I’m 74 and just getting started.

From age 6 up I so frequently played and camped with the clothes on my back, a pocket knife and various means to start a fire. Sleeping in debris shelters is good. Throwing sticks and homemade gigs provided well. As my 7th grade art teacher said, “Simplicity is the elegance of design.” At almost 68 I recognize that the number 1 bushcraft “skill” is attitude.

1) knife 2)flint and steel 3)rope, twine, cordage 4)needles 5)old pot Thanks for the awesome video!

I’m 76 and still out there!

I still like Dave Canterbury's 5C's. Cutting tool, Combustion, Cordage, Container, and cover. The most difficult things to reproduce in nature .

I'm 34 and I've been year round camping and fishing all my whole life. I love watching these types of videos. My dad always told me, no matter how old you get and how much you think you know, you'll always be surprised at new techniques you can learn from other people.

1. Fixed Blade knife, Mora Companion HD is fine 2. A ferro rod. 3. Get your ass outside in the yard and practice with that knife, and practice fires. Congrats, You're bushcrafting. The rest can be built on in time. The knife and basic fire are core skills.

The four critical ancestral skills are edges, fire, cordage and containers. aka flintknapping, fire kit from the landscape, stringy bits, and weaving. With these, you can make your own “5 C’s” from just what you find. Cooking without a pot, make wild crafted pottery, and the hunter-gatherer mindset will come as next projects. Enjoy!

If you just listen to this without looking it sounds like Alan Alda giving bushcraft advice.

After watching your video I got this image of a hobo stick bag which is also called a "Bindle" and these types of hobos were also known as "Bindlestiffs". Many also carried a bed role on their backs like a makeshift backpack. In these bandana bags were a pocket knife, canned food, a deck of cards, matches, and possibly an extra pair of socks. Having been on some hunting trips where we were walking many miles in wet condition coming back to camp and having an extra pair of dry socks was a real treat, we were always drying out wet clothing to hopefully be used again the next day or two.

I love how easy you made this way too many gear junkies out there. Thanks bro.

The first things I bought were a good knife, stainless steel bottle and cup kit, cordage, ferro rod, and a decent pack. I used a cheap tarp and sleeping bag I already had. The tarp and sleeping bag were the first things I upgraded.

Really liked your collaboration with Townsends...Keep these awesome videos coming, thank you for what you do...

OG coalcracker here again thanks for the diversion during these times. Hope you and your family are safe! And I hope you enjoy it

One of my favorite channels. Thanks for all of your info. I love the info and teaching. Each piece of equipment is dependent on the person. Thanks again.

I like dental floss. You can sew things and it never breaks. I sewed a dog collar to fit my dog because he pulled so hard it would loosen the collar. The collar gave out before the floss did!

lucky for you I found an old full sized axe with a rotted handle chillin in the backyard of my new house. had been out there in the elements for maybe a year. And a month later of restoration and shes good as new

I agree with the making your own stuff motto. I made a haversack out of a burlap coffee bean bag and I love it. Its holding up well and allows me to carry just what I need at camp. I think it adds an extra sense of accomplishment as well.

Thanks for the tips. My answer is yes yes and yes. LOL I’ve spent time in the woods hunting fishing hiking etc. my son is interested now so finding this channel allows us to learn a lot of new stuff.

I love the outlook and explanations of why!!! One more reason I love this channel!! Solid advice sir!!

I personally really like having a hatchet or a fixed knife to split wood. But I'd like to learn more about knots, making medicines, and I hadn't even thought about sewing, but that really could come in handy.

One thing you missed on carrying a set of needles is add on a "sailors thumb" makes life a damned simpler when trying to thread through something difficult /thick , a small cube of beeswax is also handy for lots of uses.

I am not an expert, but I would recommend taking half of whatever your knife budget is and buy a sharpening kit with that half. Bushcraft can be hard on a knife, and a dull edge is not always obvious and can be frustrating. If someone is buying their first kit it is, as you say, equally important in being able to repair and maintain that gear. That means a sharpening kit (and a bottle of oil, food-safe if you do food prep). And I wouldn’t assume that just because someone has been outside he or she will have such a kit.

Great vid, just about everything I have in my pack I have made from my knife/axe to my fire kit. Several ideas I’ve taken from you. It minimized a few things which gave me more room for better gear. Your right making your gear is fun and in my opinion you appreciate it a good bit more!!

Thanks, Dan. I appreciate how you create context for your content. Starting at 68. Moving to country soon, and I want to enjoy it.

