And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Friday, February 3, 2023
Worth it to know how to start a fire with this method
I have spent the last 37 years backpacking, bikepacking and camping in 15 countries. I am almost always solo. I have long marveled why some outdoorsmen would learn and practice antiquated methods of making a fire. I take several Bic lighters in my pack, and these have never failed me. I have nothing against such methods or the men who practice them, but I simply do not get it.
While bushcraft can be useful when one is in an unexpected very rare survival situation (Castaway), EDC includes a knife and/or Multitool and a Bic lighter. A 10-Pack is cheap, especially the mini ones, sprinkle them around in each console and a pocket…beats strike anywhere matches dipped in wax.
Hey, Mike. I like your Bic lighter idea, and have any Bics piegonholed in almost all my gear bags, waders, etc., but I do like this tool, not only for its ability to come in handy if Bic lighters become unavailable in the future, but its engineered beauty.
You're exactly right Mike. Make sure it is a "Bic" and not a no-name variety. I mentioned this very thing in another post further up. I'll also mention, butane lighters fail to work when very cold, so keep one in your pocket to keep it warm and it will work every time. Lastly, for the cost of that silly gimmick above you can buy more than a dozen Bics and each will light hundreds or thousands of fires.
Well, Mike, the point isn't to light a fire in the most reliable way (Bics, as pointed out, do that), but to learn what lighting a fire really is. To do it this way requires that you think it through, planning what you'll do once the tinder is lit, what you'll use for tinder, and building that into a full campfire. You have to learn to be aware of and take into account the wind, the humidity, your fuel, etc. Plus, there's the challenge, and the satisfaction of learning to do it the way the old timers did it. Or, just us a Bic. Up to you - YMMV.
"Blastmatches" are better. https://www.amazon.com/UST-BlastMatch-One-Handed-Operation-Lightweight/dp/B00930XV18/ref=sr_1_2?crid=154SLQMF574MZ&keywords=blastmatch+fire+starter&qid=1675447061&sprefix=blastmatch%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-2
While it isn't that hard (in controlled conditions)to use a flint/steel/magnesium fire starter, neither is it that easy when you are in the outdoors, with damp air, and wind, even if you brought your own tinder....Just going from spark to tiny fire is difficult enough. If you think you might need to ever use one of these (or a Blast Match, (good product) then you need to practice with it. I prefer naptha/Zippo style over Bics if it is gonna be cold, but lighters are wonderful compared to matches/flints or other fire starting methods.
I have a buddy who uses the tiny butane torches for firestarting, and they work well for him....just something to think about.
Something I have noticed in the last couple of years, is these butane device seem to be half full of something that won't burn. I'm thinking of long nosed barbecue lighter and the like. They are warm, and half full of liquid, but stop working(lighting and holding a flame). Attempting to light the gas with another flame tends to extinguish the working device. Recharging with known good butane (Ronson lighter can, several years old) doesn't fix it. The butane torches are especially aggravating here. They seem to stop lighting when half empty. Some kind of cheap propellant?
I have spent the last 37 years backpacking, bikepacking and camping in 15 countries. I am almost always solo. I have long marveled why some outdoorsmen would learn and practice antiquated methods of making a fire. I take several Bic lighters in my pack, and these have never failed me. I have nothing against such methods or the men who practice them, but I simply do not get it.
ReplyDeleteWhile bushcraft can be useful when one is in an unexpected very rare survival situation (Castaway), EDC includes a knife and/or Multitool and a Bic lighter. A 10-Pack is cheap, especially the mini ones, sprinkle them around in each console and a pocket…beats strike anywhere matches dipped in wax.
DeleteHey, Mike. I like your Bic lighter idea, and have any Bics piegonholed in almost all my gear bags, waders, etc., but I do like this tool, not only for its ability to come in handy if Bic lighters become unavailable in the future, but its engineered beauty.
DeleteYou're exactly right Mike. Make sure it is a "Bic" and not a no-name variety. I mentioned this very thing in another post further up. I'll also mention, butane lighters fail to work when very cold, so keep one in your pocket to keep it warm and it will work every time. Lastly, for the cost of that silly gimmick above you can buy more than a dozen Bics and each will light hundreds or thousands of fires.
DeleteWell, Mike, the point isn't to light a fire in the most reliable way (Bics, as pointed out, do that), but to learn what lighting a fire really is. To do it this way requires that you think it through, planning what you'll do once the tinder is lit, what you'll use for tinder, and building that into a full campfire. You have to learn to be aware of and take into account the wind, the humidity, your fuel, etc. Plus, there's the challenge, and the satisfaction of learning to do it the way the old timers did it. Or, just us a Bic. Up to you - YMMV.
DeleteBetter safe than sorry Mike. Butane like petrol is a manufactured commodity. I keep one just in case.
ReplyDeleteBear Claw
I'll probably buy one of these before my next big excursion but, I still like my big bag of backfire fusees.
ReplyDelete"Blastmatches" are better.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/UST-BlastMatch-One-Handed-Operation-Lightweight/dp/B00930XV18/ref=sr_1_2?crid=154SLQMF574MZ&keywords=blastmatch+fire+starter&qid=1675447061&sprefix=blastmatch%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-2
While it isn't that hard (in controlled conditions)to use a flint/steel/magnesium fire starter, neither is it that easy when you are in the outdoors, with damp air, and wind, even if you brought your own tinder....Just going from spark to tiny fire is difficult enough.
ReplyDeleteIf you think you might need to ever use one of these (or a Blast Match, (good product) then you need to practice with it.
I prefer naptha/Zippo style over Bics if it is gonna be cold, but lighters are wonderful compared to matches/flints or other fire starting methods.
I have a buddy who uses the tiny butane torches for firestarting, and they work well for him....just something to think about.
Something I have noticed in the last couple of years, is these butane device seem to be half full of something that won't burn. I'm thinking of long nosed barbecue lighter and the like. They are warm, and half full of liquid, but stop working(lighting and holding a flame). Attempting to light the gas with another flame tends to extinguish the working device. Recharging with known good butane (Ronson lighter can, several years old) doesn't fix it. The butane torches are especially aggravating here. They seem to stop lighting when half empty.
ReplyDeleteSome kind of cheap propellant?