Firestarter recipe

[Freebirde]

That and holding your blade steady and pulling your firesteel back towards you.

[Josh the Aspie]

Ahhh, rather than striking the blade along the striker?  Yeah, I had that reversed.  Any idea why that makes a difference?

[idelphic]

Ahhh, rather than striking the blade along the striker?  Yeah, I had that reversed.  Any idea why that makes a difference?

Look at the motion that you use when you strike the blade against the flint.  You are moving toward your tinder, and if your hand is to quick, you could scatter your tinder.

If you pull the flint backwards from the blade, then your motion is moving away from the tinder, and will pretty much eliminate the risk of 'missing' the bundle with the sparks.

[Freebirde]

Look at the motion that you use when you strike the blade against the flint.  You are moving toward your tinder, and if your hand is to quick, you could scatter your tinder.

If you pull the flint backwards from the blade, then your motion is moving away from the tinder, and will pretty much eliminate the risk of 'missing' the bundle with the sparks.

That and your point of origin for your sparks stays the same, making them easier to concentrate in one spot.

[Josh the Aspie]

Thanks guys, that makes a fair amount of sense.  I'll try the technique out later on.

[Cryptozoic]

I just use cotton balls (not synthetic) and impregnate them with petroleum jelly.  Roll them up in a paper towel to squish them flat.  I can put a dozen of them into a tiny zip-lok bag (folds up almost flat 2"x2").  Half of one, when teased apart will start any fire with a spark.

[archer]

I just use cotton balls (not synthetic) and impregnate them with petroleum jelly.  Roll them up in a paper towel to squish them flat.  I can put a dozen of them into a tiny zip-lok bag (folds up almost flat 2"x2").  Half of one, when teased apart will start any fire with a spark.

I do the same but store them in old prescription pill bottles. re-using something, water proof, tough, wont leak or tear.