How to become the fire mage

The ability to start a fire is crucial for any fan of broadly understood outdoor. Windproof incandescent lighter undoubtedly has many advantages, however, people interested in survival will definitely appreciate the reliability of the flint more. Besides, using the lighter when we want to feel the atmosphere of "survival" is as pleasant as using the AK-47 when hunting deer - easier, but in the back of our head we feel that it is not exactly what we expected.

We need fuel to start a fire. Wood is usually the most easily obtainable fuel in the field. It is usually in the form of branches or logs, so lighting it with flint can be quite a challenge. Kindling comes in handy - depending on our choice, we can prepare it in advance or obtain it on the spot.

The earlier preparation of the kindling has many advantages: the possibility of using processed materials, a guarantee of firing up in an emergency, and thus psychological comfort. All kinds of materials made of processed cellulose, such as cotton swabs or tampons, thanks to their structure perfectly catch the temperature from sparks. One of the most interesting materials for kindling is pyrolysed cotton. This process involves charring the fabric in a closed can, and after making a small hole in it with a nail, placing it in a fire or stove. After a few minutes, we get a perfect kindling and, in addition, we can dispose of old damaged clothes. It is important that the fabric is made of 100% cotton.

The tampon, when unfolded, perfectly catches sparks and effectively ignites the bark or wood

However, if we want to feel the spirit of the forest or test ourselves in controlled conditions, we will be forced to obtain kindling in the field. The most famous way is to use birch bark. This material is actually perfect for starting a fire, and if you skillfully obtain it, you will get a flame after the first portion of sparks. It is enough to peel off the outer layer of the bark with your thumb. We obtain thin, almost transparent flakes which will ignite immediately upon contact with the spark, which in turn is used to set fire to the bark itself.

The outer bark layer, thanks to its low thickness, is easy to set on fire

Scots pine haunts almost every forest in Poland. Interestingly, most of the forests in Poland consist only of pines. Although this phenomenon has a rather negative impact on biodiversity, it is associated with a valuable bushcraft feature. Pine wood contains resin, which is perfect as a kindling. To get the most valuable pieces, find a fallen tree and split open the root area. With the use of a knife, unsaturated parties can be used to create the so-called Feathersticks, which, thanks to their reduced thickness and large surface, facilitate lighting a fire.

Depending on the applied force and the angle of the blade, the shape of the "feathers" takes different forms

A historical curiosity is the origin of the Polish word for tinder as tinder. It derives from the use of the powdered fruiting body of the common hubiak, commonly known as the hub. Such a mushroom had to be soaked in a saltpetre solution and then dried and ground to obtain a flammable powder.

A perfect combination - hubiak fruiting bodies on the birch

Since we already have something to ignite, we should consider how to properly use the tool we use. There are two popular types of flints on the market: the Swedish type and the American type. The Swedish type tinder is visualized by the Wildo Fire Flash Pro shown in the pictures, available in our outdoor store Specshop.pl, while the American versions are equipped with a magnesium block attached to the rod.

Wildo Fire Flash Pro - an excellent example of a Swedish type flint

Most flints are supplied by manufacturers with a spark in the form of a small plate. The economical form of most of them means that a few trips to the field verify the comfort and many people prefer to use a knife for knitting. However, it should be remembered that rubbing the blade against the iron-iridium rod is a bad idea and can cause irreparable damage. For this purpose, the back of the blade will be much better, which in most bushcraft knives is perfect for this. As an improvement, it can be sanded to obtain a more distinct edge. Reputable manufacturers, however, are trying to significantly improve the ergonomics of both the rod and the magneto. The handles of the flint presented in the photos are made almost perfectly. They not only allow for a comfortable and secure grip, but also allow easy use of both sides of the bar. In addition, the polymer from which they were made perfectly withstands the blows of the magneto, and thanks to the rough surface it stays well in wet hands.

Producers of tourist equipment ensure that their sets are as functional, universal and, above all, light as possible

The second aspect is the movement that creates sparks. Many guides show how to put a rod to the kindling and then move from the top in the direction of the material you want to set on fire. This movement seems to be the most sensible because of the close contact of the sparks with the kindling and comfortable. There is then a slight risk that we will scatter the kindling. A much safer solution is to hold the hand with the magnetus with the dominant hand, preferably with the support of e.g. a knee and dragging it with a flint because its spine backwards. After a few trainings, we will get used to this form, guaranteeing the safety of kindling. Placing the magneto in relation to the rod at a slight angle and pulling the rod evenly along the entire length of the rod will guarantee an abundance of sparks and will make the tinder serve us for a long time.

The distance should be chosen to maintain the temperature of the sparks - the length of the rod is usually an adequate measure

However, it should be remembered that successfully obtaining a flame does not guarantee us comfort and warmth, and an equally important aspect is creating and maintaining a burning fire. Each bushcraft lover, along with experience, acquires the ability to find and select appropriately calorific and dry wood, therefore the basic feature that should be characterized by persistence and the desire to improve.