Bushcraft Firestarting in WA

[pianoman9701]

This is a challenging thing to do at times in WA. I try to keep a few firestarters made from lint and wax formed in egg cartons in my emergency kit. They burn for a long time and you only need to use about 1/4 to get a fire started with a metal match. What do you guys carry in your packs for fire starters? What's your trick for finding dry tinder (or making it dry) in wet woods?

[CP]

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-start-propane-torch-91061.html

[pianoman9701]

Here's a picture of the starters being made. Fill the egg carton sections with dryer lint and then pour in melted paraffin to the top of the lint. Once these have cooled and hardened, tear off each individual egg. The cardboard from the carton stays on the firestarter.

[pianoman9701]

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-start-propane-torch-91061.html

That would be good in wet woods. How about a smaller torch, like a cigar lighter?

[CP]

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-start-propane-torch-91061.html

That would be good in wet woods. How about a smaller torch, like a cigar lighter?

I don’t get too far from the truck these days but if weight is an issue then scale down.  I also carry some dry cedar – shave that thin and you can start it with just about anything.

[jasnt]

Tagging

[Magnum_Willys]

Havent tried yet but heard best emergency starter was film can filled with gunpowder and saturated with clear nail polish Stick a wick or fuse in.  Dries solid.    Sounds hot.   I just use coglands  fire paste.

[2labs]

What no contractors here, sub floor adhesive! Never go camping without it.

[runamuk]

Vaseline and cotton balls in a film canister is what a fair number of people I know use. 

I usually just find moss and pithy wood and being a female I don't go anywhere without tp/tissues in my pockets or pack.

[7mmfan]

Dig down deep under big pine trees and get to the duff. Sometimes its down there 16"-18". Get a good pile of duff/pine needles going. Break the dead branches off the bottom 6 feet of most trees and they will be dry enough to burn very well. If you can find the ones with moss on them, they go off like bombs. Chip pitch nuggets off of old snags, and light above the tinder so it drips down through as it melts/burns. Burns long enough to dry pretty wet secondary tinder (thumb size stuff).

I've also started carrying canisters of cottonballs soaked with vasoline, they burn well and can ususally start quickly with a metal match.

I like the dryer lint/paraffin/egg carton getups though, those look like a solid option.

[pianoman9701]

I love pitch wood.

[mossy8352]

I make my own fire starters using cotton rounds and a mix of bee's wax and candle wax. I melt the wax in a cheap metal pepper shaker (large one)  on a coffee mug warmer (no flash fires). The wax keeps the cotton dry, cut part way through the round when your ready to use it and fluff the cotton up, match, lighter or ferrocerium rod will light it and you have a fire going if there is any dry wood around. It also makes a short time candle in a true emergency. You can carry a dozen or so and no messy fingers!!!!

[kellama2001]

Tag

[h20hunter]

Love this one. I've been thinking of making my own for a while now for all purpose use. Here is my plan.

I know a place to get bags of sawdust for free.
At the dollar store I can get paraffin/wax, cotton balls, and a spoon of some type for very cheep.
Brother in law has tons of egg cartons.
I've got an old metal pot that is already about trashed.

I'll melt the wax/paraffin down, stir in the saw dust and cotton balls, spoon into the dozen egg cartons, let cool, cut apart. Box up.

I figure 144 starters for around $15.

Suggestions? Tips?

[KFhunter]

I've got a bunch of tins about the size of a hockey puck.  I fill them with cotton balls saturated with bag balm, then if I need a fire I can pop a hole in the top of the tin, pull out a wick and use it like a candle or I can remove a cotton ball and light a fire, or I can just smear some antiseptic bag balm on a wound.

I also roll mule tape very tightly and a roll of that fits perfectly in the tins, I wrap duct tape around the outside of the tin so I have that on hand too.  A tin of fire start and mule tape are in the bottoms of my packs.  I also carry both wooden matches, bics and magnesium/flint sticks.

[jasnt]

Vaseline and cotton balls in a film canister is what a fair number of people I know use. 

I usually just find moss and pithy wood and being a female I don't go anywhere without tp/tissues in my pockets or pack.

vaseline and cotton balls works great. Or for cheaper version Vaseline and dryer lint

[Stein]

I rely on the bow drill.  After about 5 minutes, I'm warm and don't need the fire.

Trial size hand sanitizer works well, along with fire paste or a candle.  There are times that you really can't get one going and keep it without tremendous effort.  I usually make plans and select gear on the assumption I can't get one going.

[300rum]

The Candle Wax/Dryer Lint/Egg Carton works excellent to start charcoal in a chimney, that's how I use it.

Melted Vaseline on Cotton Balls is what I carry in the woods.  However, I never just start a fire with them, I use everything else first as these are the last ditch.  Don't rely on these things, make sure that your skills are good enough to not need them. 

[mossy8352]

I rely on the bow drill.  After about 5 minutes, I'm warm and don't need the fire.

Trial size hand sanitizer works well, along with fire paste or a candle.  There are times that you really can't get one going and keep it without tremendous effort.  I usually make plans and select gear on the assumption I can't get one going.

[h20hunter]

Made a batch of firestarters. Total out of pocket cost was $25.00. Worked out very well. Egg cartons, wood pellets,  cotton balls, wax. Burn time per cup is about 15 min. Yield about 150 starters.

[h20hunter]

Lights easy as can be.

[h20hunter]

The pan...not so well. Just doesn't cut easy. I will reheat the whole mix and put into egg cups.

[Alchase]

Fritos work in a pinch

[huntinguy]

metal match and cotton-ball with petroleum jelly.

I also pick up moss, pitch and small stuff as I am walking through the woods. It it is wet, I will put the moss inside my coat or thigh pocket and let it dry.

[KFhunter]

metal match and cotton-ball with petroleum jelly.

I also pick up moss, pitch and small stuff as I am walking through the woods. It it is wet, I will put the moss inside my coat or thigh pocket and let it dry.

Swap the petroleum jelly with bag balm, it has lanolin and antiseptic in it so good for your first aid as well.  I'm big into dual purpose.

[boneaddict]

Vaseline and cotton balls in a film canister is what a fair number of people I know use

I'm one of them

[ctwiggs1]

+1 on the Vaseline and cotton balls.  That stuff really goes.

[Wazukie]

Some good fatwood for me, a spark from the firesteel and away we go

[Wanttohuntmore]

Vaseline and cotton balls in a Ziploc in a medicine bottle is always in my packs and fishing vests and jackets along with a steel and flint of some sort.  I've tried the bag balm and don't think it works as well.  Doesn't seem to light as well.  I tried that about 6 years ago on a 7 mile pack in archery elk hunt by myself.  I had twenty four day old stitches on the top of my foot that i wasn't going to let ruin my trip.  It didn't but the unexpected snow and rain sure did! :-)   Never did use the bag balm on wound in the field yet.

[pilebuck]

That's what I make we get candles from yard sales and thrift stores and use egg cartons work excellent I out sawdust but like the lint thing 

[h20hunter]

I'll be adding saw dust to my mix next batch in addition to wood pellets.

[predatorpro]

Not that I know much about this yet...but just ordered a flint and steel fire kit and a wetterlings hatchet...can't wait to go out and try it

[Netminder01]

tag

[Squidward]

cedar bark makes good fire starter, or you can scrap your knife on the top of your blue jeans for lint. I pack a bic, and can use my muzzy to start a fire, along with the muzzy there is black powder.