ranger Band for the Zippo? Full length of the lighter, roll down to open the top to ignite the lighter, also provides a better grip and a bit of insulation so wet skin doesn't stick to metal.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret I've used this method for a few years now and find that the Zippo stays viable for at least 6-9 weeks if the innertube is snug enough. I still don't trust if long-term or a s a primary source of fire, but one of the nice things about the Zippo, it's still a great source of spark so long as the flint is good...
@@mudgunner49 nice. I still dont trust them either for long term (I keep a Bic n my pocket EDC no matter what). The Bic is a good spark still even after the fuel is gone as well, so either is good for that.
I keep a mini Bic in my tin with the charcloth wrapped the head of the lighter in aluminum. Your pouch looks amazin, that leather 😍 I carry my fire kit in a digital camera pouch 3in x 4in , fits nice on the belt.
😂😂.. ...its almost like looking at my fire kit brotha 😂👍🏼❤🔥..Hudson bay tin- flint steel,.fire rod,fat wood,jute twine,char cloth,matches,mag lens,devils dust,ceder duff,couple DIY pyro pucks,mini bic,wax cotton rope/30.06 casing candle and mora eldris👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼❤🔥..my minimalist kit is flint,steel,char cloth,char wood,2 pyro pucks,fire steel basically 2 tins loaded👍🏼 fire is life! Nice vid bro👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🙏😌🙏❤🐻🐻
I put a ranger band around the top of my Zippo to keep it from evaporating. Also, i installed a rubber plug into the bottom of the fuel reservoir purchased from Amazon. The combo works well and the fuel lasts easily over a week.
Such a well done piece! Everything really came together at the end, love the way you pulled that off! I enjoyed all the hard work you put into this so much and am really looking forward to your next exciting adventure!
I carry a zippo, but since I quit smoking I wasn't filling it up as much, so I got a zippo gas insert and it works great. I opted for the jet flame version. No worry about leaking.
If it hasn't already been mentioned, might want to try keeping the Zippo in a birthday balloon that you close up. Works great for regular Bics and keeps the whole unit watertight.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret If carrying a Bic, I put it in the balloon first, then inside a "Menthos" gum case which is the perfect size for a solid container that keeps it from being accidentally depressed although wrapping a rubber band under the trigger will also do that. There's also some room left over for a few strike anywhere matches in there too. This year, I've put down the ferro rod myself and am going to try to light my fires with matches. That's REALLY going to test my tinder bundle building skills to the max. People think matches are easy, but they're not. You have a window of 5 seconds before it all starts going downhill. Got an old school Boy Scouts Match Safe and a box or Diamonds and I'm ready for the season. Thanks for the videos man. It's great so see some common sense out there brother.
I have never found Chaga in NW Montana. I been to three different regional forest service offices and they have never heard of the stuff. I keep looking.
It can be elusive in some places and abundant in others. Personally, I have never found it south of the 42nd parallel in the Northeast. Doesn't mean it isn't there, I have just never found it personally. I have also never found it below 1000' ASL personally. I am not sure about Montana, haven't been up there to look for it. Do you have a lot of white birch trees?
My immediate area was wiped out by disease from what I was told, I have to drive 30 miles to nearest resource, and then work around cutting and uses restrictions. There are Cedar restrictions as well.
No Zippo ! CountyComm XL Peanut lighter with a Zippo Fuel Canister that is sealed and holds one refill. Both use O rings and last forever. The Peanut has a flat base can also be used as a candle if needed.
One thing to add: as a kid in the cub scouts, we learned how to make tinder by rolling up old flyers and newspapers, tying some rope or twine at intervals along the length of the roll, then dipping the whole thing into wax to seal it from the elements. You can make whatever sized tinder you want, but we just made full sized ones. Seems like a good way to use up some old paper and make good use out of it. Thinking back to that, maybe you can add some rope to the center of the roll so that can act as a wick. It may make it burn slower. I'm planning to try to make some since the colder months are coming soon cause the hydro company is predicting power outages because of extra dry conditions in the summer months.
I had my youngest son out once in cold, wet weather to teach him some skills and between us we had about ten different ways to start a fire any one of which would have worked just fine otherwise, but there was just no dry wood to be found. A can of lighter fluid would have done it, I just don't like carrying stuff that can leak all over everything else. Anyway, what it finally came down to was a last resort road flare and a bunch of sap scraped off some little trees. Now I make sure I always carry road flares in my pack.
@@shaneneedles2118 That's a great story, and a great lesson for your son. I'm sure he'll remember that for the rest of his life. As for lighter fluid, I was mostly joking. It's fine for car camping, otherwise I'm going with Trioxane (ala Nutnfancy!).
Watching You has been Very Enjoyable. Having been one of your Brothers over at Ft. Benning for 25 years. Fun watching you incorporate all of our training from The Army & your Bushcraft Skills. Keep up the Great Work. Just bought all my ingredients for Punky Dope...going to give it a Whirl. I'm with you on way to much of my life I spent with Deet on my skin... lol
My dad always had a Zippo in his pocket to light his pipe until he got emphysema and had to quit, but he set it aside one time to try out those new Bic lighters everyone was talking about and all was fine until one day it blew up in his pocket. I guess he had a real nasty bruise on his leg. He went back to his Zippo.
I am always skeptical of people when they mention 'slow matches', most often they don't know what a real slow match is, good to see you mention the treatment of your slow matches. Do you treat them your self?
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret good stuff mate, I am a bit hesitant to do that as potassium nitrate is the primary ingredient in gun powder and living in Australia and knowing my government as I do I don't want to end up on a watch list or worse. I just buy treated slow matches and forgo the hassles of worrying about treating the cotton myself. I have found if you buy quality lamp wicks they do take a spark from flint and steel well any way, but they are nearly as expensive as slow matches.
