Possible Mediums for your Flint

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
6,105
Hello all-

I've been playing around a bit with my firesteel, as much as one can in an aparment anyway. I've been wondering what levels of flammable items people are able to ignite with their flints?

I've switched to cotton+ flint as a main fire-starting gear, it works just perfectly. I also use some 'firelog' chunks as tinder, that I keep in a little Rx bottle with the other gear. But what else are people able to light once they develop more skill with it?

Can you light a fuzz stick with the flint?

I imagine something like dry leaves isn't too dificult to get going, whereas a piece of bark might offer more of a challenge.

I'm just looking for some perspective before I start setting goals for when I can get to the woods.

Thoughts are welcome!
 
Hey Spooky..

It all depends on how good you are with your Ferro Rod,, and as well how good your striker is...

I've ignited many different things with my ferro rods,, everything from dried leaves and grasses to different kinds of bark and wood shavings...

You just have to get outside and try different things..

If you haven't already, make some PJ soaked cotton balls, maybe grab a little fatwood...

Plain cotton balls are Ok for fair weather firelighting..
Try them in the rain or after they've been wet and you are screwed..Same goes for the firlog chunks...

Get yourself some good solid waterproof tinder like PJ/cotton balls and fat wood,, then you can play and experiment with all the other things after...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Ha, thanks Thomas. Who knew psychics were so inflammable? Must be all the hot air. (Bu-doom, ching)

I've actually been using some PJ soaked cotton. Went a little overboard with them at first, too (melted tons of the PJ into them). I've been able to light them reliably though. Things like napkins and TP obviously go up easily, as does plain paper. I've been able to get cloth or twine to go, when I chafe it with my knife first.

I haven't really got any leaves to play with yet. I'm mostly interested in learning to get bark/fuzz sticks to burn at this point, however.

Oh, thanks for the heads up that the firelog stuff isn't very waterproof. Mine stays out on my deck and I always take it from there to play with, but haven't tried it wet. It stays in a water-tight bottle right now, but I'll have to find something that doesn't require water-proof containers. I wanted the fatwood, but am having a hard time bringing myself to pay for something that I should be able to find in the woods!

I'm going to keep playing around until I wear through this flint, but I just wanted to see what other more skilled hands were capable of. Thanks for the note, Normark.
 
Hey Spooky...

No problem..

As far as I'm concerned,, you can't put enough PJ in a cotton ball..
I add just a taste of parafin to stuffen them up a little..Makes them less Greasy,,and burn time is increased..
Not only that they are Completely waterproof....

You can store them in water, pull them out,,blow'm off and they'll light.

Just keep playing around and I'm sure you'll find all kinds of natural and manmade stuff to ignite...

When trailer camping or with Scouts I use the firesteel to light stoves all the time...Much better than a lighter...

Have Phun..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
You could probably light the chunks of firelog w/ your ferro rod if you wanted.
I do some of the commercial firestarters that are probably fairly similiar. Break a piece off, and scrape your rod so that the big, hot sparks fall into the rough, fuzzed edge where you broke it. I do not know about waterproof, but the Coghlins starters I have used will take a dunk and still light just fine.
 
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