Survival Fire for Beginners - Flint and Steel Fire Kits

Flint and steel dates back to the ice age, as a more efficient technology for starting fires by sparking flames with flint and steel. This method of fire starting requires the striking of steel against the sharp edge of a hard stone (often flight) which will form spark directed into a bundle of tinder. The action of flint and steel fire starting can be less labor intensive than the even more primitive technology of friction (or rubbing sticks together) to create flame. As long as you have all the materials (steel can be hard to find in the wild), it's relatively simple for creating a flame.

For a flint and steel fire to be successful you will need very try kindling, tinder, and bigger fuel for when the fire catches. Once you have the base of your fire set, you're ready to spark your ember.

To strike a spark with flint and steel, follow these steps:

1. Prep the tinder bundle from you kit by pulling the strands of the rope apart to create a fiber birds nest.

2. Hold the steel in your dominate hand, so the straight out side edge is along the outside of your first three knuckles (see video)

3. Grasp the flint in the opposite hand with the sharpest edge toward the steel and the charred cloth resting on top of the flint (see video)

4. To generate sparks, strike the steel against the sharp edge of the rock with a quick downward motion. Use deliberate, powerful strokes, directing the sparks toward the tinder bundle.

5. When you see a spark fall onto the charred cloth the ember will begin to grow and eat away the charred cloth. The purpose of the charred cloth is to catch and hold the ember while you get it into your tinder bundle.

6. Blow into the tinder bundle to stoke the ember until the birds next catches.

7. Drop the flaming tinder bundle into your already build fire structure and keep adding kindling and more fuel as it catches.

Make sure you have one of these kits on hand next time you venture out into the wilderness, whether as a fun way to start the fire on your next camping trip, or as a lightweight option to starting your fire on your next backpacking adventure.