10 Survival and Bushcraft HACKS you probably didn't know!
Come on now, who doesn't like a good #lifehacks video?! In this quick bushcraft and survival video I'll show you 10, actually 11 cause I'm given' ya a bonus, outdoor hacks I use regularly when I'm in the wilderness. From fire starting tips and how to start a fire with a spent lighter, to versatile and indestructible boot laces and how to safely split firewood an avoid getting your axe stuck in the wood, this video has some great survival tips and tricks that you can use on your next camping, hunting, or bushcraft excursion.
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So glad I found this video just moments before reaching for a pinecone. What a life saver, lol!
I been kicking around the bush all my life, more than 50 years, and this is chock full of excellent ideas that translate to real world use. Well Done!
Good tips. To keep your axe from getting stuck in a log, stop aiming at the “bullseye.” The center of a log isn’t what holds it together. Aim for just a blade width in from the edge and logs split quick without binding your axe head.
Maybe use a splitting axe instead of a chopping axe. The head is too thin for splitting
@@frostriver8686use what you got
My spork is broken now... thanks a lot.
@@WhoThisMonkey ROFL 🤣🤪😆
@@WhoThisMonkey😂
An o ring run up on the lighter underneath fuel trigger to stop loss of fuel in a bag or pocket.
Add a short piece of cord to the o-rig with a stop knot as a pull tab. Handy for cold/gloved/slippery/injured fingers. I try and keep the cord oriented under the fuel button of the lighter, but it's helpful regardless of where it ends up.
You can also use a zip tie which has the same width as the groove between the tail of the button and the body of the lighter. To undo just twist the "lock" of the zip tie from the metal to the groove and then you can slide it down.
@@davidaxman how do you easily, without fiddling get a zip tie undone? I usually have to use the tip of a knife or maybe a flat head screw driver.
I use a hair tie or rubber band. Don't last long, but very easy. All they need is enough resistance to stop accidental discharge, I don't even take mine off, can push through the elastic and still get it started. 20yr smoker here, use my lighter all day 😅
Yepper .. in my Kits i use a Zip tie .. but O ring for occasional use is great idea
Can’t get over the cordless stool! How cool & awesome! I’m definitely going to try that on my next trip to the woods!
Just be careful.....
it's nice but much easier to just bring a backpack that has a built in stool.
TIP : That spent lighter isnt as spent as you think it is. Pull the metal cap off like you did hold the gas button down with other hand spin the strike wheel and you will get a tiny flame, might get 20 extra lights out of it. Cant have windy conditions though, the metal guard keeps last bit of fuel from igniting.Also if in a cold climate keep the lighter close to your body so it is warm, cold butane dont expand much but if warm you have better chances of a lite.
Yes that's true jay 😊
As a smoker I concur.
You can also do it without pliers if your not a pussy
❤ I been doing this for years with all my lighters lol😂 as a smoker this has saved many others lives for me
Do not do this: With the metal cover off, carefully stretch the mechanism and disengage the gears between the valve and lever, slip the lever back over to the other side (kinda like a ratchet), and the valve can now be opened further (and can turn a normal lighter into a mini flamethrower). Edit: When I said "don't do this" that was meant to serve as a disclaimer because I know some jackwagon is gonna do it and do something stupid then blame me. 😑
Using mud packed onto the end of a branch as an improvised knife sharpener? Brilliant hack.
If you swap your Bic for a Clipper, both the fuel and flint are refillable. The striker is also designed to remove from the lighter for standalone use. Pro tip, disposable lighters have really long flints. You find them everywhere and can remove the extra flint as a refill for your Clipper or Zippo.
Wish Clippers could take liquid fuel and/or that Zippos didn't dry up over time even with a ranger band.
Done that for years....but I found a rare vintage lighter and tried to use one of these flints..it got stuck..it was too wide
pro tip: remove the striker from a clipper and pack tamp down a joint
@@zachsabe pro-tip: buy a Toker Poker (for a clipper lighter) and it's even better
@@raven_glassgo check out an old IMCO lighter, liquid fuel but doesn't dry out quick like a Zippo, plus the fuel reservoir comes out once lit and you can use it like a candle
The knife sharpening trick is a new one to me. The mud on the end of the stick is like using a lapping plate. Genius!! Thank you!!
yes, if you can find mud.
