Feather stick

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A feather stick is a length of wood which has been shaved to produce a head of thin curls.

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.

It has been popularised recently in the media by exponents of Bushcraft such as Ray Mears.

It is believed to be a traditional method of fire starting, utilising basic tools and methods.

[edit] Using Feather sticks

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. The bark and the outer layer of wood are removed to reveal the dry 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 light.

When used in conjunction with charcloth, a small piece of charcloth is wound around the curls and a spark is struck on to it, using either the traditional flint and steel or a modern magnesium striker. 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.

[edit] External links

• Using Charcloth Website showing feather sticks in use.