Les, I don’t usually address content creators directly but I hope RUclips can augment your income enough that we get regular content. I don’t have very much money so my only contribution is that I watch the ads, share, and comment on any Content Creator that I really enjoy. Good luck.
This is the definitive video on how to make a fire using sticks! I have been trying to make 🔥 like this since I was a kid and after watching this video I feel I have the knowledge needed to actually do it on my own in the wild.
I cannot express how much I've been looking forward to these videos every day! I've watched ever episode of survivorman at least a dozen times and having new content is awesome. Thank you!
I was a programmer at a summer camp one summer and I was also the fire master for our evening campfire. My favourite tinder was squirrel nest. The shed where I kept my supplies locked up was also home to a squirrel. Despite daily cleaning out his pine cones and bedding he would always start again. I just took what I swept out and used it to start my fires. It was great. Fine stuff to catch a spark, small chunks to hold the flame and keep it going.
Les, one of my favorite tinders, especially considering "carrying it with you," is dead cattail tops (the seed head). Cattail fluff is really good stuff when dead and dry. One top is very compact, comes with a handy built in handle, lol, and produces a ton of fluff. The main detractor is that they are only found at water sources. If you are on the side of a mountain, deep in the forest, you won't find them. Just as you did with the cedar bark in the bag, it is always a good idea to collect basic fire material like good tinder or friction fire parts when you come across them as you travel, instead of searching at the time when you need it. The more time you can buy now for anything is better for you later when your life may well depend upon it.
Thank you Les for taking this subject so seriously,that we your students can actually have an instructor who understands and comprehends what a survivor has to go through to make it through to the end. I also hike to extreme remote areas. Constantly aware that I'm allways in danger of getting into a horrible situations. Thank you for all of the APPLICABLE information.
Thanks so much, man. No one has done this or does this to the open general public like you do. If u need someone to carry your pack or be your wilderness EMT, I'm you guy pure volunteer, so long as you buy the beers afterwards! Cheers Les
You have been such a huge inspiration to me for most of my life. I started watching you in 06-07, here we are in 2020. Even better, I went from living a highly wooded Pennsylvania town, to living in Colorado. I've been fortunate to have grown up in nature and still continue have nature as a large part of my life in my 20's.
I've done this a few times with an oak spindle, and a balsa board with a hazel/buckskin bow. My tinder was seasoned wood shavings from working bow staves. Namely juniper shavings and fiber. It was a natural jasper stone that already had the deprivation in it. Took me an afternoon to finally get it lit, just before dark. Also I recently found a Shoshone clear obcidian drill tip along the snake river that works the same with a bow drill.
Hey Les, I've been a fan of you for years. I just started my first ever fire with a fire bow. I've been trying to figure it out for two summers and this video was a huge help. Thank you!
We got rid of cable, and I have missed your TV show. I am excited to have your channel on RUclips! Keep the great videos coming! Also, I learned some valuable tips from this video, so thank you, Les!
I used to watch the Survivorman episodes over and over again so the fact that you have a RUclips channel now is just awesome! I live an outdoor lifestyle with a spinal cord injury and you've been one of my inspirations to get back out there and learn the survival aspects of the outdoors! Thanks Les!!! Zach from Half Pace Outdoors!
You're the man Les, this is such an awesome, greatly detailed but simple information everyone should know... I hope you are staying safe and are around for many many years to come when all this madness is over... bucket list is somehow going on a trip with the survivor man and making a fire at the end of the day drinking some good ole h9me made wine, and playing music... you're the best brother!°
I love these in depth teaching videos and it just makes watching your survivorman show all the more immersive, cant wait to try and fail at this myself. sucking at something is the first step at being sorta good at something-jake the dog
I have Parkinson's so starting a fire with sticks is actually one of the easier task for me , Eating peas with a spoon or tying my shoes NOT Happening at least my sense of humor isn't shaky 🤣🤣🤣 Wow thanks for all the Likes God bless everyone who sent me well wishes
I love the extra time you can spend teaching in this. I can see why your average viewer wouldn't be interested, but that's the beauty of RUclips isn't it?
