AZ Prepper
11-12-2009, 02:45 PM
Thought I'd share a couple insights and experience on fire starting equipment and techniques. Keep in mind, I think we will be wanting things that will last a long time and can be used over and over again...
My personal favorite is a small char tin made from an altoids tin and a fire striker like the one shown below. The char is best made of cotton (I really like using 100% cotton from a mop bought from Costco, and VERY inexpensive and you'll never run out) but can also be replenished with dry, rotten wood that is always available in the wilderness/desert. Therefore, you'll always have the supplies needed to make new char as you use up what you've got. I also have a magnesium striker to to go along with it. Using char will prolong your magnesium stick's life and only require one strike to make the fire.
Here is a video I found on how to make char:
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External link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7uLVGrAt1M
Here is a video I found on using a striker and char to make fire:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNn0RRi1Ni8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNn0RRi1Ni8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
External link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNn0RRi1Ni8
Here is a picture of a fire striker which will last pretty much forever. All you'll need is a piece of flint or hard rock to strike it against. A small piece of metal will shave off as a spark, which will catch on the char you are also holding: (I purchase mine from: http://www.possibleshop.com/c-g-fire-starter.html )
I also really like the Swedish Army FireSteel because is lasts a VERY long time: (found all over the web, including: http://www.campingsurvival.com/swfiar.html ) You can also get the same size rod without the handle for cheaper at FireSteel (http://www.firesteel.com ).
My personal favorite is a small char tin made from an altoids tin and a fire striker like the one shown below. The char is best made of cotton (I really like using 100% cotton from a mop bought from Costco, and VERY inexpensive and you'll never run out) but can also be replenished with dry, rotten wood that is always available in the wilderness/desert. Therefore, you'll always have the supplies needed to make new char as you use up what you've got. I also have a magnesium striker to to go along with it. Using char will prolong your magnesium stick's life and only require one strike to make the fire.
Here is a video I found on how to make char:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r7uLVGrAt1M&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r7uLVGrAt1M&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
External link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7uLVGrAt1M
Here is a video I found on using a striker and char to make fire:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNn0RRi1Ni8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNn0RRi1Ni8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
External link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNn0RRi1Ni8
Here is a picture of a fire striker which will last pretty much forever. All you'll need is a piece of flint or hard rock to strike it against. A small piece of metal will shave off as a spark, which will catch on the char you are also holding: (I purchase mine from: http://www.possibleshop.com/c-g-fire-starter.html )
I also really like the Swedish Army FireSteel because is lasts a VERY long time: (found all over the web, including: http://www.campingsurvival.com/swfiar.html ) You can also get the same size rod without the handle for cheaper at FireSteel (http://www.firesteel.com ).