Camping Lovers Guide

Bushcraft - How to Use a Fire Steel

It's one of those skills which everybody should have. The ability to make fire without resorting to matches or a lighter. Here are a handful of well known firemaking 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 making fire this way can be enormously satisfying.

You will need two pieces of wood, one to act as a fireboard and another as the spindle. It is essential that the wood is completely 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 in your fireboard and place some bark under the notch to catch the smouldering ember. Carve another little indentation into your board at the point of the V for the tip of your spindle. You can spin your spindle, which should be about two feet long, using a bow made with string and a bent piece of bendy wood. By wrapping the bow string around the spindle and putting light pressure on the end you can make the spindle spin really fast, creating a lot of friction. Hopefully you will soon see wisps of smoke coming from your fireboard. Once you have created a burning ember, transfer this to your tinder nest using a piece of bark. Then gently blow to make fire.

Using Fire Sticks
Once upon a time people would carry a piece of high carbon steel and flint to make fire. The flint would be struck against the steel to 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.
You will need to have made a nice dry tinder nest for your spark, but his method is much easier than the friction based method described previously.

Using the Suns Rays
We've all used magnifying glasses to scorch things as children. 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.

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

These are excellent techniques 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.

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