FailFire with the Warthog

[hawaiianhawk]

So the rain stopped for a bit this morning and I decided to try making a little fire with some wood out of my yard. I've only tried this once before, so I figured I'd get in a little practice. "Making fire" usually means charcoal and newspaper in a barbecue grill.

Easy to baton through some small pieces of wood.

Trying to make some curlies...

Interrupted by this mook, who decided to jump the fence, so I had to go get him.

Little pile of bits and shavings.

Something to take sparks (dryer lint) and a cheapie magnesium rod/flint striker. At this point there was a lot of sparks, some coals, and no fire. Then it started to rain again so I had to give it up. Learned a few things, even with this lack of success:

1) I need more practice.
2) I need more practice.
3) I need more practice and possibly better materials.
4) Striking a flint rod really eats up your edge. So does battoning into concrete.

So when the weather clears up (hopefully soon) I'll try again. Any advice from you masters out there would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BRL]

cool photos! damn I love the warthog.

once the fire is going: roast taro and breadfruit?

 

[hawaiianhawk]

Haha. Digging on that Hawaiian food, huh, BRL? Did you have any kalua pig when you were in Maui? You really should have.

Yes, I love my Warthog. He's fast becoming my favorite big fixed blade after my USMC.

 

[Moosez45]

Ah, the WartyHogg. The Skillet With an Edge. Fine blade and well made for many purposes, one of which, making fire.

Alot of the odds were stackin against you, Kaikua`ana. But, we can help.

One, build you up a small platform of split wood, with the dry facing up. It helps get some airflow, and gets your work off of the wet pavement.

Two, dryer lint doesn't work as well as some thing, mostly because of the polymers that are used in fabric these days, along with fabric softener, kinda like trying to start a fire with Nomex tinder. If you know you have a run from PURE cotton clothing, it will do better.

Three, yeah a fireSTEEL is hard on the edge. I don't use my edge unless I have no other alternative, and that hasn't happened yet. I have done it to make sure I can, but I generally don't. I square up the spine of my knife for that. You might consider that, or just say forget it and find you something better. Obsidian is a great firesteel striker, if you know where you can find some.

Four, scrape, don't strike at the steel. Better yet, think about holding your striker still, and pulling your firesteel back against the edge, it throws sparks in a more consistant pattern, that you can aim better.

Five, practice, practice, practice. Even if its raining, if you have a porch or awning to work under, you can still practice getting your tinder started. My daughters practice on our front porch when its raining, and THEY JUST HAVE TO, DADDDDDYYYYYYYY!!!!

Six, start with a $.99 bag of cotton balls. Sorry, Hawaii, your $5.00 bag of cotton balls. Its a good way to practice, and get your sparks on target, plus, the high success ratio will build your confidence.

Finally, just remember, if a 9yr old and a 6yr old can do it, so can you.

They just practice when Daddy lets'em, and that's pretty much when they want to.

Moose

 

[BRL]

A Crewman with the ramp removed! I can't bear to look at it!

 

[hawaiianhawk]

Mahalo nui loa, o Kia Nui.

Thanks for the advice, Moose. I do have some Swedish firesteels coming my way; they just haven't arrived yet, so I'm playing with what I have... And will practice hard when I get them. And I've been semi-seriously considering stripping my Warthog, so... That might happen, and I'll square the spine in the process.

The broadness of the blade is part of the reason why I like it! Imagine if you took one and sharpened the clip and made it just an inch longer... Hell of a pigsticker!

And yes, everything's more expensive in Hawaii. Can someone please explain that to customers (I work in retail)? :grumpy:

BRL, could that be the BK9 that got turned into a psuedo-Crewman? I know there was a thread here somewhere and I read the whole thing when I was a mere lurker.

 

[Moosez45]

Mahalo nui loa, o Kia Nui.

Thanks for the advice, Moose. I do have some Swedish firesteels coming my way; they just haven't arrived yet, so I'm playing with what I have... And will practice hard when I get them. And I've been semi-seriously considering stripping my Warthog, so... That might happen, and I'll square the spine in the process.

The broadness of the blade is part of the reason why I like it! Imagine if you took one and sharpened the clip and made it just an inch longer... Hell of a pigsticker!

And yes, everything's more expensive in Hawaii. Can someone please explain that to customers (I work in retail)? :grumpy:

BRL, could that be the BK9 that got turned into a psuedo-Crewman? I know there was a thread here somewhere and I read the whole thing when I was a mere lurker.

Well, at least I get to brush up on my Hawaiian.

That is a standard BK10, with the thumb ramp taken off, spine squard, and the micarta buffed and polished. Its one of mine, and its a great gen purpose knife.

Kia Nui

 

[hawaiianhawk]

Went back and reread your advice because I should be getting my firesteels in a day or so, and I noticed your signature. Excellent.

 

[Moosez45]

Went back and reread your advice because I should be getting my firesteels in a day or so, and I noticed your signature. Excellent.

I like it. May stick with it, I'm so used to typing "Moose" at then end of my posts, I sent out a bunch of emails today to some of my clients. I may stick with Kia Nui for a while, never know.

I'll be here to help out as much as I can, so feel free to ask.


Kia Nui