Evening guys.

That video was funny Mike! Evil and funny! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Could you describe your firsteel difficulties more specifically?

Well, that may be part of the problem Mag. Keep the firesteel OUT of your mouth. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

What was it that William Goldman said about writing screenplays? If I'm recalling correctly, something about how they must be simultaneously surprising, yet inevitable.

I see that quality, here.

good one ted.

using the firesteel with synthetics like drier lint, toilet paper, and cotton balls is cake, no problem, instant fire.

using natural substances...just not workin for me.

What kind of natural substances?

Did you try as described in my article?

dead leaves and wood shavings. goin through it now.

Let me know if you have any questions, after reading it.

i'm thinkin my problems are the cold weather, thus cold tinder, and crummy stock striker which provides no leverage for me to really dig in.

i had the rod directly in the tinder, at an angle, scraping down hard. no go. i try to slow down but that tiny striker just doesn't provide anything for me to control.

however, my fingers get warm from the striker and i do get some of the bouncing sizzle you mention. probably not as much as i should.

The cold weather and cold tinder generally shouldn't be too much of an issue. If it is, perhaps try preheating the tinder with several rapid strokes in a row.

The crummy stock striker is likely a big issue.

Are the sparks which are bouncing and sizzling well aimed onto your tinder? Is the tinder prepared finely enough?

i was shaving curls as thin as hair into a little pile about the size of a silver dollar. very frustrating. the leaves were pretty thin an frail.

Hmmm... Thin curls of what kind of wood? What kind of leaves?

Keep practicing. Don't give up; you can master this.