Fire starting for campers/hikers/hunters

Minuteman · Jan 26, 2017

tallen702 said:
The only fire starting methods that they covered that weren't covered here were a couple of "instant" tinder sources that you can buy from most survival supply companies. They were big fans of the Titan matches.

Some DIY stuff they covered was the use of duct tape as emergency tinder. twist strands of it into "sticks" with the adhesive side out and it's supposed to burn pretty well and slow enough to get a fire going. They also said you could ball it up and use a knife to cut rips into it to increase surface area and airflow to produce a reliable tinder ball that will burn hot and long enough to dry out marginally wet kindling to get a heat source going.

The nice thing is that they covered about 5 or 6 types of atypical fires for specific situations. Proper signal fire building, pit/trench fires for high wind scenarios, long-log fires for long term heat output, platform fires for surviving in heavy snow pack, etc. They included step by step instructions and even diagrams with the more esoteric types. When I'm done with the issue, I'll cut out the pertinent pages and scan them as PDFs and attach them here.

Very nice, thanks for that.

Since duct tape is a common and critical item, good to hear of its potential as a fire aid - new concept for me.

DaemonAssassin · Jan 27, 2017

EKing said:
I like the videos by the King of Random on youtube. He shows how to use glycerin and pot perm to make a fire with chemical reaction. He also shows how to make a fire piston.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja_6Yin9JuM

I posted that earlier in the thread...

Minuteman · Jan 28, 2017

Here's the paracord that UST calls Paratinder, it has an inner cord that is exceptionally easy to light (i.e. tinder):

https://www.ustbrands.com/product/paratinder-bracelet-w-flint-firestarter/

tallen702 · Feb 21, 2017

Okay, better late than never right? Here's the recent F&S "fire" article scan on how to build different types of fires. It also suggests keeping a small plastic and metal pencil sharpener (like you used at your desk as a kid) in your kit to use on small sticks to create wood shavings for tender. I'll likely try this at home in the near future. Attachment is .pdf for ease of download for you guys.

With all the spring-like weather we've had recently, I'm ready to go hiking and camping!

Blacksmith101 · Feb 21, 2017

tallen702 said:
Okay, better late than never right? Here's the recent F&S "fire" article scan on how to build different types of fires. It also suggests keeping a small plastic and metal pencil sharpener (like you used at your desk as a kid) in your kit to use on small sticks to create wood shavings for tender. I'll likely try this at home in the near future. Attachment is .pdf for ease of download for you guys.

With all the spring-like weather we've had recently, I'm ready to go hiking and camping!

The pencil sharpener works and if you get the kind that has a little container to catch the shavings you can hike along making tinder as you go. When the container is full dump it in a plastic baggy and by fire making time you have plenty of makings. :thumbsup:

tallen702 · Feb 21, 2017

Blacksmith101 said:
The pencil sharpener works and if you get the kind that has a little container to catch the shavings you can hike along making tinder as you go. When the container is full dump it in a plastic baggy and by fire making time you have plenty of makings.

Nice! Thanks for the tip!

Minuteman · Feb 21, 2017

tallen702 said:
Okay, better late than never right? Here's the recent F&S "fire" article scan on how to build different types of fires. It also suggests keeping a small plastic and metal pencil sharpener (like you used at your desk as a kid) in your kit to use on small sticks to create wood shavings for tender. I'll likely try this at home in the near future. Attachment is .pdf for ease of download for you guys.

With all the spring-like weather we've had recently, I'm ready to go hiking and camping!

Excellent reference, thx!

Noticed there was no mention of chemical fire, using a magnifying glass (water bottle), using a battery & wire, nor any primitively methods. All good in any case.

slsc98 · Feb 22, 2017

tallen, thx for posting that!

Another awesome idea, albeit not directly-related to 'survival' or 'emergency' situations is the "Swedish torch," aka - "Canadiaan candlestick."

These things do not absolutely require a chain saw (skill with an actual axe or maul will do it) and, they WORK! http://www.instructables.com/id/Swedish-Torch/

Minuteman · Feb 22, 2017

Minuteman · Feb 22, 2017

What are two (or three) of the most easily found, and practical chemicals for one to have in a camping/hiking/backpacking kit that when combined together start a chemical fire?

