fEATHERSTICK MATERIAL

When carving feathersticks for fire lighting, I have found that the best woods to use are similar to wood you would use for a bowdrill set. Like with a bow drill set, I have had good luck making feathersticks from cedar, willow and certain types of pine. I have been told that Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore and Ash also work very well for making feathersticks. Some bushcrafters have also claimed luck making feathersticks out of oak and maple, but in my experience, I tend to have better luck with softer wood. I would imagine that tulip poplar would work well for feathersticks; it certainly works well for bow drill sets, for making birds nests and for tinder. I have found that I am a little too far north for tulip poplar to grow, however, I swear I found a tulip poplar tree nearby a creek south of Whitehall, Michigan, which needless to say surprised me (maybe I’m wrong). So get out there, practice making feathersticks, and come see me sometime at Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute. Stay safe out there and I will see you in the wild.