I learned how to fire bow in Utah (fantastic teacher) and it was pretty easy with stuff I could find laying around. I was taught to put a tiny pinch of fine sand on the base board when you start (that helps with wood that has been covered with dew by increasing friction) and cutting vertical striations in the tip of the spindle helps keep dust in the heat a little bit longer. (just watch out for the ember sticking to the spindle) All that being said I have never gotten a fire bow to work in Western Washington with stuff I could find laying around Ive tried about a dozen times.
Thank you for sharing your life's work with us as its an art to be shared with and enjoyed by others. Really appreciate all the details you give here that couldnt be fit into the Survivorman series. Will be watching for more such content.
I love this small videos! My Scout troop started training for a Survivorman camp out like the one you visited in CO. I have been sharing these videos with the Scouts to keep their interest up until we can meet together again. Thank you very much for doing these. Jeremy LeClair, Scoutmast Troop 102, Orland ME
I've done this in an actual survival situation and it is why I doubled down on keeping ferro-rods with me. Start to finish was about 6 hours and it exhausted me,. Les gives great advice for when you must but practice is on you. If you practice with pre-made bows, spindles and boards it is not really adequate practice,
Id love to meet les in person. Hes been a huge part of my life and i swear a few of the things ive heard from him have really really made a difference in the quality of the situations ive been in
Same here, grew up watching him all through my teens. My family didn’t have cable so I got my buddies to burn cds of his episodes and I’d get them like that. His mentality is what’s helped me through so much.
Great lesson Les. Fire bow if tough at first, but it gets easier each time. Looks like about 30 seconds from stars to ember. If your practicing at home and don't have a good bearing block, a shot glass will work great.
I started practicing this with my 2 year old in our near patio home sized back yard. We have a lot of muscadine vines growing on our fence and I got a good "truck portion" of the vine for the bow. Its solid, and has an active tension that is great for adjusting the tightness of my rope. I also found and old bird's nest for tinder, and I am using a split piece of cherry as my base that I have for my fire pit. I got a piece of silver maple, since its all I have, as my spindle and a chunk of it for my block. The Maple is very green unfortunately. Then got an old shoelace, cut some anchor notches on the vine trunk, and tied two-half-hitches so I could slip the knot up and down for rope tension, and started spinning. After much trial and error to finally hit a rhythm got some good grinding and a touch of smoke before my 2 year old trounced on it and spilled his bubbles right on my spot.... But hey, found everything I needed and was getting it working on my first try on my tiny piece of property here in Alabama, only using materials found outside. Long post to say Les is an amazing instructor to get me this close to success in one try given the circumstances. Love Survivorman!!!
Update, I've gotten SO CLOSE. I changed my spindle, got better at notching my wood so it stays in place. and I have found a better, comfortable position for working it. I have gotten it smoking like crazy and made the spindle and baseboard charred black, but cant seem to collect everything into a smoldering ash enough to start babying it into flame. Its like I hit a peak of almost there, and then can't quite make it. its obnoxious. But so so close. I just wish I knew that one thing I'm messing up on.
Thank you Les! I've been watching you since the beginning of Surviorman - THIS is a skill I've always wanted to master. Time for practice! *Anyone else like dead pine needles, like I do - to add ?* I always they go up so fast from the campfires I've done (with matches) 🙄
Les, you are a terrific storyteller. How about giving us some nighttime campfire "fire-side chats" where you tell stories about your adventures, like your big foot experiences. I think a lot of us would love to see some story videos. Thanks!
Your amazing I love all your videos been watching them since I was a kid your show needs to be more easily accessible I’d buy the entire thing in a hot minute you really helped a lot of people my man
People dont know how hard to find a good harth, spindle and block. When you are in dire need. I AM GLAD THAT YOU TELL PEOPLE THAT THEY MIGHT FAIL TO FIND THE STUFF TO MAKE A BOW DRILL FIRE. I like to practice almost every time I am out in the woods. You will have way more failers than you think. I seem to keep the best kits .so when I go out I have at least one set for backup if I cant get a new made one going. I have a huge bag of great tinder that I saved real premo stuff . That a backup if eveything is wet. I also carry backup ignition , a lighter , ferro rod and wallet lens there my EDC I never leave home without them.