Flametamer · Feb 22, 2017

Minuteman said:
What are two (or three) of the most easily found, and practical chemicals for one to have in a camping/hiking/backpacking kit that when combined together start a chemical fire?

I would not recommend any such kit. All of the common and most of the uncommon chemicals can be hazardous, some alone, others when combined. Most combinations create a nasty noxious smoke while reacting, and could leave.toxic residue. Better to learn and practice primitive techniques that have been working for thousands of years.

Hall Pass · Feb 28, 2017

Flametamer said:
I would not recommend any such kit. All of the common and most of the uncommon chemicals can be hazardous, some alone, others when combined. Most combinations create a nasty noxious smoke while reacting, and could leave.toxic residue. Better to learn and practice primitive techniques that have been working for thousands of years.

It looks as though you prefer the hand drill technique.

Flametamer · Feb 28, 2017

Hall Pass said:
It looks as though you prefer the hand drill technique.

Hand drill, bow drill, fire plough, fire piston, flint and steel, etc. Takes time to become really proficient to drill a fire in 2 minutes or less, but I have never been at a loss for fire starting ideas and materials in the dripping wet woods since I did so.

Hall Pass · Feb 28, 2017

Flametamer said:
Hand drill, bow drill, fire plough, fire piston, flint and steel, etc. Takes time to become really proficient to drill a fire in 2 minutes or less, but I have never been at a loss for fire starting ideas and materials in the dripping wet woods since I did so.

certainly very cool skills to have!

Matlack · Feb 28, 2017

I went camping with the boy scouts and cub scouts recently. One of the tasks the boy scouts had was to go over fire starting with the cubs. Face palm central. I had to take over and show them, took me 2 tries with a flint and steal. I got tinder started originally, but my kindling didn't catch. I was amazed how they didn't know the basics and they wanted to use matches to start their fires. I simply said no and you have 3 options; friction, sun, or flint and steal.

Minuteman · Feb 28, 2017

Matlack said:
I went camping with the boy scouts and cub scouts recently. One of the tasks the boy scouts had was to go over fire starting with the cubs. Face palm central. I had to take over and show them, took me 2 tries with a flint and steal. I got tinder started originally, but my kindling didn't catch. I was amazed how they didn't know the basics and they wanted to use matches to start their fires. I simply said no and you have 3 options; friction, sun, or flint and steal.

Great lesson.

100% of every certified survivor competitor that participated in the tv show Alone took a firesteel.

Probably the #1 item.

Hall Pass · Mar 1, 2017

Minuteman said:
Great lesson.

100% of every certified survivor competitor that participated in the tv show Alone took a firesteel.

Probably the #1 item.

That is pretty funny because with just basic practicing, you can get this skill and keep it. My choice would have been a good knife!

Minuteman · Apr 9, 2017

Hall Pass said:
That is pretty funny because with just basic practicing, you can get this skill and keep it. My choice would have been a good knife!

They all took a knife too, these two items (fire making and knife), were everyones first and second items. I'd say a pot or something to boil water in would be my #3.

Minuteman · Apr 9, 2017

Flametamer said:
I would not recommend any such kit. All of the common and most of the uncommon chemicals can be hazardous, some alone, others when combined. Most combinations create a nasty noxious smoke while reacting, and could leave.toxic residue. Better to learn and practice primitive techniques that have been working for thousands of years.

Thanks, and I hear you; no fun in noxious smoke.

The point of this thread is to explore other fire starting options, beyond lighters and matches (always carry a lighter, and another means of starting a fire).

I've been quite impressed, and now have some practice with a ferro rod. I'm interested now it actually practicing with (1) flint/steel, (2) chemicals (just to know what works, but agreed last resort), and a more (3) primitive method.

Currently thinking the pump drill is the most effective, although it is a bit more engineering; but once its learned and I have some experience/confidence with it, is far superior to other primitive methods, I think.

This video is the most simplistic version of it I've found, and the drill, can be used not only to start fires, but also as a drill to make holes in wood:

MikeTF · Apr 9, 2017

What about ammunition as a fire starting source? Is that not a self contained fire starting kit when you remove the bullet? You have fuel (gun powder) and an ignition source (a primer). What do you think?

Fire starting for campers/hikers/hunters

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