Guys gals kids and dogs lol the reason it’s important to learn to throw better sparks is because as you progress and become more skilled you should be more efficient with different tinder types. My kid was 3 and was making fire with cotton balls. This video is about teaching you to get better and beyond just using store bought fire starters. Shavings in damp weather, duct tape balls and a damp birds nest. Igniting Those types of things with a ferro rod in adverse weather is what we are trying to learn.

To everyone in KZfaq land: I purchased the coalcracker 6inch ferro rod, and carry it with a piece of broken file( high carbon steel ) I have never failed to make a fire with these tools. Listen to the teacher, he knows what he's talking about. 👍

Gramps made sure all his grandkids knew how to use a ferro rod. Such good memories of my cousins, sisters and me camping and making a bunch of little fires along the nooksack river. Still have a very worn down magnesium/ferro starter he got me when I was 10.

I have to say, I'm seventy years old... I've hike countless trails.. You're method of teaching the basics...AWESOME..Thx

Great video, brother.

Hey Dan, that other intro beat is where it's at. Don't abandon that one. Great video!

I always focus on keeping the striker stationary and pull the rod back. Maybe it's just me but the sparks always go right where I intend them to go.

Proper technique tips are always appreciated.

I will have to make up another dance for this new intro.

Thanks for the tips. Using a ferro rod efficiently is harder than it looks!

Thank you for this! I've been trying for years and couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I'm an old lady with weak fingers but at least you gave me a direction. I'll keep practicing ❤

The classic intro was perfect. I can't NOT feel a sense of lack with this new one, no matter how fantastic.

I had ALL the issues when I started. This is full of great tips.

You are one of the best instructors I have seen. Narrative, demonstration, technique, review. Great job. After watching this and practicing anyone should be able to start a fire quickly with a minimum of effort.

Great tips. My success starting a fire definitely improved after watching this video.

Thank you... getting up in my age at 66 now and wrist not as strong. Watching you sure helped me. I’m sparking now💕

I would love to be out in the woods with this snack.

The technique works beautifully. My wife asked me what was on fire in my den. 😇

Thank you for this video! I know this might sound ridiculous to most people but after watching this, i went outside and tried the ferro rod again (ive never been able to do it right before) and it worked! I was soo happy i FINALLY could use the damn thing and am glad i didnt get rid of it lol thank you for breaking it down crayola style for me 😊

My daughter just got us an "emergency kit" with a ferro rod in it and we found this video!! Great tips 👍 It works?! Subbed 😊

Your new intro is spot on! Nice work. I'm a new subscriber and I really dig your channel/content.

Not sure if you'll read this..but your videos are awesome..it would be a pleasure to meet you Thank you

Thanks, Dan (Coalcracker Bushcraft). This has been very helpful. I will practice your techniques.

I just got my first ever rod. Then you show up with a tutorial! Perfect. Now I know what it should be doing and how to do it. Thank you!!!!

Totally awesome. Never knew this. I just thought the ferrocerium I got was not quality or something. Thank you!

I think this is the best way to teach us how to use the ferro rod. Very explanatory and very informative. Thanks again for sharing this video.

You are absolutely right. Frustration is the key to failure in any endeavor.

Man, I am new to the rod stuff and thanks to your video, the right way I will do since the beginning!!! That was awesome from you 👍🤙

Best channel in the tube - watched this and went to the website to get the 6” rod (and some other stuff 🤦‍♂️) - as a fellow PA resident (Northumberland County) I love what you got going on brother - hoping to free up some time in the near future for a weekend course 👊

Bro, I watched your video and then put a Paracord wrap handle on it and went outside with some dryer lint and... KA BOOM! Fire. You are such a good friend... Thanks bro!

I tried to read through the many comments but I didn't see this. If you posted this idea I apologize in advance. Yep...leverage. Take a 2" to 4" stick around you camp site. With your bundle ready, place the stick about 3" from your pile and the rod across the stick down, touching the surface you're on and pointing toward the outside ring of your lighter... 1" of so. That keeps the rod ridged. Then you have a sturdy rod placement with a very sturdy striker target. Works for me. Just sayin'. Love this channel.

Best tips & video on KZfaq on how use Ferro Rod right.

Thanks for not taking yourself too seriously. That combined with the good teaching keeps me coming back.

AWESOME tips. Thank you. Nice to see Shawn plug your tarp again this week. Saving up for it myself.

Got the sharping puck today love it 👊🏻

Don’t forget to maintain that 90* edge. Love your videos! A freind of mine I have been teaching this stuff to says i remind him of you. Lol good on me!

I make people use it when I have fires. Have a bit of materials, tools to process, this is how you do it.. make the fire! Generally a few burnt half logs so a few people can make mini fires at the same time. Great skill to have! Great vid bud!

What a great tutorial!! Thanks!! Shows that the small striker that comes with most rods isn't hefty enough to get the right sparks!

Used a lot of ferro rods and watched even more videos on technique while trying to learn something new. As an instructor in another specialty, I can recognize the invaluable technique you're showing here. Outstanding vid, the best I've seen yet for ferro rods.

Bought a small hand ax and a full tang knife today after watching so many of these videos. I'm usually a backpacker, so it is interesting to see the differences.

You have a very good relationship with Mother Nature Most people have no relationship with the earth beyond buying her at walmart

Great information. I see so many people, in fact nearly everyone, doing more than one really good strike. People just seem to have a mind-set that it's going to take 5 or more "loosey-goosies" as you put it to get something lit. One thing few realize is what such repetitive strikes and the build-up of heat that goes along with it, does to the edge of their striker or knife. Then they get discourage because things become exponentially worse with each subsequent fire-start session, with the reason usually being that the edge of their striker has become dull or rounded because they've completely screwed with the heat-treatment of the metal - a look under magnification would show this. The same goes for flint and steel, it takes only one good, well thought-out strike to get an ember - something I've shown over and over, seeing so many "smash" flint-to-steel over, and over, and over . . . but that's another subject of discussion.

