Having trouble with firemaking....

B

blade_collector

Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
53
Hey guys,
I am new to this forums site and this thread so please have patience. I watched this site all weekend while doing Chem homework and this site ROCKS!! I got a new knife on Friday :thumbup: and this site got me in the mood to build a fire in the fireplace Friday night. So, I dug out the old coughlans magnesium striker and I could not get the magnesuim shavings to fire up long enough to get dry leaves going. I know it is something I am doing wrong so any advice and techniques are appreciated. Thanks.
 
Try shaving the magnesium onto a peice of paper ( a pile of shavings the size of a quarter to start then as you get better at it you can use less shavings) this way you can fold the paper and pour them into a pile. Pour your pile onto a leaf or two then use the rod and striker to get them started.

David
 
O.K. I had never used one of these till about 2 yrs ago, and even then this weekend only makes about the third time I tried to use it. That makes alot of sense and I will definitely try that way. Is there on brand better than the other? A different style altogether?
 
Hi another idea is to shave it onto a piece of duct type tape..It holds the shavings and burns a bit longer due to the tape.the tape wrapped around the mag block is also multi functional.Just incase you may be interested a great bit of firelighting kit is the ultimate survival strikeforce,bulkier but solid and very good.
 
Not having enough shavings will usually disappoint the user because of poor results or performance. Magnesium is sort of a flash-in-the-pan tinder but it can be effective when conditions allow. Usually a quarter-sized pile of shavings will do the job. Normally I shave the magnesium on to a small slick piece of leather (kept in my fire kit) in order to funnel it where I want it. Keep the shavings in a pile and don't allow them to spread out and about. I might add; when you scrape your flint, keep the striker in one place and pull the flint against it. Ya won't scatter your magnesium pile by hitting it with the striker that way. :)

I have a little file (not jimping) made on the spine of one of my knives that shaves an adequate amount of shavings in just seconds.
pakdoan1jn7.jpg
 
So, that was the problem!!!! I didnt keep the shavings all together. So now I know... "and knowing is half the battle".
 
Besides the above it's also very important to have some good tinder available for the mag shavings to ignite. You mentioned using dry leaves you should also mix in some small twigs, fuzz sticks or petroleum jelly cotton balls.
 
Last edited:
tonym,
Right on... I miss those old cartoons and feel sorry for my daughter cuz of the bunch of crap on t.v. now. My wife and I buy the old cartoons on DVD every chance we get.
 
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