Fire pistons...

Gaurdian_A1

Gaurdian_A1

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Jul 28, 2009
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Ive been doing some research on fire pistons because I was thinking of buying one. But most that I found are 40-80 bucks a piece, unless you make one of your own, which is easy enough to do....BUT! Why bother with even carrying one? A firesteel is much more maintenance free and you can actually light your tinder on FIRE, not just produce an ember..Size wise, the firesteel wins again!

So are fire pistons "just for fun" Or is there a valid reason to carry one? Aside from personal preference?

-Gaurdian_A1
 
I don't own one and haven't tried one. But they are fascinating as yet another way to start a fire. A novelty.

If I could easily make one with woods-found materials I would be tempted to try to do so. But from what I see, it requires fairly close tolerances between the piston and cup and sealing material tight enough to allow compression but not so tight as to impede the piston movement.

Modern manufacturing methods are ideal for making them. IMHO, primitive techniques and materials not so much. Several other methods of fire starting more readily lend themselves to on-site assembly and use.
 
You could make one by drilling out a piece of hardwood, then finding a wooden dowel to fit the hole you drilled..But you still need a seal of some sort in order to make it work.
 
When I was a lad, I made one out of bamboo following instructions in an old book I had (still have, as a matter of fact). It worked, and I used it to start several fires, but — truth be told — it was more of a curiosity than anything else.

Yes, it worked, and you could use one to start a fire if you really had to, but it's no match for a good firesteel.

Back in those days we didn't have all the nifty firesteels that we have today, so it really was an alternative method of fire starting. Would I rely on one nowadays? Nope.

As I said, it was more of a curiosity, than anything else. Something you could show your friends as a "Hey, check this out" kind of thing.

If anyone wants the page I scanned from the book for another member here, let me know, and I'll dig it up.
 
Hello Guardian_A1,

Well, the fire piston was used for eons in Southeast Asia, in jungle environments where dry tinder and hot embers are at times a challenge.
Considering the humidity of jungles you can see why fire by friction would be more difficult and require much more effort.


With that in mind, I'm a fan of trying it all out! I let my curiosities and interests take me into new areas of skill. I find a wider breadth provides better preparedness and confidence... Even if I may not use it anytime soon.



That being said, whichever method works best for you and your area is always best!:thumbup:
 
I admit that I picked one up after watching one of the Survivor man shows, as someone else mentioned previously, as a novelty. It came with some char-cloth already and the first time I used it, it made fire. I would lean toward a fire steel as my primitive method of fire starting, but I am confident that I could start a fire with the piston if it was my only means. With that being said, I don't wander into the woods without 2-3 ways of starting fire.
 
never tried a piston
but hell, i dont even head out to the backyard firepit without more than one means of getting the fire going....
 
sadiejane said:
never tried a piston
but hell, i dont even head out to the backyard firepit without more than one means of getting the fire going....
Click to expand...

I know fires are easier to start with Bics, but I try to start everything with my fire steel, whether it's the gas grill, tiki torches, and fire pit. My wife thinks I'm silly, but the sparks are just cool, and the kids like it. :D
 
LostSoul said:
I know fires are easier to start with Bics, but I try to start everything with my fire steel, whether it's the gas grill, tiki torches, and fire pit. My wife thinks I'm silly, but the sparks are just cool, and the kids like it. :D
Click to expand...

Are we talking firesteels as flint and steel or ferro rods? To me the firepiston is interesting, but I have started a fire with flint and steel for so long it is just second nature. I do have some ferro rods for a change. One of these days I'll make a firepiston just for demonstration.
 
Here's one I made a while ago. They do have a learning curve for sure. Not only to use, but to build as well. This one took me several weeks and four scrapped prototypes before I got this one to work.

I don't think that I would use one as my single or even primary firestarting device. A firesteel fills that role. However, if you get the technique down and have a good quality piston, they can be very reliable. This one works on the first try 9 out of 10 times. And the second try on the other time.

THey are definitely fun to play around with though.

Firepiston1.jpg

firepiston3.jpg

firepiston4.jpg

firepiston5.jpg
 
countryboycansurvive said:
Here's one I made a while ago. They do have a learning curve for sure. Not only to use, but to build as well. This one took me several weeks and four scrapped prototypes before I got this one to work.

I don't think that I would use one as my single or even primary firestarting device. A firesteel fills that role. However, if you get the technique down and have a good quality piston, they can be very reliable. This one works on the first try 9 out of 10 times. And the second try on the other time.

THey are definitely fun to play around with though.

Firepiston1.jpg

firepiston3.jpg

firepiston4.jpg

firepiston5.jpg
Click to expand...

Beautiful piece of work. I would be especially proud of that one. Beauty and function. Looks like a keeper. What did you make it out of?
 
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I have one I got off of e-bay.A neat little piece of kit.IMHO it's better for starting fires when your out bush bumming rather than in a real survival situation.Mine at least takes some tinkering to make work really well.Although,that could be me just as much as the piston.
 
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