Post by: huntnnw on March 28, 2012, 10:01:26 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on March 28, 2012, 10:02:27 PM
Post by: Bob33 on March 28, 2012, 10:08:14 PM
(If you need to light them, why are they called fire "starters"? :dunno: )
Post by: bobcat on March 28, 2012, 10:15:36 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on March 28, 2012, 10:16:59 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 28, 2012, 10:18:22 PM
Matches.
:bdid:
Matches are the worst option;
1. get wet and they're done
2. they run out
3. rattle around too much in their case and fall apart
4. "expire" with age
I carry both vaseline/cotton and pitch wood in my kit. Magnesium match for the spark
Post by: 7mag. on March 28, 2012, 10:26:35 PM
Post by: jaymark6655 on March 28, 2012, 10:32:13 PM
Vaseline cotton balls.
(If you need to light them, why are they called fire "starters"? :dunno: )
:yeah: maybe fire catalyst? fire enhancers? tender? fire lube?
I like my propane lighter, usually I can always find something dry by looking in the right places. I really lover birch bark, that stuff seems like it could burn underwater.
Post by: Miles on March 29, 2012, 01:21:29 AM
Post by: RadSav on March 29, 2012, 01:57:57 AM
Anyone who thinks only a Bic lighter is going to be a good idea when they are minutes away from Hypothermia should think again. Looking for good dry firestarter in the woods under that condition is risky too. How much damage are you going to do looking for good dry firestarter if you have a compound leg fracture or something equally as serious? Volunteer for search and rescue...you will find that not everyone loosing life on the mountain was unprepared.
An extra two or three ounces in your pack is well worth it. If not for you for your family. As a Christian I have very little fear of death. Yet I am terrified of leaving my family to search for me only to have others pack my lifeless body off the mountain. It is devastating on loved ones. And trust me it is not too easy on the S&R folks either.
Post by: Miles on March 29, 2012, 02:27:37 AM
Anyone who thinks only a Bic lighter is going to be a good idea when they are minutes away from Hypothermia should think again. Looking for good dry firestarter in the woods under that condition is risky too. How much damage are you going to do looking for good dry firestarter if you have a compound leg fracture or something equally as serious? Volunteer for search and rescue...you will find that not everyone loosing life on the mountain was unprepared.
Why would anyone wait until they are "minutes away from hypothermia" to start building a fire? How about looking at getting a fire going before it's down to the wire? If you wait until you can't physically do it, you're an idiot.
Sure I always hear the "what if this". Well what happens if a tree falls on your head? Are you now going to wear a helmet while hunting now just in case? What happens if a loose rock rolls down and pins your leg against another? Are you goint to pack around the Jaws of Life just in case?
A little common sense can go a long ways... So does a simple bic lighter.
Post by: PolarBear on March 29, 2012, 02:45:25 AM
Post by: NWBREW on March 29, 2012, 02:46:06 AM
Post by: PolarBear on March 29, 2012, 03:00:18 AM
Hate to admit it but a bic and birch bark works for me.I started a fire for my daughter last month out in the woods in Republic with a lighter and birch bark. I wanted to show her which tree was our "fire friend". She thought it was cool. My Dad use to carry pitch wood or as he called it "fat lighter" when he was chasing moonshiners in Tennessee and North Carolina. He would spend weeks in the woods and swore that it was the only thing that could set a wet cat on fire! :chuckle:
Post by: RadSav on March 29, 2012, 04:24:06 AM
Never had the chance to try birch bark. I'll have to see what that's all about. Sounds like a fun reason to get away for a camp out!
Post by: Miles on March 29, 2012, 04:27:50 AM
Post by: Miles on March 29, 2012, 04:29:08 AM
Post by: mrmoskillz on March 29, 2012, 06:45:34 AM
Anyone who thinks only a Bic lighter is going to be a good idea when they are minutes away from Hypothermia should think again. Looking for good dry firestarter in the woods under that condition is risky too. How much damage are you going to do looking for good dry firestarter if you have a compound leg fracture or something equally as serious? Volunteer for search and rescue...you will find that not everyone loosing life on the mountain was unprepared.
