I have been doing campfires for around 50 years now and I can tell you you are spot on. cotton balls and a fero rod are by far and away the best way to do it. I always have at least 4 rods with me I also have matches but my strike is inside the container wrapped in tin foil for safety. I have 2 lighters one on my belt and one in my inside pocket. so if I cant get a good fire going with that lot im in a bad shape. minus 30 around here in winter is no joke, you need fire.
I agree. Cotton balls with petroleum jelly are absolutely the most bang for your buck. I went into the woods by my house during an ice storm to test different kinds of man made tinder and those were the most consistent. Even being homemade. Great job on this video. I hope someone who needs to see it will see it. 👍
You can store a Petco in a section of a plastic straw with both ends melted shut. Keeps forever. It is small enough that you can keep them everywhere in your outdoor kit and is easy to access. Backpack, pants pocket or jacket packet. Wherever.
Yup, that is also my number one fire starter in any environment. But, I also add Wet Fire (by UST) to all my kits in combination with my cotton balls, burns a lot longer at a high degree of heat. Has never let me down. Great video Dan
I started using it in extreme cold environments, the cotton balls work good, but I was burning a bunch at once. With the WetFire you can use two cotton balls on top of the WetFire and it will burn for almost 4-5 minutes at 3000 degree's. Great addition to the cotton balls for a hotter longer burn time in the wet or extreme cold. @@ochocobushcraft1742
All I can say is this is some good advice. I have been taking off the second week of deer season in PA and the weather is always wet and there is snow a lot of the time. I have been starting fires for lunch every time I go. The best fire starter I use is vaseline and cotton balls.
Good info Dan! When you need a fire 5 minutes ago, nothing works faster and more reliably then a Vaseline soaked cotton ball! I like my fatwood, but when it's cold and wet and your fingers are getting numb, it's not a good time to be using your knife to carve fatwood shavings. Just hit that cotton ball with a shower of sparks, and get that fire going right away!
Sir, thank you for this video. I am newbe and watched lots of videos but did not "get it". After all those videos I had still not understood what you so clearly demonstrated with the lighter and matches. Definitely lifesaving information. ❤
Great vid, Dan! 👍 One should always carry multiple methods of starting a fire and prepared tinder, just as you have demonstrated. Depending on the environment and situation, carrying multiple methods allows one to cover their basis. Might be a lighter or matches in some situations, or a ferro rod in other situations. All good things to carry, along with prepared tinder with coal extender. 👍
Great video. =) This idea won't help with loss of dexterity but, always carry a few spare strike surfaces inside the container with the matches, so they can't get damp / wet.
An excellent video, some very good points. Concerning the lighter I would start by removing the child safety guard that is over the wheel, it would make it much easier to strike even with gloves on. You can warm up that lighter by rubbing it between your palms and if you know that you're going out in cold weather place the lighter inside your coat close to your body and keep it warm and it should work with no problem.
I agree multiple methods of starting a fire are smart to carry as well as multiple types of tinder. One method i might want in a real emergency could be a road/signal flare. Of course that method isn't for day to day fires.
Just in case, I keep a match striker that I cut from a box of matches in with the actual matches abrasive side away from the match heads of course. It will stay dry that way in case I misplace my Ferro for some how. Good vid.
Isn't it amazing how theory doesn't always translate to reality lol, I would definitely remove that safety from the lighter cuz it does really help. Also if the lighter was just cold and not wet the spark from it could easily ignite the cotton balls, but as you said a ferro rod won't let you down providing the correct tinder is available. 👍
Hello there 😊! I like your video, true bushcraft and nice camera work. Keep on . I also make bushcraft videos, before in Russia, now in Vietnam. Its crazy how different it is lol 😂😅. Take care! Good luck with your channel!
I have been doing campfires for around 50 years now and I can tell you you are spot on. cotton balls and a fero rod are by far and away the best way to do it. I always have at least 4 rods with me I also have matches but my strike is inside the container wrapped in tin foil for safety. I have 2 lighters one on my belt and one in my inside pocket. so if I cant get a good fire going with that lot im in a bad shape. minus 30 around here in winter is no joke, you need fire.
Sounds like you are well prepared! Thanks for sharing!
Very well done! Thank you!
😊thanks, I have experienced all of what you’ve shown. Your on the mark. I always have a ferrorod on me at all times. Take care.
Thank you! Appreciate you sharing.
I agree. Cotton balls with petroleum jelly are absolutely the most bang for your buck. I went into the woods by my house during an ice storm to test different kinds of man made tinder and those were the most consistent. Even being homemade. Great job on this video. I hope someone who needs to see it will see it. 👍
Thank you! Greatly appreciated!