This was a really good demo. It shows how easy its is to make a fire 🔥 (in perfect conditions). Whats missing is very seldom are conditions perfect, too cold, too humid, too wet. Since fire is close to the top in must have for survival, in todays world, it only makes sense to never venture out without a couple Bic lighters and a fero rod in your pockets. They are so inexpensive its pretty damn dumb to not have them. Also a good lens for a solar fire. This is a great skill to have as a hobby but I suggest never depend on it for your personal survival because Murphys Law is always nearby
Look up the Egyptian bow drill method. If you tie your spindle to the string it does not flip out of the string . Tie at the halfway point and prewrap it and it holds great. Way more forgiving. I also like to cut a small groove for that knot. Keeps the knot from moving up and down. Simple over Hand knot works fine . I also do it barefoot. Use my toes like a monkey and hold the board. Works great.
I am currently taking a wilderness survival class as part of my college program. We use your book for information and we were actually able to make fire bows last week in class. Where you hold the bow is brilliant and I am going to try and hold it there next time to see if that makes life any easier.
Another great thing to do is to use whatever punk didn’t burn and add it to your ember to make it bigger. I al ways make a little nest with some sawdust in the middle to put the ember in.
Something he didn't mention but is important - notice how he locks in his left wrist to his lower leg. Provides stability to the handhold/spindle/fireboard.
Dear Les, as always great content, show and good man. Enjoy all your videos and shows. Survivor man and son was also cool. Wish you long health and lots more videos. Menelai from Rodnikovskaya, Krasnodar Krai, Russia 👍
Does anyone know why many of the "Masterclass" videos are listed as Private Videos? This is so awesome. I had been struggling to share Les's amazing material with my teenage son so the timing is perfect! Best survival material, ever, IMHO.
Les, I don’t usually address content creators directly but I hope RUclips can augment your income enough that we get regular content. I don’t have very much money so my only contribution is that I watch the ads, share, and comment on any Content Creator that I really enjoy. Good luck.
You need thumbnails if you want you more views.
Oh thank Heaven you commented the RUclips content creators, dont know what would happen if you didn't
@@conqueringlion420 …if I didn’t, they would make a few pennies less on the video. I am just trying to help as best I can.
@@lory2622 I was being sarcastic not serious yes but I get your point. However His channel is not monetized
Les is worth like 8 mil he's good, this is a passion project, free information to save lives
So Glad Les is putting out so much content now to get us through these times would love to see Les do a couple day Solo canoe trip
I agree it's very refreshing to see..
You wrote everything I was thinking! Lol, great minds think alike! ;)
Hopefully everyone supports him buy buying...something...from his online store...he deserves a reward.
He just made that, in case you haven't seen it. I'm guessing he saw this comment
Les is the man, survivorman to be exact!
I thought I was good, but he did that with great clarity. He is a teacher! 👍🤗❤️🎶💕
I love les Strouds work its hands down the best in survival
I've been watching you for years man. You got me into survival skills. Really glad you're producing content.
This is the definitive video on how to make a fire using sticks! I have been trying to make 🔥 like this since I was a kid and after watching this video I feel I have the knowledge needed to actually do it on my own in the wild.
There is a better one where the guy shows how to make everything including the cordage
This is seriously step by step. Even doing the dust first, then the notch.. unreal teaching.
Can't find a better instructional video on the firebow than this. Great job Les.
Always like the cheer he gives when he gets fire.
Thank you so much for putting these videos out! Much appreciated during these trying times!
Please keep all your archived videos coming. So therapeutic and helpful during these weird, crazy times!!!!
Thank you Les!!!!
Les, I've been watching you for years! A true inspiration. I'm so happy to see this content come back. hoping for more!
I cannot express how much I've been looking forward to these videos every day! I've watched ever episode of survivorman at least a dozen times and having new content is awesome. Thank you!
I have never started a fire with my own hands (and sticks:) but I will try now.
Been watching Les for over 10 years, glad to see you still rocking!
I was a programmer at a summer camp one summer and I was also the fire master for our evening campfire. My favourite tinder was squirrel nest. The shed where I kept my supplies locked up was also home to a squirrel. Despite daily cleaning out his pine cones and bedding he would always start again. I just took what I swept out and used it to start my fires. It was great. Fine stuff to catch a spark, small chunks to hold the flame and keep it going.
Les! Stroud! Only half way through but so grateful for your work and expertise. Hoping you end every video w a harp riff/tutorial!
Really appreciate these videos man! Been a fan since wayyyyy back in the original forum site days! Be safe!