Why would anyone wait until they are "minutes away from hypothermia" to start building a fire? How about looking at getting a fire going before it's down to the wire? If you wait until you can't physically do it, you're an idiot.
Sure I always hear the "what if this". Well what happens if a tree falls on your head? Are you now going to wear a helmet while hunting now just in case? What happens if a loose rock rolls down and pins your leg against another? Are you goint to pack around the Jaws of Life just in case?
A little common sense can go a long ways... So does a simple bic lighter.
So if you fall in a creek or river in the late season you are already minutes away from hypothmia and your wet bic wont work you die.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 29, 2012, 06:50:13 AM
That's why I use magnesium. It still throws sparks even if it's soaken wet from a dunking. Doesn't run out of fluid at the worst possible time either. Army snowshoes are actually made out of magnesium.
Post by: BLUEBULLS on March 29, 2012, 07:29:43 AM
then once I'm warmed up, I pull out the old bic or one of the several books of matches that I keep in small ziplocks in almost every pocket on my pack and light one of the little brown fire starters. :chuckle:
It's usually easy to find plenty of pitch so that's usually what I rely on.
Post by: Alpine Mojo on March 29, 2012, 08:23:59 AM
If you want to show your friends how cool you are with some exotic fire-starting method you read about on the internet, use something else.
Post by: 400out on March 29, 2012, 08:25:33 AM
Post by: Miles on March 29, 2012, 08:27:42 AM
Anyone who thinks only a Bic lighter is going to be a good idea when they are minutes away from Hypothermia should think again. Looking for good dry firestarter in the woods under that condition is risky too. How much damage are you going to do looking for good dry firestarter if you have a compound leg fracture or something equally as serious? Volunteer for search and rescue...you will find that not everyone loosing life on the mountain was unprepared.
Why would anyone wait until they are "minutes away from hypothermia" to start building a fire? How about looking at getting a fire going before it's down to the wire? If you wait until you can't physically do it, you're an idiot.
Sure I always hear the "what if this". Well what happens if a tree falls on your head? Are you now going to wear a helmet while hunting now just in case? What happens if a loose rock rolls down and pins your leg against another? Are you goint to pack around the Jaws of Life just in case?
A little common sense can go a long ways... So does a simple bic lighter.
So if you fall in a creek or river in the late season you are already minutes away from hypothmia and your wet bic wont work you die.
See above comment about falling trees....
Put your helmet on.
Post by: Cascade_fisher on March 29, 2012, 08:31:27 AM
Soaked cotton balls
Purell hand cleaner is a good one
Ball up some duck tape will burn for a while
Baggie of fat lighter
Problem is none of these are "starters" so I also carry -
Butane lighter
Magnesium stick
Waterproof matches
Post by: saylean on March 29, 2012, 08:35:06 AM
:tup:
I usually carry waterproof matches, one or two lighters, magnesium stick, and some more matches. Ive heard of the cotton balls and vaseline....I have used that to start fires at the house just to see how it works. I have used duct tape a few times, will often use my cup o noodles cardboard packaging to help get things going a bit. Iceman, I believe, had a pretty good example of fire starter bundles about a year ago. I liked that thread.
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on March 29, 2012, 08:35:44 AM
I carry cut pieces of pitch wood...guaranteed to light no matter how wet and will burn for quite some time to get a fire going.I carry the vaseline covered cotton balls and pitch wood, along with a lighter and two small boxes of waterproof matches.
Pitch wood can be lifesaver in wet conditions-
Post by: HORSEPOWER on March 29, 2012, 08:44:14 AM
I carry both the cottonball/vaseline and the parafin/lint because I usually get about 4 minutes out of a cotton ball/vaseline in the wind and about 12 minutes out of the lint/parafin.
