Got to get and get some practice, learned some stuffs

Idaho Guy said:
I assume when you say 000 and 0000 you are refering to the size or whatever of the steel wool. I never knew it came it different sizes or grit or whatever ya call it. You never know what your gonna learn around here lol.
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Yes, it comes in multiple grains, so to speak. Triple aught (000) and Quad aught (0000) are the smallest and finest fiber. Quad being the finer of the two. I always keep steel wool in my bag. So many uses and so lightweight, it is a no brainer to me.
 
I have the waxed jute twine and the petroleum massaged cotton balls. But one of my favs is Murrays Pomade. It comes in a metal tin (gives you multiple uses, its all about duality) and I store some of the round cotton disks (stolen from my lovely wife) in the tin. This shit loves to burn. I bought my can for $2. Metal container and fire starter in the wind and rain. Awesome.

Plus when you have used up all the pomade, you know have a nice tin for a medical kit, survival kit, or to make and store char cloth.
 
I've also used Corn Husker's lotion and Burt's Bees' hand salve on jute twine once or twice. Worked ok, but gulf wax is my go to.
 
I want to try some gel wax on some different materials, I have seen cotton balls coated in burn upwards to 10 minutes.
 
OREGON FAL'ER said:
Spit on something and shave your mag. bar onto the spit. The wind shouldn't blow it away then. Light it up like a christmas tree baby.
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This should be in the tips and tricks thread. Great tip.
 
Rsmith_77 said:
so we get our pile of shavings and set it up on a flat log and try to light it with my light my fire and my bk11. I just couldnt get the shavings to light on their own, so i tried some fire sticks i picked up today at bass pro shop. Now i dont know if I just had unreasonable expectations but we just couldnt get the firesticks to light either, the instructions said to break in half and would light even if wet....so we tried a lighter on one and it DID burn pretty easily, but it just wouldnt catch a spark
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Shavings are a step in the right direction. If I am trying to start a fire using only sticks or fatwood and not using cotton balls, I like to take the tinder a step further and create dust with my stick or fatwood. I do this by holding the cutting edge or the spine (if it's sharp) of my knife at a 90 degree angle against the tinder stick and scrapping up and down to make a pile of dust. A spark will catch in the dust easier than it will on a shaving. What you are trying to accomplish is a loose surface area that is very combustible. Ignite your dust pile and add in your shavings as it is burning.

I believe what you are refering to as fire sticks is in fact what a lot of people refer to as "fatwood" or "heartwood" which is a great fire starting aid. Instead of just breaking the stick in half and trying to strike it with your firesteel, make a pile of shavings, some dust or use a cotton ball and ignite. Should burn nice and hot and put off some black smoke. With enough practice I have been able to light just a pile of shavings with a firesteel. Just takes time and patience.

Rsmith_77 said:
finally i dig out a couple of cotton balls from my PSK, now these arent treated in anyway (not soaked in vasaline or anything for that matter) and after maybe 5-10 minutes of sparking it finally lights
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You want to make sure your cotton balls are 100% cotton. Synthetic fibers are less likely to burn. Like said before, you want to fluff the cotton ball into a birds nest of sorts. Create a large surface area which allow oxygen into the fibers of the cotton ball and then ignite. Hold your firesteel onto the cotton ball and use your knife or striker in a slow but deliberate stroke twords the cotton ball being cautious not to drive the striker into the cotton ball tinder.


Fire takes practice and I am glad you are out there giving it a try. I have found a great deal of respect for fire and how hard it can be to accomplish. From what I have learned, it is all in the preperation. Take your time, be patient, relax if you are having a tough time, sit back for a minute and assess the situation, think about your method, make necessary changes and try again. The rule I follow: gather your fire wood, prepare your knidling, preparation of the tinder or tinder bundle should wait until you are ready to light your fire. Work from big to small.

Find what works best for you, be ready to change your method, adapt to the given situation and be confident in your skills.

Will post some pics later if I get the chance.
 
Snakedoc said:
You want to make sure your cotton balls are 100% cotton. Synthetic fibers are less likely to burn. Like said before, you want to fluff the cotton ball into a birds nest of sorts. Create a large surface area which allow oxygen into the fibers of the cotton ball and then ignite. Hold your firesteel onto the cotton ball and use your knife or striker in a slow but deliberate stroke twords the cotton ball being cautious not to drive the sFire takes practice and I am glad you are out there giving it a try.
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Excellent point Doc, I should've mentioned that with my post to make sure the cottonballs are 100%the cotton, thanks for mentioning that.
 
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