You can store a Petco in a section of a plastic straw with both ends melted shut. Keeps forever. It is small enough that you can keep them everywhere in your outdoor kit and is easy to access. Backpack, pants pocket or jacket packet. Wherever.
Thanks Dan!...atvb...woods
Thanks! Good to hear from you!
Thank you!
Yup, that is also my number one fire starter in any environment. But, I also add Wet Fire (by UST) to all my kits in combination with my cotton balls, burns a lot longer at a high degree of heat. Has never let me down. Great video Dan
Thank you! I'll have to try the Wetfire.
I started using it in extreme cold environments, the cotton balls work good, but I was burning a bunch at once. With the WetFire you can use two cotton balls on top of the WetFire and it will burn for almost 4-5 minutes at 3000 degree's. Great addition to the cotton balls for a hotter longer burn time in the wet or extreme cold. @@ochocobushcraft1742
All I can say is this is some good advice. I have been taking off the second week of deer season in PA and the weather is always wet and there is snow a lot of the time. I have been starting fires for lunch every time I go. The best fire starter I use is vaseline and cotton balls.
Nice! and good luck on the hunting! Love peppered deer jerky!
Good info Dan! When you need a fire 5 minutes ago, nothing works faster and more reliably then a Vaseline soaked cotton ball! I like my fatwood, but when it's cold and wet and your fingers are getting numb, it's not a good time to be using your knife to carve fatwood shavings. Just hit that cotton ball with a shower of sparks, and get that fire going right away!
Absolutely!
Sir, thank you for this video. I am newbe and watched lots of videos but did not "get it". After all those videos I had still not understood what you so clearly demonstrated with the lighter and matches. Definitely lifesaving information. ❤
Thank you! I'm glad it helped.
Great vid, Dan! 👍 One should always carry multiple methods of starting a fire and prepared tinder, just as you have demonstrated. Depending on the environment and situation, carrying multiple methods allows one to cover their basis. Might be a lighter or matches in some situations, or a ferro rod in other situations. All good things to carry, along with prepared tinder with coal extender. 👍
Thank you!
Great video. =) This idea won't help with loss of dexterity but, always carry a few spare strike surfaces inside the container with the matches, so they can't get damp / wet.
Good tip, thanks!
An excellent video, some very good points. Concerning the lighter I would start by removing the child safety guard that is over the wheel, it would make it much easier to strike even with gloves on. You can warm up that lighter by rubbing it between your palms and if you know that you're going out in cold weather place the lighter inside your coat close to your body and keep it warm and it should work with no problem.
I agree multiple methods of starting a fire are smart to carry as well as multiple types of tinder. One method i might want in a real emergency could be a road/signal flare. Of course that method isn't for day to day fires.
A road flare kept in the vehicle is a great survival resource. Thank you!
Finally got rain here in the Midwest
Nice!
Saludos de Santiago de Chile
Thank you, and greetings!
Hey Dan, i add a small Birthday Candle to my stormproof match safe and a backup syriker stays onside as well
Nice! The candle is a great idea!
Just in case, I keep a match striker that I cut from a box of matches in with the actual matches abrasive side away from the match heads of course. It will stay dry that way in case I misplace my Ferro for some how. Good vid.
Good advice, thanks!
Stay warm 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Isn't it amazing how theory doesn't always translate to reality lol, I would definitely remove that safety from the lighter cuz it does really help. Also if the lighter was just cold and not wet the spark from it could easily ignite the cotton balls, but as you said a ferro rod won't let you down providing the correct tinder is available. 👍
Thank You my friend! Absolutely right! When someone doesn't realize how easily these items can fail, they can end up in serious trouble.
Lol. After i type the thing about cotton balls you mentioned it. You understand that
Hello there 😊! I like your video, true bushcraft and nice camera work. Keep on . I also make bushcraft videos, before in Russia, now in Vietnam. Its crazy how different it is lol 😂😅. Take care! Good luck with your channel!
Thank you! I checked out your channel. Very cool!
2:57 ...remove the guard on the lighter...will that help ??
In the below freezing Temps they quit lightning no matter what. And moisture will prevent this too.
Great video, love that faro rod, how can I buy one. Very educational video, thank you
Amazon has a wide selection. Type in Ferrofire heavy duty plus ferro rod. These are 5 inch x 1/2 inch. Two for about $16.00
At what temperature do lighters start to fail or have problems?
at freezing the butane will stop evaporating and won't ignite.
@@ochocobushcraft1742 Thanks!👍🏻
I keep waterproof tinder boxes and i out cotton balls doused with vaseline in small ziploc bags in those
Excellent!
Carry a pencil sharpener and you can get dry tender from dead branches.