I use egg cartons as my container, add lint (you can also add wood chips and a wick if you want), then pour the melted parafin in. break the egg cartons apart and there you go!
Don't forget about the 9V battery and steel wool. Works good, but I usually only take it if I need a spare 9V for something else.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on March 29, 2012, 08:57:35 AM
And for those who think a Bic lighter won't work after it's wet, that's hogwash. I had an old boy at deer camp snatch one out of my hands and he threw it in a pail of water and said something snide like "now what are you going to do?". I had it lit in 5 seconds.
Post by: RB on March 29, 2012, 09:08:33 AM
Post by: groundhog on March 29, 2012, 09:13:14 AM
A buddy of mine keeps it real simple and carries a road flare. Pop the top and instant super hot flame for thirty minutes. I have seen him start the flare, throw it in a snow bank and throw some wet branches on top. Instant fire.
Or you could use just about any bag of chips. My kids were playing around with using Doritos,Chitos, and Fritos, as fire starter and they all work very well. I think I will stick to the first mentioned method but it was interesting to see.
Post by: groundhog on March 29, 2012, 09:28:12 AM
Ill bite. Whats the trick?? Once a lighter has been submerged in water I thought you had to stick it in a warm dry pocket for about 30 minutes until the sparker dries out.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on March 29, 2012, 09:30:29 AM
Post by: Miles on March 29, 2012, 09:31:33 AM
Nra4life,
Ill bite. Whats the trick?? Once a lighter has been submerged in water I thought you had to stick it in a warm dry pocket for about 30 minutes until the sparker dries out.
I'm not Nra4life, but I can tell you from experience that if you take off the metal shield, blow the water off the area with the flint, and slowly roll the sparker wheel down your pant leg it will dry and light. You may have to roll it down your leg a few times, but it will dry out and light. Just don't get too aggressive or you'll dick it up.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on March 29, 2012, 09:40:50 AM
Post by: hirshey on March 29, 2012, 09:41:51 AM
Post by: bradslam on March 29, 2012, 09:57:49 AM
Post by: Jayfire83 on March 29, 2012, 10:51:23 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 29, 2012, 10:54:54 AM
Post by: Miles on March 29, 2012, 11:02:25 AM
I carry a snow peak giga stove with the push button ignition. 1 quick click and the stove is lit. Between that and my bic lighter I should be good to swim across the creek. ;)
Post by: halflife65 on March 29, 2012, 11:03:25 AM
1. cottonballs and vaseline
2. commercial firestarter sawdust ball things
3. papertowel and sticks (the old fashioned way. Apparently, people wanted to cheat death back then.)
4. another type of commercial firestarter - sticks
Firestarting devices included matches, a lighter and a magnesium stick and flint striker. I tried all three on the different tinder listed above.
I got fires lit but I really struggled with paper towels and sticks. I'm probably not going to carry an entire roll of paper towels in case I need a fire. Far and away, the cotton balls and vaseline worked best. Plus, if someone doesn't know what they're for and raids your pack it looks a little freaky. :chuckle:
The magnesium stick and flint striker worked ok but, if you stick it in your pack, make sure you practice with it first. Until I learned to pull BACK with the flint part and leave the metal striker static I just blew magnesium shavings all over the place without any danger of starting an actual fire.
I purposely chose spring because everything was really damp and hard to start (simulating nearly worst case) and, when I did get something started, I wouldn't start an inferno on accident.
Post by: Miles on March 29, 2012, 11:27:51 AM
I may make a video later to show you doubters.
I took the lighter and completely submerged it in a glass of water for 10 seconds.
I then took off the silver shield and child proof metal band with my hunting knife.
I put the lighter up to my lips (red button/wheel side) and blew two long breaths through.
Next I ran the wheel down my bare arm once (I knew there might be some who said "what if a bear attacked you and shredded your clothing?").
I then attempted to light it....
