Post up some feather sticks!

[schmittie]

Gentlemen, it's been pretty quiet around here other than the typical FB purchases. So while grillin up some chicken tenders tonight, I grabbed a few sticks and my BF:

And the after (they are not the prettiest but a guy has got to start somewhere):

Please, don't dig out some pics from weeks or months ago. Go get your knife and slice up some fresh sticks! This could be fun if you have never tried. If you are a master, then show off your work!

 

[maw]

Outstanding feather sticks schmittie! :thumbup: I'm sure Mors Kochanski would agree with me as well!

Mark

 

[schmittie]

Oh come on Mark! You know you are just stalling. Dig out any one of your FBs and carve out a feather stick or two. We are waiting........

 

[maw]

Cheers schmittie! Will do. I do not think I could ever get enough practice doing this sort of thing.

Mark

 

[schmittie]

Hey bro, gotta start somewhere. It really is pretty easy. Give it a shot (and take a pic or two!!)


OR........?

[youtube]gKosmXx1gkc[/youtube]

 

[maw]

That was pretty good schmittie! LOL! I like at the very end when the door flies open and knocks him out cold. I'm still smiling as I write!

 

[schmittie]

Now with my HB

That's all the FB I have now, sadly. I parted with my Hunter just a little bit ago. But, a very excited man from down under has it and he is tickled to have it. It feels good that she went to a good home.

Mark, if you have any real sympathy, I'll send you my address. Feel free to ship any of your FBs my way!

 

[maw]

Hi schmittie,

Alrighty then. These are pathetic feather sticks. I am quite sure Mors Kochanski would ask me, just what do you intend to do with these? Nevertheless, it is a starting place for me and gives me plenty of latitude to grow in technique. Lots of photos here so I hope you enjoy.

Mark

 

[schmittie]

What's wrong with those?!? Very nice! Plenty there to strike a spark and get burning.

And that BF is SWEET!! I am really diggin the blue stripe too!!

Who's next to play along??

 

[maw]

Thank you schmittie.

I hope others jump too!

Mark

 

[schmittie]

Well, why are feather sticks a nice 'skill' to practice? I'm glad you asked you lurkers! (be a man like maw and give it a try!)

Feather sticks can be your tinder and kindling in one. The 'feathers', if fine enough, can catch a spark and burn hot enough to catch the remaining stick. So, if practiced enough, a person wouldn't have to carry dry tinder. Here's what I just did on back patio:

We had over 5" of rain the past few days thanks to the tropical storm. I covered the fire pit, but it must have a tear. All the remaining ash and charcoal was soaked. I cleaned it out then made a small platform for my fatwood feather sticks.

I like to try to keep all my various sizes of fuel, close at hand. Makes it very convenient.

A few strikes of the firesteel, using the spine of my HB of course, and we have flames!

Then I put some small sticks on and built it from there.

Once it burns down to charcoal, I'll be grilling up the last of my deer loins. Wood grilled venison is oh so good!

 

[schmittie]

Ok, last two pics and it's dinner time

Yes, I AM A REDNECK, and I'm grilling the deer I shot and butchered in my back yard fire pit. What can I say?

 

[maw]

Well done schmittie, well done. Thank you for sharing. Those photos are awesome!
Mark

 

[Diomedes Industries]

OH MY GOD IT IS AN EVIL ROTTWEILER - THEY ARE TRAINED TO KILL.... AND THIS ONE STARTED A FIRE!!!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES....


well... wait.... this one seems nice....


happy even....


I'll bet that dog would slobber all over my hand for a stick of jerkey...


Never mind... sorry for the alarm....


TF

 

[schmittie]

OH MY GOD IT IS AN EVIL ROTTWEILER - THEY ARE TRAINED TO KILL.... AND THIS ONE STARTED A FIRE!!!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES....


well... wait.... this one seems nice....


happy even....


I'll bet that dog would slobber all over my hand for a stick of jerkey...


Never mind... sorry for the alarm....


TF

Ha TF! What tipped you off that she is quite nice and happy? It was the pink paracord collar wasnt it?

 

[maw]

Hello Folks,

This is the Arete's first time out, albeit brief. The knife was very comfortable and controllable in the hand and sliced very well. It did not have a tendency to bite or dig deep into the wood which made producing shavings much easier. It was a real pleasurable time indeed.

I hope you enjoy.

Mark

Obligatory Knife Photos.

The Arete.

The Arete and the Kephart Together.

 

[swatpup]

I just did these with my Bushboot in preparation for lighting up the fire pit tonight. I haven't done many, still need some practice, but they usually get a fire going.

 

[maw]

Thanks for joining in swatpup!

Mark

 

[Maniacal Pete]

So, I've done some feather sticks, but getting them to light with a firesteel is another matter.
Trying to get lit using just indigenous materials.
Any suggestions there?
It's mostly pine that I have to work with.
I have used the shavings as kindling succesfully,
but so far I have had to resort to accelerants to get the fire going.

 

[blood604]

Couple weeks ago was the first time getting a fire going with feather stick and firesteel.
I was so impressed, I did it a second time to show every one.
I had attempted once before on a camping trip this summer but no go.

The difference when it worked: very fine shavings on the feather stick!
When I was done making each shaving as thin as I could get them, I
cut them all off and made a pile with them and then use back of knife
and the firesteel, few attempts and there it was... FIRE!!

I had a lot of fun, wish I made a vid haha

hope that helps... Also, I am going to attempt yet again to post pics; fingers crossed
I am successful this time!!

The bushcrafter I just got yesterday and the recluse I had a couple weeks or so,
I put a bunch of time into it, working it to a full convex, still needs some work tho
but still nice and sharp

As for starting the fire, My first fiddleback had not yet arrived in mail
so I was using my blackbird SK5
heres a pick of some of the shaving that lit up the first of the two fires

Its not a fiddleback so let me know if I should take it down!!


Just finished this one after loading the pics! sorry now that I know to load
pics I guess I'm going a bit crazy... I'll quite after this