I have always found myself to be the one guy at camp who likes to do things more traditionally. I'd rather process my wood for feather sticks and make a birdsnest and then use a flint and steel vs pour some gas on wood and throw a match. I suppose that's how I found your videos about a year ago. I am always trying to improve my skills so I can then do it with my kids. Your bushcraft videos are without a doubt my favorite. You present information perfectly in a way thats easy and enjoyable to watch and it's been a great source to help me better my skills efficiently. Thank you sir!

Hello there, I'm using this current quarantine situation to really dive into researching necessary skills that i think i lack. I just found your channel last week and it's been an essential resource for me, you're an excellent speaker/teacher. A lot of channels (and websites, even books) often overwhelm people like me with a hardcore dump of information, which leads to confusion about what's really important.. your step by step concise approach to teaching has been invaluable to my being able to transition from a basic understanding of hiking/camping to the more advanced survival skills I've been finding here. Thank you!

I don't even know what bushcraft means any more. I just hike and try to make myself comfortable and save in the woods. My list of items. - tarp - knive - rope - radio - plant recognition software - beer - poncho - umbrella, also for sun or privacy screen - water filter - thermos flask, cold or warm water - bush saw

Your approach is the best version of our interest in the top 5...

I like that you change your thoughts a lot. Its like updating and a key for improvement

Stay well, thanks for the video.

Great product pitch Dan. No sarcasm. Described the problem and presented your solution. Love the product. On the list for the next batch. 👍

Take a hike ! Each time I go out I find something I no longer need and something I do, so next time I have it. Experience is the best teacher...

I love how you put thought into thinking about who is asking the question and why. I love that you show that we can be both cerebral and cool. Thank you for that.

Great information as always my friend 👍 we really need your videos while we're locked down. Blessings to you and your family 😇

You never know when you are going to need to initiate a survival situation, so the best place to carry your survival kit is between your ears. That said, the best survival advice is, REFUSE TO DIE! never underestimate the value of orneriness a a survival tool. This from a guy who caries a compact multi-tool, a small Swiss Army knife, and a lighter every waking moment (and they are in my pants pockets at my bedside when I sleep).

I really think a DIY foldable hand saw from a hardware store (less than $10) would be better than an axe for most beginner bushcrafters. It allows you to cut small branches for fire wood and even a survival shelter and is a good tool for a back pack if you only had a small pocket knife (e.g. Swiss Army) with other handy tools on in your pocket.

"Somewhat bush craft", that's me, I'm just learning, so thank you!

Old backpacker conservationist new getting into bushcraft here. Thanks for the instruction and inspiration. Giddy for how much fun this will add to my backpacking.

My Cold Steel combo is my favorite for day hikes. I carry the Cold Steel Pipe Hawk and Finn Wolf. My ferro rod, canteen/cup, 5x7 trail tarp, and a roll of bank line round out my day kit. It all fits in my haversack with room to forage. I made a PVC pocket fisherman that usually finds its way in there too.

Great vid. Will agree with a few comments here -- #1 Survival Skill is Attitude. Even if you don't have exactly what you need, you got that positive vibe in nature that will help you through the rough times. As you've seen in survival shows -- once you loose that good vibe with nature no amount of excellent gear will help you.

I like your list of 5 items. I probably would swap out the steel & flint for a ferro rod. It makes me think I need to spend some more time developing more sewing skills and updating my needle set. Great presentation. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to your next one. Cheers from down under.

Great vid, need to up my sew kit game. Be safe outdoors

What I really need is some more Cooking with Coalcracker. I need more camp recipes to impress my city friends.

It started for me as soon as dad gave me a knife and I was able to outrun mom.. mom was young and fast, so I was about 7. As an adult my first intentional "bush" purchase was a good pack, its a must to haul around all the other stuff we collect. Without a good comfortable pack everything else is 70% burden 30% asset.

At last! A "Bushcrafter" type person who actually knows what a Bic lighter is! Wow! We make progress. And yeah, there are times and situations where an axe is a jolly good tool to have around the place. Yet again, it depends on the scenario under discussion. There are plenty of outdoorsy situations, where one can get by quite comfortably without an axe, and where alternatives exist that are easier ( large camp knife, Silky saw, wedges, etc). Thanks for the video. Keep it practical.

Super motivating! Just getting into it with my 7 y/o son. Absolutely awesome. Thanks!

I would add a good compass, but all in all a good list to start with.