In three flicks I had a flame.
Try it, or you can continue packing around a bag full of extra crap.
Post by: bobcat on March 29, 2012, 11:55:22 AM
That's what I do.
Except the last few years I haven't even hunted anywhere that I felt it necessary to carry a lighter. If I get wet and cold, I'll walk to my truck and go home. If I can't walk out for some reason, I'll pull the cell phone out of my pack, and call someone for help.
Post by: CementFinisher on March 29, 2012, 12:09:53 PM
Post by: jackmaster on March 29, 2012, 12:15:25 PM
Post by: hike2hunt on March 29, 2012, 12:43:58 PM
Post by: hirshey on March 29, 2012, 01:08:51 PM
Try it, or you can continue packing around a bag full of extra crap.
Bic lighters are both cheap and (usually) reliable. It is nice to have an alternate source just in case it decides to give up the ghost; especially if you are more than a day's hike from a trailhead. :twocents: I have heard arguements that at high elevations/low temps sometimes they aren't very reliable.. I have only had one lighter not fire up for me (yes, I had used it often before that trip and it still had fuel etc etc), but I was glad for my cheap-o matches when that was the case. Matches or flint aren't going to be the straw that breaks my back. :chuckle:
Post by: saylean on March 29, 2012, 02:35:05 PM
Theres the thread by iceman I was previously referring to.
Post by: 300rum on March 29, 2012, 03:30:31 PM
I also carry a few ezbit fuel tabs but I would only use them last ditch. OK, I'll come clean! I carry a flare too but I would only use that last, last ditch if I need something fast. It is a pain as it is heavy but it will eventually start anything on fire!
At least a few times a year I try to knock off the rust, if only just to prove to myself I can do it when things are nasty.
Post by: 3Under on March 29, 2012, 08:29:48 PM
Post by: huntinguy on March 29, 2012, 08:40:35 PM
Strike anywhere matches for me. The new ones though don't seem as good as the old ones? Maybe it's just me?
Word I have heard is the old ones are different. I have heard the formula was changed because... well... terrorist could make a bomb out of them. I can't remember the chemical but it is now illegal to posses.
Post by: RB on March 29, 2012, 08:56:43 PM
Strike anywhere matches for me. The new ones though don't seem as good as the old ones? Maybe it's just me?
Word I have heard is the old ones are different. I have heard the formula was changed because... well... terrorist could make a bomb out of them. I can't remember the chemical but it is now illegal to posses.
Red Phosphorus was changed due to tweekers making meth they dissolved it off of the matches and used it in their brew
Post by: RB on March 29, 2012, 09:07:22 PM
I did a little experiment a couple of years ago with:
1. cottonballs and vaseline
2. commercial firestarter sawdust ball things
3. papertowel and sticks (the old fashioned way. Apparently, people wanted to cheat death back then.)
4. another type of commercial firestarter - sticks
Firestarting devices included matches, a lighter and a magnesium stick and flint striker. I tried all three on the different tinder listed above.
I got fires lit but I really struggled with paper towels and sticks. I'm probably not going to carry an entire roll of paper towels in case I need a fire. Far and away, the cotton balls and vaseline worked best. Plus, if someone doesn't know what they're for and raids your pack it looks a little freaky. :chuckle:
The magnesium stick and flint striker worked ok but, if you stick it in your pack, make sure you practice with it first. Until I learned to pull BACK with the flint part and leave the metal striker static I just blew magnesium shavings all over the place without any danger of starting an actual fire.
I purposely chose spring because everything was really damp and hard to start (simulating nearly worst case) and, when I did get something started, I wouldn't start an inferno on accident.
What's up with the cotton balls and vaseline? How are these made? Just smear them with vaseline or is there a process to make them? thanks
Post by: ICEMAN on March 29, 2012, 09:09:09 PM
Post by: RB on March 29, 2012, 09:14:27 PM
Just work some vaseline into a few cotton balls. Work it in with your hands. Then store the cotton balls into a small container to keep them from greasing up your gear. When needed for fire, pluck and tug at the cotton ball to spread it out like a mini bird nest. Burns awesome.
