Primitive firestarting

[SmackontheWeb]

My philosophy on primative firestarting is pretty the same for all other primative/survival skills...

"Patience Grasshoppa"

[primitivesite]

What about using sunlight and a magnifying glass, or a substitute like prescription glasses or some sort of scrap glass? Has anyone had success with that? I have not. If it's possible to get it to work, where could you find the best kind of glass in a setting like a war torn city?

[dinosaur]

Yes, you can start a fire with eyeglasses and the sun. It is a matter of directing the sunlight properly. It is even possible to start a fire using a piece of clear ice.

Like SmackontheWeb says, "Patience Grasshoppa"

[Michael]

I've been trying to work my fire starting skills progressively in a more primitive direction of late.

Last night was my first fire started with a fero rod, exclusively with tinder I found in the woods. It had even rained the night before, so I had to hunt around for dry stuff.

I just have to say, a fire has never been so warm or bright as last night's. It felt like such an accomplishment to do it that way.

Next spring, I think I'm going to try to learn the bow drill.

[FireBuilder]

Originally Posted by Michael

It had even rained the night before, so I had to hunt around for dry stuff.

If it's the right season, try the fluff inside of milkweed pods. They stay remarkably dry, even after a hard rain.

If they are not in season, many barks can be loosened from trees, then the inner bark scraped to make a dry tinder that starts quickly with a magnifying glass or bow drill.

The trick to a bow drill is to KEEP GOING when you see the smoke. Your tendency is to stop and say "wow, smoke", but that is exactly when you need to KEEP GOING.

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

I have practiced extensively with several forms of primitive fire and all have been a challenge so far the fire plow has eluded me but I have the bow n drill and hand drill down as well as flint n steel, fire piston, and a fire saw. Little trick for the hand drill , carve a deep notch across the top and take piece of cord with a loop in each end. Place it in notch and slide down til tight a thumb in each loop gives you constant adjustable downward pressure as you spin the spindle, hope that makes sense

[oldsarge]

Has anyone used a Fire Piston?

[Grandpa]

Years ago as a boy scout, could never make a bow work for me. But had a knack with flint and steel, to the point I could get a spark from even a piece of granite off the back of my knife. As someone suggested, scraping the cambrium layer under bark, finding a gopher or mouse hole and robbing his nest, or even the lining from some birds nests make excellent tinder. Just to keep my confidence up, I still try my hand once a year, mostly showing off to the grandkids. The rest of the time, a bunch of sticks and a quick burst from the pocket rocket works just fine. If you really want a hi-tech primitive way to start a fire, touch the end of a 9 volt radio battery to a bit of fine steel wool. ( the little rectangular battery with the +/- clips on the same end) {don't practice this on the living room carpet}

[Grandpa]

From the old glass pop bottle days, many a discarded pop bottle has started a wildfire. I was just a tad when this happened. A neighbor was stacking loose hay. His wife brought out a mason jar with ice water in it for him. He had a drink, set the half empty bottle next to the haystack and went back to the field for another load. The prismatic effect of the water in the bottle and a hot July sun took his haystack up in smoke before he got back from the field.

[Starling]

So far, I haven't been able to start a fire without a lighter or matches and whatnot. I've tried and could honestly say that while I could make some sparks, it was never enough to actually get a fire going.

I still try sometimes, but I know I never go anywhere without my equipment. There's nothing worse than a camping site without a fire, especially when it gets colder out.