I love fat wood. I’m almost guaranteed a fire with it. My fire kit has a little bit of everything including some dry tinder and a little kindling. I’m always ready to try to make a fire.
Great video! When it comes to fire building, you are the one I trust to model my own kit after. Also, this reminds me that I'd still like to see your "survival lighter" set up (if that's what you call it).
The Survival Lighter Mods, I still ned to do that video. I have to spend a little time testing and tweaking things before I can recommend them. Sometimes things are slow going but its a more trustworthy recommendation in the long run
I simply use a a little wider cut ranger band(bike inner tube) around my Zippo. You can slide it upp and down the lighter. It lighter lasts for weeks. And you can use the band for alot of things and it also burns well.It dont slide around eather or in the car.
I'd recommend getting one of those waterproof cases for your Zippo to prevent evaporation. They're reusable too. I carry both a Zippo and a few Bic lighters in my fire kit. The great advantage of the Zippo is they work in windy conditions, where a Bic won't. I'd also suggest adding a fresnel lens and a signal mirror to your kit, because they're small, lightweight, and thin. I suggest the signal mirror since another use for fires in a survival situation is signaling and that often gets over looked. As you said, when you're cold and hungry your cognitive abilities decline, so putting a signal mirror in your fire kit is a reminder to use fires for signaling. Also increases your odds of being spotted once your signal fires are lit.
Zippo's... I carry one every day. But they def suck at retaining fuel. Keep the zippo in your pocket expecting to light joints, and not survival fires. I'd recommend a mini bic in the watch pocket for emergencies, with a ziptie under the gas button to keep it from being depressed. I wish so much that zippo would make some form of peanut lighter that would retain fuel. I've looked at other brands but reviews are always variable. I know zippo'd do it right.
I rarely pick up anything from anyone's videos. The KNO3 wick was the exception ideal for JBLM country and frankly I'm not sure how I overlooked it this long. Hard cases are notorious space wasters but a mini pelican case with an o-ring is the lesser of 2 evils in the PNW rainforest. Hua I almost forgot the survivor cord was a new one for me too so I had to go on Ama-con even though I hate retail behemoths and have cordage coming out my ears thanks to Seamar (Seattle Marine and Fishermans Supply). GREAT supplier for cordage BTW and the best part is I can get just about anything I want (I have 4-5 rolls of everything from a 5 pound spool of #120 grade braided nylon 800' on the roll, 1100# tensile strength $42; down to a 1 pound spool of #18 1070' on the roll, 150# tensile strength braided nylon $12.) FYI personally I keep my cordage on different sizes of "netting needles" (some call it a "shuttle") from Seamar like fishermen do, not only does it keep it well organized you can make any size or shape slings, webbing, a cargo net or the base for a gillie suit in the field. (I made a hammock), and the obvious ... a gil net for whatever size fish are available to catch. Being able to hand knot a net is a GREAT skill to have when the fish aren't biting, or you don't have bait/hooks.
for people wondering how he is going to be able to make a bow drill friction fire with only cordage and his flint and steel bearing block, he always wears his bush knife on his belt!
Great stuff and thank you! I have a similar diversity of materials in my fire kit as well. I will likely replace my shorter ferro rod as it gets cold and wet where I am. Can you do a video on fitness tips? e.g. ways to keep strong and agile? as to be prepared for various situations?
I may be one of the last people qualified to give fitness tips. I just go outside all the time and hike around in the woods. I don't do any sort of fitness training or program.
Ok! Try and do my best every day and go for a 5km walk/hike. you videos encourage me to do more. Thanks! and I will get my family out as well! Cheers! @@GrayBeardedGreenBeret
That’s a thorough kit. You shouldn’t have any problems getting a fire with that. I know that’s on your hip and you said you have backups in your pack but do you carry anything in your pockets?
I have one of those now that I am running, it doesn't evaporate because of the O-ring like you said. I need to give it a couple more months of storage to test it again but so far so good
Would a Ranger Band around the Zippo help with the evaporation? I quit carrying Zippo's years ago for that reason, but got the idea when I saw the tape seal in this video.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret If they use the right "O"rings it will be good dang near forever. My only concern (which may not be valid) is pressure build-up. Pressurized fumes might be explosive and might dislodge an "O"ring. No less safe than a BIC which we don't worry too much about. ATB!
Your videos are excellent, informative and direct without being overwhelming. Question, what are you doing to strike the super match? Is there a striker in the bundle of the super match, do you carry a striker elsewhere, or do you use on of the other methods you carry?
I keep a striker in the brass tin with my flint and steel kit and other matches with a striker in my backpack kit. Layered approach, this just shows my belt pouch fire kit
I have used fat wood as a bearing block, that is my go-to in areas that have it available. It is not faster than this steel, though. I dont have to cut or shape the steel or put a divot in it, and its extremely smooth and fast.
I have made char cloth many times, always using cotton, and the way I was taught (and never tried deviating from) is after taking my film tin out of the fire, plugging the oxygen hole, because I was taught long ago that the oxygen allowing itself inside would burn up that char cloth. I was wondering your thoughts on this, if its more than needed. Also, stupid question, but what's "punk wood" to use for woods charring material? thanks!
You absolutely do not need to plug the hole after you take it off the fire. I never have and have never seen that happen. Most tins you don't even need to put a hole in (unless its a screw top that seals tightly). Punkwood is wood that is soft and spongy, it has begun to decompose so essentially it is rotting wood. Feels like a soft foam. Check out my videos on char cloth and charring natural materials, I get pretty in depth on both.
