Starting A Fire

Discussion in 'All Resources About Fire' started by Klkak, Sep 19, 2019.

0/5, 0 votes

  1. Klkak

    Klkak Alaskan hunter/trapper
      168/173

    Blog Posts:
    0
    Here in Alaska as many places on the planet. The ability to start a fire could very well determine whether you survive even one night stranded. I’m not trying to start a discussion on which method is best. I want to encourage you to pick a couple methods and practice them until your fingers are blistered and numb. Not just on pleasant days in your living room or garage. Practice your chosen techniques when it’s below Freezing or in the pouring rain. When I say techniques, I do mean multiple. What works in Arizona in February May not work in Florida in September.

    “The best protection is multi-layered”
     
    Brownbear, Morgan101, randyt and 4 others like this.
    1. TMT Tactical
      Excellent point about practicing in bad weather. I start to lose feeling in my hands when it get below 50F, so I need to practice a method that works very quickly. Thanks for the reminder.
       
      TMT Tactical, Sep 19, 2019
      GrizzlyetteAdams and elkhound like this.
  2. Keith H.

    Keith H. Moderator Staff Member
      525/575

    Blog Posts:
    7
    Well obviously My favourite method is flint, steel & tinderbox, because it is easy, & it is a sustainable method. My second choice would probably be flintlock fire lighting. On a sunny day a reading glass or my reading spectacles will work very well too. My back up would be the fire-bow. After using this method for some time I felt secure enough to teach it to others, but I decided that if this was to be a method used for survival, then I should give it a good test run first. I chose a winters day when it was pouring with rain. & found a fallen tree in the forest that I could partly shelter under. Then I started collecting the materials, including a rock to use as a tool for making the parts. I collected all the parts, but I was soaked through & getting very cold. When I got to the fallen tree, I found that I had mislaid some pieces! Back I went again. By the time I had finally collected & shaped the parts I was not doing well, I figured hypothermia was setting in.
    I was not about to give up now, so I carried on. I made fire fairly quickly, my broad brimmed hat helped keep the rain off of the most important part of the fireboard. I find that you only get one chance with this method when using plant fibre cordage made on site. The cord being wound around the drill bit takes a lot of stress so you don't want the process to take too long.

    Keith.
     
  3. GrizzlyetteAdams

    GrizzlyetteAdams Crap Creek Survivor
      390/460

    Blog Posts:
    3

    As many times as I have practiced/learned new ways of making fire, I never thought to actually practice in bad weather. Definitely putting this on my to-do list. Like, near the top.


    .
     
    elkhound, TMT Tactical and Keith H. like this.
  4. elkhound

    elkhound Master Survivalist
      307/345

    Blog Posts:
    0
    i got tons of practice..daily in a region getting 200 inches of rainfall a year...range of temps was upper 30's to 60's temps. but mostly 40's and steady rain !
     
  5. TexDanm

    TexDanm Shadow Dancer
      525/575

    Blog Posts:
    2
    When it comes to fire I use the rule of threes and every kit contains at least three different methods to start a fire. I collect ways to make fire and any time I hear or read about a different one I get or make the stuff to try it. I also do the same thing with water purification.

    I was raised in a swampy place that was almost always wet. Even when it wasn't raining building a fire could be a problem until you learned how to find the various things you need to start and feed a fire. Tinder, kindling, and fuel are each very different things. I am often amazed by how many people try to start a fire without tinder. There is actually another level that you need to look into if you are trying to start a fire with a spark and that is something to carry and feed the spark to the tinder. Char cloth is an example of this. It catches the spark and then feeds it until it is big enough to light your tinder.

    Ways to make fire are wildly numerous. Some work well in some places and then not well at all in other places. Matches are great until they get wet. Biclighters are good until wet out of fuel or fuel, I always carry both but then always also carry things that water won't mess up and that will last a long long time. Flint and steel, ferrocerium rods, magnifying lenses, etc can last for years and build thousands of fires a match is good for one and a lighter might last a few months of hard use if you are careful.

