Is dryer lint really that good or is there better?

My kit is firesteel, PJ-cotton, firelog chunks, Junk-proof matches, and a Bic. The order of use is firesteel, bic, then matches. The firesteel ought to be fine, if some crazy conditions occur and it won't work, the bic should. If the lighter fouls up, matches won't.

Only recently has the firesteel become my primary fire starting method. It's the most simple and reliable way that I currently have to start a fire, with some potential to be the more difficult. I plan to reserve the cotton as 'backup' tinder, with endogenous tinder being the primary medium.

I've never even seen a firebow in person, let alone handle one. I'd like to try one this summer, but don't really expect to make it my primary method at any time. It would be a great skill to have in the toolbox, but from all the things I've read I don't view it (currently) as reliable enough to conisder a primary method.

Redundancy, here, is good.
 
Dryer lint is okay, and I don't see anything wrong with carryng some as a backup source. As several have written here, for all the time and trouble, cotton balls are cheap and work better. Peteroleum jelly and cotton balls are cheap and easy too.

I carry TinderQuik tabs in a spy capsule, matches, butane lighter and firesteel. I use an Esbit stove for solo hiking, so I usually have Esbit tabs too. Alcohol hand gel is great for getting stuff started and will take off with a spark. I've made some cut down road flares for fire starters and signalling too.

I still want a commercial fire starter that burns like a road flare and starts with a ripcord or striker.
 
DaleW said:
I still want a commercial fire starter that burns like a road flare and starts with a ripcord or striker.
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Agreed!

DaleW, you mentioned you have used esbit a lot? earlier in this thread I proposed using a hollow punch to re-form them into asprin sized pills. Having used esbit, do you think thats possible?
 
Hey Guys..

Digi...

Yaa lighters are Ok,, however if it leaks on you,, and you don't know about it,, there goes your #1 back up..

Matches on the other hand,, if you keep them dry, will usually always work..
What I'm saying is they are far more prone to failure...

digispam said:
Matches b4 lighter? I dont know about that one... I agree about the priorities though. I wouldnt even include matches though...maybe for a 4th backup or something.
Click to expand...

Flix...


FLIX said:
Eric,

I always use "survival" firestarting methods when I'm camping because it is fun and great practice. That being said, if I was in an actual survival situation, technique be danmed, I want a fire - NOW! If I have a lighter with me in such a situation, I'll use it and be thankful that I have it. I'm guessing you agree with this as well but just want to emphasize practicing "survival" firestarting techniques. -- FLIX
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Yes,, absolutely...
I' am trying to emphasize how important these other methods are..Especially those you aren't 110% comfortable with alternative methods...

Such as my kids for instance...

Since my oldest boy was 7 he has been allowed to make campfire,, however he's NEVER been allowed to use lighters or matches to this day. Any alternative methods he is Most welcome to use.

And Yes,, if I want fire now,, I'll use whatever is quickest and most reliable..

Probably my Bernz-O-Matic auto torch and a Quart of BBQ lighter fluid....

Been there,, Done that...:)

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
agreed then!

lets assume lighters and matches both to be failure prone. If we can do without them, so much the better.
 
If you go to your favorite search engine and look up primitive technology's you can find dozens of sights that will do a creditable job of explaining how to start a fire with a bow&drill, or hand drill.
practice this at home, light your fire place or BBQ grill a few times a week and in a months time you should be able to start a fire in less than two minutes with a bow&drill.
Its all about recognizing materials at hand, so the next step is to practice in the field and not use your kit.
I'm not advocating leaving your PSK behind, I'm suggesting that learning this skill will add a whole new level of redundancy to your fire making skill.
I know people who can get a flame with there bow&drill kit in 13 seconds. This is a well selected kit and 20+ years experience.
My personnel experience is that it takes two minutes times the number of people watching to get flame with a bow&drill, so I never teach more than three people at a time.
The bottom line is if you have wood and you know how to start a fire with hand drill, you have fire, no need for bellybutton/dryer/pocket/cotton ball lint.
 
digispam said:
Agreed!

DaleW, you mentioned you have used esbit a lot? earlier in this thread I proposed using a hollow punch to re-form them into asprin sized pills. Having used esbit, do you think thats possible?
Click to expand...

It crumbles. You could make little chips, but the stuff is so stable and in a nice little brick that burns for 15 minutes--- so why bother? It burns at 1400F and it makes a great fire starter. The real quick and dirty way is to put a dollup of alcohol hand cleaner on it and give it a spark. Pile on the small wood and keep building. Its a great backup for when you just fell in a cold stream, etc.
 
ok thx for the info!

I wanted to bother for ease of carry - If I could end up with little pills like asprins, that would be perfect for me. I could fit them in little spy capsules, sealed straws, etc...

I like the alcohol hand cleaner trick - makes sense.

thx again
 
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