by Daniel Lawton
Why would you ever need to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together?
Well, there are two good reasons: either you’re stranded in the wilderness without matches or you’re trying to show off your primal manliness. In either case, it’s important you fulfill your objective. Starting a fire can be a tough challenge, but here’s the lowdown on what you need to do to ignite a flame
(1) Find some sticks
If you’re without wood, you’re going to be without flame. You’ll want to seek out a thin stick, which will act as your spindle, and a larger piece of wood that will be your fireboard. Cottonwood, juniper, aspen, willow, cedar , cypress and walnut are a few kinds of wood that are ideal. Also make sure you that the wood isn’t damp.
(2) Gather kindling or tinder materials.
Once you create a flame, you’ll need something flammable to burn. Nature’s best kindling consists of dry grass, leaves, bark or wood powder.
(3) Get your groove on
You’ll want to stick your spindle (the skinny stick) into the board. It’s usually helpful to make a small groove or well to help stabilize the spindle. You’ll also want to cut a notch in the fire board so that when you have a flame, you are able to transfer it to the kindling.
(4) Roll and spin
Now that you have your spindle in place, begin rolling and spinning it between your hands, maintaining pressure on the fireboard. You will continue this process until you see smoke and eventually get a flame. This could take anywhere from twenty seconds to twenty minutes, so you’ll have to be persistent. Take turns with your camping partners, if you have any.
(5) Transfer the flame
Once you see smoke and get an ember, knock it from the wood onto your tinder pile. Cup your hands around it to shield it from the wind and gently blow on it to increase the flame.
If you follow these steps, you may be able to conquest fire, just like man has been doing from time immemorial. Of course, if things go awry, it’s always a good idea to have some matches or a
