Hi Folks!

The human species found out a long time ago that with fire they could survive alot easier if they could maintain this life giving source of energy. As part of our preps we should have multiple ways of igniting a fire.

Of course the most common source would be matches, cheap and easy to store. The wood kitchen matches are usally the norm for lighting all types of lanterns,stoves,etc...

Butane lighters are great to have around, the normal size as well as the longer trigger operated ones used to light grills.

There is another way to save on the use of matches. On all of my older lanterns that do not have the ignition switch, I bought some of the flint wheel-operated igniters at Wally-World and installed them on the lanterns. Believe me, it's alot easier than using a match. Also added some of these to our bug-out bags. Remember to get extra flints!

Other means of starting a fire can be obtained by using a magnifying glass(only if the sun is out of course). Magnessium fire starters are a good bug out bag item. As mentioned above flint producing products will work if you have some sort of accelerant,such as dry shavings,dryer lint,cotton balls,etc... Also the spark igniters used by welders to light their torches, puts out a good stream of sparks.

Railroad flares and automotive safety flares are very good about starting wet wood. Easy to put out after each use, just stick in the dirt.

A camera film bottle full of black-powder(Pyrodex RS) along with a spark producing device is very effective, just sprinkle a little over some dry twigs and add spark. This is a slow-burning powder that puts out alot of smoke so be sure you test the wind prior.

If you happen to have some matches, save a few of those sparklers at the end of this year, once lit and thrusted into a handful of pine needles or hay, can make a nice little blaze! And they're re-usable, simply smother with dirt and store for future use. Which reminds me, I need to make another run over to the South Carolina line and purchase some more supplies at the fireworks stand.

In closing I would like to welcome any other ideas concerning our Quest for Fire and I just can't resist one of Greybear's one-liners!

Got Matches!

Take care all!

-- Ex-Marine (Digging In@Home.com), July 26, 1999

Answers

This was mentioned a couple of months ago: think Zippo. Gotta have fluid and flints, but it's hard to beat a Zippo lighter.

Gave up the cigarettes nine months ago, but still have the lighters.

-- Vic (Rdrunner@internetwork.net), July 26, 1999.

I say get a magnesium fire starter with a long flint attached via JB weld. Scrape off some magnesium shavings, pile it up, run a piece of hacksaw blade down the flint, and your magnesium lights up. move the magnesium around so it gets some air -- and it will burn white hot -- at over 5000 degrees F. You just take an inch or two of sisal rope, pull it apart and get it an inch or two from the burning magnesium and "poof" it burst into flame. The magnesium fire starter will last a LONG, LONG, time. Getting it wet? no problem. Breaking it? I don't think so.

For "primitive living skill senarios", I say learn how to make and use a fire drill. That's your best bet doing it "primitive style".

Best wishes (and have a toasted marsh mellow for me!)

-- Louis (StlouisLouis@Yahoo.com), July 28, 1999.