Just ran across this. Love the analysis and rationale about an axe. Excellent advice imo. Will never forget the first time I successfully started a fire with flint and steel and natural tinder, and the first time I used a bow drill to start a fire. Awesome feeling. As for needles big fan of sailing needles in three sizes for this.

I love that you're also an axe man. Lol I have people ask me at work, what one thing I'd want in a survival situation. I'm sure you've heard it too. "You only get one item." And I get such weird looks when I say hatchet. Preferably "my hatchet." You talked about restoring an axe. Made me smile. Cuz I modified and restored an old roofing hammer, they were going to throw away, when cleaning out my wife's grandma's place. Kinda made it a bearded axe style. LOVE that thing. Not too heavy. But still has some ass to it. 😏 I can use it like a knife. I can use it for defense, if needed. 👊 love the vids bubby. 🍀🍻

thank you for sharing, Coalcracker

5 items a bushcrafter needs..... 1. An understanding wife, 2. Free time, 3. A large storage area for the ever-growing kit you acquire, 4. A strong will power to stop upgrading the kit you are acquiring, 5. To be subscribed to Coalcracker Bushcraft :)

i love the way you teach. Very pedagogical.

I have made a “hunker down” belt kit from a army medic pouch. By memory it contains, a multi tool, a signal mirror, water purification tabs, magnesium fire starter, 550 cord, 1200 calorie bar, space blanket. The idea is to be able to hunker down for 24-48 hours while waiting for rescue. It presumes I have a water bottle. I always have a folding knife. Just enough to make a fire and a tripod windbreak/sunscreen, and get water.

Awesome video Dan.......i agree with your approach!

I started Bushcraft in Boy Scouts so I started with a Swiss Army Knife, ferro rod, paracord, sleeping bag, giant tarp, mess kit and water bottle.

Just found this channel recently...it's awesome!!!

Thanks you’re bang on with the must have gear. 🇨🇦👍

the best advice I have ever heard for starting bushcraft!

On the needle thing. Lots of people suggest different types so my suggestion is to take a look at the jerk needle. It’s not a needle for making clothing but if you’re working with leather, canvas, etc it’s fantastic!

I'm teaching other preppers to prep. I'll use this video in my workshop.

What a great list! If I could add anything it would be a tarp but Its not a must have but more of a luxury item. Thanks for sharing Dan! Much love-TTO

Knife , rope, axe, fire starter, water filter, tent, sleeping mat , sleeping bag, backpack + knowledge 🎉🎉🎉

I’m a woman and never went camping, (what a loss) but I am happy to learn as I find these interesting. Thanks for the wonderful information

Hello my Outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this vital information. You're always a great source of bushcraft need to know information. All the best to you. 🤗

Loved the recap.

Thanks a lot! I just started bushcraft as a hobby and I'm loving it! Your channel was recommended and its great.

I'm 21 years and I'm looking into Bushcraft gear to start nice video is really helpful

I so love it that you did that video without pimping any gear! So many channels are pushing gear way too much

Good video Dan. Stay safe.

I like this video because it’s not focused on just surviving it focuses more on different skills you need and stuff that’s fun you could have just said axe tent Ferro rod first aid and wool blanket

Love your passion and great stuff!

Great video as always. Thanks for making it.

Interesting list. Definitely a few I would not have thought of.

I hunted several times with an old retired commercial deer hunter in New Zealand. There was someone who had harvested over a thousand deer in his career and knew the ins and outs of the bush. He told me his favorite knife was an old 50's era Puma folding pocket knife, not one of the new expensive ones, but one with the sheet steel handle that you could buy for a few quid before they were chique and expensive. He told me what was important was the quality of the steel blade. He also preferred a folding knife, because of the rough terrain he trekked, where a fixed blade might mean a serious injury in case of a fall as well as the weight factor. His weighed a few ounces. This was from someone who had been there and done that.

OK, my 70 yo NYC born husband grew up there and in the woods. Swiss Army knife the middle sized one that has a saw, sizzors, tweezer, toothpick, awl, two blade two screw drivers. You can build a house with this thing alone. Pocket ceramic sharpener, hatchet and either a firestick or piece of flint. But just a Swiss Army knife you can build a shelter, make a bow drill weaving plants fiber to make your bowstring and spindle to make a fire. He thinks the Model is called the Master.

I love how I just finished trying to restore an old hatchet. Project 1, check.

We used to call 'bushcraft' camping.

I watched this whole thing and then was asking myself what that list was again just as he did the recap! lol Because of that alone, I gave him a "thumbs up"! Good timing and, yes, he gets it.

