Flint and steel

[@scotttaxdal5297]

I made my fire kit, fits in a medicine bag i wear around my neck. The tin is an Altoids can. I stripped the paint off, cleaned the metal and oiled it, put it in the barbecue until it was blued. Loaded it with cotton pillow ticking fabric (super cheap at JoAnn Fabrics) and back into the barbecue until the smoke stopped coming out of the hole in the lid. In goes the flint, steel, natural fibers and a stub of candle. I've made it a tradition of starting the campfire with this kit.

[@gjbc]

I wondered if an Altoids box would be tight enough! Thanks for the tip. Happy firestarting!

[@ZaynneThaWook]

Ive heard the carbonized cotton fabric referred to as char cloth, and the little shavings of wood is the tinder

[@gjbc]

Yep, you're right- I sort of misnamed the parts. I've never tried this with anything but char cloth. I should experiment a little!

[@benvandermerwe4934]

Why would you happen have flint & steel in your pocket in 2024 and not a gas lighter or matches. Makes zero sense.

[@dylangergutierrez]

It's a demonstration of a historical process. He is not suggesting you start carrying around flint and steel.

[@scotttaxdal5297]

Don't wander too far off the path, kid.

[@gjbc]

There are certainly easier ways. I don't do this other than to help us appreciate how clever and skilled our ancestors were, and how lucky we have it this easy.

[@sosteve9113]

Because it is fun,it is one of my favorite techniques