Mr. Hayes is obviously the man, and getting guidance from him is priceless and greatly appreciated. That having been said, I'd just like to share my experience with using paracord as laces. I first heard about this practice about 15 years ago, when I started getting into long distance hiking/bushcraft. It seemed useful, easy to do, and pretty "tacticool", so I did it right away. For the next couple of years, constantly re-tying my boots became just... part of hiking. As mentioned in this video, they tend to be slick, and come undone. Constantly. I was using mil-spec 550 cord, and the slickness never went away for me, even after a few years of heavy use. Only half-thinking about it, I think I told myself that this was just the cost of having easy-access paracord at my fingertips, should I ever need it. Meanwhile, I had a 100ft bundle of the same mil-spec paracord in my backpack, on every single outing. Plus, of course, the few extra feet available to me in my constantly untying boots... "should I ever need it". I eventually recognized the error in my thinking, and went back to regular laces. I've never broken laces in a quality boot, and not to burst bubbles, but after 15 years of hiking, rafting, camping, and hunting, there hasn't been a single instance when I went - this 100ft paracord line isn't enough; I wish I had that extra FOUR feet of it in my boots! That would be totally worth constantly re-tying my boots! :)
That was my thought as well after trying paracord laces for some time. It's neat, and paracord is tacticool and all that, but I came to a similar conclusion as you. If I'm going out on a hike or something outdoors, I tend to bring along paracord with me anyway. And I also have never had a normal shoelace break.
I had the same experience but I didn't have the patience to ride it out. I went back to the old strings on day 2.
@@01kilik10 You're obviously much more intelligent than me. Don't rub it in. :P
You could use a plastic slider/lock device that's often used on hoodie cords and such. I have a pair of sneakers that came that way, and I love how quickly I could get my shoes on, and it holds very well.
@@LazyIRanch Won't work on boots.
The pine cone says “I’m sticking around!”
Another tip for paracord boot laces is to use shrink tubing on the ends to make it easier to re-lace the boot
Great suggestion!
@@terry_williswe l😅o❤😂o🎉 of our 😊
@@terry_willisis it? You just burn the end of the cord like the video shows.
@@mattmarzula Yes, it is a great suggestion. Just because you have an alternative, doesn't diminish that.
@@mattmarzula: I like the shrink tubing because I find the consistent tube shape is easier to get through the eyelets - when you burn the end they tend to form a lump that's harder to insert through. Just my experience.
You've gotta be the first outdoorsman who showed some bushcraft hacks that weren't boring so now I hit that follow bell . Thank you for sharing .
Thank ya
I highly recommend you do your best to not inhale the smoke from duct tape and plastic shavings from the lighter...pretty toxic dioxin fumes. And of course, if it is an emergency situation that is a totally different situation. Same goes for burning your trash. ;-) Fun tips Clay, thank you. And yes, bend at the knees when swinging an ax!
I too try to avoid inhaling smoke from fire -regardless of the fuel.😁
That trick with the mud on the flat end of a stick is clever. I once got a usable edge on a case knife by running it across a rubber tie down strap. I was surprised how well it worked. That's why I tend to buy blades with softer steels.
Second that kinda obvious when you think about it but GENIUS before hand 😅✊️🔥✌️💚
Like the barbershop use to do.
The back of a saucer rules for sharpening knives and I have whetstones, and sharpening steels and grinding wheels and other sharpening tools galore!! Rocks, cardboard, paper all can dull knives but also sharpen them! Water leading to rust dulls knives and razor blades so keep them dry!
Nice hack with the old lighter
A tip on paracord boot laces. Lace them in a spiderweb pattern. You can carry much more cordage in the same space. I have approx 12ft per boot with this lacing pattern.