Gear is always changing & evolving, but the practicalities never change. At least one sharp object depending on the task, fire starters, materials to keep you warm & sheltered, and food-related...yaknow, all the things that most people take for granted these days. 😏

Thank you for making this

This question is like " How high is up?" An important idea is to find out what should I use for what projects. The word "CONCEPTS" is why I like your videos. Good Journey Richie

I was a Cub Scout, then a Boy Scout and always looking for ideas. I'm now 66. I have an old hatchet that was my stepfathers. It's really hard steel. My main knife is a Buck. I have more than one type of fire starter.

Hi I'm a retired Army veteran I carry flint&steel everyday

hi im Caleb turning 13 august and when i was 10 i was really fascinated bushcraft since then i have learned to trap hunt and live i live on a 30 acre piece of land where i can do all of my camping hunting traping i know not many people like kids on this platform or commenting but this video was wonderful god-bless

Love your channel! Thanks.

Add to Needles a Japanese thimble and leather gloves, (since viewers won't know where to find a sailmaker's thimble). Adjust that thimble to use with a thinner leather glove or a leather palm cover. You want to protect your hand from the back of the needle, (and the risk of a broken needle).

Great video! Thanks

Very good ideas, Thank you very much

Great items, you're absolutely right. It is all about making stuff on your own. I totally underestimate needles... Need to look into that more. Thamks for the inspiration and Cheers. Martin 🤜🏼🤛🏼🤠

What a great video!!

Is good to hear/see what's good for starting out! And that could change over time when you have more experience and learn more things about bushcrafting. For me, having a good bit of experience time and learning plenty from videos, etc, my list of things is a bit different at this point. Now my top tools are my smaller knife (Mora), my folding saw and my _BIG_ knife. It's like the size of a machete, but still a knife. With this specific knife I have, I can do so many different jobs with it. I don't need an axe/hatchet. I use it to cut down tree or cut tree to length (sometimes). Sometimes I use folding saw to cut to length. I use the _BIG_ knife to skin the bark off, to make shavings for fire starting, make notches in wood, chopping the wood into smaller pieces, etc. there are jobs I will use the smaller Mora knife, because the _Big_ knife is heavy and _BIG_ and can be difficult to do some tasks, like really small notches, etc. Either way, this knife does alot and works great for me to replace axe/hatchet, reducing the amount of tools I have. Another tool I like using sometimes is an auger to make holes for building a shelter or furniture, etc. that one's more of a fun thing. It is harder work and takes more time if turning it by hand without some mechanical tool. If I'm in the forest of the backyard, I don't really need other items, like cooking pot, cup, etc, as I could just walk a half minute to the house, but sometimes I will have a fire and bring those to make my food/drink out there. If I'm going into the woods a distance, I will bring those and a few other items to _camp out_ But yeah, the _small_ and _BIG_ knife along with my folding saw are for me personally, my most top _tools_ that I can do so much with and I don't need an axe/hatchet added, which for me is too hard on my wrists because they are not quite the normal way and that's where the _BIG_ knife is useful to me. My _BIG_ knife is: Schrade SCHF45 Leroy Full Tang Bowie Fixed Blade Knife

Been watching for a bit now and this is an excellent video. Love the interaction of getting us to do a project whilst making fantastic points of the necessary skill development and process on how to do that! So excited to try this shit out! 😊

If you learn bow drill fire first ,it will make you carry a cigarette lighter in every pocket you got , cause YOU know the true value of that fire !!!

A minute in and you mailed exactly what I was looking for

Found the channel from corporals corner. Good stuff I’ve not heard in some other places. The more you know, the more tools at your disposal. I did have a pocket blow out on an m70 jacket the other day.... definitely adding a repair kit to the bag

Love it, i often look at bushcraft as a "life n death" "shtf" situation overlook the importance of simply having different ropes and simply applying them... i just throw 550 and fishing line in my pack and assume im set...

Made myself a mini speedy stitcher out of a flea market pin vise and heavy duty sewing machine needle. Works great and takes up very little space in my kit.

I have everything that you listed for a Knife I have a 8inch spring steel knife that I made. For my flint and steel set I have a full 8pound fire set. For my Corsage I only use Military grade paracorde. For my needles I use a split copper arrow. As a pot I use 3 5pound propane tanks that i took apart and remade into water holders

You are one of the best survival and outdoor guides I know. I think your concept ist the best - for me at least. Nearly word for word. I agree with your concept. Very usefull