Sunday, August 19, 2012

Basics Related To Different Types Of Fire Starters

By Roger Jenkins


Humans use fire for numerous purposes, such as cooking, propulsion, signaling and generating of heat. It is also known to be harmful to people or things because of burning. Nonetheless, in many situations there may be a need to apply different types of fire starters.

The traditional starting techniques, such as matches or lighters, make the process much simpler. However, these are not always accessible and when that is the case, people must get creative. When there is a limited amount of materials available, this process may be trying. Homemade starters are known to be just as beneficial as other forms, especially in backwoods or wilderness environments.

Among the most traditional and finest of techniques is the application of flint and steel. This is a spark-based method. It is considered a standby and so it is recommended that those who venture into nature should always be equipped with a good set of flint and stone. Flint is a stone that produces hot sparks when collided with steel. It is these sparks that are capable of lighting dry tinder.

When it comes to starting from non-traditional materials, there are two common techniques used: friction-based or lens-based. The former is more traditional and requires a lot of work. The latter is typically easier and involves using a lens of any sort, such as eyeglasses, magnifying glass, binocular lenses, and more. A major drawback to this technique is that it only works when there is sun, not at night or in overcast conditions.

Using a lens requires some kind of lens that can be used to focus sunlight on a specific area. Adding water to the lens works to intensify the beam. The lens should be angled toward the sun to focus the beam into as small of a spot as possible. Then put the nest of tinder under this spot and results will soon produce. There are other lens-based methods, but this is the most common.

Rubbing together two sticks is one of the oldest friction-based techniques used and also quite difficult. The technique has to be correct, as does the wood for the spindle and fire board. It is best when sets are made from dry softwoods, such as cottonwood, willow, juniper and aspen. Hand drills are the simplest of friction methods, but it can be difficult to maintain the high speeds necessary to rotate the spindle. This technique works best in dry climates. Using two people with a two-man friction drill is often easier and more efficient.

A fire plough involves a softwood fireboard with a groove cut in it. A hard shaft is used to rub up and down this groove, the friction pushing dust particle and causing things to ignite when the temperature increases. Iroquois are given credit for pump fire drill invention. This device applies a drill and a flywheel that is able to generate friction. The bow drill is an efficient way to maintain the speed and pressure necessary to create coal. This friction-based device is easy to master.

Many different types of fire starters can be applied in various situations. These are used to produce a flame. In terms of survival, and some other important tasks, fire is needed.




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