Cool thanks :)
Post by: bullchaser on March 29, 2012, 09:16:39 PM
Just work some vaseline into a few cotton balls. Work it in with your hands. Then store the cotton balls into a small container to keep them from greasing up your gear. When needed for fire, pluck and tug at the cotton ball to spread it out like a mini bird nest. Burns awesome.
This works awesome you can get a small plastic container at rei that weighs next to nothing and hold about three balls I have one in every pack and a few in the truck.
Post by: losdaddy7 on March 29, 2012, 09:26:43 PM
Post by: KFhunter on March 29, 2012, 10:02:13 PM
Post by: ghosthunter on March 29, 2012, 10:34:24 PM
Post by: jechicdr on March 29, 2012, 10:46:24 PM
Post by: Sawbuck on March 29, 2012, 11:20:44 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on March 30, 2012, 04:38:09 AM
Diesel
How are you using diesel?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 30, 2012, 05:07:26 AM
Post by: ICEMAN on March 30, 2012, 05:09:27 AM
Kevin what about your little firestarters using candles that don't blow out?
I like them. :chuckle: Might be a little too paranoid and whacky for some guys. Saylean posted a link about them on page 4...
Post by: Miles on March 30, 2012, 05:58:19 AM
Diesel
How are you using diesel?
I think sometimes people fail to read what board they are posting on. Packing diesel into the backcountry doesn't sound all that appealing.
Post by: 400out on March 30, 2012, 06:02:57 AM
Post by: Miles on March 30, 2012, 06:08:01 AM
You really pack gasoline and styrofoam?
Bic lighter still works after multiple dunks in the glass of water last night.
Post by: gadwall on March 30, 2012, 06:14:50 AM
Post by: 400out on March 30, 2012, 06:16:11 AM
Post by: Miles on March 30, 2012, 06:20:47 AM
Is it possible to post a video without using youtube or something of the sorts here?
Post by: mrmoskillz on March 30, 2012, 06:47:21 AM
Nra4life,
Ill bite. Whats the trick?? Once a lighter has been submerged in water I thought you had to stick it in a warm dry pocket for about 30 minutes until the sparker dries out.
I'm not Nra4life, but I can tell you from experience that if you take off the metal shield, blow the water off the area with the flint, and slowly roll the sparker wheel down your pant leg it will dry and light. You may have to roll it down your leg a few times, but it will dry out and light. Just don't get too aggressive or you'll dick it up.
ok macgyver I want to see your little trick after you fall in. Try rolling it down your wet pants while your shivering and see how that works. Im guessing your from the dry side but over here on the wet side there is times that trick would be hard without falling in just walking through the woods can leave you soaked. Oh yea and you dont wear a helmet while you hunt?
Post by: jackmaster on March 30, 2012, 06:54:59 AM
Post by: Miles on March 30, 2012, 07:10:18 AM
Enjoy.
feature=youtu.be
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on March 30, 2012, 07:20:16 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on March 30, 2012, 07:30:10 AM
Post by: sirfunkeybut on March 30, 2012, 07:32:32 AM
I use cardboard egg cartons - wax and lint from the dryer....and a piece of wick ....take the egg carton and place the lint from your dryer in the egg holes of the egg carton ...pack it in tightly and place about a 2in. piece of wick in the lint and let it stick up above the lint and pour the holes full of melted wax ...let sit until wax is hard and then cut each egg hole out individually and you have more than you can use in a year .......works awesome !! :yeah: actually last time I did that I rolled the wick up on top of the lint and pored over it ...keeps the wick dry ...you can always dig out the wick with your knife when your ready to use it .... :tup:
:yeah: x2
They work great and ive had them burn for almost 15 min with a slight wind and keep steady flame about 5in tall.
nothing like recycling :tup:
Post by: Miles on March 30, 2012, 07:38:13 AM
Nra4life,
Ill bite. Whats the trick?? Once a lighter has been submerged in water I thought you had to stick it in a warm dry pocket for about 30 minutes until the sparker dries out.