I would certainly watch more like this. You had some new tips others don't have such as the wood splitting tip or the four log stool.
That was a good lighter trick well done
dang; the 4-stick chair was a keeper. thanx.
Another idea for boot laces is to use automotive wire - the kind that runs to your taillights. It is readily available, easy to work with, pulls tight and stays tight, easy to remove and the tie doesn't freeze up. I started using it for my wading boots 20 years ago. In a survival situation it gives you snare wire. On my axes I always run #19 galvanized wire from the axe eye back about 4-6" wrapped around the handle. Pin the end of the wire to a shed, stick the other end in the eye or tack to the handle - walk back from the shed and put good tension on the wire then start rolling the handle as you walk to the wall. Every now and then take an axe file and tap the wraps together nice and neat. When you have it all on just tack the end to the handle - gives your axe extra years of life and gives you a great source of wire when you are in the woods.
Thousands of years of evolution and this your best advice?
These are really cool tips ! I'll do one boot with wire, one with paracord 👍
@@edwardfletcher7790 Why?? So stupid just take braided 100lb fishing string. It just extra for chores etc.
@MarkJamesRobertEssex69 Well, yah. Most of those thousands was spent learning to stop saying "ugh ugh ooah ooah", developing an alphabet, shedding body hair, and learning to put the fork to the left of the plate.
@@kmiller5808 Just saying using wire and 550 cord is bad advice when you need laces. This guy to me just gave dumbest information information.
Come on clay who wouldn't want to use a pine cone 😂😂😂
It’s actually an old trick. I’ve tried it and really not bad. Obviously take off the seeds and you can even soften in a rock.
Being retired from the AF, we got miles of aged paracord from the parachute shop, but age doesn't seem to matter much. I have some that is 40 years old and it still seems to work like new. I am past the deep woods hiking and camping, but still enjoy videos like this.
Your camp chair hack looks awesome! Will definitely have to try that one.
Thanks for sharing your Bushcraft tips/ knowledge. Keep them reeling in !!!
I had the "pleasure" of hand-splitting wood for stoves as a teenager and I never knew the axe-tilt trick! Great video, throw some more at us!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Same here!
Great tips Clay! Keep them coming!
Mr. Hayes, I love these type of videos..so much information that is passed on to us learning individuals.. thank you sir. Stay safe.
Hey Clay how are you , I just want to know that I love ur videos and admire your work so much and it inspired me into the world of archery and survival, thank you for everything ❤.
These were very neat!! And useful!!!! Definitely more please ;)
the tilted axe trick was absolutely a help!
Great tips and tricks. Always makes me want to get out and try them. More like this please and trapping and snaring tips
Good vid thanks for the share. On the Boot Lace if you are doing it at home and not a repair in the woods, use a piece of shrink tube on the ends to shrink and seal.
After burning it
As someone who works in safety, don't turn your axe off slightly. You will hurt yourself. An axe is a wedge. And as an engineer, the straight vertical force exerted downwards would become circular causing torsion. The impact will either ricochet or force exerted by axe wielder will lose balance. ... And the other reason to split your legs when swinging is for stability... like a baseball player.
When I was in scouts (100 years ago) we had a kid almost cut his foot off that way. Several of us got our first aid merit badge on that one.
Gotta love engineers and their stats
I was wondering how far down id get before someone pointed this out! Not to mention various other problems with how hes splitting wood! Ive split would every year of my life since I was 6 and i wouldn't recommend any part of what he's doing in the video! The whole stance, hand placement and way he swings. They all scream injury waiting to happen! 🤦♂️😔 honestly though if i made videos id make one just detailing all the issues with his way and explain a much better format that wont hurt your back or exhaust you nearly as fast! Meanwhile increasing your impact force and minimizing the area of potential axe hitting human thus reducing your risk of injury! Id love to go over it all with the CC if he would be interested in learning another way! But i hate being on camera! 😳
@@deadpyrat2243 Tell us in a comment then :)
Great tips. Once you pop the guard off the lighter, if you hold the fuel button down and turn the wheel it will light a few more times(at least 10 if you conserve it).When that stops working do the ferro rod thing.