    Klkak is right about learning to do the various ways to make a fire in the less than favorable conditions. A fire is a comfort and a convenience on a warm dry night but is a matter of life and death in the cold and if you are wet.
     
  6. Keith H.

    Keith H. Moderator Staff Member
      525/575

    Blog Posts:
    7
    If we were talking about traditional fire lighting, then charred cloth is tinder. Charred cloth was not generally used outside of the towns & cities by woodsmen or woods women. They used other natural plant & fungus tinders. The tinderbox is used to contain/carry the tinder, it is also used in the fire lighting process & for smothering charred tinder after use, or after preparation.
    https://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-is-tinder-what-is-kindling.html
    https://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2012/06/fire-steel-versus-ferrocerium-rod.html
    https://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2015/05/period-fire-lighting-tinder-quotes.html
    Keith.
     
  7. TexDanm

    TexDanm Shadow Dancer
      525/575

    Blog Posts:
    2
    I always have some char cloth made and with each of my flint and steel sets. I use the char cloth to carry my ember to my tinder which is usually jute twine that I have unraveled. I have never had much luck starting the kindling with just a piece of char cloth. I was raised in a swamp and there isn't much there that is dry enough to take and grow a spark. I make the char cloth and then store it in little ziplock bags. I always have an Altoids can with me and can make char cloth if I need it. In Texas cotton is king and everything that I wear is cotton. I also usually carry some cotton sash cord and can make char rope.

    I mostly do the flint and steel just because it is traditional and nice to have as a backup. My always go to for fire is ferrocerium rods with jute twine. I save the matches for emergencies in wet conditions. I have all sorts of lighters but it is more fun to do it a little more basic but not as basic as flint and steel. You are a master with that. I can make it work but not nearly as fast or as sure, especially if conditions are bad. Honestly, I had never had much dependable success with regular Flint and Steel until I came here and watched your videos.

    I'm not into reenacting and in general prefer the early 20th century over the 17th century. Even in guns, I like the late 19th early 20th century weapons. Lever action rifles, single-action revolvers, double-barrel shotguns, and high carbon steel bowie knives never fail you.

    If worse comes to worst I wear glasses and can make fire with them if I have to. Char cloth makes that a lot easier too.
     
  8. Bishop

    Bishop Master Survivalist
      335/345

    Blog Posts:
    0
    Just like Texdanm I like to collect and have knowledge on fire making so here is one for you.

     
  9. TexDanm

    TexDanm Shadow Dancer
      525/575

    Blog Posts:
    2
    That one is really cool! Along with collecting ways to make fire I also carry Gibb's rule #9 to excess. I have my Grandkids trained and get knives for my Birthday and Christmas. They have very good taste in knives too I might add.
     
  10. Klkak

    Klkak Alaskan hunter/trapper
      168/173

    Blog Posts:
    0
    For my birthday or for Christmas, my wife tells me to go down to Northern Knives in Anchorage and buy myself a knife. God bless that woman. People who know us say she is a saint.
     
  11. TexDanm

    TexDanm Shadow Dancer
      525/575

    Blog Posts:
    2
    It seems that you and I chose well with our ladys. I get a new knife from my wife nearly every Christmas. LOL, She understands that very little makes my eyes glitter like a new edged toy or something that goes Bang.
     
  12. Blitz

    Blitz Master Survivalist
      412/460

    Blog Posts:
    0
    Wow, what a great method! I can't wait to try it.

    What does the rust do?
     
    TMT Tactical likes this.
  13. Blitz

    Blitz Master Survivalist
      412/460

    Blog Posts:
    0
    The only method I've used is waterproof matches (not sure if you can still buy them actually) and using a flint and steel.

    Matches are only a short term solution, as obviously they will run out.

    I definitely need to explore other methods.

