Fatwood: It really is that good.

[SpookyPistolero]

I have seen the light, and it's name is Fatwood. After not having been able to find any natural source of the stuff when hiking around, I broke down and bought some for $3.50 at Meijer. Worth every penny!

I popped out a piece when I got home and shaved some curls off with my Mora. The first thing I tried was a magnesium firestarter, which turned out to be quite easy. A relatively small amount of Mg shavings gave a flame after only a couple of strikes on the ferrocium.

I tried again with a Scout model ferrocium rod and it was almost as easy. It was easy to get a flame within about 6 strikes or so. Some more practice with this stuff should make it go even smoother.

So now I've got a lightweight, weatherproof tinder that never expires. It has just moved up to my number one firestarting setup (Ferrocium plus fatwood, and maybe some foil). For those who haven't tried it, it's definitely worth picking some up.

The more skills and tricks I learn around here and in reading, the less junk it seems I have to haul into the woods. A lighter pack means a happier camper!

 

[River-8]

Good on ya Spooky!

Fatwood, pitchwood, whatever its called is indeed the way to go...

Can't swing a dead cat of any size up here in the Pacific NW without
hitting a pitchwood stump:

Nice skill to master.

8

 

[Shotgun]

Good on ya Spooky!

Fatwood, pitchwood, whatever its called is indeed the way to go...

Can't swing a dead cat of any size up here in the Pacific NW without
hitting a pitchwood stump:

Nice skill to master.

8

Reading that fire starting walkthrough on your site is one of the things that led me to Swamp Rat. Now I'm addicted you bastard!

 

[james_bond]

looks like you love/abuse your ratwiler very much, I am love hiking in western washington it is nice and amazing how the pitchwood is dry even after our infamous WEEKS of rain.

 

[lambertiana]

River-8 - Have you observed any species of trees that yield more or better fatwood than others? In you neck of the woods there are a number of different firs, and some pine and spruce, depending on location.

 

[Evolute]

Yes, fatwood really is the best tinder for emergency firestarting and for a PSK that there is.

 

[Ron Athay]

River8,
Your site and our conversations has led to my buying much fatwood, big fire steels, and lots of knives. I will bring them to the Mischief. Thanks.
Ron Athay

 

[Dantor]

I'll be living in Oregon soon, can't wait to find me some fatty-ole-wood!

 

[Trout Tamer]

Have you observed any species of trees that yield more or better fatwood than others?

I wasn't the original person addressed in this question, but I can give a bit of an answer. In my neck of the woods - central New Mexico - many dried Ponderosa pines are pitchwood/fatwood. Certain junipers also have the resin.

Here's what I look for when looking for a pitchwood stump - the wood will have a generally dull, gray appearance. However, it will have a slightly greenish hue to it in places, particularly in streaks in random areas of the outer skin. Wood that looks like this is most likely pitch/fatwood. A qkick scrape/stab/chop with a knife will get the observer a quick look inside, which should be orange in color - the deeper orange, the more rich the resin is :thumbup:

Pitch/fatwood does lose some of its potency, over time. It's a good idea to replace it every couple of months in your PSK for maximum potency.

 

[lambertiana]

Trout Tamer - I have noticed the same thing here, the best fatwood I have found came from Ponderosa pines. There are a number of different pines in the Sierra, but Ponderosa seems to be the best. I have found some fair fatwood in lodgepole pine.

I was just interested in what is found in the NW. They have different species of pine, fir, and spruce there. I know that there is a little overlap with species found in the Sierra - sugar pine and western white pine extend into the NW, and we have some douglas fir here - but most of what they have there is different from what we have here.

 

[Rescue Mike]

Good on ya Spooky!

Fatwood, pitchwood, whatever its called is indeed the way to go...

Can't swing a dead cat of any size up here in the Pacific NW without
hitting a pitchwood stump:

Nice skill to master.

8

Jeez 8, no pic of the Heavy Heart?? What's up?


You wanna sell it? I'll take it!!

By the way... How could WRSAR plan a 24hr overnighter DURING Blade West Weekend?!?!?!?!

 

[Normark]

Hey Guys..

River 8..
Awesome Pic!!!

Great example of fatwood...

Spook...

At Meijers there is generally 3 places they store Fatwood ..

First place I head is :

1. BBQ section
2. Gardening
3. Sporting goods

In which department did you get yours ???

I've found that they carry 3 different packages of fatwood

A plastic box in Camping with about 10 pieces, BBQ section has 1.5 lb boxes with clear plastic over the top, and the motherload 12lb box...

I generally buy the 12 Pounder as it works out to about $1.00+ a pound. The most expensive by far is the plastic box in sporting Goods...

I emailed the company,, but wood have to buy 500lbs..Now I make alot of fires,, but thats just over the top!!

Awesome stuff Eh !!!

ttyle

Eric
O/ST

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Wow, good to know Eric! I actually picked up one in the sporting goods area, there is probably around 25 pieces or so (still well worth it!). I will definitely check out the other areas next time.

 

[sodak]

If you check out the fireplace supplies section at Wally World, they have it there also.

 

[River-8]

By the way... How could WRSAR plan a 24hr overnighter
DURING Blade West Weekend?!?!?!?!

'Tis always the 3rd weekend of September - Besides; what could be better?
Oogling, fondling, petting and drooling on knives , THEN going out and
BEATING on them !!

Oh, and... The Heavy Heart is just fine; she's just a little shy...

8