Preparing firewood without tools

[SouthernCross]

G'day everyone.

I thought I'd start this thread to share a couple of simple & effective techniques to prepare firewood without tools.

Kindling ..

[youtube]928mnpV5M6E[/youtube]



Breaking up larger branches for the fire..

[youtube]XQEgOwpDXhI&feature=channel[/youtube]

Guys, please feel free to build on this with your tips :thumbup:




Kind regards
Mick

 

[baldtaco-II]

I've only two techniques – kinda mobile or static fulcra:

Either whack it in the middle with another stick or the bottom of my boot.

or

Use my weight and strength to bend it over / against a rock or log.


I avoid using either method purely. I find fires bigger that about 2' across wasteful and antisocial. They require more fuel and they lose intimacy because you have to sit so far back from them. That makes using the fire harder and disperses your group. Gradually feeding sticks in [eg. star fire] works in a pinch but it is still encouraging the spread I try to avoid. I like concentration. My 2' rule also accords well with my personal limits. I can usually bust down a good size 4' stick into 2*2' without much hassle, but I lack the power in me to snap a good thick 2' into 2*1' with massive effort. Ultimately I prefer the control tools allow me even if that is only just enough to introduce a weak spot and snap what is left.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Simon had a great thread about using wooden wedges too.