Yes I will comment, excellent video. Clear and concise. I could understand everything you were saying, and visually, the camera was in perfect position. Well done.
As a 40 year old mum just starting out in bushcraft this was not only educational for me but really entertaining. You really made me feel like yeah I can do that. Thank-you so much! :)
If am not mistaken, the publisher learned this technique from an Aeta, a native of Subic, Zambalez, Philippines, who is teaching this technique and survival in a tropical country. This Aeta was teaching also US Soldiers when Subic Naval Base in the Philippines was one of the biggest US naval base in SE Asia.
Thank you for the history! I saw a couple of YT vids on the subject, one was definitely from the Philippines. The nuances I discovered for myself. Cheers!
You are not mistaken. Yes indeed. Aetas taught many US soldoers this ancient fire-making technique in Subic in what is called JEST CAMP. Jungle Emergency Survival Training camp.
Thanks! Bamboo is not native to Florida, but it has escaped landscaping and can be found in unexpected places. It is an amazing natural resource in the wild, since it can be used for food, shelter, and of course fire :)
Good job, every way that something can be accomplished is a good thing to know. Now, if I am ever in a place that bamboo grows, I'll be set. Keep up the good work, and tanx. ..
great instructional vid! clear step-by-step and i should say the best one i've seen on the tube thus far coz its in hd and the camera work is spot on. the bamboo fire saw's the preferred method for our northern aboriginal groups here in the philippines. i've sub'd. more power to your site, sir!
Excellent tutorial!! Just tried this is my back yard - unsuccessfully!! Then watched your demonstration and realised I was doing Everything!!! wrong. Ready for another go doing it right! Thanks for the video.
great video ! i really enjoyed it. i wish we had some bamboo up here in new england because that seems like a neat thing to try out! have a great day-nick
An Awesome video HF! Really enjoyed this one! We have some bamboo on the property as well and have enjoyed deepening our bush skills with it! You've done great work here my friend! We are really looking forward to the river cane videos too!
In the Philippines, they can make fire this way so fast it's astounding. They don't need to rest or take a break because the entire process take less than a minute from the time the carve the bamboo. They get a roaring, massive flame from the bird nest, and do so in a couple of seconds. Even after watching it close up and having it explained, I still can't understand how they make it happen so fast. Whether it's just expert shaping of the groove, knowing exactly how big to make the hole, getting the tinder bundle exactly the right size and density, , though it's a lot more like a bird nest when I seen them making it, just right, or I can't tell. Maybe it's all these things, plus knowing how fast to generate friction, and things they don't even know they do. Whatever it is, they're remarkably fast and efficient at making a fire this way. At least the ones I've seen were.
My pleasure! I found this technique more fun to learn than bow drill - slightly less frustrating for me anyway. Just be sure to use standing dead bamboo for best result, any other condition may be challenging.
You can do the same thing with a piece of cordage that you saw back and forth underneath the bamboo or other board. You hold the board with your foot. Iv'e been looking for a video on how to do this type of fire for a while. Your method looks interesting. I will try it.
Thank you for the video on aluminum foil under cotton balls Kenneth! I am new to your channel but that one tip really hit me. My VR is about 90% done on that one, just need a little more burn testing. Cheers.
Great Video, Bill. Only bad thing is I don't have Bamboo growing where I live in Iowa. and i'm pretty sure it don't like really cold weather lol. But if I ever decide to camp in florida i'll remember the Bamboo fire saw.
I learned this at Clark AFB in the Phillappines a long time ago. Had to survive on 4 seperate occasions and it worked great. Only problem is when u run into all green bamboo.. If you have access to bamboo it is the easiest of all primative fire starters no bow drill to make and all the other methods, and it will last for months even with regular use.
Tried this so many times and fail, fail, fail. I was notching the board... Tried it your way, and nailed it the first time. It was ridiculously easy! Bamboo is the bomb, and sticks are for suckers!
Thanks very much. I believe only river cane is native to North America, but you can find escaped bamboo pretty much everywhere. River cane experiments forthcoming.
Thanks Rob! I love your stuff and your sense of humor. Great suggestions for comfort and success with this technique. I am curious, why lash bamboo onto a stake when you can use the bamboo itself as a stake?
Arundinaria gigantea, aka river cane is native to Florida and the rest of the east coast all the way up to NY state. The areas where it likes to grow are also popular with people, who cut it out and now you can only find it around a few streams in the central interior, like the Wikiva river.
+Alan Williams Drying out your fire kit is always a great idea if possible, but standing dead bamboo can often be used as is. Just cut it a couple of feet from the ground if you can to get the driest part.
Many thanks,i live in Scotland very damp & wet,where i am the kids are collecting firewood for their firework display,well i came across their wo0d & spotted a big bit of bambo0 which i t0ok as it does not grow here. It is a nice big bit so i came across your tut. lo0ks like fun so i will give it ago.
