Starting a fire in the wild is a fundamental survival skill. A firesteel, when paired with a knife, is a reliable way to achieve this. There are several methods for using a firesteel. One technique involves holding the firesteel in the non-dominant hand and the scraper (or the spine of a knife blade) in the dominant hand. By placing the scraper near the end of the firesteel, a simultaneous backward pulling motion of the firesteel while pushing the scraper forward allows for precise sparks to be projected onto the fire starter.
Another method, known as the knife planting technique, is particularly effective and secure. The knife's point is planted in or just behind the fire starter, with the sharp edge facing upwards and the spine facing the starter. By firmly scraping the firesteel along the spine, a precise shower of sparks is obtained. The knife blade used should not be too rounded or too soft; the spine should be at a0-degree angle for effective scraping.
To maximize the chances of success, it is crucial to have a suitable fire starter, such as dry grass, fine wood shavings, dryer lint, or cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly. The key is to use a fluid and controlled motion to create a shower of sparks directly onto the starter, ensuring it is dry enough to ignite.
