Making Fire

Tinder and kindling are not the same thing, but you do need both to start a roaring fire – and sustain it. Being able to understand exactly what each element of fire-making is and does, you will be better equipped to get a campfire going no matter what weather elements you are battling. Tinder is […]

Fire is life. This mantra is widely accepted as accurate, and even those who have a counterpoint will agree that fire is crucial to survival. So having a way to start a fire is a pretty high priority. Firestarters come in all shapes and sizes. I have used so many over the years that I

Fire sticks, or feather sticks as they are also called, are a great survival tool when you’re out in the wilderness. In a survival situation, you want to be able to make not only a quick-starting fire, but a sustainable one to keep you warm throughout the night. Both frostbite and hypothermia can set in

When you look at the list of the bare minimums required for life, you see air, water, food and shelter.  Fire is not on that list, but it often will make the difference between living and dying.  It provides light and warmth, and has important functions in acquiring water, food and shelter. Plus it can

There is nothing quite like a group of friends gathered around a fire drinking beer and telling stories of their adventures. The warm glow lights up the faces of those you love while you are mesmerized by the flickering of the flames. However, having the ideal structure with which to contain your fire is very important. 

One of our biggest challenges when using primitive methods is finding tinder that will catch your particular ignition source. Primitive ignition sources include things like friction fire, lenses, chemical, electrical, striking, and air pressure. Some of these create a coal or ember large enough to start most tinder, and some actually create a flame. Lenses and

As a prepper, no matter what event you feel is threatening our world and our way of life, you can rest assured that being able to start a fire with sticks is one basic skill you will need at some point. In addition, there are many different activities you participate in during “normal times” which

Starting a fire is one of the most important survival skills anyone can learn.  A fire means the difference between freezing and being warm. It means the difference between eating a cold meal and a hot meal. It means being able to cook the meat you kill and the fish you catch.  It means comfort and

The Swedish fire log is a great addition to any base camp or bug-out area. The fire it generates feeds itself, lasting for anywhere between 2 and 5 hours (depending on the size of the log), and the contraption is easy to build and use. The technique has been used for centuries in Scandinavian countries.

bow drill in action