Home
Making fire is a basic skill in bushcraft and survival. There are many techniques and tools which can be used to light a fire. One of the more popular and practical methods is to use a modern flint. Iron-cerium rod flint is an extremely effective way to start a fire quickly, practically regardless of external conditions.
The sparks produced by flinting have a temperature of up to 3000 degrees C. which means that starting a fire even in adverse conditions is relatively easy. The flint itself, however, is only half the battle.
Kindling for the flint
In order to light a fire you need a kindling. The kindling for the fireplace can be obtained practically everywhere in terrain conditions. The main rule is the dryness of the kindling, the bigger the better. Of course there are more and less effective kindling. To the best ones, which acquisition in the field is relatively simple belong: birch bark, shavings of pine wood - best soaked in resin so called "tarry slivers", dry grass, withered bark of juniper etc. See our material on kindling.
Two basic techniques for lighting a fire with a fire starter
The first method consists in setting the rod of the firecracker at an angle of about 45 degrees in such a way that the end of the firecracker rests on the ground and the prepared kindling. It is important that the ground on which you rest the flint is stable. If the ground is not firm, it is best to spread the kindling on a piece of wood. In this technique the flint remains static and the movement (flinting) is done with a spark gun.
To make the flint we use a spark plug which is usually included with the flint or we use the edge of a knife back or eventually the cutting edge of a knife. It takes only a few vigorous strokes of the spark thrower on the flint bar to get enough sparks out of the flint. Keep in mind that the sharper the edge of the spark thrower, the more and juicier the sparks will be. If the weather is inclement or the kindling is weak, you can first gently scrape some shavings from the rod of the flint and add them to the prepared kindling.
The sparks produced by flinting have a temperature of up to 3000 degrees C. which means that starting a fire even in adverse conditions is relatively easy. The flint itself, however, is only half the battle.
Kindling for the flint
In order to light a fire you need a kindling. The kindling for the fireplace can be obtained practically everywhere in terrain conditions. The main rule is the dryness of the kindling, the bigger the better. Of course there are more and less effective kindling. To the best ones, which acquisition in the field is relatively simple belong: birch bark, shavings of pine wood - best soaked in resin so called "tarry slivers", dry grass, withered bark of juniper etc. See our material on kindling.
Two basic techniques for lighting a fire with a fire starter
The first method consists in setting the rod of the firecracker at an angle of about 45 degrees in such a way that the end of the firecracker rests on the ground and the prepared kindling. It is important that the ground on which you rest the flint is stable. If the ground is not firm, it is best to spread the kindling on a piece of wood. In this technique the flint remains static and the movement (flinting) is done with a spark gun.
To make the flint we use a spark plug which is usually included with the flint or we use the edge of a knife back or eventually the cutting edge of a knife. It takes only a few vigorous strokes of the spark thrower on the flint bar to get enough sparks out of the flint. Keep in mind that the sharper the edge of the spark thrower, the more and juicier the sparks will be. If the weather is inclement or the kindling is weak, you can first gently scrape some shavings from the rod of the flint and add them to the prepared kindling.