Thorough kit Josh. Gonna get a Hudson bay tin on my next round of gear purchases. Did you make the saltpeter into a liquid form to treat those wicks? Thanks for sharing, as always!
Josh... really enjoy your videos. You mentioned a "slow match" using lamp wick and potassium nitrate. How much or what percentage of potassium nitrate do you use?? I'm assuming you dissolve this is water and then soak the wick in it? How much potassium nitrate are you using to do this?? Thanks for sharing.... great videos!! Ax
I don't remember the ratio I used, I had done a test batch and never actually filmed it or came back around to doing a video on using it. I did dissolve it in water first and soak it. I will have to revisit it again
120ml nitrate to 1 liter water.. pre soak the roap in warm water.. then soak in solution for 24 hours. lay flat to dry.. if it spits and sputters like a sparkler you have too much nitrate. Dont hang dry.. you can dry it on a cookie sheet in a electric oven.. but it is an explosive in a oven so thats at your own risk.
Awesome video man. I love fire making videos. Have you checked out the David West channel? He has some great videos on alternative fire making in the field. Keep them coming Sir!!!!!!!!!
Wouldn’t a more powerful magnifying glass like a jewelry appraisal 30X (double lenses) start a flame directly on un-charred natural tinder like dry grass etc? Why are all the magnifying glasses used by survival experts so weak (7X and lower?) that they can only ignite charred material and specific types of tree fungus? Also many alleged experts recommend plastic lenses for survival because although they may scratch up a little they still work and most importantly they won’t break? Overhead projector lenses and binocular lenses create flame directly so it simply seems to be an issue of magnification? Thanks for any reply
Do you have a specific question that actually pertains to me and what I do or are you expecting me to answer for all these other people you are calling experts about what they do? The lenses I carry are not so weak that they would only light char or specific fungi. Primarily I use dried bark or rabbit pellets, and my lenses are probably only 4-5x. I also recommend fresnel lenses all the time which are plastic. I have at least two videos on this channel about solar ignition. Have you seen those?
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret sorry wasn’t calling the other people who’s vids I’ve binge watched in this subject today experts, just ‘alleged’ experts, while differentiating you from them because its obvious you are one :) Now that miscommunication is cleared up, I found this vid of yours just now th-cam.com/video/UdX_WDAVm7M/w-d-xo.html Which proves a magnifying lens “can” ignite natural tinder that wasn’t pre-prepared by charring I watched a lot of vids today by various survival teachers or even just people who thought they knew enough about solar ignition to make a vid on it and many of them proved the others wrong :) so it seems to be a very misunderstood method which is unfortunate because its the only one that’s indefinitely sustainable at no cost of money or calories Many said categorically that a magnifying lens can’t light anything but tree fungus and previously charred material meaning they’ve never seen anyone light natural tinder directly which is amazing considering their alleged skill level of being a teacher. But then others, many not even pretending to be survival teachers succeeded pretty easily so the amount of misunderstanding in the survival community is surprising :) The key seems to be the size of the lens which captures more ‘photons’(?) rather than magnification power, but magnification helps too, of course the darkness of the tinder as you also pointed out in the vid of yours I linked above, but one guy got a bunch of simple dried pine needles to burst into flame without needing an ember to blow into a tinder nest, it was like he took a bic lighter to it I’ll see if I can find the vid in my TH-cam history But it’s just surprising that it’s such a poorly understood technique by so many while being the easiest, cheapest and most sustainable long term when done right EDIT:found the vid of someone who created flame the fastest, using just a 2X magnifier but it was a big ‘page’ magnifier, damn pine needs just burst into flame in seconds 😆 th-cam.com/video/uxc0OE1BDns/w-d-xo.html
@Joshua - Does this kit replace the EDC Fire Kit you spoke about in your "Compact Fire Kit Every Day Carry" video or does it only get used when you go out for a Bushcraft multi-day trip? I would assume your EDC is what you wear when your not out actively Bushcraft camping. Correct me if I am thinking about this in the wrong context.
The other big hit has been lollipop wrapers when I intro ferro rods to the kids. They really catch a spark nice. It's important to have your materials ready because they don't create a lot of heat but even the cheap wrapers have a 20 sec burn time.
Thx for introducing Badger Claw products to me, just got some badass gear for my fire belt pouch. I use their canvas fire pouch and put the whole thing in a Hidden Woodsman pouch. Question for you- I've got plenty of knives I really like or will ever need, but the area i have yet to fill is a smaller, companion or neck knife to go with my main belt knife. I've got a White River Backpacker and a couple Cold Steel mini Pendleton's that I keep in other kits that I love, but I need something a little bigger. What do you think of the Ultra Lite Bushcrafter? Any experience with Bark River? I thought you mentioned having one but I cant remember which video. Any way, awesome vids man, the info is much appreciated. Me and my sister's 4 kids put this on my TV and watch them all together and practice in my yard. They are soaking it up and everytime they come over to hang they ask if we can watch the Forest Wizard so they can learn more.
Haha that's awesome! Now I need to add that to my list of nicknames and make t-shirts. I do have an Ultralight Bushcrafter, its a great blade but I am not a big fan of maintaining convex grinds. Thats just a personal preference, some dont mind it at all. The CPM3V doesnt need a lot of maintenance. It is a bit large for a neck knife, that was a belt knife in my opinion. My favorite neck knives have been Mora Classic's, but for the past several months I hav been field testing a Kamrat from Lester River Bushcraft (made by LT Wright) lrbushcraft.com/kamrat-knives/. I haven't done a video on it yet, but it is a clear winner for me in the neck knife category. Absolutely love the thing. It is a true backup knife also, it can do everything my belt knives can do.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Hahahaha, dude, please make those! I'll have to order 5 immediately for me and my nieces and nephews! Gray Beard the Forest Wizard. Awesome info, thank you very much. I looked at that knife and it may be my first LT Wright. About time. Cant wait to share this with the kiddos!
