Fire by Friction comments

Mike, it is not my intention to argue the point, I just wanted to list my comments. I can see your points in your last post making quite a bit of sense. It takes practice to properly lay a fire to start by a Friction method, vs a match or Bic, I completely agree. My point is that, if folks work in reverse they can build confidence faster; because it gets progessively harder to get a fire going through advanced Primitive Methods.

The fact that you begin from the opposite end of where I do when it comes to fire making is not a conflict. Folks can choose to start anywhere on the fire timeline, and gain skill and knowledge along the way.

I prefer the reliance on failsafe methods such as a firesteel or lifeboat matches when afield. I trust they will work for me in all conditions because they have in the past. If I have the time and am not rushed in the field I can entertain other more primitive methods. No method that gets you fire is a wrong approach IMO.

Thank you for your Service to Our Country!
 
1Tracker
Cool:thumbup:
Just trying to share a concept that has helped many people for a long time.

I was getting frustrated that the message was being burred under the technique.

I usually do a fair job of getting a message across, but some how I fell far short this time.:o
 
For what it's worth Mike, I think folks who practice Primitive are very skilled outdoorsmen. Anyone can strike a match, flick a Bic, or use a FireSteel.....But all of the Primitive methods take lots of practice and knowledge to be successful.
 
1Tracker said:
. . .

Ice lens, is a waste of time IME & O
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Seems right. But what is tougher than a fire plow? Fire by concentrating mental energy from The Force?

try it before you post it.
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Excuse me? "Post it" = ???? The very words are limited to those who have "tried it"? (That would sure limit use of "death" in most posts.)

We had a "pryo" in the Troop when I was a kid, and he could - consistently - get a fire in 10 seconds or under with yucca drill and hearth, soap stone handpiece (and ear wax), and leather thong + his "secret" tinder. And he still carried matches in a Marbles case and a "cigarette lighter" (pre "metal match' era). Smart guy.

Gee. So many hard products of a hard school. :o
 
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I've never tried the friction methods but I think they would be rewarding to know how to do reliably and would certainly be a confidence builder. I always enjoyed Les Stroud's whoops of joy when he made a fire from an old time method.

For me and where I live and hike, I'll just be sure to carry a Bic or two along with NATO matches, a ferro rod, Spark-Lite, and the various tinders I carry in my fire kits in each pack I have. I feel quite confident from past experience that I can get a fire going with any of the things I carry as long as I can find fuel to burn.

Would it be be cool to be able to make an old school fire from friction or traditional flint and steel (I've made a couple fires under controlled conditions with the latter)? Sure, but I don't go out to practice skills as much as I go out to spend time in the outdoors. So I carry the things I might likely need if I get stuck or hurt while alone in the backcountry and cannot return to my vehicle before nightfall. While it's conceivable I cannot imagine a time when or where I wouldn't have the basics of firemaking on my person while in the outdoors. Heck, I even carry my Altoids tin when I go to town and Costco!
 
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