Between you & Ranger survival & field craft, I'd say you compliment each other perfectly. Thank you for sharing.
Very good video bro. I didn't think I would really learn anything but I did. Not that I'm some Know-it-all but I spent a lot of time in the woods growing up and as an adult. I didn't know the ax turn or the neat way u wrapped the Paracord. I will definitely tune into more if u got in which I'm sure u do... thank you.
I learned the Paracord/Rope trick by seeing when the Rope is new unstrung how that is sometimes sold in the style of how Clay does the wrap for it. Usually, the better brands do this technique.
Definitely would like to see more tips and tricks. Cheers 🇨🇦
Learned some new tricks. Thanks for that.
The sharpening tip is so simple yet so smart. As are the lighter and stool and well all of them!
Well done and informative.
I personally prefer to hank cordage in a figure eight, around the thumb and pinkie of my outstretched hand. Since you make a backwards half turn after every half turn you introduce basically no twist to the cordage, meaning it´s way less likely to get tangled. It also appears to be faster than the normal wrapping technique. When you want to saw through a branch and don´t have anything to brace against, instead of kneeling down and sawing on one knee I found it`s way more stable to squat down while you clamp the branch with the back of your knees. You´d then saw on the outside next to your knee. I found it makes a difference especially with material thicker than your wrist.
I would like to caution you about using paracord for boot laces. Although they are quite useful and resilient, they will eventually cause the metal portions of the boot's lace eyelets to become sharp due to the constant rubbing back and forth against the paracord and eventually begin to cut the paracord resulting in frequent failures due to being sliced and weakened. I have found that removing the guts from the paracord beforehand helps to mitigate this but then again, you're practically removing the advantages of just using the regular laces. Also, once the eyelets become sharpened by the paracord they will cut through regular laces rather quickly.
Wow, nylon can sharpen metal like that?
@@BlueGorillaInTheMist yes, eventually it wears it down to a sharpened edge. I've only noticed this on Whites brand boots though, so maybe there's a difference in the metal used for the eyelets. Anyhoo... just a heads up :)
thanks, Clay, these are GREAT tips, I'll surely be sharing them with my grandsons, and they'd sure better know the difference between mint and poison ivy!!!! BTW, you are one of my all time favorite Alone contestants, along with Nicole Apelian. I still love that show, as well as their Alone Challenge program.
Fantastic video Clay! Love it. Thanks for making it! These will all come in handy, but the chair is my favorite.
that's actually the only thing you need in the woods... SHTF or even just hiking... knowledge!... not special gear!... and you Mr.Hayes have plenty to share... thank you!
Another tip about using the 550 cord in your boots . Take 36 or 80 grit sandpaper and rough up the top part of the laces where you tie them. Not where the lace goes through eyelets so as not to cause premature wear. I’ve made many many parachute jumps with 550 laces with no problems. Just double tie them and pull the loops so hard like you’re try to break them. That tight and they don’t come loose
If you can apply some of your bodyweight to the cord, that helps for getting it really really tight.
@@WhoThisMonkey maybe you should do that just make sure you used something higher than a chair as it dose have a little stretch
Rub some beeswax on the laces and it gives it some friction for staying tied and some waterproofness.
@@murdocschannel2761great idea for camping. We just roughed them up . Don’t want any wax on your hands in a military setting every time you tie your boots
Already knew the first tip but kept on watching. The following is not what you tipically see. So thanks for sharing your personnal tips. They are valuable !
Just watched your season of Alone. You have been the most impressive contestant that I have seen. The way you handled the mountain lion ON DAY 1 told me everything I needed to know about your mentally. Every decision you made and every thing you built was incredible.
Duct tape is a great babysitter too... Great vid. You can never bring too many ways of starting a fire. I usually have a lighter, flint and steel or ferro rod, and waterproof matches on me. If all else fails, those waterproof matches that are coated with phosphorus will get the job done.