Thank you for sharing your skills. Really learning from your master class. Thanks again. Look forward to more from you.
He’s one of my few role models I hope RUclips can become his new platform for content.
This is such an awesome skill to have. Thank you for the tutorial 😁👍👍 Going to try it with my son this weekend.
Thank you. Canada sings too..very loud and clear.
Awesome! I so appreciate this. Specially during these times. Les Thankyou!
Kevin William Lowe shut the fuck up old man
Les, one of my favorite tinders, especially considering "carrying it with you," is dead cattail tops (the seed head). Cattail fluff is really good stuff when dead and dry. One top is very compact, comes with a handy built in handle, lol, and produces a ton of fluff. The main detractor is that they are only found at water sources. If you are on the side of a mountain, deep in the forest, you won't find them. Just as you did with the cedar bark in the bag, it is always a good idea to collect basic fire material like good tinder or friction fire parts when you come across them as you travel, instead of searching at the time when you need it. The more time you can buy now for anything is better for you later when your life may well depend upon it.
Once again, thank you!
Thanks this will help me teach my kids who are going nuts looking for out door stuff to do.
Great idea adding "distraction" in the title! Much needed among many of us!
Thank you Les for taking this subject so seriously,that we your students can actually have an instructor who understands and comprehends what a survivor has to go through to make it through to the end.
I also hike to extreme remote areas.
Constantly aware that I'm allways in danger of getting into a horrible situations.
Thank you for all of the APPLICABLE information.
Thanks so much, man. No one has done this or does this to the open general public like you do. If u need someone to carry your pack or be your wilderness EMT, I'm you guy pure volunteer, so long as you buy the beers afterwards! Cheers Les
You have been such a huge inspiration to me for most of my life. I started watching you in 06-07, here we are in 2020. Even better, I went from living a highly wooded Pennsylvania town, to living in Colorado. I've been fortunate to have grown up in nature and still continue have nature as a large part of my life in my 20's.
Gona try this next time camping. You are such a likable and good teacher. Thx for your work.
So good! I missed this so much! Glad to have you back Les!
Ill watch him all day long 🇨🇦👌
one of the best bow drill videos I have seen. Great Work!
I've done this a few times with an oak spindle, and a balsa board with a hazel/buckskin bow. My tinder was seasoned wood shavings from working bow staves. Namely juniper shavings and fiber. It was a natural jasper stone that already had the deprivation in it. Took me an afternoon to finally get it lit, just before dark.
Also I recently found a Shoshone clear obcidian drill tip along the snake river that works the same with a bow drill.
Thanks for everything les. You are the only survivalist I've ever learned from. Stay safe and healthy my friend...
Hey Les, I've been a fan of you for years. I just started my first ever fire with a fire bow. I've been trying to figure it out for two summers and this video was a huge help. Thank you!
Well done man. It's a great skill to learn, starting my own RUclips series on it soon.
This is truly making the most of a pandemic. Thank you for continuing to teach us and give us new things to try!!
Absolutely best explanation I have ever seen for bow drill fire. Thank you very much. Look forward to trying it out.
Thanks Les hopefully I’ll never need to use all the knowledge you taught me. Can’t thank you enough. Hope you and your family are well!
Bill nye of outdoor survival and skills a a teacher. Let’s go les!
We got rid of cable, and I have missed your TV show. I am excited to have your channel on RUclips! Keep the great videos coming! Also, I learned some valuable tips from this video, so thank you, Les!
It’s a gift that Les is uploading vids
I used to watch the Survivorman episodes over and over again so the fact that you have a RUclips channel now is just awesome! I live an outdoor lifestyle with a spinal cord injury and you've been one of my inspirations to get back out there and learn the survival aspects of the outdoors! Thanks Les!!!
Zach from Half Pace Outdoors!
You're the man Les, this is such an awesome, greatly detailed but simple information everyone should know... I hope you are staying safe and are around for many many years to come when all this madness is over... bucket list is somehow going on a trip with the survivor man and making a fire at the end of the day drinking some good ole h9me made wine, and playing music... you're the best brother!°
I love these in depth teaching videos and it just makes watching your survivorman show all the more immersive, cant wait to try and fail at this myself. sucking at something is the first step at being sorta good at something-jake the dog
Highly appreciated Les. Thanks tons!
