Feather stick: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Form of tinder for starting fires}} |
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[[File:Feather_stick.jpg|thumb|Feather stick ready to be ignited]] |
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A '''feather stick''' is a length of wood which has been shaved to produce a |
A '''feather stick''' (sometimes referred to as a '''fuzz stick''') is a length of [[wood]] which has been shaved to produce a cluster of thin curls protruding from the wood. It allows damp wood to be used to [[fire making|start a fire]] when dry [[tinder]] is hard to find.<ref name="Survivor">{{cite web|url=http://www.practicalsurvivor.com/tinder |title=Tinder |publisher=Practical Survivor |date= |accessdate=2012-12-17}}</ref> |
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It is used when starting an outdoor fire or campfire when dry [[tinder]] is hard to find, and is often used in conjunction with [[charcloth]]. |
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== Use == |
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It has been popularised recently in the media by exponents of [[Bushcraft]] such as [[Ray Mears (author)|Ray Mears]]. |
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| ⚫ | Feather sticks are made from dead "standing" wood, such as a branch that has broken from a tree and died, but has not yet fallen to the ground.<ref>Towell, Colin, and Inc Publishing. Essential survival skills key tips and techniques for the great outdoors. London: DK Pub., 2011. 95. {{ISBN|0756673380}}</ref> The bark and the outer layer of wood are removed to reveal the drier [[heartwood]]. This is then shaved, with axe or knife, to produce as many curls as possible. |
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| ⚫ | Feather sticks can be used with [[char cloth]], where a small piece of the cloth is wound around the curls and a spark is struck on to it, using either the traditional [[flint]] and [[firesteel|steel]] or a modern [[ferrocerium]] striker.<ref name="Survivor" /> This is then blown onto until the curls catch fire: the whole feather stick is then placed into the waiting kindling to start the campfire. |
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== Using Feather sticks == |
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==See also== |
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* {{annotated link|Bushcraft}} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http:// |
* [http://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/feather-sticks/ Feather sticks] Website showing feather sticks in use. |
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{{Firelighting}} |
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{{Woodworking}} |
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{{woodworking-stub}} |
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[[Category:Firelighting]] |
[[Category:Firelighting materials]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:07, 23 October 2024
A feather stick (sometimes referred to as a fuzz stick) is a length of wood which has been shaved to produce a cluster of thin curls protruding from the wood. It allows damp wood to be used to start a fire when dry tinder is hard to find.[1]
It is believed to be a traditional method of fire starting, using basic tools and methods.[1]
Use
[edit]Feather sticks are made from dead "standing" wood, such as a branch that has broken from a tree and died, but has not yet fallen to the ground.[2] The bark and the outer layer of wood are removed to reveal the drier heartwood. This is then shaved, with axe or knife, to produce as many curls as possible.
While the flakes can be fairly coarse, the finer they are shaved the more easily they ignite.
Feather sticks can be used with char cloth, where a small piece of the cloth is wound around the curls and a spark is struck on to it, using either the traditional flint and steel or a modern ferrocerium striker.[1] This is then blown onto until the curls catch fire: the whole feather stick is then placed into the waiting kindling to start the campfire.
See also
[edit]- Bushcraft – Wilderness survival skills
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Feather sticks Website showing feather sticks in use.
