Absolutely the best Ferro-Rod demo I have seen yet. Thank you Dave.

A truly gifted presentation... thorough, skilled, correct. Dave, when you travel so much, I worry about your personal safety. You push yourself so hard and your days are long. Please make sure you do as much to keep yourself safe on your trips as possible. I don't want to be concerned about losing a guru and friend.

Excellent video Dave, well presented. Thank you. Such a pleasure to see someone doing this well & using the correct name instead of "flint & steel" !!! Regards, Keith.

If you have a large or medium sized Leatherman (Wave, Charge, Super Tool 300, etc), then you can use the v-shaped wire stripper notch on the can opener to scrape a ferro rod. It throws a TON of sparks and doesn't do too much damage to the notch (which you are unlikely to need for stripping wire anyway in the woods). The hooked can opener blade works well also, but it does dull the edge just like it would with a knife blade. The back of the saw works pretty well, too.

Thank you for addressing what to use on a Ferro rod for a striker. A lot of places say the edge of their knives but then they stop there. I like how you went into detail about other things that can be used and about how much pressure to put on the rod. It’s very hard to find out. Good job. God bless you and your family.

Never seen a rod being used with glass, nicely done SirDave always pulling something new from the hat!

The entire fire starting series has been great. Very informative. I've burnt a lot of tinder in the last few weeks. Nice job Dave.

Dave's like "let's talk about fatwood for a minute." Dave works the fatwood and makes a flame without saying more than two words about it. That's how I know that I will always be able to learn something from this channel. Props and respect, Dave.

Dave Canterbury- everybody's perfect Grandpa. So much knowledge to give.

Just made my first bow drill fire.Awesome feeling.Thank you dave for your instruction in all things bush craft. It has become a most rewarding part of my life.

Excellent video, explains ferro rods better than any other i have come across.

Great instructional video. Thanks Dave.

I learned something new today! A glass striker. I love it! Thanks for sharing Dave.

Hey Dave my friend just bought me one of those ferro rods from your website it works great and I'm gonna use it this weekend thanks for all the great videos you have taught me a lot

Thank you very much for the fire school video. My boys and I work on and try all you have shown us. We look forward to your next video. Thank you again.

Thank you for this very informative video, especially the tip with the glas and the fero! Take care!

I'm liking the series Dave. Thanks for doing it. I commented a couple videos back (where you put the aluminum in the divot on your bearing block) that I never find any garbage in the areas that I typically go. Well, I went out on Saturday to look for some horsehoof, chaga, etc... and I stepped right on an old beer can. Man, I just about busted a gut laughing. I've been going out in those woods since I was a kid and I have never seen any garbage out there. Then 2 days after writing my comment I step right on a half buried beer can.

Great job on this topic. Learned a lot as usual, and looking forward to watching you in the future. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas with me.

Thank you Dave. I did not know glass. As many others I believe your new striker would make an awsome belt buckle. Would buy one!

Thanks much Dave. Liked you since your stint with Cody. Excellent vids. Appreciate your time and effort and skills immensely. Cheers and good luck in Missouri.

Well done Dave and thanks for sharing. All the best and take care.

i love your videos. i watch like to watch them before i sleep. Very helpfull and educational. Please keep posting more vids Dave. god bless

Thank you Dave for your hard work and your great teachings. I am glad to hear that you are getting back on t.v. you will do great there. I'm just sorry that I don't get that channel. Safe trip.

Another great video Dave. Thanks.

great video. really like this series. never would have thought glass would work on a fero rod. as always..thanks for taking the time to make these videos

Oh...oh....the beard is coming back. You go Dave. Another great video.

I've got a few of the 4.5" x 5/16" rods that work well for me. I have used smaller ferro rods as well. With respect to the handle on the smaller rods, I have developed a technique that works with or without a handle. I grasp the end of the rod but I also use my index finger along the length of the rod. This gives me additional control and secondly with the smaller rods I am providing reinforcement so that the rod doesn't break. Before this technique, I have broken the very small 1/8" x 2.5" rods by exerting too much pressure on them with the scraper. Additionally, since I now don't need to have a handle at all with my technique, I can scrape the rod in both directions and get maximum use of the length of the ferrocerium.

