Survival- Fire Steel for Beginners- Tips & Tricks

What Exactly Is Flint And Steel?

 Original Article

By Perrin Adams

If you’re into traditional outdoor living or even a modern-day prepper looking for ways to improve a bug-out bag you have more than likely heard of flint and steel.

For everyone else, if modern heating conveniences ever get disrupted then this will be one of the ways you’ll start a fire for heat.

Flint and steel are two separate components that are traditionally used together to start fires. Flint is a rock that is struck with a steel striker to generate sparks that can be caught using tinder.

Historically, flint has been mined by various indigenous tribes all across North America and Europe. They used it for various tools as shards of flint can be quite sharp to the touch.

Flintknapping is still a practice today and is commonly how tools were created. It is a labor-intensive love that can leave the “knapper” with bleeding hands and sore fingers.

But how did flint and steel become known for their fire-starting capabilities? How does striking one thing against another cause the energy needed to ignite tinder?

Keep reading and learn a little bit more about the relationship between flint and steel.

How Does Flint And Steel Cause Sparks?

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How to Build a Modular Concrete Block Fire Pit

 Original Article

written by Derrick James

My concrete block fire pit is a serious pit. I designed it for performance. I can do everything with this pit from enjoying a simple evening fire to using it as a big outdoor cook station. I wanted a fire pit that could do whatever I needed it to do. Those needs vary.

Concrete blocks are great. They’re cheap and versatile. I’ve made a concrete block raised bed garden before, and plenty of people have also used them for fire pits.

There are plenty of fire pit options available. You can buy the Solo Stove fire pit that many people like or you can just assemble some rocks in a circle. That has worked for centuries. I wanted something more.

I have cooked over a Solo Stove and over a fire in a ring of rocks. Both can be done, but I wanted a better blend between a fire pit and an outdoor cook station. I wanted options.

Not finding any fire pit close to what I wanted on the commercial market, I decided to design my own fire pit. One big, modular concrete block fire pit.

Concrete blocks are like Legos for men. They come in different shapes and sizes and can be stacked in various ways for many different projects beyond basic building construction. Given that they are rugged and fire proof, they are an obvious choice to build a custom fire pit.

How To Build a Fire with Wet Wood | Bear Independent

How to Start a Fire with Wet Wood (with pictures)

Original Article

By Diane Vuković

Making a fire is one of the most basic survival skills to know. Honestly, it’s pretty easy to get a fire going when the conditions are right. But what about after it has rained (or while it is still raining!) and all you have is wet firewood?

Here’s what you need to know to start a fire with wet wood like a pro.

The Dangers Of Wildfire Smoke And How To Protect Your Family

 Original Article

It was a late-summer evening in western California. I had just finished putting my kids to bed when I noticed an unusual odor filling the room through the open patio door. Something like a burning campfire mixed with smog.

I shut the door, thinking that my neighbors were grilling. It’s probably noting, and I decided to go to bed.

The next day, when I woke up, the sunrise was eerily beautiful, with rich orange colors set against a fog-like haze. I poured myself a cup of coffee and walked outside to admire this beautiful sunrise.

As I stepped outside, I realized that the vibrant fog was actually smoke, and the smell from the night before was getting worse. I went inside and shut the door.

Soon, I realized that the smoke wasn’t coming from a grill but from some of the largest wildfires in California. The smoke from these wildfires would linger over our region for over a week, a time in which the air quality was ranked as some of the worst in the world.

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Slit Fire (Rakovalkea) - An Interesting Finnish Fire Lay

 Original Article

by DannyM

A slit fire, sometimes referred to as a gap fire but also known as a ‘rakovalkea‘ gap fire in Finland, is a type of fire lay that is popular in Scandinavia. It is believed to have originated in Finland, and it gets its name from the way that the logs are arranged in a slit formation with a gap between them.

Slit fires are said to have many benefits over traditional fire lays. Once set and lit, they require very little maintenance and will burn a long time. They also produce less smoke. Additionally, slit fires are said to be easier to light and require less kindling than other types of fire lays.

If you are looking for an alternative to one of the more traditional fire lays, then the rakovalkea gap fire may be a good option for you.

It is a simple yet effective way to build a fire, and it has many benefits that make it worthy of consideration.

How to Build a Finnish Rakovalkea Gap Fire (Slit Fire)

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