Duct tape - turning, "Blah blah blah" to "Mmm-mmm-mmm" since 1943
Great information Clay. Please make more videos like this? I learned a few new tricks I would never thought of. Thanks!
Thank man, that was excellent info. Especially the plastic and the ferrous dust and duct tape. 67 yo and did not know that. Thank you
please keep the tips and tricks videos coming you're a winner of Alone and trusted resource for this kind of information.
Always nice to learn something new. Even for a old guy. i.e. Heating up a 1/2" of the the paracord shoelace to create an "aglet". Good job as usual.
You are one of the few people I've encountered who knows what that part of a shoe-lace is actually called. Kudos!
I have 550 Paracord/Firecord with a Ferro Rod inside , I can light a Fire 🔥 with my Boots 🥾🥾 ! I have before !
@@cuivre2004 When you're old, you know stuff.
@@Colonel__Angus I know, right? It's hard not to show off sometimes though, right?
Years ago, I read somewhere about the 4-stick-chair ( how many sticks were part of the unknown), but I couldn't recall how it was done. You just resolved a very old mystery for me. Thanks, Clay.
What a great, albeit short, video! Thank you for so much information! ❤
Impressive! I’ve gone ahead and shared this with myself so i can watch it a few more times. I would have been happy with just 1 of these tips 😊
I loved the tip about nature's TP. At about age 10, I found out the hard way (no pun intended) that dried leaves don't work any better than pine cones. I'm 58 now, and I think I can still feel an itch or two. One of my uncles told me, "At least it wasn't dried poison ivy."
Apparently smooth rocks are the ultimate back up TP according to one source. Luckily I haven't had to test that theory in real life.
Great stuff Clay! Love the magic stool and the fire with a spent lighter! Oh and a long time ago I had an action figure called Big Josh who split a log with one blow, just like you did here... 😁
Helps that it's dry pine LOL
@@haroldbleemel8537 sure does!
Dry pine with very straight grain and no knots does split easy.
This was awesome! The lighter/deck tape is brilliant
Great advice today Clay. Thank you. We live beside the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, so, your setting is quite appropriate. Really appreciate the advice. Especially the Paracord boot laces. I recently received a bundle of the 'survival Paracord' with the additional 'specialist' strands. Fishing line, sewing line, and tinder strands accompany the customary Paracord core strands. Thanks again Clay. GL at Elk Camp.
Love your videos. Just remember that people love watching you do stuff so don’t worry about putting out redundant content because it takes a while for people to learn. We have to be told more than once
Good advice is never redundant
@@justme6591 frOm th Dept. Of Redundancy Department ! B.B canadiana bam!
Yeah. Like the four log stool. You could repeat that one in more detail for us slow folk...........
Awesome stuff as usual. Its always great when you take humorous approaches to videos.
Out of all the neat tricks you shared The pinecone stuck perfectly in the tree branch behind you is what I'm hyper focused on
Hi, been looking for a channel with serious bush primitive/ survival lessons. Love what you taught in this video, never thought to use clay on a stick to sharpen a knife.... I cannot tell you how many times I've needed a quick edge when in the bush! Thanks for he tip, gonna go watch more of your videos now LMAO
kzhead.info/sun/Zsual92Ai4tqrK8/bejne.htmlsi=t2wuBA5VScYTXiX9
I've carried a purse pack of duct tape in my tiny purse for years. You have no idea how many times I've busted that out when there was no other solution in sight when trying to help someone out. They're all amazed that it comes in a flat pack😅😅😅😅. I like the lighter idea though!
I was going to a concert earlier this year and a girl I met in the parking lot had a "boot emergency". I pulled the tape off my lighter and taped her boot sole back on and somehow it lasted through the whole show.
Practical on the go workarounds and techniques are grea,t back when I was quite younger in the 50''s and 60's, knowing some of these would have been great! thanks for sharing!
Some of the skills you have I learned on my own...A few of them gave me some extra insight so I can be a more useful camper from now on. Thanks!
