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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[SteveAubrey]

Ive been doing " bushcraft " since 1968. Ive pretty much seen it all. Ill admit though, that trick shaving the body of the bic lighter made me smile, nevercsaw that before. We NEVER stop learning!😅

[jessegreywolf]

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!

[hunterc]

So glad I found this video just moments before reaching for a pinecone. What a life saver, lol!

[mab]

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.

[douglasmcintyre]

Using mud packed onto the end of a branch as an improvised knife sharpener? Brilliant hack.

[aaizner]

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! :)

[Saladtoes-syrj]

This is all stuff i used to do when i was homeless. its interesting to see that i have the survivalist mindset.

[mountainhobbit]

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!

[thormidthagahast]

An o ring run up on the lighter underneath fuel trigger to stop loss of fuel in a bag or pocket.

[jaywood]

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.

[bradpage]

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!!

[Jacknox]

The lighter to tinder fire was great! Also, Woolly Mullein is the natural TP champ.

[BulletproofPastor]

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.

[stmlax]

Prbly the coolest fire starting hack I've seen with the empty lighter and plastic shavings from the lighter

[Strangernightg]

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 .

[diehardAMD]

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.

[xaneorbit]

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.

[maggietaylor]

It's just priceless when someone who truly knows just shares the knowledge. Many thanks😊

[brucesweatte]

Another tip for paracord boot laces is to use shrink tubing on the ends to make it easier to re-lace the boot

[cellerfeller]

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.