I have Parkinson's so starting a fire with sticks is actually one of the easier task for me , Eating peas with a spoon or tying my shoes NOT Happening at least my sense of humor isn't shaky 🤣🤣🤣 Wow thanks for all the Likes God bless everyone who sent me well wishes
@Mr. Lee way to ruin a cheeky joke....you no content bot.
there's a great curb your enthusiasm episode with michael j fox in a similar strain of humor
I enjoy your sense of humor. Both my Grandpa and aunt had Parkinson's. May. God bless you and your family.
My dad had Parkinson's he also had that great sense of humour, it made me think of him. Thank you and God's Speed.
@@beckderm i can sense your tin foil hat from here...wanker.
Les...great video...the firebow method is my favorite way to start a fire when I am not in a hurry.
I've been watching you for years man. You sir are the best.
Ahhhhhh! Short and sweet. Maybe I will dream about this tonight.
I love the extra time you can spend teaching in this. I can see why your average viewer wouldn't be interested, but that's the beauty of RUclips isn't it?
I enjoy these videos. Thanks for putting them together.
I learned how to fire bow in Utah (fantastic teacher) and it was pretty easy with stuff I could find laying around. I was taught to put a tiny pinch of fine sand on the base board when you start (that helps with wood that has been covered with dew by increasing friction) and cutting vertical striations in the tip of the spindle helps keep dust in the heat a little bit longer. (just watch out for the ember sticking to the spindle)
All that being said I have never gotten a fire bow to work in Western Washington with stuff I could find laying around Ive tried about a dozen times.
21:26 "That's just firebowing with extra steps!"
Thats so cool, I have never herd someone actually say go get your materials and we will do this together. Why has no one else thought of this
Thank you for sharing your life's work with us as its an art to be shared with and enjoyed by others. Really appreciate all the details you give here that couldnt be fit into the Survivorman series. Will be watching for more such content.
More please! This is awesome
Please do more of these, great info
So sick...love these!! Thanks Les!!👍👍
Thank you for sharing your time & knowledge Les.
this is everything right now thanks Les!!!!
This deserves far more views.
Hope the algorithm puts this at the top soon!
my wife doesn't like the burning smell and smoke coming from the computer room. thanks for doing this les.
🤣😂😂😂
I love this small videos! My Scout troop started training for a Survivorman camp out like the one you visited in CO. I have been sharing these videos with the Scouts to keep their interest up until we can meet together again. Thank you very much for doing these. Jeremy LeClair, Scoutmast Troop 102, Orland ME
Peeling the birch down to one layer was a good trick. Hadn't seen that before.
He brought several things into the wild. The best thing to bring, get a spark and weighs almost nothing is drier lint. Don't leave home without it!!
What a absolute Legend thanks you so much I hope this inspires you to keep posting thanks. I cant wait to go try all this.
Great show Les. Thanks for caring. I am here in lock down Ireland. John
I've done this in an actual survival situation and it is why I doubled down on keeping ferro-rods with me. Start to finish was about 6 hours and it exhausted me,. Les gives great advice for when you must but practice is on you. If you practice with pre-made bows, spindles and boards it is not really adequate practice,
Awesome - probably the best tutorial on fire bows I've seen
Would love a DVD with a series masterclasses!
Thank you Les for giving your time to us..
Id love to meet les in person. Hes been a huge part of my life and i swear a few of the things ive heard from him have really really made a difference in the quality of the situations ive been in
Same here, grew up watching him all through my teens. My family didn’t have cable so I got my buddies to burn cds of his episodes and I’d get them like that. His mentality is what’s helped me through so much.
Thanks Les, perfect time to reconnect with Survivorman!
Great lesson Les. Fire bow if tough at first, but it gets easier each time. Looks like about 30 seconds from stars to ember. If your practicing at home and don't have a good bearing block, a shot glass will work great.
I started practicing this with my 2 year old in our near patio home sized back yard. We have a lot of muscadine vines growing on our fence and I got a good "truck portion" of the vine for the bow. Its solid, and has an active tension that is great for adjusting the tightness of my rope. I also found and old bird's nest for tinder, and I am using a split piece of cherry as my base that I have for my fire pit. I got a piece of silver maple, since its all I have, as my spindle and a chunk of it for my block. The Maple is very green unfortunately. Then got an old shoelace, cut some anchor notches on the vine trunk, and tied two-half-hitches so I could slip the knot up and down for rope tension, and started spinning. After much trial and error to finally hit a rhythm got some good grinding and a touch of smoke before my 2 year old trounced on it and spilled his bubbles right on my spot.... But hey, found everything I needed and was getting it working on my first try on my tiny piece of property here in Alabama, only using materials found outside.
