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Seven Ways To Light a Fire Without a Match
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photo: Steve Sanford
Friction-Based Fire Making
Rubbing two sticks together is likely the oldest of all -fire-starting techniques, and also the most difficult. Besides proper technique, you have to choose the right wood for the fireboard and spindle. Sets made from dry softwoods, including aspen, willow, cottonwood, and juniper, are preferred, although a spindle made from a slightly harder wood, combined with a softer fireboard, can also work. The friction of the spindle against an indentation in the fireboard grinds particles from both surfaces, which must heat to 800 degrees?F before a glowing coal forms. This must then be transferred to tinder and -gently blown to life.
Hand Drill
Using a hand drill is one of the simplest friction methods, but high speed can be difficult to maintain because only the hands are used to rotate the spindle. It works best in dry climates.
Step One Cut a V-shaped notch in the fireboard, then start a small depression adjacent to it with a rock or knife tip. Set a piece of bark underneath the notch to catch the ember.
Step Two Place the spindle, which should be 2 feet long, in the depression and, maintaining pressure, roll it between the palms of your hands, running them quickly down the spindle in a burst of speed. Repeat until the spindle tip glows red and an ember is formed.
Step Three Tap the fireboard to deposit the ember onto the bark, then transfer it to a tinder bundle (see "Tinder Bundle-¿ on page 56) and blow it to flame.
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Comment on This Article

At 4:07 PM, 2008-05-07, lol said:
lol at merv Mark comment offensive

At 9:44 AM, 2008-04-25, heyygurlheyy said:
wtf r u talking about Mark comment offensive

At 8:35 PM, 2008-04-23, survival master said:
i did this yesterday in my back yard it started smoking but my arms got tired afetr the 5th or 6th trie i would recommend doing this in a real situation unless you have had soem rest and arent worn out Mark comment offensive

At 2:40 PM, 2008-04-23, hfafuasass master of sexxyy boobies said:
hi hot lil biches lik my dik Mark comment offensive

At 2:35 PM, 2008-04-23, jojo said:
helloooooooooooo im a nooby lil dude Mark comment offensive

At 8:48 AM, 2008-04-20, Luke said:
How about a magnifying glass, eyeglass binoculars, ice chards etc. Or the old steel wool and battery trick. Or a piece of carbide that can be spit on. or a hot manifold or exhaust. Mark comment offensive

At 8:04 PM, 2008-04-16, bob said:
I don't get this. If you need to make char cloth and carry it in a glass jar in your survival kit, why not just carry a butane lighter in your survival kit instead? It's smaller and weighs less than a glass jar of char cloth. Mark comment offensive

At 12:54 AM, 2008-04-14, Mervyn said:
this is so bad... i did it but the embers splashed into my girlfriends eyes and now shes blind. Mark comment offensive

At 9:06 AM, 2008-04-08, tim said:
this is good..........btw bob ur beat Mark comment offensive

At 11:11 AM, 2008-03-26, bob said:
OMFG this is so great dont you think its great Im in love with u people Mark comment offensive

At 11:08 AM, 2008-03-26, hilary duff said:
i love this site, its very useful Mark comment offensive

At 10:52 AM, 2008-03-26, anonamus said:
go to moviemonster.com!!!!!!! Mark comment offensive

At 1:24 PM, 2008-03-09, dennis said:
Great Stuff!!!!! Chief Mark comment offensive

At 12:18 PM, 2008-03-02, anonymous said:
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