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Hey Josh, got another knife question for you- I really appreciate all your advice. So I really like the look of the Kamrat. It's a design I know will be super comfortable. I'm looking for a high carbon steel backup knife to my main belt knife, which is a CPM3V Surive!Knives knife. That said, it's between the Kamrat you suggested and the Tops Tanimboca Puukko. Any experience with the Tops?
@@chrisgrey2417 I have not used that particular TOPS, I can't get past the screws on the scales, but it could be a great blade. I have played with the BOB and wasn't blown away by it. In my opinion, TOPS doesn't compare to LT Wright. I was blown away by the Kamrat.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Dammit. I feel the same, even never having owned a LTW knife. I was hoping to get off the hook for less than $100, but a product like the Kamrat is an heirloom knife that wilk get passed down to one of my nieces or nephews. Just ordered a brown micarta one off Lester River site. I already feel better. Besides, my nephew's 10th birthday is in March. So he'll probably get the Tanimboca. Problem solved. Look forward to your review of the Kamrat! Thanks again for taking the time to respond and for your help. Soon as you have some shirts going, whether they be Forest Wizard or something else, I'll be showing my support by outfitting myself and the kiddos with them!
Long time survivalist my personal thoughts is Overkill Overkill Overkill you want to carry as little as possible some jute twine your fat wood and a flint are all you need
Beginner questions are my favorite, they represent someone else getting themselves out into the woods to enjoy nature. Charred material is essentially carbon stripped of all other impurities that is ready to accept even the smallest spark to get a fire going. It makes every fire easier to achieve ignition. The second half of this video (with not so good audio, but that's the way it goes sometimes) shows using charred material with a couple flint and steel techniques as well as a lighter that is out of fuel but still makes a spark: th-cam.com/video/mN04EAx4aGQ/w-d-xo.html and this one shows how to use it with solar ignition: th-cam.com/video/BtbX02TGiZs/w-d-xo.html
Here's an old military trick that I use. I keep a stainless steel hip flask in my hiking ruck.
It's not full of booze. It's full of used motor oil.
Dip a few twigs or Q-tips in it & they'll light fast & burn slow enuf to get other wet materials dried out.
You can dip cotton string into it and make a wick.
Or, you can pour it out onto the ground, mud or even a water puddle & it will still ignite & give you a fer shure fire.
This concept used to be part of an old military survival tin kit, but I figure, the oil is the critical part. You can improvise almost anything else, but you Will Have Fire with this for fuel, starter or booster.
Rock solid kit by any standard.
Thanks brother! Hope you are doing well! Can’t wait to work with you in the Spring again
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Do you ever use magnesium dust or shavings in poor weather?
@@cheswick617 I don't. Its not something I carry since ferrocerium rods are already part magnesium. Magnesium burns so quickly that it does very little for drying out marginal tinder and getting a fire going in wet weather. That and the amount of effort it takes to scrape off. Fatwood and Fatwood shavings are what I carry for wet weather and would recommend. Long burn time and easier to process.
I like the diversity that you provide in the kit... outstanding
Its always nice to see someone else's kit. Thanks
I love these summary videos, about all the options a person has for a given purpose. It refreshes my memory about your previous videos
those brass tins are so cool, nice kit !!!
Like the mix of old school and new. Well done.
My Zippo was bought on my boat in '97,CV 67 . It says CV67 on it. I miss that boat!
Long live CVN 79,The next Big John!
Ohhhh I love some Hudson Bay Tin, flint and steel action!
Bicycle inner tube Ranger Band for the Zippo? Full length of the lighter, roll down to open the top to ignite the lighter, also provides a better grip and a bit of insulation so wet skin doesn't stick to metal.
I am testing that now, it seems to be a better option for the zippo but I need to let it sit in storage for a bit to see how it holds up
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret I've used this method for a few years now and find that the Zippo stays viable for at least 6-9 weeks if the innertube is snug enough. I still don't trust if long-term or a s a primary source of fire, but one of the nice things about the Zippo, it's still a great source of spark so long as the flint is good...
@@mudgunner49 nice. I still dont trust them either for long term (I keep a Bic n my pocket EDC no matter what). The Bic is a good spark still even after the fuel is gone as well, so either is good for that.
Might cause loss of a painted finish, but should be fine directly on metals. Does work very well for waterproofing.
Great kit THANKS for all YOUR knowledge and time you put in making these videos
I keep a mini Bic in my tin with the charcloth wrapped the head of the lighter in aluminum. Your pouch looks amazin, that leather 😍 I carry my fire kit in a digital camera pouch 3in x 4in , fits nice on the belt.
It has been one of the best purchases I have ever made, outstanding pouch
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret is it the small or the large pouch, I'm wanting to order one but they have sizes.
Aaron Ivy I have the small one
😂😂.. ...its almost like looking at my fire kit brotha 😂👍🏼❤🔥..Hudson bay tin- flint steel,.fire rod,fat wood,jute twine,char cloth,matches,mag lens,devils dust,ceder duff,couple DIY pyro pucks,mini bic,wax cotton rope/30.06 casing candle and mora eldris👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼❤🔥..my minimalist kit is flint,steel,char cloth,char wood,2 pyro pucks,fire steel basically 2 tins loaded👍🏼 fire is life! Nice vid bro👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🙏😌🙏❤🐻🐻
I put a ranger band around the top of my Zippo to keep it from evaporating. Also, i installed a rubber plug into the bottom of the fuel reservoir purchased from Amazon. The combo works well and the fuel lasts easily over a week.
