Are you a survivor?

[cahaba]

I like to carry some small candles too. They come in handy for fire starting.

[Roadkill]

Google up altoid survival and see the myriad of things people use.  Tailor yours to yourvsituation.
Agree JEST made me a believer in mstches, lighters ot steel!

[Rob W.]

Originally posted by wapiti792:
Outstanding Rob!

Thanks Mike. I'm going to add some water tabs in there. Usually have some in camping pack but overlooked it for that kit. Thanks!

[joe ashton]

I made a bunch of char-cloth and it works great ...but... if I'm going to carry char-cloth and flint  I decided to carry 2 or 3 lighters and cotton balls/petroleum jelly instead.(or should I say also)

[Chuck Janssen]

Lots of great ideas above. I taught this is scouts for a lot of years, Never thought I would need to use it myself. I got turned around in the Anaconda Wilderness area in Montana, I was told to hike out to the saddle in the mountains. They failed to tell me which saddle.It is always good to carry several different fire starters from matches lighters and several of the ones mentioned. A fuzz stick which is insulation board soaked in parffin. Candle, survival blanket,cordage. There is more one can carry. Depends on how comfortable you want to be.
I made a shelter quick before it got too dark and gathered wood. Was resting by the fire when I heard the guide calling. So I did not have to spend the whole night, but was prepared to.

[D]

I have an Altoid tin that has char cloth, steel wool, lighter, cotton balls, and matches, and my belt knife has a fero rod attached to it.  I use the tin to make more char cloth if I ever need to.  I try to keep all my bases covered in the fire starting area. lol.  My hunting watch has a compass on the band so its always with me.  I also carry a whistle and some other survival stuff just in case.

[Bud B.]

Good thread.

[Mike Mecredy]

I made/successfully used a bow/drill just to see if I could.  But if you're in a place where there isn't suitable wood I'd have a hard time.

[halfseminole]

Dropped in the woods with nothing I can normally still get a fire going and get something to eat.  However, planning makes the process a lot better.

I make firestarters from pine rosin and sawdust, and keep a few in the back of the Durango for trips.  I also keep waterproof matches in there.  Generally my wife and I camp together, so we'll even bring in wood in case the local wood is wet-you can always dry it by putting it around your fire, and then you have a source of dry wood to keep it going.  Paraffin tea lights are also excellent for it-the paraffin coats and soaks into the wood, making it burn for 30-45 minutes.

Alone I keep flint and steel, waterproof matches and a lighter.  But often I'm carrying a rifle or shotgun when camping like that, and if you are you can pull a cartridge, empty the thing and use the primer to get a fire going.  Just don't dump the powder on it.  Shotgun shells with paper or cloth wadding are the best for that.  A 00 shell can be broken down into a firestarter, material for a signal fire (that powder I said not to blast,) a whistle (often the shot cup can make one) and enough ammo for a sling or slingshot to hopefully take one animal.  Learned that on reservation.  

Got tons more tricks, I might come back and post some more.  The way I grew up made Ranger training look tame.  I know my brother came out weighing the same as when he went in.

[TxAg]

Anyone carry a road flare? I've heard they burn hot enough to get just about any wood burning, and they're handy for signaling help.

[CRS]

I have tried the wood drill without very much success. I know the basics, but it would be a struggle for me in a true survival situation.

I second trying all the different methods and go with what you are most comfortable with.

My boys and I did just that a couple winters ago in our fireplace.  From those trials, I no longer carry steel wool, and the battery thing is a waste of weight. I was not impressed with that method.

Dryer lint is very flammable, but the Vaseline soaked cotton is better.  You can also use cotton make up pads.  They are easier to coat with Vaseline and then fray them out when needed to start the fire.

I like to carry a lighter, waterproof matches, and Vaseline soaked cotton pads. I am confident that I can get a fire started with those tools.

[Keith Zimmerman]

I carry my tin with my char-cloth and flint and steel.  I also carry a lighter and some other materials too.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

In Western Washington it's always wet, even when it's dry (I know sounds stupid) so we always pack "Magnesium Fire Starter" of one variety or another. If it's wet, it sparks, if it's cold it sparks... if you get the kind that you can shave magnesium into your kindling, that will make most things catch fire.

I have had lighters get picky about starting in the cold, but I still carry one (mostly for the cigar).

[hitman]

Dryer lint makes great firestarter with matches or lighter.

[Chuck Janssen]

Most Pine cones have plenty of pitch in them also and make a great back up item to help keep a fire burning once you have it lite.

[Markp]

Hi.
First post. Been hunting few years with a recurve and self-made bows. Couple deer taken. No expert, in other words.
However, I can bust a fire with sticks. Worked for Alternative Youth Adventures and the kids had to make friction fire to graduate. I have made hundreds.  I have taught many to do it. So can you, LOL.  Seriously, I have seen teenagers race each other, and 30 seconds from start to flame is possible.
Key points: type of wood matters. Sage and cottonwood trump juniper. All beat Gambel oak, but it can be done. Little details like the notch size, esp. on the bottom are key. Technique matters. Get that position comfortable. Get into position, close your eyes. Can you hold the fireboard down easily. If not, all falls apart on the final strokes.
Practice.  We  taught bow-drill as a tool for  learning about frustration, and ultimately perserverance.

[Burnsie]

I'm thinking the original question was about being able to make fire from what you find in the woods if you were to ever get into a situation where you were lost or stranded.  Having dryer lint,  Vaseline soaked cotton balls,  magnesium strikers...etc with you is all well and good,  that means you thought ahead and were well prepared.  But can you do it with out all the stuff if you had to.

[reddogge]

I'm with the flint and steel, tinder and char cloth gang. It's a good skill to have. But a magnesium stick is more practical and the waterproof matches and lighter would be for some serious backup.

[John Scifres]

I too have tried and failed at friction fire making.  I carry 4 lighters.  1 in my pants pocket, one in my jacket and a couple in my pack.  And I always have a knife to make some tinder even out of wet wood.  It's usually dry on the inside.