[gizamo]

It's interesting that so many enjoy the various BP guns and the acoutrements that go with them. Fine folks enjoying the very best of the era. Life is good:)

Yet how many step it up a notch beyond that? Do any of you take an interest in the period and technology of the times? It's one thing to go to the range and truly enjoy the gun itself and mastering the principles of how to make them fire consistently and with great accuracy. Just wondering aloud if many take it to another level and try to master the other technologies of the period.

How do you make fire? Simple question. But it seems to follow the course of the evolution of guns...:)

Flint, Percussion, and Cartridge all seem to see periods of overlap with the simple act of making a campfire....anyone else go to the next level? Or are folks happy just making the gun go bang:neener:


giz

[Acorn Mush]

Been known to use flint 'n' steel a time or three for firemaking. Even been known to be successful at it a time or two... .:D

[NobleSniper]

I started making fires with flint and steel as a kid.............. collected hunks of flint when I would arrow head hunt :D

[Ginormous]

My 1/2" x 6" ferrocerium rod and the back of my knife make short work of fire starting, when a lighter isn't handy. Cotton lint from the dryer filter makes sure the sparks are caught and held long enough to get things smoking - in a hurry. :D

[messerist]

Ditto Acorn Mush. I make my own char cloth and use a flint and steel. .I also have a fire bow set-up I made that works....OK. I'm sure someone more competent would do better.

[Ratdog68]

unless I don't have that option... then I dig out the emergency fire starting stuff (rod/steel), drier lint soaked with a mix of wax and vaseline (wrapped in foil).

[gizamo]

Hmmmm,

Starting to wonder if I said it well....

Period fire starting is what I meant. Don't think many of the old timers would know what we meant if we suggested they use the lint from a laundry dryer...LOL!

giz

[Ratdog68]

You did ask how we do it. You didn't specify the recipe of it you have in mind.... and then ask how many of us use that recipe. :neener:

[sltm1]

Magnifying glass and char cloth on sunny days, flint and steel on occasion, and steel wool is a good tinder also. I've got a "fire stick", but have yet to make it work consistantly.

[NobleSniper]

Anyone ever try steel wool and a 9volt battery ;)

[gizamo]

Ok, point taken....for you modern guys....

Tannerite would be best....LOL!

giz

[Voodoochile]

I keep a Flint & Steel kit in my hunting pack & one in my camping gear, I love keeping my more primitive knowledge going for when I may have to really use them, been making my own char cloth as long as I can remember, sometimes I forget to make some when the missus is out because she doesn't appreciate the sweet smell that emonates from the grill when I make it.

[BCRider]

Propane torch and a cuppa Coleman..... Eyebrows are highly overrated anyway :D

I must admit that it would be interesting to step back in time. Actually there was a show on our national TV channel that ran for a season or two where they took modern folks and stuck them on a few neighbouring farms in Manitoba. They had all the tools including period firearms for hunting and defense as I recall and the ONLY electric power was in the battery packs of the cameras used to follow their exploits for a year. That's right, they gave all the other stuff up to try this for a YEAR! Did their own farming and bartering, cut and adzed their own timber for building repairs, etc, etc.

[Ratdog68]

I'll bet that was a hoot to watch ! LOL :D I'd probably get a kick out of doin' that for a year.

[Fingers McGee]

Flint & steel; char cloth and hemp rope tinder. Works every time. Used to be able to get a flame in under 10 seconds; but I'm out of pactice now.

[jim147]

Don't forget a little black powder under the flint helps the sparks along.

jim

[DoubleDeuce 1]

Noble Sniper, My partner and I have set may a fire using the 9 volt battery and steel wool trick. We even had the hilarious misfortune to set an apartment building alight from a fire started with the battery and wool. That was curious incident.:cool:

[Phantom Captain]

Dad was a buckskinner and used to use his flint and steel for campfires, always! No other way to do it. I still have all his stuff and his flint and steel with tinder in a small leather pouch.

Since I'm a Civil War reenactor I get to use Lucifers! Woohoo! I refuse to use any other type of starter or starting agent though as I see so many people doing in camp at reenactments. Lighter fluid, charcoal, fire bricks, etc. Bleh. Can't stand it. It's amazing how hard it is for some people to start a campfire. I watch and can't believe what people are doing or try to do. Usually, we can get one going right away with only a couple Lucifers. It's more a skill than I realized and gotta always thank Dad for teaching me that one!

When I do events, without the girl (she does stay home for some), I go total campaign style. No tent, shirt on my back, extra shirt and socks wrapped in a blanket roll, and only my most valuable rubber blanket for a ground cloth. We sleep outside under the stars, rubber blanket underneath you and issue wool blanket for cover, that's it!

We even try to eat the way the soldiers did. Our mess bought a 10lb chunk of salt bacon, one guy makes hardtack, we usually bring a couple taters and onions in our haversacks along with our coffee and sugar. Coffee is whole beans that we crush with our rifle butts. Throw it in our tin cups, pour in some water and set it on the fire til it boils, yum! Apples and peanuts are usually brough along in our haversacks too as they would have been plentiful and available along march routes. Now and then someone brings (read forages) a few ears of corn to roast or some eggs for a special breakfast treat. Nothing beats living this way. I totally love it and am always looking forward to the next one.

Couple of weeks ago my mess fell in with the 44th TN. First time all of us did the gray and boy was it a hoot. So strange for me to see all of decked out as Rebels. We did a good job of it though if I must say! It was a campaign style event too. Here is me, on the right and two other guys in my mess as proud Tennessee soldiers.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r130/mboyd13/49th%20Indiana/BoonedocksFarm030.jpg

[bigbadgun]

I keep a fire piston in with my hunting gear. And it works great.