I watch and "Like" every video but I haven't commented much lately. But I'm always here watching, learning and enjoying my time here.

great tips, thank you. I was very surprised at the glass. I thought that was gonna be an issuexample of what wont work.

More great tips, Thx Dave!!

great job Dave. i though glass would be the hardest to get sparks of the rod but it was the easiest. a series well put together.

i learn so many things from your vids i enjoy them i watch them several times..

incredibly informative thanks dave

Great video Dave.

We all have old drill bits laying around someplace. The tips are usually dull, but the cutting surface of the rest of the drill will throw plenty of sparks. I use 3/8 and 1/2" ferro rods, 4 and 5 inches in length and always keep them with a matched-length drill bit. Regular or jobber style. Short router bits work well with any of the shorter rods.

Great video, Dave. Dual Survivor is not the same.

i knew i needed more ferro rods thanks for the great tips too

Another awesome vid!! Thanks for the great info.

Awesome Video As Always Dave. Keep up the great work. N.

Went to Smoky Mountain Knife works and bought 3 Opinel knives for 7.99 each. They have very sharp spines. I shot a huge shower of sparks from one swipe. A couple flew 4 feet!! If your thinking fixed blade, the Marttini Knives have a sharp spine as well and they are in the 18-25 dollar range. I have lit a pile of dried leaves with the ferro rod without prepping them. My ferro and knife combo is just as good as using a lighter. Thanks for this video.

Good lesson, very good teaching skills.

Missouri! Cool my area right now. Lots of history here in Missouri. Glad to see the glass added to this video. I saw some Norwegian bush-craft guy doing that a while back and I said no way! Guess it works though... as shown

you don't see cody making free information videos. i may not be a pathfinder student, but i am most certainly a wildernessoutfitters student. thank you dave, as always.

Never knew glass could work on a fero rod. Another great video thank you.

good video brother dave.

Dave, your bow drill prototype is seriously ingenious. If you decide to produce it for sale, please think of us young guys and keep the price reasonable! In all honesty I can see that thing selling for a ton of money though! THANKS :)

Thanks Dave.

Favourite slo-mo television for any time you need grounding Thanks

Another excellent video. Same great idea's i will trying this weekend

I love that arrow head idea. when you were grinding the fungus i thought it would be great idea if one side had ridges for removing bark or if you don't have a ferro rod and have flint or had rock as a striker

Glass for a striker. .never thought of that. GENIUS! !! And did I hear a new show? ? Alright! !Please keep us all informed as to when and where

Buen vídeo Dave......un saludo desde Nerva (España).Sigo todos sus vídeos

Really awesome vid and series here! So refreshing to have such thorough explanations combined with expert hands on demos. Keep up the great work there Dave! Does anyone have recommendations for a softer material/make rod? I can never really seem to get those long lasting, after the fact burning sparks for marginal tinder needs.

I also keep a large ferro rod on my belt that I use frequently, and a small on my knife sheath for special occasions.

Dave you mentioned the difference and pro's and con's between hard and softer ferro rods. I was wondering though how... when you purchase a ferro rod would you know how there ranked or marked up ? do stores even list this aspect on ferro rods? thanks again... this aspect alone made this a good vid to watch

Didn't realize that glass could be used with a ferro rod. Thanks for the info. I have had an Audible.com membership for around 10 years and love the books they have.

Great video! I didn't know about glass as a striker. Thanks

Hey dave, I was wondering if you could do a video of your current kit if you were going to camp out for a couple days, or make a list of items. Thanks, Jon

great tips

What are the best buy for the dollar ferro rods and striker tools? Where can you buy those larege 6 x 1/2 inch models?

I've watched lots of your videos. Can't beat free, but you convinced me to take your course. Ill See you tomorrow at the pioneer intermediate. Btw, id love to see videos on smoking or curing deer roasts.

A talented man.

Awesome... Did not know that about glass... Thanks

Do you ever have to touch up your knife spines to keep them sharp? Do you find the ferro rod to dull the spine over time or is that just the softer glass?! Thanks

I did't think you could use glass as a striker, thank you Dave. What would be the risk of the glass shattering?

just a quick thought dave. love your video's as ever. just a query about fire lighting though. i am a smoker, and was wondering as i have never seen it done before. can you use rolling tobacco to create an ember for your birds nest as i always have some on me and i think if it works it would be a great way to start a fire if you didnt have premade charcloth.