I own my grandfathers zippo from Vietnam it's very important to me
Such a well done piece! Everything really came together at the end, love the way you pulled that off! I enjoyed all the hard work you put into this so much and am really looking forward to your next exciting adventure!
I like your steel/bearing block. Smart!
I carry a zippo, but since I quit smoking I wasn't filling it up as much, so I got a zippo gas insert and it works great. I opted for the jet flame version. No worry about leaking.
All bases covered. Great presentation. Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work!
thanks josh my fire kit is real close but will add a couple pieces like you carry still sure like your patch,take care
If it hasn't already been mentioned, might want to try keeping the Zippo in a birthday balloon that you close up. Works great for regular Bics and keeps the whole unit watertight.
That’s another one I need to try, haven’t heard that one
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret If carrying a Bic, I put it in the balloon first, then inside a "Menthos" gum case which is the perfect size for a solid container that keeps it from being accidentally depressed although wrapping a rubber band under the trigger will also do that.
There's also some room left over for a few strike anywhere matches in there too.
This year, I've put down the ferro rod myself and am going to try to light my fires with matches. That's REALLY going to test my tinder bundle building skills to the max. People think matches are easy, but they're not. You have a window of 5 seconds before it all starts going downhill.
Got an old school Boy Scouts Match Safe and a box or Diamonds and I'm ready for the season.
Thanks for the videos man. It's great so see some common sense out there brother.
I have never found Chaga in NW Montana. I been to three different regional forest service offices and they have never heard of the stuff. I keep looking.
It can be elusive in some places and abundant in others. Personally, I have never found it south of the 42nd parallel in the Northeast. Doesn't mean it isn't there, I have just never found it personally. I have also never found it below 1000' ASL personally. I am not sure about Montana, haven't been up there to look for it. Do you have a lot of white birch trees?
My immediate area was wiped out by disease from what I was told, I have to drive 30 miles to nearest resource, and then work around cutting and uses restrictions. There are Cedar restrictions as well.
Thank you for a great video Josh! This is a kit every man should have.
Fire!!! Don't go anywhere without it
Thank you Josh.
No Zippo ! CountyComm XL Peanut lighter with a Zippo Fuel Canister that is sealed and holds one refill. Both use O rings and last forever. The Peanut has a flat base can also be used as a candle if needed.
Sounds cool, I haven’t ever used a peanut lighter yet. I have heard of them
That Hudson Bay tin is amazing
I liked all the links to get more information about topics that you discussed.
I remembered to do them in this video!
One thing to add: as a kid in the cub scouts, we learned how to make tinder by rolling up old flyers and newspapers, tying some rope or twine at intervals along the length of the roll, then dipping the whole thing into wax to seal it from the elements. You can make whatever sized tinder you want, but we just made full sized ones. Seems like a good way to use up some old paper and make good use out of it.
Thinking back to that, maybe you can add some rope to the center of the roll so that can act as a wick. It may make it burn slower.
I'm planning to try to make some since the colder months are coming soon cause the hydro company is predicting power outages because of extra dry conditions in the summer months.
Having learned how hard it is to start a fire when it's cold and damp, and everything hurts, I'm a huge proponent of lighter fluid!
Micah Knepper At -20F it's tough to get a fire going,fire prep is very important. I agree with the lighter fluid,if you have it.
I had my youngest son out once in cold, wet weather to teach him some skills and between us we had about ten different ways to start a fire any one of which would have worked just fine otherwise, but there was just no dry wood to be found. A can of lighter fluid would have done it, I just don't like carrying stuff that can leak all over everything else. Anyway, what it finally came down to was a last resort road flare and a bunch of sap scraped off some little trees. Now I make sure I always carry road flares in my pack.
@@shaneneedles2118 That's a great story, and a great lesson for your son. I'm sure he'll remember that for the rest of his life. As for lighter fluid, I was mostly joking. It's fine for car camping, otherwise I'm going with Trioxane (ala Nutnfancy!).
Having a zippo kit is pretty comfortable. Fuel, spare parts. With some back up options of course like a ferro rod, magnifying lens etc.
Watching You has been Very Enjoyable. Having been one of your Brothers over at Ft. Benning for 25 years. Fun watching you incorporate all of our training from The Army & your Bushcraft Skills.
Keep up the Great Work. Just bought all my ingredients for Punky Dope...going to give it a Whirl. I'm with you on way to much of my life I spent with Deet on my skin... lol
Nice, thanks brother!! Let me know how it comes out.
Great video with a well thought out plan and organization.
My dad always had a Zippo in his pocket to light his pipe until he got emphysema and had to quit, but he set it aside one time to try out those new Bic lighters everyone was talking about and all was fine until one day it blew up in his pocket. I guess he had a real nasty bruise on his leg. He went back to his Zippo.
nice kit...loved it.
Outstanding.
Great video brother Josh. Informative and entertaining. I love building fires the primitive way. Thanks for sharing pal.
I am always skeptical of people when they mention 'slow matches', most often they don't know what a real slow match is, good to see you mention the treatment of your slow matches. Do you treat them your self?
Yes, I treat them myself
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret good stuff mate, I am a bit hesitant to do that as potassium nitrate is the primary ingredient in gun powder and living in Australia and knowing my government as I do I don't want to end up on a watch list or worse.
I just buy treated slow matches and forgo the hassles of worrying about treating the cotton myself.
I have found if you buy quality lamp wicks they do take a spark from flint and steel well any way, but they are nearly as expensive as slow matches.
