How to Start a Fire with Flint, Steel, and a Glass

[@jamesvatter5729]

I was taught to use flint and steel completely backwards. I strike the steel with the flint and shower my charred punk box or the char cloth already in a bird's nest. I know a lot of folks will condemn this method, but it's worked for nearly 50 years!

[@ashleyanderson2859]

You are not alone. If it works it works. I'm not about to change my method just to satisfy someone else. If I know more than one technique all the better.

[@thedeerskindiary]

There are lots of different ways to do it! I view fire starting like martial arts-it’s good to know a little of all of it.

[@lyonforge3077]

I do it the same way, the way I was showed! It works

[@2gpowell]

Enjoyed the presentation!

[@thedeerskindiary]

Thank you!

[@2gpowell]

👍@@thedeerskindiary

[@beenstork]

I know these videos are a lot of work but you have a real talent for making them. They're a good length, concise, have plenty of pertinent details while keeping the rambling light. I really enjoy watching your channel. I can also tell you take a lot of pride in historical correctness which I appreciate. Lots of people out there putting out content without actually doing the homework to see if what they're doing or talking about is even historically correct. Sometimes you see things that have been repeated so much they're just taken as period correct without actually being backed up by history

[@thedeerskindiary]

That means a lot and I appreciate you saying that. With some work I can hopefully make it even better!

[@ronbanks1541]

Well. . . When we’re talking about correct history we’re going to pause a bit on the char cloth. Where do we get it from? Where would the colonials get it? From used clothing. On the frontier cloth was limited, using worn shirts and pants for other uses, then rags for menial tasks, even toilet tissue. Then again, how would the hunters carry months supply of char cloth? The response: look outside the box. For the past couple years I’ve come to rely on rotten punk wood, primarily poplar tree. Charing it as one would char the cloth. I use the can that I carry it in for the charing process, with matching holes on the side of the tin to allow for the smoke to escape, then turning the lid to seal it. It takes a little longer to ignite the charred punk wood, but that’s more historical. 😀have fun and fortune to you in all your endeavors!

[@ashleyanderson2859]

Thanks for sharing. Any time we spend advancing in a craft is time well spent in my opinion.

[@thedeerskindiary]

Thank you!

[@briansherrillruralliving9708]

I've done this alot but still like to see other people do this. Oh I do need to do one with the burning glass

[@thedeerskindiary]

Getting the angle right and not letting my ADD kick in was the hardest part for me. 😂

[@briansherrillruralliving9708]

@@thedeerskindiary you did well

[@greywindLOSP]

Sir, try you a nice piece of pyrite to strike your steel, you'll find a shower of sparks. Spot on video.....ATB

[@thedeerskindiary]

Thanks for the tip!

[@wanderlustjake]

Thank you for taking the time to do another informative video. Very helpful in seeing all the techniques together. You’ve made us want to make charcloth and finally try our hand at flint and steel fire starting. Looking forward to what you have in store next.

[@thedeerskindiary]

Glad it was helpful! Let us know how it worked to for you.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Your a fine teacher my friend…we’ll done.

[@thedeerskindiary]

Thank you for the kind words my friend. I will always endeavor to try.

[@randallross7683]

I am with you on the blisters brother 😊

[@waveman0]

nice demos mate. I never put my Tedd Cash tins into the fire, they are too expensive to buy here in Australia to burn. I also found the heat sometimes makes the hinge/latch warp and stop working properly. The 1700s tinderbox you showed first up was traditionally used to hold char, you cast sparks into it and then held the tinder bundle atop the ember and blew it into flame, closing the lid afterwards to extinguish the embers.

[@WBrownIII]

Another interesting and informative video. Well done, too.

[@thedeerskindiary]

Thank you sir

[@GibsonCutlery]

Great demonstrations! If you've ever made a big batch of charcloth before, you may have noticed it gets a little bit less effective as it ages. This is due to it drawing moisture from the air and if you want to "restore" it, you can dry it in the sun or carefully near the coals (but not too close, obviously!) Great video!

[@thedeerskindiary]

That’s great information. Thanks you.

[@bushcraftua1]

Hello 👋. Interesting video. 👍🔥

[@thedeerskindiary]

Thank you!

[@billgraham4127]

Great information.

[@CaptRons18thcentury]

Another informative video my friend... great job...

[@thedeerskindiary]

Thank you!

[@basultoacademy2907]

Great job man! Where do you get such nice fine tow?

[@thedeerskindiary]

I think I got that from Pam Eddy at Martin’s Station.

[@danielfox4446]

Your firekit you mentioned that's 5"x7". Are you referring to each half is 5"x7",or both overall???

[@thedeerskindiary]

It is overall 5x7. The pockets are symmetrically the same size with about an inch of bare leather in the center to facilitate the folding of the pouch.

[@pourindiesel]

Subbed.

[@dominicregos4902]

Help Please! I got a tin of char cloth from a sutler. I have plenty of good flint and two good strikers. I can get lots of sparks. However, when those sparks land on the char cloth they immediately go out. I suspect the cloth was not fully charred enough. I plan on making my own and finding some punk wood as well. Any other suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[@thedeerskindiary]

You might try drying the char cloth in a low oven or taster oven. Sometimes moisture can cause your issue. If that doesn’t work just char it some more. Make some of your own while you’re at it! It takes time to get your technique and process down so keep working and enjoy the ride-it’s a really cool skill to have and getting it down to an art is just effort and learning your materials.

[@dominicregos4902]

Thanks