Long post to say Les is an amazing instructor to get me this close to success in one try given the circumstances. Love Survivorman!!!
Update, I've gotten SO CLOSE. I changed my spindle, got better at notching my wood so it stays in place. and I have found a better, comfortable position for working it. I have gotten it smoking like crazy and made the spindle and baseboard charred black, but cant seem to collect everything into a smoldering ash enough to start babying it into flame. Its like I hit a peak of almost there, and then can't quite make it. its obnoxious. But so so close. I just wish I knew that one thing I'm messing up on.
Thank you Les! I've been watching you since the beginning of Surviorman - THIS is a skill I've always wanted to master. Time for practice! *Anyone else like dead pine needles, like I do - to add ?* I always they go up so fast from the campfires I've done (with matches) 🙄
Les, you are a terrific storyteller. How about giving us some nighttime campfire "fire-side chats" where you tell stories about your adventures, like your big foot experiences. I think a lot of us would love to see some story videos. Thanks!
Your amazing I love all your videos been watching them since I was a kid your show needs to be more easily accessible I’d buy the entire thing in a hot minute you really helped a lot of people my man
We love you Les
Thank you les
Love it Les!!!
People dont know how hard to find a good harth, spindle and block. When you are in dire need. I AM GLAD THAT YOU TELL PEOPLE THAT THEY MIGHT FAIL TO FIND THE STUFF TO MAKE A BOW DRILL FIRE. I like to practice almost every time I am out in the woods. You will have way more failers than you think. I seem to keep the best kits .so when I go out I have at least one set for backup if I cant get a new made one going. I have a huge bag of great tinder that I saved real premo stuff . That a backup if eveything is wet. I also carry backup ignition , a lighter , ferro rod and wallet lens there my EDC I never leave home without them.
Great video thank you for this distraction and education.
I love this guy
This was a really good demo. It shows how easy its is to make a fire 🔥 (in perfect conditions). Whats missing is very seldom are conditions perfect, too cold, too humid, too wet. Since fire is close to the top in must have for survival, in todays world, it only makes sense to never venture out without a couple Bic lighters and a fero rod in your pockets. They are so inexpensive its pretty damn dumb to not have them. Also a good lens for a solar fire. This is a great skill to have as a hobby but I suggest never depend on it for your personal survival because Murphys Law is always nearby
Look up the Egyptian bow drill method. If you tie your spindle to the string it does not flip out of the string . Tie at the halfway point and prewrap it and it holds great. Way more forgiving. I also like to cut a small groove for that knot. Keeps the knot from moving up and down. Simple over Hand knot works fine . I also do it barefoot. Use my toes like a monkey and hold the board. Works great.
Thanks Les we have a lot of time to work on our skills Stay safe my friend we will get thru this
I am currently taking a wilderness survival class as part of my college program. We use your book for information and we were actually able to make fire bows last week in class. Where you hold the bow is brilliant and I am going to try and hold it there next time to see if that makes life any easier.
Another great thing to do is to use whatever punk didn’t burn and add it to your ember to make it bigger. I al ways make a little nest with some sawdust in the middle to put the ember in.
The boss...thank you, les. Total respect. 😉🇨🇦
glad to see you again i've learned a lot from watching your show
Something he didn't mention but is important - notice how he locks in his left wrist to his lower leg. Provides stability to the handhold/spindle/fireboard.
Does Les have a Patreon? If not he should, what a wealth of knowledge he is sharing for free. So rare these days.
Youre the man Les
Dear Les, as always great content, show and good man. Enjoy all your videos and shows. Survivor man and son was also cool. Wish you long health and lots more videos. Menelai from Rodnikovskaya, Krasnodar Krai, Russia 👍
great great video pls do more of these
Does anyone know why many of the "Masterclass" videos are listed as Private Videos?
This is so awesome. I had been struggling to share Les's amazing material with my teenage son so the timing is perfect! Best survival material, ever, IMHO.
Love your content, Les!