What am I doing wrong?

[WolfTracker]

Perhaps the angle of the striker is too flat? Vary the angle, and hold the steel steady.

 

[Brian Andrews]

I think we are combining a couple different topics here. What is best to do in a survival situation is different from learning the skill of using a firesteel, which is what Dougo posted about.

In any real situation, the easiest thing is going to be the best. If you have a lighter that works, then of course, use it.

The advantage of a firesteel is that they are basically waterproof, and virtually indestructible. Even if they break, you are still going to have enough to produce sparks from.

The cotton ball, dryer lint, char cloth, are all typical pieces of kit. They are also good for practicing. However, I think it is a good skill to be in the woods, look around, and find what works and what doesn't. It takes considerable amount of time playing and experiementing, but hey....its fun.

Now, I carry PJ cotton balls and all that, but they are for emergency. I have never had to use them. Unless I am in a huge rush, I always use natural tinder because I always look at it as another learning experience, even if I have a working lighter on me. I figure if I can do the fire with a steel and natural tinder, then the lighter will just be that much easier.

While I agree with having that other stuff (like char-cloth) as back-up, I would not offer it up as a solution to using a firesteel. After all, if you can keep char cloth dry and ready to use, why can't you do the same with a bic? Put one in a baggie and treat it like your cotton balls or whatever?

My suggestion is to play with the cotton balls, char cloth, dryer lint, etc until you get comfortable with your sparking technique. Then, expand it to natural materials.

 

[tonym]

I think it is a good skill to be in the woods, look around, and find what works and what doesn't. It takes considerable amount of time playing and experiementing, but hey....its fun.

Now, I carry PJ cotton balls and all that, but they are for emergency. I have never had to use them. Unless I am in a huge rush, I always use natural tinder because I always look at it as another learning experience, even if I have a working lighter on me. I figure if I can do the fire with a steel and natural tinder, then the lighter will just be that much easier.

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