If you love spending time outdoors, learning the art of fire-making is an essential skill. It is also a necessary survival skill for those wanting to venture into the wilderness.
Whether you are a fan of camping, hiking, or outdoor exploration, understanding the fundamentals of fire-making will help you on any adventure.
Plus, you don’t have to be a manly man or even a man to know how to start a fire without matches – anyone can do it! Knowing how to start a fire is a useful skill for human beings of either sex.
Let’s face it, you never know when you may find yourself a castaway on a deserted island, or the victim of soggy matches because an overzealous bear has thrown your camping supplies into a babbling brook.
Seriously, if you find yourself in an emergency situation such as being lost in the woods, this skill could save your life.
The art of fire-making is a skill that anyone can learn. In this post, I’ll tell you what items you need and give you tips on how to start a fire.
Eileen successfully started a fire with flint and steel and char
The Art of Fire Making
Let’s learn how to start a fire with a flint (rock) and steel set, and char.
You’ll need a piece of char. Char is a piece of cloth, preferably cotton, that has been turned into charcoal. You turn it into charcoal by putting the cloth in a metal container with a hole in the top. Then put the can in a fire (a barbecue grill works well for this). However, be mindful to stay away from the fumes if your can will be burning off paint.
How to know when it’s ready? A properly charred cloth will be uniformly black.
Wondering why you need a char cloth? A char cloth makes starting a fire without matches easier. Char catches a spark and smolders without bursting into flames. If you do not have a piece of char with you, try using a piece of mossy fungus.
Let’s begin:
First: Shred a small amount of rope (if you have it) or a stick to make tinder. Form a “nest” on the ground with your tinder.
Second: Put your char on top of the “nest”.
Third: Grip the flint (a rock) in one hand and your steel flint striker in the other. With a firm downward motion strike the steel with the flint towards the char in the “nest”.
Fourth: When a spark is achieved on the char, pick up the smoldering nest while forming a cup in your hands. Hold the “nest” away from you and above your head. Begin to blow on the “nest” until you create a fire.
Keep the “nest” above your head? Flames rise. Therefore, keeping the “nest” above your head is safer than having flames rise into your face.
___________________________________
Muzzleloading challenge
At a muzzleloading meeting, Mallory and Eileen both started a fire this way with flint, steel, and char, then put it out by laying the burning “nest” on the ground and slapping it with their hands. They said that putting the fire out felt like putting their hand in a warm oven, or under hot water for a brief moment. Heaven forbid my daughters ever have to light a fire with flint and steel in an emergency, but thanks to this training they will know how.
Preparedness is the key. Growing up in this household with a former boy scout for a dad, our children have been inculcated with this lesson since birth.
____________________________________
This article contains links to Amazon products of which we are an affiliate. There is no additional charge to you if you purchase through the links, although we will receive a small commission. Thank you!
Fire Starting Gift Idea
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are just around the corner. For those alpha male dads and adventurous moms, a firesteel is a thoughtful surprise gift. My husband David received one from our son for Father’s Day and carries it whenever we recreate outdoors. They are a must for survivalists! Carry one in your backpack when exploring the outdoors. And have one in your vehicle in case of emergencies. If you happen to take a wrong turn and need to build a fire, a flint and steel fire-making kit is essential.
bayite 4 Inch Survival Ferrocerium Drilled Flint Fire Starter, Ferro Rod Kit with Paracord Landyard Handle and Striker, 4″(Long) x 3/8″(Diameter)
____________________________________
For additional information and comprehensive details on how to start a fire using flint and steel, northwest journal has more.
Updated 06/08/23
Marlene