Great tips , please do more like this . Some are new to me , others I use regularly. The ones I knew in theory , but haven’t tried yet , like the lighter out of fuel . I am going to give it a go. Thanks and keep ‘em Coming Clay .
At 7:05 you have a split vertical piece of wood holding the wood you are shaving. This setup can be used to create an upward directed thin wooden edge resembling the thin edge of bamboo used to do the bamboo friction fire method. You can create friction fire this way too.
Bamboo has as many,ok,almost, as duct tape. For friction fire making, nothing better. You can also make a bed,a raft,fooks,spoons,pressure cookers for rice etc, canteens, cups, furniture, traps, etc. I wish I cook remember all the uses taught me by the Phillipines aborigines of jungle survival. So many diff types,the vine kine have water inside, . They make scaffolding 5 stories high😮! Stronger than steel in some cases.
I've seen it used (bamboo friction fire method) on Naked and Afraid Castaway series on Discovery channel.
Yes. Please do more like this. Thank you
Awesome Content! Keep them coming and good luck with the hunting season
Living in Indiana now but was born and raised in and around the Appalachian Mountains. I've used a stone/rock for sharpening a knife before but the gritty mud on a stick is a new one for me. Makes a lot of sense given the use of "compounds" on sharpening strops since the stone/rock is the same principle as ceramic rods or that old crock you used to turn up to use the unglazed part of the bottom. Good calls. Liked/Subbed, off to watch some of your other vids!
Good info...the draw knife hack is pretty darned cool. Also, scraping plastic from the lighter is great....never thought of it. I do carry a Bic with Gorilla Tape.
Thank you, love your survival tips and would enjoy seeing more of you will.
I keep an emergency tub in my van & some of your tips were very helpful. Thank you❤
got the boot paracord covered already. Like the lighter trick, I use the Eagle torch so the fluid lasts very long.
Straight forward comman sense tips, easy to remember and all useful for the day hiker and weekend camp. Definitely want to see more
Use little 1.5 - 2 cm pieces of heat shrink tubing to finish the ends of your paracord boot laces. Professional looking results that lace much more easily.
Heck yeah! Would be great to see more cooking tips and best survival foods on the woods etc
Prbly the coolest fire starting hack I've seen with the empty lighter and plastic shavings from the lighter
There were several tips I hadn't seen before, like scraping plastic flecks and twisting the axe. More tips please!
Really liked the idea of the plastic and flint shavings !! That was new to me. Though they were always good for intense heating (oil),when empty. If full, stand back😮😅
Clay, I really dig your hunting and survival videos, keep up the good work.
I'd like more tips and hacks please! I love your stuff man. I've been watching you for years. Thank you!
“Pretty dog gone effective”. Love it!!
Great show and yes to more like it! Great shot with the pine cone "tp" hanging on the bush at the end.
Thank you, Clay🤗 Yes please, more tips!
Ok, that stool....what kind of voodoo is that!?? 🤯 I can see I will be trying this for a few hours. All great stuff Clay!
EXCELLENT video. Brief and to the point.
This is one of the better videos I’ve seen in a long time , Thanks for sharing.
That cordless chair! But also throwing the pinecone backwards into a tree 👏👏
Absolutely keep the tips coming! Thanks!
Best survival hacks video I've seen yet...to the point and very cool ideas...thank you!
Always enjoy learning new things.
Excellent Clay! I would love to see more of these for sure.
Loved your video and learned a few tips I'm going to use, i usually never forget anything and carry more then I need but great ideas for those things you forget, thanks.
I've never seen the stool trick! That's pretty cool. In my area we're fortunate to have yarrow for bug deterrent ( and many other uses), and Mullein for nature's wipe. I wish we had fir trees...
double knot and tuck the laces, they will not ever come loose. I also knot the very tips after lacing so i can get boots off fast without having to relace. They get caught at the end, was super useful in military, nam vet showed me that.
Awesome video man. Showed some really helpful tips. Thank you
The wood mud combo is an amazing tip. Everything was some mystic zen mastery, Mountain Man.