Fire Practice, Food, and Coffee...

Discussion in 'Bushcraft' started by JustJoel, Jan 7, 2011.


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  1. JustJoel

    JustJoel Monkey+

    A while back, I participated in a fire challenge involving using matches and natural tinder to make fire outdoors. It turns out it isn't always easy using only natural materials... ;) If you haven't tried this sort of thing, you should. It's worth the effort. Anyhow, I put together this vid as my response and thought I might share it here and yes, I know I used a firesteel on the natural tinder bundle. (I cheat, what can I say?) :D

    Thanks for looking. (and if you don't like to listen to the Stone Roses, you may want to mute.... ;))

    -JP


     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 24, 2014
  2. Byte

    Byte Monkey+++

    Great video. [applaud]

    I chuckled when the small tree just broke off at the ground after all the chopping! I've had it happen to me before. I've gotten into the habit of giving small trees a good push just to see how sturdy they are before I start to chopping. I also never take the axe out of the house with out hard shell knee pads. Getting down on your knees and chopping is much easier than trying to bend over and lop a tree off near ground level. Easier to keep the chopping closer to level. I also split wood on my knees when using a small axe or hatchet. Prefer never to swing a small axe or hatchet on a downward over the head arc if I can help it. Of course I do stand to split with a maul or full size axe. Just wanted to share a few things that I find useful for myself.

    Byte

    PS The music wasn't so bad. Liked that you left the natural sound in. Music vol could have been lower though. Nevermind. My vol was just way up!
     
  3. JustJoel

    JustJoel Monkey+


    Rock on man. Good ideas, all. Thanks for watching.

    -JP
     
  4. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Liked it too. That first demo had you sticking your knife in the sheath in a, uh, vulnerable location, (Didn't see the sheath at first, was wondering what wood you were about to shave.)
     
  5. JustJoel

    JustJoel Monkey+

    Brother, now that's funny right there. :lol:Yeah, I wear my sheath's around on the front on about a 3 inch dangler. It just works better for me with knives that size. For bigger blades I sometimes move them back behind my hip. High ride and horizontal carry were just never that great for me.

    Anyhow, thanks and thanks for watching.

    -JP
     
  6. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

  7. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Nice to know that Mears agrees with me, that the 3/4 size is the size to carry.
     
    Brokor likes this.
  8. JustJoel

    JustJoel Monkey+

    It's a great axe. It's what I have in the vid. Darned handy for most things. For Christmas the wife got me this dude to go with it.

    [​IMG]

    The 32 incher really eats it up much better than my 20 incher does. That red thing at the bottom there is a cedar this one cut in one swipe. It's a dandy... just not as easy to pack. Ah well, always somethin I guess...

    -JP
     
  9. sticks65

    sticks65 Monkey++

    Cool Video Joel[winkthumb]
     
  10. JustJoel

    JustJoel Monkey+

    Thanks, Sticks, as always. [winkthumb]
     
  11. Byte

    Byte Monkey+++

    That's a great demo video, Brokor. My next axe will be a GB Scandinavian Forest Axe. Few other items that are higher on the priority list right now.

    Byte
     
  12. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Really good axe right there ;) I like my $30 Cold Steel Trail Boss, too. At 23" and less than 3 lbs., it can easily be toted on my pack.
     
  13. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    Great job Joel. I've experimented with just about all methods, some successfully, but I do best with a Bic style lighter and some of those trioxane tabs or other similar fire starters, especially if everything in the camp area is soaked to the core. Not matches and natural materials but I cheat. LOL!

    One time I was with a group and we decided to have a fire to cook some hot dogs and whatever else, and partly just to sit around and converse. This lady and I were working on building the materials for the fire. We got it all ready and she had some matches, said she was a Girl Scout when she was young. Match keep going out. I forgot what I said about me maybe being a Boy Scout and believing in being prepared, but I pulled out a Bic and said lets try this. In minutes we had us a nice fire burning. About that time her husband came around and so did my wife... Some fires need to be kept in the proper place.
     
  14. JustJoel

    JustJoel Monkey+

    Me too. If it's really gotta happen, I am all about vasoline, cotton balls, and firesteels. :D I have never tried trioxane but I probably should. IAWoodsman and Bindlestitch1 both have excellent videos about the splitwood fire which is specifically made in very wet conditions with natural stuff. Knife skills are key but if you can pull it off, it's worth it. Anyhow, thanks for watching sir.

    -JP

    PS - Yes, some fires must simply be left alone. ;)
     
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