Fieldcraft keeping sharp...firecraft

[jayd4wg]

just got back from camping with my 2 boys, wife and my parents for a couple days.

Just a reminder to everyone to stay sharp with the flint and use it regularly, not just reserved for emergencies.

This time i used each campfire as an opportunity to teach my oldest about firecraft with my dad watching along and muttering "i have a lighter" at every opportunity. I finally go so sick of him mocking the flint that i threw his lighter in the dog water bowl. "there you go pop...monsoon...how's your bic working now?"

anyway, just wanted to share...and the last fire of the day was a cheater with about 1 oz of coleman fuel under what kindling i had left...that one lit quick. the boys never saw me put the fuel in there and they think i'm the baddest dude on the planet right now for how fast that one lit

 

[kraigWY]

Re: keeping sharp...firecraft

I figure if I have room in the pack for a dog water bowl, I have room for lots of spare lighters.

It don't take long to dry out one of those bic lighters.

 

[bohem]

Re: keeping sharp...firecraft

While I agree with Kraig, I'm an admitted pyro and the flint/steel (not the mag-stick and pocket-knife stuff) is a learned skill not only in the initialization of an ember but the lead up to building the actual teepee or cabin or whatever style you're using and then continuing to keep it burning.

My hunting pack has a mag-stick, "storm proof matches", several globs of dryer lint and candle wax, and 3 lighters in different places. Total weight is ~ 4oz.

 

[bmt]

Re: keeping sharp...firecraft

Western Red Cedar is my choice here in Western Oregon.

On the Dry side, I use sagebrush bark.

A swedish firestarter and a little steel wool.

Works every time.

When I doubt, there is always the "Cop match."

BMT