How to Start a Fire without Matches – Part 2
03-10-2016
Author: in Education
Bet you didn’t realize that there are so many ways to start a campfire without matches, did you? Well, I wanted to share a few more ways.
Fire Plough Method
This is the least fun of the fire starting methods, so you probably want to save this as a last resort (unless you want to punish your kids or have some aggression you need to work out). The movies make this method look easy – don’t be fooled.
Make a fireboard from a good piece of softwood. It should be several inched long but doesn’t need to be very wide. Cut a groove in the middle that leaves a couple inches at either end. Find some wood that is slightly harder than your fireboard and make a shaft. Vigorously rub the shaft up and down in the groove. This motion create friction that will push the fireboard particles out while increasing the temperature. As a result, a fire will start. Well, that’s the idea but settle in cause it’s going to take a while.
Also check out: A (Near) Complete List of Fire Building Techniques (+Tips and Tricks)
Flint and Steel Method
This is a pretty popular method among preppers. You can get the supplies at your local sporting goods store, or even at Walmart. The Coghlan’s Magnesium Fire Starter is a good choice because you can slip it into your pocket. You’ll need a knife to get some shavings (if using a match or lighter – which by the way defeats the whole purpose of this post) or to strike against the flint to create a spark to light it. Pay attention, this method talks a little more skill and can be tricky.
You might want to use a char cloth to catch the spark – it will make it somewhat easier. A pocket knife is great to use, especially if it is made from carbon steel. You want to strike it against the flint to make a spark. Striking an axe head against your flint will also produce a spark – but you will probably need a slightly larger flint.
While striking the steel against the flint, hold the char cloth and the flint in the same hard. This allows the spark to reach the cloth. Avoid a direct strike against the flint. Instead, it should be a glancing blow. Keep doing this until the sparks reach the char cloth and ignite.
There are flint firestarters that you can carry with you. The BlastMatch Firestarter is pretty popular and effective – you know, if you don’t want to go all primitive and everything.
More great info here: 15 Best Fire Starters for Backpackers & Preppers for 2018
Pump Fire Drill Method
This is actually a pretty cool way to start a fire without matches. It is considered a friction fire starting method but it does not require nearly as much work. You can thank the Iroquois Indians for making your fire starting just a little easier. You should try it even if just for the sake of saying you did. It’s that cool.
Fire Plough Method
This is the least fun of the fire starting methods, so you probably want to save this as a last resort (unless you want to punish your kids or have some aggression you need to work out). The movies make this method look easy – don’t be fooled.
Make a fireboard from a good piece of softwood. It should be several inched long but doesn’t need to be very wide. Cut a groove in the middle that leaves a couple inches at either end. Find some wood that is slightly harder than your fireboard and make a shaft. Vigorously rub the shaft up and down in the groove. This motion create friction that will push the fireboard particles out while increasing the temperature. As a result, a fire will start. Well, that’s the idea but settle in cause it’s going to take a while.
Also check out: A (Near) Complete List of Fire Building Techniques (+Tips and Tricks)
Flint and Steel Method
This is a pretty popular method among preppers. You can get the supplies at your local sporting goods store, or even at Walmart. The Coghlan’s Magnesium Fire Starter is a good choice because you can slip it into your pocket. You’ll need a knife to get some shavings (if using a match or lighter – which by the way defeats the whole purpose of this post) or to strike against the flint to create a spark to light it. Pay attention, this method talks a little more skill and can be tricky.
You might want to use a char cloth to catch the spark – it will make it somewhat easier. A pocket knife is great to use, especially if it is made from carbon steel. You want to strike it against the flint to make a spark. Striking an axe head against your flint will also produce a spark – but you will probably need a slightly larger flint.
While striking the steel against the flint, hold the char cloth and the flint in the same hard. This allows the spark to reach the cloth. Avoid a direct strike against the flint. Instead, it should be a glancing blow. Keep doing this until the sparks reach the char cloth and ignite.
There are flint firestarters that you can carry with you. The BlastMatch Firestarter is pretty popular and effective – you know, if you don’t want to go all primitive and everything.
More great info here: 15 Best Fire Starters for Backpackers & Preppers for 2018
Pump Fire Drill Method
This is actually a pretty cool way to start a fire without matches. It is considered a friction fire starting method but it does not require nearly as much work. You can thank the Iroquois Indians for making your fire starting just a little easier. You should try it even if just for the sake of saying you did. It’s that cool.
- You will need softwood for a fireboard and spindle as well as a piece of hardwood for your crossbar and flywheel. Place a piece of bark beneath it.
- Select one piece of round hardwood and bore a hole in it. This will be your flywheel. Slip your spindle through the hole; the fit should be snug. Use another piece of hardwood to create your crossbar. You’ll bore a hole through it as well, but it won’t be as snug so you can move it up and down the spindle easily.
- Tie shoelace or long strip of leather to the crossbar, then tie it to the spindle so they are connected.
- Twist or wrap the shoelace or leather strip around the spindle using the flywheel. Press on the crossbar. The spindle will spin, rewinding the shoelace in the opposite direction. Continue this motion until it produces an ember.
- Tap the ember onto the bark, add your tinder, and enjoy your fire.
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Author: Stephanie A. Mayberry
