Firesteels
Firesteels are also known by other names - Flints, Michmetal, Metal Match.
Using a fire steel is not meant to be a short cut to a good fire. It is unreasonable to expect that a quick flash on to a bunch of sticks will result in a cooked meal. So why bother with a fire steel?In my mind there are two advantages of using a fire steel. Firstly the fire steel is virtually indestructible. It is totally unaffected by moisture and immersion and will not break if treated roughly.
The second advantage is that with experience in familiar surroundings, it is quickly learnt that each step in building a fire is critical. It follows then that your fire making with matches will also improve as you slow down and prepare your materials in advance with a greater degree of understanding and an anticipation of success. How many times have you struck a match, then another, then a couple of matches held together, finally pilling up all the windblown matches as kindling for your fire that is about to accept a hefty dose of kerosene? This laziness is forced to depart when using a fire steel. Your spark cannot go out in the wind and if your tinder is well prepared it will ignite easily. The tinder being of greater mass than a single match will sustain itself with far more strength in adverse weather conditions. Herein lies the advantages of the fire steel.
Using a fire steel is not meant to be a short cut to a good fire. It is unreasonable to expect that a quick flash on to a bunch of sticks will result in a cooked meal. So why bother with a fire steel?In my mind there are two advantages of using a fire steel. Firstly the fire steel is virtually indestructible. It is totally unaffected by moisture and immersion and will not break if treated roughly.
The second advantage is that with experience in familiar surroundings, it is quickly learnt that each step in building a fire is critical. It follows then that your fire making with matches will also improve as you slow down and prepare your materials in advance with a greater degree of understanding and an anticipation of success. How many times have you struck a match, then another, then a couple of matches held together, finally pilling up all the windblown matches as kindling for your fire that is about to accept a hefty dose of kerosene? This laziness is forced to depart when using a fire steel. Your spark cannot go out in the wind and if your tinder is well prepared it will ignite easily. The tinder being of greater mass than a single match will sustain itself with far more strength in adverse weather conditions. Herein lies the advantages of the fire steel.