To me the very best fire starting device in the world is a Bic lighter.  They're cheap, simple to use, and if you get one soaked you just have to wait for it to dry and it's fine.  Even after it's out of fuel you can still get a decent spark from it.  I always have a handful when I'm camping or in the woods for any length of time.  It's cool to know how to start a fire with a bow drill or your glasses (or a bag of urine) in an emergency but for general use you cant beat a Bic.

I second the advice of having one way to make fire.  During my recent mini hike I used a Swedish firesteel for lighting my camp fires.  First time I was able to make it work properly, and only because I brought cotton balls.  I carried two bic lighters, no reason not to.  I forgot the life boat matches at home, but for one night I was well stocked anyway.

The common brag among us heroic Norwegian Bushcrafters is: I can light a fire with one lighter.  Matches?  Hey, why ask such silly questions?

Man,
I turn my back for one or two days and you guys are barrel rolling, filling bags with urine and Lord only knows what all else.

  I've been MIA for a couple of days but I'm back now.  And for today's tip, well, let's say you've started your bag of pi$$ fire and you're barrel rolling around the campsite when you cut yourself on a sharp rock.  What do you do if you have no antiseptic?  Barrel roll over to the nearest ant hill and put a piece of cloth big enough to bind the wound on the ant hill.  The ants will crawl all over it but that's a good thing.  Ants exude Formic Acid all over everything in order to keep the ant hill sanitized.  They'll do the same to that piece of cloth.  It will be covered with a natural antiseptic that will also help heal the wound.  Adios barrel rollers,

               Fletch out.......................

... and when you're done with the ants, roll over to your peepee fire and sprinkle the ants onto a pan, tin, flat stone or piece foil from your pack, lighly roast them and have yourself a tasty snack. You'll need the protein for the healing process.

Rat Man wrote on May 3^rd, 2012 at 12:07pm:


We did the same thing. Old tires were a favorite but the best overall was the one time we salvaged an old drum out of an old dryer we found at the dump. The dump was a favorite place to get cool stuff. We removed two of the fins from the inside of the dryer. You know those little paddles that help tumble the clothes? We kept one to put your feet against and to hold on to. I was much, much smaller then. No video games, we made everything we played with; at least those things we had the most fun with.

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Fire logs are great to have along.  Traditionally it's required that each guy attending the Allegheny camping trip (Guy's Trip) bring a box.  You can start a fire in a hurricane with them.  BTW, it's definitely not my idea to exclude women on this trip.

So very sorry to hear about your job, fletch.  I know how traumatic suddenly being unemployed can be.  Do your best to enjoy and make the most of your free time.  New Jersey has the same law where you can be fired at any time without warning or just cause.  I don't remember voting for it.

I'm one who believes that nothing is an accident.  Though it might not seem it at the moment, you're on the path that you're supposed to be on.