Another way to light a fire.

[Jay]

This method involves using the shiny cup on the head of a torch to concentrate the rays of the sun on to a bundle of tinder placed where the bulb usually sits. I have tried it with char cloth, char cotton, dried grasses, bark scrapings etc. It worked. I found it quicker to split a stick at one end to hold the cup and stick the other end in the ground. If you hold it in your hand it takes longer since you can,t hold it absolutely still and the focal point keeps shifting. What I used was a cheap plastic torch. The cup too was plastic with a shiny coating. For some reason it did not ignite the surgical cotton from my first aid kit. May be some of you can try different tinder and post the results. Here’s a couple of photos.
Rgds
J

[crashdive123]

How close to the tinder bundle did you place the reflector cup?

[Jay]

Crash, the tinder is placed in the opening in which the bulb sits. The dark blob you see in the center of the cup is chared cotton. That is the focal point where you get the reflected rays strongest. Hope this clarifies the matter.
j

[crashdive123]

It does. Thanks.

[RobertRogers]

Interesting. Has potential in the right conditions.

[klkak]

Sounds like a good idea if you ever need a fire on a nice sunny day and don't have any other way to start one.

[Jericho117]

Neat!!! This is cool, I have many flashlights.