Most helpful video I have seen in a while. You are clear, and use your gestures and mechanics well. Going out to check myself out now!

nice stuff dude, basics are always the most forgotten

Awesome Intro. Like always, Great Information.

You sir, are a true badass. Thank you for this channel and the phenomenal content !

I was a loosie goosie out of control with not enough pressure. I made fire with a jute bird nest. Me! I made fire 🔥 !!!!! So excited Thank you for the simplictic instructions. Best one I watched.

Always great advice! Thanks Dan.

all i can say is thank you for the information. great video.

Thank you for the tips. And liking the new intro 👍🏻

Fabulous video, very informative and made me chuckle...Stay in the woods baby!

this is a great video/tips... this is one of those skills that seems super simple and straight forward, but if you dont practice up before a situation, you could be one regretful, cold person!

As always, thank you for an informative and entertaining lesson!

Great tips, Dan. Thank you. Stay safe and stay cool

couldn't figure out what i was doing wrong before! thanks for the great demonstration, explanation, freaking excitement!

I like the new intro, but I did get down quite a bit with the other. Though the new one I guess is more fitting! Keep up the great work!

"Not a speed device, it's a pressure device" that is one heck of a quote and tip, cheers 👍

Very well put, thank you. I can't wait to get one of these ferro rods!

Speaking as someone who failed on his first step, your tips are very helpful. I'll try again (not in the dining room this time) in the woods on the weekend.

Great tips Dan! Well explained! Thank you for sharing!

This is the way our generation learns and teaches to compensate for the lack of education in the public school system. Thanks for your work man! 💪🤙😉

Spark blaster 2021 !!! Thank you for posting this video!!! Tools for the tool box !! Take care and stay safe my friend!!

Excellent tips, Dan. Thanks so much!

Thanks Dan, makes a lot of sense and explains my random success with my ferro rod. Cheers mate.

Epic new intro!

Haven't even used one for the first time and I feel like an expert. Great teaching.

Dan, as always great video. Wish I saw this a bunch of years ago. I learned the pressure, pressure, pressure thing the hard knox way...trial and lots of error. Keep up the good work, always enjoy your vids.

I love the new intro!

What a pleasure to find your channel and your solid content! I taught survival in ME and the ferro rod was my favorite when teaching. So dependable!

Saw another KZfaqr place the knife, edge down, in front of the tinder and then drag the ferrorod over the back for better spark control. And you can put your indexfinger on top of the rod for better stability - especially if you are using a small rod. Works great for me.

Ok, looking to up my fire starting skills from ESEE-5, wood, and lighter to the ferro rod in place of the lighter. I'm inspired to give it a go on our next camping trip.

This has been soooooo helpful. Will be trying this out later!

Okay, so I did the pressure thing, and…it worked!!😱 Yay, thanks!!

Oh my goodness what perfect timing I just got my fero rods in the mail!

Great presentation Dan.

To recap: get a firm grasp on your rod, and apply a good bit of pressure when you stroke. 👍🏼

Thank you I am gonna go try this! AWESOME!!!

Awesome tips, as always Dan 👍. Definitely got me thinking a lot more about my own technique. Cheers.

Great video!

My coalcracker ferro rod arrived today, got home from work and shaved some fat wood and started a fire! Thanks for the instructions. Going to keep practicing, and try to find some more fat wood.

I like how they use a ferro stick on Survivor. That’s some might good entertainment. 😀

As always, great info and advice!

Those are some helpful tips thank you and keep doing what you doing you're amazing. And I enjoy watching your videos.

I came here to correct your wording! Let’s call it the “all spark” lol awesome video!

Thank you. Striking the ferro rod from against the handle instead of the middle of the blade made all the difference for me.

This video just earned you at least one new subscriber. 👌

Good tips, thanks

TY for the video just got a ferro rod and thought I would try it out right away knew I was doing something wrong I will def be doing your pressure exercise till I get it right!!

I'm a complete newbie to the knife and ferro rod stuff--just bought mine last week. I watched this video multiple times before going out and trying it myself. Thanks to your excellent instructions (not just the how, but the why, and how *not* to do it), I was pleasantly surprised to start throwing halfway decent spark globs almost immediately! They're not as good as yours, but it's an exciting start! Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into these videos, Dan. Looking forward to learning more and adding even more fun to my outdoor adventures!

I've ordered mini ferro rods and strikers. I'm going to sew them into coats and make paracord jewellery. Today I did a bugout prepping walk, and was gathering tinder.

Very hot tip indeed Dan!! I always have success with my F Rod But I do get into a habit of moving too fast I’m gonna try that drill working with the pressure thanks for the tips!

Amazing new intro love it.

I love how down to earth these videos are, easy and fun way to learn and get better.

Thanks for this. Was struggling yesterday so watched this and now I know what I am doing wrong. Have learned so much from you. Really appreciated.

Thanks so much for the info. I was struggling with lighting my first fire without a lighter or matches. Put more pressure, and it worked great 👍😊.

Another great, " How to" video. Thank you for keeping it simple! Keep em coming.

Excellent! I just learned & perfected my ferro rod method this winter. The detail I struggled with the most was finding the right blade in my collection that would throw sparks right. It ended up being my leatherman saw blade & only 1 cold steel trail master in 01 carbon steel with a sharp spine. 🔥👍👍🗡

Looks good Dan, thanks and take care.

Great insights/techniques, thanks!!!

This intro is really nice!! Great video, as always, Dan :)