I'm not Nra4life, but I can tell you from experience that if you take off the metal shield, blow the water off the area with the flint, and slowly roll the sparker wheel down your pant leg it will dry and light. You may have to roll it down your leg a few times, but it will dry out and light. Just don't get too aggressive or you'll dick it up.
ok macgyver I want to see your little trick after you fall in. Try rolling it down your wet pants while your shivering and see how that works.
How about my forearm? Would that do?
Pants being wet has nothing to do with it. Friction from the wheel spinning causes heat and dries the flint. A dry flint sparks. Gas combined with sparks = flame.
Put your helmet back on.
Post by: singleshot12 on March 30, 2012, 07:42:48 AM
Post by: Sawbuck on March 30, 2012, 08:04:18 AM
Pack it into the backcountry camps on the horses for hunting season. Sure is nice at four a.m. when its ten degrees out to start the fire in seconds rather than minutes. For survival I always have waterproof matches in a waterproof container with some dryer lint.Diesel
How are you using diesel?
Post by: farmin4u_98948 on March 30, 2012, 08:08:34 AM
Post by: farmin4u_98948 on March 30, 2012, 08:10:44 AM
Post by: Miles on March 30, 2012, 08:16:50 AM
Pack it into the backcountry camps on the horses for hunting season. Sure is nice at four a.m. when its ten degrees out to start the fire in seconds rather than minutes. For survival I always have waterproof matches in a waterproof container with some dryer lint.Diesel
How are you using diesel?
Forgot about you backcountry horse camps with all the luxuries.
Post by: boneaddict on March 30, 2012, 08:28:59 AM
Post by: jackelope on March 31, 2012, 10:55:49 PM
Diesel
How are you using diesel?
I think sometimes people fail to read what board they are posting on. Packing diesel into the backcountry doesn't sound all that appealing.
I've got one of these fuel can holder setups rigged to my J104 pack. It works swell.
barely even know it's there.
Post by: Huntbear on March 31, 2012, 11:58:55 PM
Post by: RadSav on April 01, 2012, 12:47:22 AM
I like rubbing two liberals together till they combust.... :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Might not be the best for starting a fire, but it sure sounds like camping with you would be one heck of a lot of fun :tup: That might answer the age old question: How many Liberals does it take to start a fire? :camp:
Post by: PolarBear on April 01, 2012, 02:27:07 AM
Post by: TheHunt on April 01, 2012, 08:15:16 AM
Post by: Andrew on April 01, 2012, 12:44:05 PM
Post by: JPhelps on April 01, 2012, 12:58:44 PM
Post by: xd2005 on April 01, 2012, 01:21:37 PM
Post by: MikeWalking on April 01, 2012, 01:33:33 PM
I like rubbing two liberals together till they combust.... :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Cheating...too easy. Besides you have to work to stay up wind. Know how bad they stink when they burn??.
I like the Vaseline Cotton ball/ dryer lint. One I've read about but haven't tried is using one of those plastic canisters 35mm film comes in as a mold. Hang a candle wick in it and fill with a mix of Black Powder and clear fingernail polish. Pop it out when you need it.
I've always got a couple or 3 new Bic's, Storm Proof matches, kitchen matches in a zip-loc, magnesium and flint. Good source x 3
Post by: Eli346 on April 01, 2012, 01:46:06 PM
Post by: WilliamWallace on April 03, 2012, 09:17:34 PM
Post by: Cascader74 on April 04, 2012, 02:01:51 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on April 04, 2012, 05:44:21 AM
Post by: Miles on April 04, 2012, 06:47:52 AM
Post by: GoldTip on April 04, 2012, 07:11:08 AM