@@waveman0 very true. The charred end of a lamp wick is pretty darn good, for sure
Sweet video brother lots of info thanks👍
Awesome Info. Thank you brother.
Cool possible pouch. Awesome video my friend.
Love Patrick
Really like the fire kit.
👍🏻
Don’t see many TH-camrs carrying flint and steel.
That’s my first choice unless I’m just in a big hurry.
I found a huge pile of fatwood one time. It was difficult to find, but finally I found aisle 15 at Walmart.
I love fat wood. I’m almost guaranteed a fire with it. My fire kit has a little bit of everything including some dry tinder and a little kindling. I’m always ready to try to make a fire.
Joshua, thanks for sharing, great information atb !
reckon you got er covered all right...nice pouch!...woods
Great video! When it comes to fire building, you are the one I trust to model my own kit after. Also, this reminds me that I'd still like to see your "survival lighter" set up (if that's what you call it).
The Survival Lighter Mods, I still ned to do that video. I have to spend a little time testing and tweaking things before I can recommend them. Sometimes things are slow going but its a more trustworthy recommendation in the long run
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Josh, no worries. I agree with taking the proper steps to make the best presentation. Thanks for the reply.
Thanks Josh! Another good one!
I simply use a a little wider cut ranger band(bike inner tube) around my Zippo. You can slide it upp and down the lighter. It lighter lasts for weeks. And you can use the band for alot of things and it also burns well.It dont slide around eather or in the car.
I'd recommend getting one of those waterproof cases for your Zippo to prevent evaporation. They're reusable too. I carry both a Zippo and a few Bic lighters in my fire kit. The great advantage of the Zippo is they work in windy conditions, where a Bic won't. I'd also suggest adding a fresnel lens and a signal mirror to your kit, because they're small, lightweight, and thin. I suggest the signal mirror since another use for fires in a survival situation is signaling and that often gets over looked. As you said, when you're cold and hungry your cognitive abilities decline, so putting a signal mirror in your fire kit is a reminder to use fires for signaling. Also increases your odds of being spotted once your signal fires are lit.
That fire steel striker is fantastic!
Every informative. I have an old brass tin with magnifier, wasn't sure of the name
Very handy info. Thx man!
Zippo's... I carry one every day. But they def suck at retaining fuel. Keep the zippo in your pocket expecting to light joints, and not survival fires. I'd recommend a mini bic in the watch pocket for emergencies, with a ziptie under the gas button to keep it from being depressed.
I wish so much that zippo would make some form of peanut lighter that would retain fuel. I've looked at other brands but reviews are always variable. I know zippo'd do it right.
Escape and Evasion Tutorials Please
Again great info.
Great it its covers it all for sure ! Take care brother
Enjoyed your vid, also learned a couple things will add to my fire kit. Thanks
Learned a lot, great knowledge
I rarely pick up anything from anyone's videos. The KNO3 wick was the exception ideal for JBLM country and frankly I'm not sure how I overlooked it this long. Hard cases are notorious space wasters but a mini pelican case with an o-ring is the lesser of 2 evils in the PNW rainforest. Hua
I almost forgot the survivor cord was a new one for me too so I had to go on Ama-con even though I hate retail behemoths and have cordage coming out my ears thanks to Seamar (Seattle Marine and Fishermans Supply). GREAT supplier for cordage BTW and the best part is I can get just about anything I want (I have 4-5 rolls of everything from a 5 pound spool of #120 grade braided nylon 800' on the roll, 1100# tensile strength $42; down to a 1 pound spool of #18 1070' on the roll, 150# tensile strength braided nylon $12.)
FYI personally I keep my cordage on different sizes of "netting needles" (some call it a "shuttle") from Seamar like fishermen do, not only does it keep it well organized you can make any size or shape slings, webbing, a cargo net or the base for a gillie suit in the field. (I made a hammock), and the obvious ... a gil net for whatever size fish are available to catch. Being able to hand knot a net is a GREAT skill to have when the fish aren't biting, or you don't have bait/hooks.
Great video, thanks for sharing.
for people wondering how he is going to be able to make a bow drill friction fire with only cordage and his flint and steel bearing block, he always wears his bush knife on his belt!
Thank you
Zippo would be a bad choice imho,like you self mention I would carry a bic lighter above a zippo
Atb
Steve
Josh great video.
Great video
REI has sale on Exotac machined aluminum match case, black $14 to 17.
Great stuff and thank you! I have a similar diversity of materials in my fire kit as well. I will likely replace my shorter ferro rod as it gets cold and wet where I am. Can you do a video on fitness tips? e.g. ways to keep strong and agile? as to be prepared for various situations?
I may be one of the last people qualified to give fitness tips. I just go outside all the time and hike around in the woods. I don't do any sort of fitness training or program.
Ok! Try and do my best every day and go for a 5km walk/hike. you videos encourage me to do more. Thanks! and I will get my family out as well! Cheers! @@GrayBeardedGreenBeret
Nice I like. It. Thanks
It would not surprise me if you could figure a way to make a fire on a floating iceberg at the south pole!
That’s a thorough kit. You shouldn’t have any problems getting a fire with that. I know that’s on your hip and you said you have backups in your pack but do you carry anything in your pockets?
Bic lighter in my pocket at all times, yes. Thats an EDC item along with a 3-ft piece of tarred bank line
I have a belt pouch too, but don't have as much as yours. Thank you, good to practice with each so you know how to use?
I wonder if that Exotac Titan lighter would evaporate as bad since it has an o-ring. If it doesn't evaporate it would be a good hands free flame.
I have one of those now that I am running, it doesn't evaporate because of the O-ring like you said. I need to give it a couple more months of storage to test it again but so far so good
Would a Ranger Band around the Zippo help with the evaporation? I quit carrying Zippo's years ago for that reason, but got the idea when I saw the tape seal in this video.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret it's expensive but if it works without evaporation I'd pay it!
