Lets talk firestarting

[Daveboone]

Although I spend plenty of time in the woods, and am quite proficient with firestarting, I definetly am challenged with flint and steel. I wonder how often in the old old days, a flint lock was used to start a fire? I know that flint /steel lock devices were used in house holds for starting fires/ tinder, /candles, but how about out in the field?I would think it pretty likely.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Although I spend plenty of time in the woods, and am quite proficient with firestarting, I definetly am challenged with flint and steel. I wonder how often in the old old days, a flint lock was used to start a fire? I know that flint /steel lock devices were used in house holds for starting fires/ tinder, /candles, but how about out in the field?I would think it pretty likely.

What causes the challenge? There are some bad strikers out there. I got some samples from Crazy Crow once and none would make a spark.

 

[Rató:rats]

My favourite char cloth alternative is milkweed pod. Not the whole outer pod, the part we want is the slender, puffy structure that remains inside the pod after the down has dispersed. These are easy to find in the fall after the pods have opened and their seeds have scattered to the winds. Simply tear off one end to create a ragged edge and place this on the flint as you would charcloth. Once it catches, quickly transfer the spreading coal to your tinder. It is the only material I’ve found in nature that needs no preparation or pre-charring, it’s ready to go as soon as you pluck it.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

My favourite char cloth alternative is milkweed pod. Not the whole outer pod, the part we want is the slender, puffy structure that remains inside the pod after the down has dispersed. These are easy to find in the fall after the pods have opened and their seeds have scattered to the winds. Simply tear off one end to create a ragged edge and place this on the flint as you would charcloth. Once it catches, quickly transfer the spreading coal to your tinder. It is the only material I’ve found in nature that needs no preparation or pre-charring, it’s ready to go as soon as you pluck it.

 

[Rató:rats]

View attachment 128967

That’s the good stuff

 

[appalichian hunter]

I have a little experience with making fire without matches. Flint and steel is a lot of fun. If any of you pyromaniacs want to master the bow drill I can likely be of assistance. The weather is getting nice and its a good excuse to get some outdoor time.

Here is a video I made a few years ago about rubbing two sticks together ( hand drill ). Note my avatar.

Good deal there, I recieved a bow drill from a fellow buckskinner for a christmas gift, been waiting on better weather to get used to it.

 

[sheriff john]

Lint ...often scraped off clothes, was frequently used in old days for dressings. I have no doubt it was also used as tinder. Lint has been around as long as ...laundry.

And belly buttons.

 

[mushka]

When a fire is needed there's no such thing as cheating. I sometimes use dryer lint that is kept in the camp box or pack but my favorite starter is cotton balls with some vaseline smeared in it and on it. The vaseline keeps the cotton ball burning after ignition with the flint and steel. I also will use a flint and steel to ignite scrapings from a titanium rod, that stuff burns fast and hot when it ignites. Never been good with the rotating stick method.

 

[necchi]

I have to re harden my striker , will a MAPP gas torch get it hot enough to work ? How fast would it need to be quenched , and oil or water or air ?

That my friend is an art. An art that is learned only with practice. An "attained" skill.
It's knowledge of the steel being used, knowledge of the proper color needed and knowledge of the proper quench that all apply to get that great temper.
The Great temper that sends shards of molten steel shaved off with the sharp edge of a rock.
It's some goofy thing that happens with frizzens and strikers(?)
Heck, most folks don't even know it's not the rock that sparks!

 

[necchi]

When a fire is needed there's no such thing as cheating.

Your right, I think most of us in the 21st century understand that as we drive our trucks loaded with gear to the Rendezvous Camp.
But the aspect of primitive fire starting skills precludes the use of such convenience.
I'm always entertained watching those "survival" shows on TV when they show "fire starting"

 

[DuncNZ]

That my friend is an art. An art that is learned only with practice. An "attained" skill.
It's knowledge of the steel being used, knowledge of the proper color needed and knowledge of the proper quench that all apply to get that great temper.
The Great temper that sends shards of molten steel shaved off with the sharp edge of a rock.
It's some goofy thing that happens with frizzens and strikers(?)
Heck, most folks don't even know it's not the rock that sparks!

It is made out of an old file , I am going to throw it in my log burner fire next time it is cold enough to use it and let it sit in the coals until it is cool and see if that works . Autumn is fast approaching in the Southern Hemisphere so it won't be too long .

 

[david w]

I have used the cotton-like fibers from cat tails.

 

[necchi]

Autumn is fast approaching in the Southern Hemisphere so it won't be too long .

Good luck.
Spring is nigh here in Minn (the other side), and long due after a winter.
Friend, seek a blacksmith in your area, an olde man if you can find one,

 

[BlazingIron]

When a fire is needed there's no such thing as cheating. I sometimes use dryer lint that is kept in the camp box or pack but my favorite starter is cotton balls with some vaseline smeared in it and on it. The vaseline keeps the cotton ball burning after ignition with the flint and steel. I also will use a flint and steel to ignite scrapings from a titanium rod, that stuff burns fast and hot when it ignites. Never been good with the rotating stick method.

Chapstick works well too.

 

[BlazingIron]

Be sure the cotton balls are all Cotten and not synthetic as the Vaseline will dissolve the synthetic ones.

 

[Colonial Boy]

We have a eucalypt called Stringy Bark which makes fine tinder, I’ve never used flint and steel, but have a flintlock tinder lighter somewhere that I haven’t used for a long time, ( I just went looking for it ).
Usually to light the stringy I put the touch hole prick tight in the touch hole and use the guns lock——-making sure the muzzle is pointed safe; so far so good.
But reading all this thread I’m motivated to trying flint and steel.

I’ll just add that an electric drill is great for starting fire with wood friction, one of the lads did it recently at the range, we have 240volt mains power; I expect that a battery powered drill would also do the trick.

 

[toot]

View attachment 128967

can any one show this being done in a video?

 

[Tom A Hawk]

can any one show this being done in a video?

Yes, I have one. Milkweed ovum burns really fast, so you will want to transfer the ember to a coal extender such as punk.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

If interested in the use of natural tinders, I have a post here: Using Natural Tinders / Alternatives for Charcloth

 

[Daveboone]

What causes the challenge? There are some bad strikers out there. I got some samples from Crazy Crow once and none would make a spark.

I only started last year (only took me sixty years to get around to it) messing with flint and steel. I just didnt see the need other than the novelty. Living in upstate NY ...notoriiously wet and snowbound, I have made fires year round for years with ferro rods, lighters, road flares if necessary, etc. Messing with the flinters and getting back to the basics sparked my interest. I bought some rough flint nodules and a couple strikers off of ebay/amazon, I dont really remember where. If I set down to it, I usually have smoldering tinder in five minutes or so, but realize I still stink at the process. Very possibly just crappy strikers.