Thank you. I didn't know, until recently that broken glass and some other common materials can cast a spark. Can't speak for anyone else, when I say we can get locked into a particular mindset when the same "common knowledge" is frequently shared. In this case carbon steel strikers. ie knives & hacksaw blades. Appreciate efforts towards thinking/looking outside of the box. To consider adding a shard of glass & sandpaper (emery board) to fire kits, for example.

Yes Dave... join the longhair legion

Hey Dave could you post a video of how you hang your bushpot? it will be really helpful

You gotta appreciate this guy....puts in a lot of effort and does a great job.

Thank you

another great video but all i could think off was i wonder how many people have caught "themselves" on fire doing it that very same way

Dave are you planning on coming to Missouri for some of the gun and knife shows and when and where

wildernessoutfitters i have attempted and succeeded a bowdrill fire two out three times with to much time invested in each attempt. i am having an issue with my cord slipping on the spindle. ive used bank line and also paracord, how would you suggest to solve this problem. ive also roughened up my spindle a little to give it a little grip and problem continues.

That is a very nice knife. Any chance it will be on the website?

I have a quick question I bought one Sunday and live in philedelphia pa when will I get it thanks?!

I cant wait for the arrowhead to be on your web site

I'm enormously appreciative of the fine work the Pathfinder School has done with these excellent videos on fire making. But I think that a series of videos needs to address the complications associated with fire making. First of all, in many locations they are forbidden. That's just a grim fact. And fires attract attention from folks you may be intent upon avoiding. Personal survival may depend upon surviving without a fire. Is there really such a thing as a stealth fire? I would love to see that topic discussed. Many of us know about Dakota fires, but they aren't a panacea--at least that has been my experience. Certainly, those of us who have been in combat know that fires are almost always banned--and for good reason. So maybe a dialogue needs to be started about these matters. Oh.............not only does the fire and smoke attract attention; cutting wood with an ax creates a lot of noise. That might be a good reason to use a saw instead--although saws can be noisy, too.

that's the best fire steel iv seen wow

Dave, I was battening A log with my knife. It"s a full tang, but the metal started to rise up from the wooded part of the handle does that happen with your knifes, or could I be battening wrong.

Hay dave I'm 14.i got a new 66 powermaster bb gun.love the out doors is this power full enough to get a cleen kill on a.rabbit?

You lose out on the longer striking surface, but I personally have a small piece of fero-rod that is laced into my shoe. It is probably only 1.5 to 2 inches long and has 2 holes drilled through it. Basically it is a nice guarantee because I doubt I'll find myself without my shoe, haha! I have used it to start a few fires and I highly recommend it.

The fungus that you used from the birch tree also makes a tea known as Shaga, extremely healthy and good for you, just boil it up.

I would sure like to see a fire school video or two about the hand drill.

Beautiful knife Dave. Is that going to be available for purchase or is it a gift? In either case it's a work of art.

Tips on scraping off the outer paint quickly?

does the store on Emerson ave. in Indianapolis sell products instead of buying online

old linklees learned a few things i didnt know using glass to stike a ferro rod

whats the new gadget on your necklace? looks like a little tied pouch? another great video!!!

With the glass, if the edge gets dull you could also just snap off a small piece of it.

glass is great idea. Best I have found is short piece of worn hacksaw blade, fine teeth, 24 or 32. Aggressive on the rod, but works well. k

I hade a pretty hard time to remove the handle of my PRIMUS-ferro-rod. I had to smash it with a hammer to create cracks to remove it. It even has a very good striker. But I keep my ferro-rod without handle. That way it wears out evenly on every side and lasts much longer.

I understand that those sparks are a couple thousand degrees but why wouldnt they burn your hand when striking the rod?

How much for the rod your useing now from ya site

Hmmm. I didn't know that about the glass striker. Thanks :) .

Cool! I gota try that. Question.....Where is your cross?

Very nice video Dave. I'm still trying to get through all your videos :-) Still a few to watch. Keep up the good work and thank you for your afford and enthusiasm bringin people back to nature. Excuse my terrible english. ATB from Austria MAC

Welcome to Missouri

Dave, that Towhee doesn't like you being in his territory.

Ray Mears uses glass as the final sharpening step, like a superfinegrit stone. I guess it's a magic material...