[madcratebuilder]

I keep a fire piston in with my hunting gear. And it works great.

Ya got me Bob, what the hell is a fire piston?

I made up a Flint & steel, char cloth and rope fiber kit I carry in my bag, hope it's not raining, Oh wait this is Orygun, it never rains here.

[bigbadgun]

im not on my computer but this is the one I have. the second one down.http://possibleshop.com/fire-piston.htm All you do is put a piece of punk wood in the piston and smack it with your hand. ANd the pressure sets the punk wood to a spark and its enough to get you going.

[madcratebuilder]

Compressed air gets very hot, that is trick little deal. Kinda spendy but very cool, at least I know what it is if I run across one.

[bigbadgun]

You can find them cheaper on line I bought that one because I saw it first and a fool and his money.:banghead: LOL

[Voodoochile]

I've been looking around to get one of those fire pistons, even found a place showing you how to make one, gotta look for that again.

[bigbadgun]

here you go http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-make-your-own-fire-piston-222301/

[NobleSniper]

I am gonna build a few of those. Not much to them. Figure they might make good gifts to folks that would use them ;)

[Matt-J2]

I use a self contained fire starting system made by a tiny little unknown company by the name of Bic.

[bigbadgun]

ROFLMAO @ Matt

[theotherwaldo]

I've used: Watch glass, Friction bow, steel wool, compression tube, pyrites, flint & steel, Coal carrying, Spontaneous combustion rags, chalk & acid, and all of the more mundane techniques.

Survival courses, rendezvous, and just messing around... .

[MCgunner]

I have a wheellock fire starter. It's fed by pressurized butane. :D

I also have a metal match that works in an emergency that's in my survival belt. It's made of magnesium and has a flint striker.

I'm not really into rubbin' sticks and stuff. I've been known to use boy scout juice, too. (gasoline)

[StrawHat]

Mostly I use blue tips (when I can find them I buy all I can) to start a fire. I use spills for kindling.

I have also used flint and steel, but never suceeded with a bow or sticks.

The fire piston looks like a winner, I'll have to try that.

[rodinal220]

Have a flint/steel kit in a small round metal can.Carries extra char-tow and char-cloth.

[BHP FAN]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgyKSYaZewI

[BHP FAN]

I'm going to make one of those fire pistons.I made one out of CPVC and dowel,and it worked really well,but wasn't very sturdy.The more ways you know how to make fire,the better.In a survival situation,the fellow that knows how to make a fire usually makes it.At the very least ,your chances double.You can stay warm,signal,and keep away dangerous predators.

[Loyalist Dave]

FIRE BOWS SUCK. (me no likee; too much work) Sorry I've done it to become a member of the Boy Scout "Order of The Singed Eyebrow", and I also did flint and steel, and the battery with steel wool, plus the magnifying glass bit.

I take the flat fungus found on rotting logs, and char that as I would char cloth, and it works fine, for flint n steel.

LD

[billnpatti]

Just for the heck of it, I've tried making fire wiith a flint and steel as well as a fire drill. I am not into reinacting so when I need a fire I prefer modern methods. My favorite flint and steel fire making device is a Bic lighter. Years ago, I was into the reinacting bit but at 68, it is just too much for me. I still like to shoot the muzzleoaders though and will do so as long as my old body will let me.

[BHP FAN]

may you shoot for many,many more happy years.

[BHP FAN]

I just ordered a brass tobacco tin/tinder holder,with a magnifing lens built into the cap,which in turn,has it's own little brass cap,so that you don't set the camp on fire.Pretty clever gadget.I'll give a ''range report'' when I get it!

[Bigguy49]

Well being as I am new here I thought I would add something from the boys over in Afghanistan they are using cotton balls soaked in hand sanitizer ,to start fires in the back country,if you stop to think about it the hand stuff is like 90% alcohol while not very period ,if one was out in the bush and in a bind it would work to get a fire started ..

[Ratdog68]

Well being as I am new here I thought I would add something from the boys over in Afghanistan they are using cotton balls soaked in hand sanitizer ,to start fires in the back country,if you stop to think about it the hand stuff is like 90% alcohol while not very period ,if one was out in the bush and in a bind it would work to get a fire started ..
Dryer lint wrapped in foil with a dab of Vaseline will also make for a great fire starter to have along in a survival kit.

[BHP FAN]

My wife thinks I'm nuts,collecting dryer lint,and me with vaseline just makes her nervous...

[flmason]

Try sending the sparks into cotton balls. Works pretty good.

[Iggy]

I make charcloth out of ol Levi's and use a flint and steel for makin' fire.

I also tell some tall tales as a mtn man and start my gig by lighting my clay pipe with flint and striker, just to show I know of that which I speak.

[bigbadgun]

The fire piston is a really nice little tool to have in your camping/survival/hunting gear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3hB8SI3kts

[BHP FAN]

Give the gift of fire,it'll make you feel like Prometheus.

[goon]

I light fires with flint and steel out in the fire ring about three times a week.
Preferred tinder is grape vine bark - it's a little hard to light but it burns hot and stays that way for quite awhile.
I have four strikers and would like to get another eventually. My best ones came from www.primalconnection.com .
Good to know that my money helped support a real blacksmith.

BTW - I find that I'm more successful with flint and steel than I am with matches. If you can't get something lit with a hunk of scorching charcloth you gotta be doing something wrong!

[Oyeboten]

It's Flint-and-Steel with me too...also braided Cotton string, and modified Jet Fuel.


Fits all-together in a small, snug, hinge-lidded metal Box that says 'Zippo' on the bottom...


(Sorry...yet another version, I know...but a true one!)

[Ginormous]

. . . and modified Jet FuelHeh, that's pretty good. Never thought of naphtha as that before.