At least I've not seen this technique before !

I'm always trying to establish ways to get a fire going in extreme wet conditions using a ferro-rod, through trial and error and much frustration I've come up with a few methods that work for me, here is one:

The main problem I've found is that unless I can find cover while I'm preparing my tinder, it is becoming soaked through making it near impossible to take a spark.

One way round this is as follows:

First split off some Fatwood:


By pitdog2010 at 2010-11-02

Now split some down into pencil sized pieces, this is the hardest part of this method so ya see it's pretty easy stuff !


By pitdog2010 at 2010-11-02

Now holding a pencil sharpener in a plastic bag so as to prevent any ingress of rain begin making some Fatwood shavings:


By pitdog2010 at 2010-11-02

When you figure you have enough there are two options to take, option one you can lay the bag on it's side and light the shaving while they are still inside, this is what I'd do in very heavy rain:


By pitdog2010 at 2010-11-02

Or as I did today because the rain was only light, you can empty them out and light them. If doing it this way you must ensure everything is at hand as you don't want the tinder getting wet while you dig around in ya pockets for your ferro-rod ! Take a look at the tinder, I defy anyone to make such fine uniform tinder as easily and quickly as you can with the pencil sharpener!


By Pitdog2010 at 2010-11-02

A few strikes of the ferro-rod and we have flame !


By pitdog2010 at 2010-11-02

That was as far as I was planning to do today but then decided to make a quick fuzzy and get it to catch before the fire went out !


By pitdog2010 at 2010-11-02

So there ya have it another method to go out and try when the weather decides to thwart our firemaking efforts !:D

Good Stuff, Pitman! After all the rain we had this summer I am convinced the Alps are turning into a rain forest! I need all the wet weather input I can get. That way I can make an illegal fire with my illegally sized knives. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Great idea pitman.Keep the tinder dry & the plastic bags sure burn good too.

I will remember that, although I don't believe I have any mini pencil sharpeners, I'm sure it doesn't cost much top get one

This is a great idea. I will look at school in my junk drawer and see if I have a pencil sharpener. The thing that would give me a problem is the fatwood since we don't have a lot around here in Oklahoma. I do have some but it is kinda dry, not heavily sappy. Thanks for the idea and sharing it with us.

I've used a pencil sharpener to make shavings. They work great!

Looking good pit

I just had a thought about Tinder storage, specially PJ cottonballs. There is a chain store in another town Called Hobby Lobby. They have some small about 2x2 inch plastic bags. That should be just enough to put a couple cottonballs or other kind of tinder into and will keep it from "messing up" your kit plus keeping them fairly waterproof! All you would have to do is open them up or tear/cut the bag and light the tinder letting the plastic melt. I'll have to give that a try and see how it works.