Fire Starter Info.

[Fog_Harbor]

I carry all of them in my kit, why waste emergency supplies if you can use a lighter. I carry a magnifying glass too, because why waste your emergency supplies if you can use the sun. If the sun isn't out, then you go to plan B, or C.

I'm a BIG believer in redundancy.

[Sarge47]

Really? I thought they were easier then flint and steel, I can get a coal in a couple seconds with a magnifying glass but it takes longer for me with flint and steel.

Then where are you when I need you?

[owl_girl]

Then where are you when I need you?

I’m in this little box called “your computer”

[U.S.Marine2111]

True…I wouldn’t recommend it in the rainforest.

I didn't grow up in a rainforest (Illinois), it rained there too! Alaska, don't you have really prolonged periods of darkness? But the redundency concept is a good one, I would definitly have a backup source if I was using the magnifying glass.

[owl_girl]

I didn't grow up in a rainforest (Illinois), it rained there too! Alaska, don't you have really prolonged periods of darkness? But the redundency concept is a good one, I would definitly have a backup source if I was using the magnifying glass.

Alaska’s daylight hours were sort in the winter but we still had plenty enough to use a magnifying glass unless your thinking of the northern region of Alaska up by the Arctic Circle. but I was is southern region of Alaska. We also have rainforests in Alaska which I lived in . Where I live now there is more sun then rain and on a sunny day it can be the fastest way to make a fire. But of course I’d have a backup, I would never suggest relying solely on a magnifying glass or solely on anything for that matter. Always have a backup

[Sarge47]

Alaska’s daylight hours were sort in the winter but we still had plenty enough to use a magnifying glass unless your thinking of the northern region of Alaska up by the Arctic Circle. but I was is southern region of Alaska. We also have rainforests in Alaska which I lived in . Where I live now there is more sun then rain and on a sunny day it can be the fastest way to make a fire. But of course I’d have a backup, I would never suggest relying solely on a magnifying glass or solely on anything for that matter. Always have a backup

I carry a mag. glass (MG) on my Swiss Army knife. I tried to get a fire started using several different types on a hot, very sunny day; no clouds anywhere. After what seemed quite awhile I didn't even get the slightest bit of smoke, but then I was using "dryer lint". 2 or 3 strokes on my flint rod and "poof!" Flame! Maybe I lack patience, it's why I'm such a lousy fisherman in the "spin-cast" arena.

[owl_girl]

I carry a mag. glass (MG) on my Swiss Army knife. I tried to get a fire started using several different types on a hot, very sunny day; no clouds anywhere. After what seemed quite awhile I didn't even get the slightest bit of smoke, but then I was using "dryer lint". 2 or 3 strokes on my flint rod and "poof!" Flame! Maybe I lack patience, it's why I'm such a lousy fisherman in the "spin-cast" arena.

Maybe you’re not concentrating the light enough. You should hold the mag glass so that the beam of light is at its smallest and brightest point so its concentrated like a laser. If you hold the mag glass to close or to far the beam will be too wide and faint and won’t be hot enough. If you got it right and you hold your hand under it for a few seconds ( probably less then 5 ) it should burn you, then you know the beams concentrated enough.

I’m going to practice more with my flint and steel.

[Sarge47]

Maybe you’re not concentrating the light enough. You should hold the mag glass so that the beam of light is at its smallest and brightest point so its concentrated like a laser. If you hold the mag glass to close or to far the beam will be too wide and faint and won’t be hot enough. If you got it right and you hold your hand under it for a few seconds ( probably less then 5 ) it should burn you, then you know the beams concentrated enough.

I’m going to practice more with my flint and steel.

I fried an ant with it, does that count?

[playball]

but what if you have no tools like wooden matches,
ferro rod,
butane lighter,
piece of flint, lighter, tinder, magnesium flint stick, Firesteel ,batteries, Magnifying glasses than what do you do

[Sarge47]

but what if you have no tools like wooden matches,
ferro rod,
butane lighter,
piece of flint, lighter, tinder, magnesium flint stick, Firesteel ,batteries, Magnifying glasses than what do you do

I either haven't left the house or I'm dead. These items are with me as long as I'm wearing clothes. That's what the motto "Be Prepared" means.

[owl_girl]

There’s other methods. Here’s some demonstrations by Ray Mears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaHNWaBmNJU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn9Gm...elated&search=
I haven’t tried the bow drill method yet but its on my list of thing to learn.

[scabbyota]

Magnesium flint stick and bic lighter.

[Baxter]

have yet to be successful using the bow drill, and hand drill....lots o'smoke but no ember..argh. hoping to get a fire piston soon and try that out. but i mainly use a mag. flint stick.

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

look up a blastmatch its the best one goin can be used with one hand in case your injured

[mbarnatl]

look up a blastmatch its the best one goin can be used with one hand in case your injured

This is the best one I ever used. I got mine here.

[Sarge47]

look up a blastmatch its the best one goin can be used with one hand in case your injured

get it cheaper than the above site mentions...here!

http://www.wisementrading.com/firestarters/flint.htm

[mbarnatl]

There is alot of places cheaper than I ordered from. You have to do a search for price comparison. I ordered mine with other items and got a discount. You have to shop around to save.

[LadyTrapper]

I am in awe at you guys and gals using the primitive ways of making flame. I look forward to learning how-to here.
I have to be honest and say it has been always a match or lighter and a "trappers snowball" (para-wax covered length of string rolled into a ball)for tinder. This is so light and you can keep quite of few in your pocket.

[sam30248]

a lighter or a bunch of matches and a good bundle of tender

[warrigal]

G'day.
First up a butane lighter.Then Matches. Finally a Swdish fire steel and a Pencil Sharpener. Dead standing ( dead standing means a branch that has died but isn't on the ground) sticks. Feed throught the pencil sharpener produces excellent tinder. If that doesn't work ( or things are getting desparate) A tampon and lipbalm. A Tampon is sterile cotton wool ( that remains dry in the packet) Lip balm smeared over the opened tampon then tease some of the fibers out hit it with a shower of sparkes from the fire steel. I've had that combination burn strongly for 90secs. Use that to light strips of rubber. It can't get wet, burns fiercly weighs very little.
If all else fails Trioxoline scrape the surface to get alittle pile of dust then sparks.
Carl
If all else fails