Fire!
lets start with the basics for this one. fire is possibly the most important development we made on our evolutionary path and it still holds the same relevance when we go out into the woods today.
in the next few posts i will cover everything from what is needed for fire to take place to how to make it and what you can carry to enable you to make it.
in the next few posts i will cover everything from what is needed for fire to take place to how to make it and what you can carry to enable you to make it.
The basics
You need three things to create fire oxygen, ignition and fuel.
The oxygen is all around us so the only important thing here is to ensure a good supply.
ignition here is the major problem whether its through matches, flint steel or even friction creating this can be very hard in the woods.
finally finding dry fuel and preparing dry fuel can be tricky when in the woods so knowing how too is just as important as creating the source of ignition.
The oxygen is all around us so the only important thing here is to ensure a good supply.
ignition here is the major problem whether its through matches, flint steel or even friction creating this can be very hard in the woods.
finally finding dry fuel and preparing dry fuel can be tricky when in the woods so knowing how too is just as important as creating the source of ignition.
Ignition
The picture to the left shows the most common forms of firelighting.
Bow drill
Hand drill
Flint steel
Solar
Matches
Lighter
Firesteel
The fact is as soon as you go into the woods you have to become proficient in these methods the following posts will explain each!
Bow drill
Hand drill
Flint steel
Solar
Matches
Lighter
Firesteel
The fact is as soon as you go into the woods you have to become proficient in these methods the following posts will explain each!
Matches and lighter
Both modern methods of firelighting give you a flame as soon as you use them however, they will run out and can break or fail due to damage or moisture cold weather and so on. they are expendable resources so in a survival situation it would help to have more sustainable resources.
All in all they are great to carry in your pack but they really should not be relied on as your primary source of firelighting but as one of many!
All in all they are great to carry in your pack but they really should not be relied on as your primary source of firelighting but as one of many!
Firesteel
The most consistent method of firelighting the firesteel in conjunction with a good tinder and good preparation will create sure fire in the most adverse conditions.
The firesteel is a metal rod created from something called ferrocerium, which is basically a metal made of many other metals that when scraped at a fast speed with pressure will create a spark.
I will usually carry a few firesteels on my person and in my pack when at any given time, all usually have tinder in a capsule on the firesteel or in one near it helping me create sure fire, if practiced you can become very confident with this technique and it will become your most used method.
The con's of this technique are that it has to be practiced and relies on a good form of tinder to create a flame however, with preparation these problems are soon overcome. The pro's are that its waterproof, hard wearing, long lasting and has no moving parts so cant break. The most fool proof form of firelighting method you can get!
The firesteel is a metal rod created from something called ferrocerium, which is basically a metal made of many other metals that when scraped at a fast speed with pressure will create a spark.
I will usually carry a few firesteels on my person and in my pack when at any given time, all usually have tinder in a capsule on the firesteel or in one near it helping me create sure fire, if practiced you can become very confident with this technique and it will become your most used method.
The con's of this technique are that it has to be practiced and relies on a good form of tinder to create a flame however, with preparation these problems are soon overcome. The pro's are that its waterproof, hard wearing, long lasting and has no moving parts so cant break. The most fool proof form of firelighting method you can get!
BBQ matches
Although you may not think of these as a fire starter I believe they are. Essentially they are a huge match but instead of wood its a compacted wood fibre that burns for far longer, anywhere up to 10 mins! I usually carry a tin full of these and their striker as they are a great easy way to light fire.
Unfortunately they are affected by water as with any other match and can only be lit with the striker
Unfortunately they are affected by water as with any other match and can only be lit with the striker
Bow drill
The bow drill, is a primitive firelighting method that takes time and practice to master! so what do you do?
- First we need to make out bow drill set, this consists of a bent piece of wood that cant be strung like a bow. Next we need a straight piece of wood to use as a spindle pointed on both sides. Then we need a flat board like piece of wood about an inch thick with a notch cut into it. Finally we need a bearing block with is a piece of wood that will fit the hand nicely and has an indentation cut into it! So before we get started we need something to put under the notch of the hearth board to catch the dust a piece of birch bark will do fine and a tinder bundle like a birds nest made from dried clematis bark or grasses.
- Firstly we need to take our bow and weave the spindle into it so the string wraps round the spindle.
- Secondly place the spindle into the notch in the hearth board and support everything by placing the bearing block on top.
- Next make yourself comfortable, rest your hand that is pressing the bearing block down against your shin to stop it shaking and start to move the bow back and forth using light pressure pushing down as time goes on gradually increase speed and pressure until you are left with a pile of dust that smokes by itself.
- Finally put this ember into your tinder bundle and blow into flame!
Flint and steel kit
Another very traditional firelighting method, but a little less tiring than the bow drill. The flint and steel is essentially the next step up from friction firelighting and by that i mean a bit easier but still not sure fire. Essentially its a percussive method of making sparks which you make land on your tinder! usually this will be char cloth or amadou fungus, after that a king alfreds cake fungus works well for coal extending!