Knife + Rock = FIRE

alco141 said:
there are two types of sparks if you will the low temp sparks like those that come from the carbonsteel/flint type of sparkmakers if i remember they are about 7-800 degrees, the other typpe is the ferro rod spark, which is much hotter like 1400 degrees. that is why you need the char cloth for the the steel/flint method. char clothe has a much lower kindling temperature than regular cotton, the char cloth is "coked" that is combusted in a low oxygen environment to leave a high carbon residual that has the lower kindling temperature than the original cloth from which it is made. it is needed to use the low temp sparking method.

alex
Click to expand...

Yes, I understand that.

The thing is: If true flint and steel only works with a prepared tinder that you bring with you, that gives it a much narrower scope of utility for emergency wilderness survival, makes it much less useful. Though the sparks from true flint and steel are lower temperature, I expect that they can still also be used for found tinders, when done right, even if more difficult; and so I'm interested to learn more about this, to make flint and steel useful for anybody who has a knife, instead of just anybody who has a knife and charcloth.
 
Evolute said:
The thing is: If true flint and steel only works with a prepared tinder that you bring with you, that gives it a much narrower scope of utility for emergency wilderness survival, makes it much less useful. .
Click to expand...

Agreed. For the 72 hour scenario, one would be foolish not to have another way to make fire, hence my comment about fire by friction being a more valuable skill as you can get away with a sharp rock and improvised cordage if in the worst case.

Charred materials for me goes past the survival scenario and more towards wilderness (primitive) living as you would continue to make char for a perpetual and conveinent fire making method.

I too would be interested in finding more natural materials for this method, so far I have struck out in my attempts.
 
Evolute said:
Could you specify which tinders you tried this with, which didn't work? Thank you.
Click to expand...

Haven't tried many when I couln't even get it with jute or plain cotton. I will be in the mountains this weekend and will keep my eye out for one in particular I haven't tried. I will also ping somebody more knowledgable that me.
 
Juniper bark and/or red cedar bark crumbles superbly into airy tinder if you have it around your area. Works superbly with flint and steel.
 
Whenever I can, I highly encourage outdoor folks (not only in my primitive technologies classes) to learn how to make fire with flint and steel. Anybody that owns some 100% cotton, and can build a fire, can make charred cloth. Char cloth catches the smallest of sparks, allowing you to hold and control that spark until you are ready to ignite your tinder bundle. The technique of using flint and steel will give you another option in your bag of firemaking tricks.

I have also used charred punk wood in the place of charred cloth with great success. However charred cloth is easier to find, produce, use, and store. I have also started fires with flint and steel, sparking a nest of frayed rope and blackpowder. Not something I recommend for the novice but there are lots of options out there depending on what you carry and what is available in the surrounding environment.

The charred cloth (often called "char cloth") will hold a spark for some time while gently attending it with a puff of air. When you are ready to ignite the tinder bundle with stronger blowing (as QB did so well in the video) hold the bundle above and in front of your face. You don't want to inhale the smoke or have it get into your eyes.
fands3qi8.jpg


I keep my char cloth in a small tin. It is very fragile when charred, so it needs to be protected. The steel, stone, tow tinder (frayed bark, jute, whatever else you carry), can be carried in a greased leather bag or water resistant container.
fands1dp4.jpg
 
Evolute said:
Could you specify which tinders you tried this with, which didn't work? Thank you.
Click to expand...

Well, I didn't find what I was looking for this weekend to try a non-charred natural tinder - tinder fungus from black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). But I did hear from someone far more proficient at this method than me, here was his response when I asked if he had been able to do it with anything besides char cloth...

"I have got a spark to catch with true tinder fungus, and the fungus that grows on cottonwood trees… that was powdered down. Once I got a spark to stick in a dead mullein leaf. Try different fungus, dried of course, and see what works for you. I know you have some type of populus in your neck of the woods so I would try that first."
 
Quiet Bear said:
Well, I didn't find what I was looking for this weekend to try a non-charred natural tinder - tinder fungus from black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). But I did hear from someone far more proficient at this method than me, here was his response when I asked if he had been able to do it with anything besides char cloth...

"I have got a spark to catch with true tinder fungus, and the fungus that grows on cottonwood trees… that was powdered down. Once I got a spark to stick in a dead mullein leaf. Try different fungus, dried of course, and see what works for you. I know you have some type of populus in your neck of the woods so I would try that first."
Click to expand...

QB, I have tried a number of dried and powdered mosses, leaves, grasses, flower heads, barks, a variety of funguses, needles, corn husks, etc., but never found a one that would catch a spark and hold it with any consistency (though some made good tinder). I have learned to say "never say never" when it comes to firemaking tinders and natural spark catchers, and little doubt I and many of my reenactor and primitive friends will continue our search for other natural spark catching options besides charred cloth or charred punk wood.

"Tin'der, n. burnt linen, what easily catches fire." Noah Webster's 1806 edition.
 
Great thread QB, I'll have to give it a shot myself.;)

Also diggin the Bitter Root set up.:cool:

Thanks for sharing
Helle
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top