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret If they use the right "O"rings it will be good dang near forever. My only concern (which may not be valid) is pressure build-up. Pressurized fumes might be explosive and might dislodge an "O"ring. No less safe than a BIC which we don't worry too much about. ATB!
Only 3 things are certain in life: death, taxes, and this man starting a fire.
Your videos are excellent, informative and direct without being overwhelming.
Question, what are you doing to strike the super match? Is there a striker in the bundle of the super match, do you carry a striker elsewhere, or do you use on of the other methods you carry?
I keep a striker in the brass tin with my flint and steel kit and other matches with a striker in my backpack kit. Layered approach, this just shows my belt pouch fire kit
Good informative video brother just subbed
Welcome!
Have you ever tried using fatwood as your spindle on your bow drill fire and wouldn't that work faster?
I have used fat wood as a bearing block, that is my go-to in areas that have it available. It is not faster than this steel, though. I dont have to cut or shape the steel or put a divot in it, and its extremely smooth and fast.
Where did you get that pouch? What are the dimensions? Great video
I have made char cloth many times, always using cotton, and the way I was taught (and never tried deviating from) is after taking my film tin out of the fire, plugging the oxygen hole, because I was taught long ago that the oxygen allowing itself inside would burn up that char cloth. I was wondering your thoughts on this, if its more than needed. Also, stupid question, but what's "punk wood" to use for woods charring material? thanks!
You absolutely do not need to plug the hole after you take it off the fire. I never have and have never seen that happen. Most tins you don't even need to put a hole in (unless its a screw top that seals tightly). Punkwood is wood that is soft and spongy, it has begun to decompose so essentially it is rotting wood. Feels like a soft foam. Check out my videos on char cloth and charring natural materials, I get pretty in depth on both.
outstanding content as usual, J. now to go buy...erm...research that flint & steel kit.
You will never be sorry about having a Hudson Bay Tobacco Tin
Thorough kit Josh. Gonna get a Hudson bay tin on my next round of gear purchases. Did you make the saltpeter into a liquid form to treat those wicks?
Thanks for sharing, as always!
I did, it was in solution and soaked and then I air dried it overnight.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret what liquid did you mix the powder with?
AG Survival just water
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret awesome thanks for your time Josh!
Ranger bands works great on zippos....
Oops wrote before i read....i see others beat me to the punch.....
Have you tried a ranger band for your Zippo? Maybe it will work better
Josh... really enjoy your videos. You mentioned a "slow match" using lamp wick and potassium nitrate. How much or what percentage of potassium nitrate do you use?? I'm assuming you dissolve this is water and then soak the wick in it? How much potassium nitrate are you using to do this?? Thanks for sharing.... great videos!! Ax
I don't remember the ratio I used, I had done a test batch and never actually filmed it or came back around to doing a video on using it. I did dissolve it in water first and soak it. I will have to revisit it again
120ml nitrate to 1 liter water.. pre soak the roap in warm water.. then soak in solution for 24 hours. lay flat to dry.. if it spits and sputters like a sparkler you have too much nitrate. Dont hang dry.. you can dry it on a cookie sheet in a electric oven.. but it is an explosive in a oven so thats at your own risk.
Awesome video man. I love fire making videos. Have you checked out the David West channel? He has some great videos on alternative fire making in the field. Keep them coming Sir!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I have seen a couple his videos. Its a great channel and he has great content.
Wouldn’t a more powerful magnifying glass like a jewelry appraisal 30X (double lenses) start a flame directly on un-charred natural tinder like dry grass etc? Why are all the magnifying glasses used by survival experts so weak (7X and lower?) that they can only ignite charred material and specific types of tree fungus? Also many alleged experts recommend plastic lenses for survival because although they may scratch up a little they still work and most importantly they won’t break?
Overhead projector lenses and binocular lenses create flame directly so it simply seems to be an issue of magnification?
Thanks for any reply
Do you have a specific question that actually pertains to me and what I do or are you expecting me to answer for all these other people you are calling experts about what they do?
The lenses I carry are not so weak that they would only light char or specific fungi. Primarily I use dried bark or rabbit pellets, and my lenses are probably only 4-5x. I also recommend fresnel lenses all the time which are plastic.
I have at least two videos on this channel about solar ignition. Have you seen those?
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret sorry wasn’t calling the other people who’s vids I’ve binge watched in this subject today experts, just ‘alleged’ experts, while differentiating you from them because its obvious you are one :)
Now that miscommunication is cleared up, I found this vid of yours just now
th-cam.com/video/UdX_WDAVm7M/w-d-xo.html
Which proves a magnifying lens “can” ignite natural tinder that wasn’t pre-prepared by charring
I watched a lot of vids today by various survival teachers or even just people who thought they knew enough about solar ignition to make a vid on it and many of them proved the others wrong :) so it seems to be a very misunderstood method which is unfortunate because its the only one that’s indefinitely sustainable at no cost of money or calories
Many said categorically that a magnifying lens can’t light anything but tree fungus and previously charred material meaning they’ve never seen anyone light natural tinder directly which is amazing considering their alleged skill level of being a teacher. But then others, many not even pretending to be survival teachers succeeded pretty easily so the amount of misunderstanding in the survival community is surprising :)
The key seems to be the size of the lens which captures more ‘photons’(?) rather than magnification power, but magnification helps too, of course the darkness of the tinder as you also pointed out in the vid of yours I linked above, but one guy got a bunch of simple dried pine needles to burst into flame without needing an ember to blow into a tinder nest, it was like he took a bic lighter to it I’ll see if I can find the vid in my TH-cam history
But it’s just surprising that it’s such a poorly understood technique by so many while being the easiest, cheapest and most sustainable long term when done right
EDIT:found the vid of someone who created flame the fastest, using just a 2X magnifier but it was a big ‘page’ magnifier, damn pine needs just burst into flame in seconds 😆
th-cam.com/video/uxc0OE1BDns/w-d-xo.html
Great show.
was wondering where you got leather pouch you carry all that in thanks again
Badger Claw Outfitters
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret thanks
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret is that the small or large one you're wearing? Thanks!
