Flint striker vs. knife

[Todd21969]

Ohhh... I like metal matches. Carry my little nano striker on my keys, fun to play with.

But..... If it came down to it and I really needed fire I am using my Zippo.

 

[redman2006]

Lighters don't strike too well when wet. That fire steel has saved my butt a couple of times after a bad dunking and the bic was wet. That and a few cotton balls with Vaseline make a great wet weather backup starter kit.

 

[Mic77]

Some of the best advice I have ever heard was to light a fire before you go out on ice instead of after you go in and can't feel your hands. Same wisdom applied to anything can be a life saver. So I kee my bic in a waterproof bag with some cotton and other tinder. I was a Boy Scout they taught be prepared before it was cool.

 

[badasslibrarian]

So you got the UST, backed up by your magnesium bar (with anther striker).

What is your backup for those? Remember, 3 is 2, and 2 is 1, and 1 is none.

here's an old pic ( when i 1st received my coghlans):

1. Bic lighter
2. Coghlans' match stick holder
3. Coghlans magnesium bar
4. UST strikeforce firestarter (with 1 wetfire cube)
5. 9 volt rechargeable battery (energizer) with fine steel wool
6. magnifying glass

 

[badasslibrarian]

i also would like to learn how to make fire using a bow drill...

 

[redman2006]

I was too. Had it all in a ziplock. Ziplock either had a hole or I did not get it zipped up as tightly as I should have. I took a fall in a river crossing and it was wet enough in it that it would not strike.

Things happen. Redundancy is good.

The other time, the pack horses got a little deeper than expected. Filled panniers and saddlebags right up.

Summertime and close to a car, no big deal. Cold weather and miles away from anyone and it can be a bad thing. Heck, even just that continuous dampness of the humidity and rain here in georgia will mess with them even if they are not dunked.

 

[EChoil]

here's an old pic ( when i 1st received my coghlans):

1. Bic lighter
2. Coghlans' match stick holder
3. Coghlans magnesium bar
4. UST strikeforce firestarter (with 1 wetfire cube)
5. 9 volt rechargeable battery (energizer) with fine steel wool
6. magnifying glass

What, no Tampax??

 

[marcinek]

here's an old pic ( when i 1st received my coghlans):

You forgot a flare gun, hand sanitizer, a parabolic mirror, a cube of sodium, and Greek fire.

 

[marcinek]

To me, having the creativity and skill set that allows one to carry as FEW tools as possible is the essence of bushcraft .

^ What me said.

 

[badasslibrarian]

So you got the UST, backed up by your magnesium bar (with anther striker).

What is your backup for those? Remember, 3 is 2, and 2 is 1, and 1 is none.

the Photo of back-up fire starting options was my reply to your inquiry.

 

[badasslibrarian]

Will soon visit a local jungle survival school to learn more about bushcrafting

http://www.jestcamp.com/survival-school/

 

[B34NS]

You forgot a flare gun, hand sanitizer, a parabolic mirror, a cube of sodium, and Greek fire.

got a recipie for that greek fire for cotton balls?