Three Non-Primitive Fire-Making Methods

Despite having food, water and a bit of shelter, you my friend, are freezing-cold and hungry. Your lighter was lost ages ago and whatever matches you had are now soaked in sweat and rain. You've managed to get hold of a nice piece of meat but bloody beef was never your style. You also never paid too much attention during camping trips with your parents and high-school classes. What the heck do you do now?

You know fire isn't optional. It's a necessity that's going to get you through this night. But how exactly do you make that happen without scraping sticks together for hours on end?

Here are a few tips:



1. Battery and Steel Wool

The secret here is the diameter of the wool and battery's voltage. If you use a thin enough piece of steel wool to bridge the battery, you will gain enough "resistance" to start a spark. Steel wool that is too thick, instead of starting a spark, will just end up draining your battery. Additionally, the stronger the individual battery's voltage, the more fire-sparking capabilities that it has. This means that it is also possible to stack the batteries into series to increase the fire-starting voltage.

2. Scouring Powder, Toothpaste and a Soda Can

It is possible to start a fire with a soda can by effectively brightening the reflective bottom of the can. If at all possible, use a scouring powder that is bleach-free, or at the very least, use something that states to be fine on metals. Once you scour your chosen can, the toothpaste will allow you to further refine the reflective surface. Your goal is to scrub the bottom of the soda can until all the matte-covering and writing is completely removed. Once you polish and brighten this surface, you are ultimately left with an impeccable reflector. To properly use this tool, simply identify the focal point (or the point that creates the most heat) and focus it over your tinder until it begins to spark.

3. Water Lens

Last but not least, the water lens method of fire-starting is undoubtedly the most simple to master. The basic concept with the water lens is achieved by filling a plastic bag (or piece of Saran wrap) with water and consequently creating a "water bubble", or lens. To verify that you've gotten an appropriate lens, hold it up to something from a distance. It should have a magnifying effect. Once you've successfully created your lens, all there is left to do, is to focus it on bark tinder (cedar, preferably) and let the hot sun do its trick. This is pretty much a version of the "ant under the magnifying glass" that we've all seen (or tried) as children.