Any fellow survivalists utilize their truck?

Agreed.

THe firesteel is supposedly the most reliable, but also requires tinder and a fair amount of skill.

I friend of mine told me "Cap, I've been smoking for 40years and you better believe smokers no more about reliable fire sources than anyone. I'm here to tell you a Bic lighter can not be beat in 99% of situations."

Since then the Bic has been my go to, with a fire steel as my #2. I've found very few times that the Bic wouldn't work.

 

I don't smoke but it's tough to beat a simple BIC lighter for many reasons. This is why my kits include both a BIC and a cheap spark thrower. If I can't start a fire with those I deserve to die.

 

Learn to bowdrill. I teach primitive skills and I can tell you there were times where I was on my own and lighter pooped out and I was able to get fire with bowdrilling.

Quartz and steel, flint and steel also work great if you have char cloth.

 

I think the moral of the story is:
-have more than one method to start fires
-know how to actually start a fire

Having the tools doesn't mean squat if you don't know what to collect and how to actually make it burn

 

I'm intrigued by this. While I don't think a firesteel is so easy that anybody can pick one up and make sparks fly, of all the fire starting methods (outside of instant flame-matches and lighters) it is without a doubt the method that requires the least amount of skill.

Regarding the need for tinder, this is where all methods lack outside of instant flame devices. One thing that the firesteel has over the other ways to produce an ember/flame is that it doesn't rely on additional resources beyond the tinder itself, which is something they all require. A wet Bic lighter is of little use, so it's definitely wise to have a firesteel as back up.

Let me say that I'm not at all challenging your statement, I'm genuinely interested in the discussion and opinion sharing.

 

Same thing with you, Dave! Not picking apart your comment - just trying to learn and share.

Are you inferring that a bowdrill is a preferred backup fire starting method? It's definitely a primitive skill, and to me is something to know in case plan A, B and C don't work to start a fire. I have 3 redundancies in my fire kit, not including different tinders.

 

I'm all in favor of discusing this one.

I'm gonna throw this thought out there as well.

Ruling out the Bic my #2 method is the magnesium block fire starters. You don't see people talk about them much anymore. Reasons I like them though
-it has the fire steel/fero rod attached to the side which can be used by itself or with the magnesium
-the magnesium acts as it's own tinder, which means less time and energy for me to collect tinder. It is kinda a pain to scrape but scraping burns less calories than wandering trying to find tinder
-they're CHEAP. I've gotten a bunch from Harbor Frieght for $2-3/each. Most ferro rods I've found were in the $10-20 range. They are so cheap that I buy a couple every time I go to Harbor Frieght and I now have them stashed all over the place.


I've tested them a number of times, they seem to work well.

 

What about a small inverter style generator like the Honda EU2000?

 

Pain to scrape for sure! Had a few of those in my day, I don't carry one anymore

I found a website a while back that looked at the composition of a Doan's, Coghlan's and Harbor Freight mag bars and IIRC the Coghlan's had the least magnesium, HF second, and Doan's was 100% IIRC. The magnesium content was really small on the Coghlan's and HF which is probably why they're difficult to scrape. Tried looking for the article really quickly for this post, but my Google Fu didn't find it.

I carry all my tinder, which is ultra compacted dryer lint (#1) in a film canister or pill bottle, when compressed you can fit A LOT of tinder and it fluffs up really well (it's also completely free). I have cotton balls in a similar sort of container and similarly compressed, also fits a lot in a very small package and super lightweight. As a back up to that, I have a redundancy of Germ-X which I have already to disinfect my hands, it takes a spark like gasoline and burns really slowly if I have wet kindling or windy conditions that give me a problem keeping the small flame going until I can build the fire up.

 

You lost me, for what?

I would love a generator though.

 

Only owned 1 generator in my life, but for generators - Honda can't be beat.

 

My favorite is to shave down the duraflame logs or store bought firestarters. I take a snuff can and pack the sides with that stuff, it's kinda sticky, then in the center I put a cotton ball with petroleum jelly. THe can is more or less waterproof, the plastic burns away pretty quickly too. One or two good sparks will get it going and it will burn for a good 20-30 minutes.

YOu can light the whole thing or break it up and use a little at a time

 

Never thought of Duraflame kindling. Great idea

I have a shitload of fatwood but haven't had the time or need to process it down.

 

Great idea, I'm stealing this one! Thanks for the idea.

 

Not sure if I missed it in the previous 139 pages, but I just picked up a Maxped Jumbo to put together an EDC bag, FAK and things of that nature. If anybody has any advice on what I should stock it with that'd be really great.

I have no medical training, so FAK shouldn't be any items requiring expertise. Will carry a small fixed blade, either Fallkniven F1 or BK14. Never had a truck bag/BOB/GHB/EDC bag prior so definitely need guidance, should be able to cover 2 people for FAK and emergency items.

 

I really appreciate your posts.

 

I've got pics a couple pages back

 

I saw yours, it reminded me to post here about advice! Which bag did you have anyway?

 

Cardboard egg cartons also work for this, if one isn't able to find sawdust.