    As an aside, I collect the fluff that's caught in the hair dryer and keep it in a ziplock back with the flint and steel. I find it lights really easily.
     
    TMT Tactical likes this.
  14. TexDanm

    TexDanm Shadow Dancer
      525/575

    Blog Posts:
    2
    I like ferrocerium rods a lot. Order them on eBay and then make your own handles out of fatwood and put a jute pompom on it and you have everything that you need to start a fire. You can make your own waterproof matches by dipping strike anywhere matches in nail polish. Flint and steel are good especially if you live someplace where flint is locally available. I didn't start that until I moved to a different place. In swamp country rocks of any kind are scarce. Learning to make char cloth makes flint and steel work well.

    Another handy thing for flint and steel is braided cotton sash cord. Fray an end then burn it and you have something almost as good as char cloth to catch a spark. A trench rope lighter works with this method.

    c942768df59bd7e0fe511672f0ab7c4a.jpeg

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sailors-Wi...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

    When you pull the ball up it pulls up the end of the rope. You have prechared it and then when you pull the rope down it snuffs out the ember.

    A 9 volt battery and 000 steel wool makes an easy fire too.
     
    TMT Tactical likes this.
  15. Blitz

    Blitz Master Survivalist
      412/460

    Blog Posts:
    0
    I tried this 3 times and couldn't light a fire. No smoke. Nothing. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Unless the rust in Aus is of poor quality :confused:

    One thing is for sure, you wouldn't want to have to do it on a windy day.
     
    Bishop likes this.
  16. Justin Baker

    Justin Baker Expert Member
      160/173

    Blog Posts:
    0
    Ferro rods, like the EverStrike , are always an almost sure bet. Making tinder and fluff to light is a good trick, and saving your dryer's lint in triple bagged ziplocks is a good idea too!
     
    TMT Tactical and Blitz like this.
  17. TexDanm

    TexDanm Shadow Dancer
      525/575

    Blog Posts:
    2
    I love fires and sort of have a collection of fire-making things. Over the many centuries, people have been very creative in this area. When I was a kid everyone smoked and even if a man didn't smoke he carried a lighter so he could light a ladies cigarette. Back then there were no disposable plastic lighters. Many of the lighters, especially the ones made for ladies, were very ornate and many were very expensive. My Mama even carried a little flip open ashtray in her purse. My Mama liked the Ronson lighters.
    10f70d1ec1c5584e62b9e01a80614d09.jpeg
     
    TMT Tactical likes this.
  18. Blitz

    Blitz Master Survivalist
      412/460

    Blog Posts:
    0
    Those old Ronson lighters are collectables now, worth a bit of money. How times have changed.

    My husband never went anywhere without his Zippo. He preferred it to disposable lighters.
     
    TMT Tactical likes this.
  19. Bishop

    Bishop Master Survivalist
      335/345

    Blog Posts:
    0
    You have to get the bundle really tight be fore starting to do the fast roll.
     
    TMT Tactical, Blitz and Justin Baker like this.
  20. Blitz

    Blitz Master Survivalist
      412/460

    Blog Posts:
    0
    Thanks. I'll try again today. I had to give it a rest, as my arm was killing me. :mad:
     
    TMT Tactical likes this.
  21. Pragmatist

    Pragmatist Master Survivalist
      485/575

    Blog Posts:
    0
    Good morning Blitz,

    Justin and I were discussing this subject matter as found in "I had to give it a rest, as my arm was killing me".

    All Preppers/Survivalists must factor in one's ability to do things under different conditions.
     
    TMT Tactical and Justin Baker like this.
  22. Blitz

    Blitz Master Survivalist
      412/460

    Blog Posts:
    0
    I couldn't agree with you more. It's also paramount to know your strengths, weaknesses and limits.

    I haven't had a chance to try it again. Actually, that's not entirely true. I got distracted and went four wheel driving in the mud, as we've had a deluge of rain here for days ... but I will definitely try it again tomorrow.

