High Carbon

How to Create a Fire

Firemaking is a forgotten skill that everybody should have. The ability to start a fire without using a lighter or box of matches. Here are some tried and tested techniques that can be fun to try

The Friction Technique.
We all know that rubbing things together makes them warm up and if you have ever watched any of the excellent Ray Mears Bushcraft TV series you will have seen Ray use a variety of friction based techniques. But be warned, some of these techniques can be hard work. But you’ll find that making fire using these basic bushcraft techniques can be enormously satisfying.

You will need two pieces of wood, one to act as a fireboard and another as the spindle. This wood must be bone dry. You need to make a tinder nest from dry grass, wood shavings or other material that catches fire easily (I like cotton wool).

Cut a V shaped notch into the edge of your board and place a piece of bark underneath to catch the burning ember. Carve another little indentation into your board at the point of the V for the tip of your spindle. You can use a bow to spin your spindle nice and fast to create a lot of friction. You can use the bow to spin the spindle really quickly, creating a lot of friction and heat. Hopefully you will soon see wisps of smoke coming from your fireboard as it heats up due to friction. Once you have created a burning ember, transfer this to your tinder nest using a piece of bark. Then gently blow to make fire.

Fire Sticks
In days of old people would often carry a piece of high carbon steel and flint to make fire. Striking the steel with the flint will create a spark. These days you can find excellent firesteels in many bushcraft supply stores consisting of a high carbon steel rod and hardened steel striker. You can also use the steel blade of a knife.
As for all the other techniques, you will need a dry tinder nest for your spark, but this method will not wear you out like the friction based method.

Using the Sun
We will all recall scorching things using magnifying glasses and the sun. This is another relatively easy way to make fire, if it’s sunny. Unfortunately we don’t always carry magnifying glasses wherever we go. You could use a pair of glasses or even make a lens from a condom filled with water.

Using Electricity
This is a great way to demonstrate to children the power and the danger of electricity. To make this work you will need a battery and some steel wool. The best batteries for this are the 9v variety. Rubbing the battery contacts on the wire wool will make it heat up and begin to burn. Transfer your burning steel wool to your bone dry tinder nest and blow to start the fire. Hey presto, fire!

These techniques are great to try when you are next on a family camping trip. Why not include a few fire-making tools with your camping equipment and let your children have a go. But be sure to take plenty of warm outdoor clothing because you might be a little chilly without a fire.

Trail Master San Mai III & SK-5 High Carbon