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What are you top fire starting methods?
- Thread starter peripatew
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2005
- Messages
- 9,680
There are lots of great posts here... I have noticed a difference between the bushcrafters as opposed to the urban survivalists... both have thier merits and a combination of the two would round out one's skills nicely.
The Traditional Bushcrafter - Mainly primitive methods including natural tinders... Friction fires, flint and steel, ferro rod (not so trad. but used with natural tinders). The advantages would be the renewable resources for longterm situations. The disadvantages being the time it often takes to apply these techniques and it seems to be more effected by the elements and surrounding material availability.
The Urban Survivalist - Modern techniques such as lighters, sparking tools, vaseline soaked cotton balls, firestraws, and other man-made firestarters. Advantages being immediate dependable firestarting, less training required to use these techniques effectively. Disadvantages would be the fact that fuel runs out, sparking tools wear away and without a store to resupply you may be stuck.
Make sure you are versed in techniques from both groups.... it's all good.
Personally, I was a pure traditionalist until I realized that limiting myself to primitive methods was not only stubborn... but downright irrational.
Rick
The Traditional Bushcrafter - Mainly primitive methods including natural tinders... Friction fires, flint and steel, ferro rod (not so trad. but used with natural tinders). The advantages would be the renewable resources for longterm situations. The disadvantages being the time it often takes to apply these techniques and it seems to be more effected by the elements and surrounding material availability.
The Urban Survivalist - Modern techniques such as lighters, sparking tools, vaseline soaked cotton balls, firestraws, and other man-made firestarters. Advantages being immediate dependable firestarting, less training required to use these techniques effectively. Disadvantages would be the fact that fuel runs out, sparking tools wear away and without a store to resupply you may be stuck.
Make sure you are versed in techniques from both groups.... it's all good.
Personally, I was a pure traditionalist until I realized that limiting myself to primitive methods was not only stubborn... but downright irrational.
Rick
I would suggest getting a couple of the BSA Hot Spark fire starterss. They are cheap, small, and sit unobtrusively on a keychain or zipper pull. At $2.49, you can't go wrong. I also like these little lighters. They are strong and won't lose their fuel like a Zippo. Here is a review I wrote on these back when they were expensive. Now they're going for $5.00.
The Doan magnesium block with firesteel attached has the added benefit of having tinder along for the ride.
I always carry AT LEAST two firestarters, and at least two different tinders. These range from PJCB firestraws and fatwood to steel wool and magnesium shavings.
I sometimes carry REI Storm Matches, vacuum sealed along with a striker. These are a bit fragile compared to other methods.
These are safety pinned inside my hat.
Whatever you get, don't just put it away and "save it for a rainy day." Practice! Practice! Practice!
-- FLIX
WOW, this looks great!