    I still don't know what the rust has got to do with anything. Why does it promote fire starting?
     
    TMT Tactical likes this.
  23. Justin Baker

    Justin Baker Expert Member
      160/173

    Blog Posts:
    0
    When steel rusts, some of the iron combines with oxygen from the air to make iron oxide. This reaction is an exothermic reaction, meaning it gives off heat. ~ When you spark rust, the rapid oxidation of the combustion itself makes it a useful accelerant for lighting the oh-so-important first flame flickers.
     
    TMT Tactical likes this.
  24. lonewolf

    lonewolf Societal Collapse Survivalist. Staff Member
      510/575

    Blog Posts:
    0
    I don't think it matters what method one uses, the idea is to get the fire lit as quickly as possible with the minimum amount of fuss.
     
  25. poltiregist

    poltiregist Legendary Survivalist
      515/575

    Blog Posts:
    0
    In a real survival situation it is no time to play games . My first go to will be the quickest and easiest way to start a fire . Fire starting tricks will be only for entertainment and in a real survival situation a last resort .
     
  26. Bishop

    Bishop Master Survivalist
      335/345

    Blog Posts:
    0
    Here is one with wood ash.

     
    Justin Baker and TMT Tactical like this.
  27. F22 Simpilot

    F22 Simpilot Master Survivalist
      407/460

    Blog Posts:
    0

    You can split a match in half so you have two for the price of one. Start from the bottom and tear apart going up to the match head. Obviously, this won't work with wood matches.
     
    TMT Tactical and Justin Baker like this.
  28. F22 Simpilot

    F22 Simpilot Master Survivalist
      407/460

    Blog Posts:
    0

    That's a pretty good idea. I think rust is in fact iron oxide so will burn.
     
    TMT Tactical and Justin Baker like this.
  29. TexDanm

    TexDanm Shadow Dancer
      525/575

    Blog Posts:
    2
    I worked at a place when I was young that used a shot blaster to clean metal plates. The shot was made of fine metal beads.
    the result from this was metal powder. The first thing that you were taken and shown when you went to work there was a pile of this dust. They would take a broom and brush it across the pile and both the broom and the top of the pile would burst into flame. The pile would actually be molten inside and when you disturbed it with the broom and if got a shot of air it would flare up. The point of the demonstration was that you watched where you walked. If you stepped in one of these piles you would be fried!!! Once the dust accumulated ANY spark would start this meltdown.

    I will have matches, lighters and such for immediate use but both of those are dependent on not getting wet, fuel or just being used up. That is when you had better have plan B ready to go. LOL, I have an entire alphabet of plans when it comes to making fire. It is so important that you can't have too many ways or too much knowledge about ways to make fire. Water is almost as important and while I have multiple commercial water filters I also can make my own from several materials and am always open to learning new tricks. I even made fire one time with a couple of lemons a few nails and some wire... Not something for if you are in a hurry but I read about it and had to try it.
     
    TMT Tactical and Justin Baker like this.
Loading...
Similar Threads Forum Date
Some Basics On Fire Starting All Resources About Fire Mar 9, 2021
Some Newbie Fire Starting Info Newbie Corner Sep 4, 2020
Free Fire Starting "kindling" All Resources About Fire Oct 11, 2019
Using Hand Sanitizer For Starting Fires All Resources About Fire Jun 18, 2016
Easiest Fire Starting Method without fire starting tools All Resources About Fire Jun 8, 2016
Fire starting All Resources About Fire Jun 8, 2016
Gear for Starting Fires Survival Gear Jan 21, 2016
Starting a Fire in Snow or Rain All Resources About Fire Jan 20, 2016
Just Starting Out? Newbie Corner Aug 13, 2021
An Intro-basic Check Off List For Those Just Starting Newbie Corner Mar 2, 2021

Share This Page