Coalcracker Bushcraft officially became a business in the summer of 2016. We completed all the necessary steps to say, "We're now an official business." But the journey began long before that.
It all started in a tiny row home in Mahanoy City, PA.
Back in 2014, Dan was sitting in a cold, wet, and muddy campsite with his friend Dan. They decided their small camping crew could become something bigger and more meaningful. It needed a name, so they originally landed on Coalcracker Coalition. At the time, Dan wasn’t thrilled with it—it sounded more like the name of a failed biker gang than an outdoor club. Despite his reservations, they went with it, even printing some bold stickers. But eventually, the name didn’t stick.
Thinking back even further, Dan can vividly recall a moment in 2006. He was at a long-range shooting competition, walking down a dirt road with his shooting partner. Dan asked a member of the safety staff for directions back to the buses, the safety officer snapped, "If you can’t follow tire tracks in the mud, maybe you should stick to city life!" Dan was livid. He had grown up in the woods—how could someon say something that to him?
Speaking of growing up in the woods, that’s really where it all started. Dans earliest memories revolve around spending time outdoors. Before he even started kindergarten, he would take hikes with my grandfather. For days beforehand, Dan would pack and repack his little backpack, eagerly anticipating the adventure. Looking back, those “long hikes” full of danger and excitement were only about 300 yards into the woods—but they were life-changing for him.
Throughout Dan's childhood, he spent countless hours fishing, carving sticks, running through the woods, and catching crawfish in local creeks. One Christmas, his uncle gave him a military survival manual. At the time, he thought, There’s no way this stuff is even possible! After trying time and time again to replicate the techniques, Dan quickly learned that jungle survival tips don’t work well in Pennsylvania winters.
Despite the challenges, he never gave up. Over the years, Dan honed his wilderness skills. What began as a hobby—some might call it an obsession— showed him that being outside had a profound impact on his life. It made Dan happy, gave him confidence, and pushed him to constantly test himself. During this time, Dan also discovered his passion for teaching. Sharing his skills and experiences with others became a calling, and that’s exactly what he set out to do.
Brooke has been part of the Coalcracker journey from the very beginning. Long before the business existed, she and Dan spent their weekends camping, exploring the woods, trying their hand at hunting, and dreaming up future business ideas around the campfire. While building a life rooted in the outdoors, Brooke was simultaneously building a career in education, eventually becoming an elementary school principal. Over time, the demands and constraints of the traditional career path no longer aligned with the life she envisioned. Ready for a new chapter and driven by a desire to build something of her own, she made the decision to leave education and step fully into Coalcracker Bushcraft. Today, she works alongside Dan full-time, helping lead and grow the company that began as a shared passion in the Pennsylvania woods.
Today, Coalcracker Bushcraft is a thriving business dedicated to the outdoors and survival. We’ve grown into the premier survival and bushcraft training and equipment brand in the industry. From the beginning, our mission has been to ignite a passion for the outdoors. Through our handmade products and immersive courses, we share our expertise to enhance your outdoor experiences. Every day, we strive to make better products and improve our teaching to serve the people who matter most—our customers and fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania, our training facility is based in Ringtown, while our warehouse and manufacturing shop is in Frackville. At Coalcracker Bushcraft, we handcraft knives, blacksmith goods, leather goods, sewn items, and apparel, all with a focus on quality and authenticity.
Join us as we continue our journey, sharing our love for the outdoors and inspiring others to embrace the wild.