Primitive + Fire-starting = Failure

First, let me be very clear by stating that knowing how to start a fire using primitive fire starting methods is essential. Having said that I also believe you are foolish to have to resort to primitive fire starting in the modern age. Yes, there are many reality television shows that repeatedly show how to use primitive fire starting. This is really just for entertainment purposes. If I have learned anything from watching reality TV survival shows it is that I never want to have to resort to primitive fire starting methods. There is very little reason one should have to resort to primitive fire starting today with so many other fire starting methods available. There is no excuse for not carrying a lighter, matches, firesteel, magnifying glass, etc. while hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting, or other outdoor adventure. Primitive fire starting is difficult, burns a lot of calories, takes a long time, and is near impossible to do if you are injured. I realize that lighters fail, matches run out, and modern methods can fail. That is why we utilize the concept of redundancy. We carry more than one method to start a fire. Additionally, if you have a firesteel it should literally last for years even if you used it every day. Firesteel’s are amazing as they are small, durable, and effective as long as you have properly prepared the fire material.

A critical component of starting any fire is proper preparation utilizing tinder and kindling. If you do not prep your fire properly you will end up using more of your fire starting material (lighter, matches) which is wasteful. The upfront time you spend on preparing your fire will pay off tremendously. Also, keep in mind that when it is time to start a fire you may be wet, cold, tired, hungry, or injured. These are not the most conducive factors when starting a fire. 

Bottom Line:

The bottom line is that when you are enjoying the outdoors or making a bug out kit it is critical to have several modern methods of fire-starting equipment. At a minimum you should always have a lighter, stormproof matches, firesteel, and a small magnifying class. Yes, you should know how to start a fire using primitive skills but this is a last resort when everything has gone wrong. If you have to resort to using primitive firestarting methods you have failed. That may sound harsh but not near as harsh as having to start a fire using primitive methods under less than ideal conditions.

//TC

© 2013