@Joshua - Does this kit replace the EDC Fire Kit you spoke about in your "Compact Fire Kit Every Day Carry" video or does it only get used when you go out for a Bushcraft multi-day trip? I would assume your EDC is what you wear when your not out actively Bushcraft camping. Correct me if I am thinking about this in the wrong context.
I like the video could you put in a link to get the belt pouch it seems very cool
badgerclawleatherworks.com/products/badger-claw-possibles-pouch
What about potassium ponaginate? Has a bunch of other uses and is a cool fire starter.
It has a lot of uses, I just don't use it.
The other big hit has been lollipop wrapers when I intro ferro rods to the kids. They really catch a spark nice. It's important to have your materials ready because they don't create a lot of heat but even the cheap wrapers have a 20 sec burn time.
Thx for introducing Badger Claw products to me, just got some badass gear for my fire belt pouch. I use their canvas fire pouch and put the whole thing in a Hidden Woodsman pouch. Question for you- I've got plenty of knives I really like or will ever need, but the area i have yet to fill is a smaller, companion or neck knife to go with my main belt knife. I've got a White River Backpacker and a couple Cold Steel mini Pendleton's that I keep in other kits that I love, but I need something a little bigger. What do you think of the Ultra Lite Bushcrafter? Any experience with Bark River? I thought you mentioned having one but I cant remember which video. Any way, awesome vids man, the info is much appreciated. Me and my sister's 4 kids put this on my TV and watch them all together and practice in my yard. They are soaking it up and everytime they come over to hang they ask if we can watch the Forest Wizard so they can learn more.
Haha that's awesome! Now I need to add that to my list of nicknames and make t-shirts. I do have an Ultralight Bushcrafter, its a great blade but I am not a big fan of maintaining convex grinds. Thats just a personal preference, some dont mind it at all. The CPM3V doesnt need a lot of maintenance. It is a bit large for a neck knife, that was a belt knife in my opinion. My favorite neck knives have been Mora Classic's, but for the past several months I hav been field testing a Kamrat from Lester River Bushcraft (made by LT Wright) lrbushcraft.com/kamrat-knives/. I haven't done a video on it yet, but it is a clear winner for me in the neck knife category. Absolutely love the thing. It is a true backup knife also, it can do everything my belt knives can do.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Hahahaha, dude, please make those! I'll have to order 5 immediately for me and my nieces and nephews! Gray Beard the Forest Wizard. Awesome info, thank you very much. I looked at that knife and it may be my first LT Wright. About time. Cant wait to share this with the kiddos!
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Hey Josh, got another knife question for you- I really appreciate all your advice. So I really like the look of the Kamrat. It's a design I know will be super comfortable. I'm looking for a high carbon steel backup knife to my main belt knife, which is a CPM3V Surive!Knives knife. That said, it's between the Kamrat you suggested and the Tops Tanimboca Puukko. Any experience with the Tops?
@@chrisgrey2417 I have not used that particular TOPS, I can't get past the screws on the scales, but it could be a great blade. I have played with the BOB and wasn't blown away by it. In my opinion, TOPS doesn't compare to LT Wright. I was blown away by the Kamrat.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Dammit. I feel the same, even never having owned a LTW knife. I was hoping to get off the hook for less than $100, but a product like the Kamrat is an heirloom knife that wilk get passed down to one of my nieces or nephews. Just ordered a brown micarta one off Lester River site. I already feel better. Besides, my nephew's 10th birthday is in March. So he'll probably get the Tanimboca. Problem solved. Look forward to your review of the Kamrat! Thanks again for taking the time to respond and for your help. Soon as you have some shirts going, whether they be Forest Wizard or something else, I'll be showing my support by outfitting myself and the kiddos with them!
Does the person that made your striker/bearing block still make them. Been looking for one like that for my belt pouch
I’m not sure if he is still making them. Valley Forge on FB.
Long time survivalist my personal thoughts is
Overkill Overkill Overkill you want to carry as little as possible some jute twine your fat wood and a flint are all you need
You are certainly welcome to do so and I will also carry what I choose
Do you ever use a fire piston?
Hey sorry for the begginer's question but what is the use of charred wood? 😳
Beginner questions are my favorite, they represent someone else getting themselves out into the woods to enjoy nature. Charred material is essentially carbon stripped of all other impurities that is ready to accept even the smallest spark to get a fire going. It makes every fire easier to achieve ignition. The second half of this video (with not so good audio, but that's the way it goes sometimes) shows using charred material with a couple flint and steel techniques as well as a lighter that is out of fuel but still makes a spark: th-cam.com/video/mN04EAx4aGQ/w-d-xo.html
and this one shows how to use it with solar ignition: th-cam.com/video/BtbX02TGiZs/w-d-xo.html
on the hudson bay tin what did you put around the magnifying lass cap? i notice on my its pretty loose?
I have a small ranger band on the cap for grip taking it on and off
Where can I buy the Hudson Bay tin at
the junk drawer...lol
extensive :-D
We get dangerous cold in the Adirondack Mountains, I don't mess around with being able to get a fire