2010 August | Tenche Designs

L44919 Four Carved Eye agate pendnat bead
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US $4.00

Two colors FourBeautifulJade carved Angel Predict Christma 029
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US $9.99

SET OF CHINESE nice FAMOUS four belles Carved tibet silver screen
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US $.01

four small carved wooden wall plaques
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US $7.82

Solid Oak Four Post Carved Queen Headboard Footboard and frame
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US $425.00

L40176 Four Carved Shell turtle pendant bead
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US $9.99

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How to Create a Fire

This is one of those forgotten skills that everybody should have. The ability to make fire without resorting to matches or a lighter. Here are a handful of well known firemaking techniques that can be fun to try

The Friction Technique.
We all know that rubbing things together makes them warm up and if you have ever watched any of the excellent Ray Mears Bushcraft TV series you will have seen Ray use a variety of friction based techniques. But be warned, the friction based technique can be enormously hard work. But you'll find that making fire using these basic bushcraft techniques can be enormously satisfying.

Basically, you need two pieces of wood, one to act as the fireboard and the other as the spindle. This wood must be bone dry. You need to make a tinder nest from dry grass, wood shavings or other material that catches fire easily (I like cotton wool).

Cut a V shaped notch in your fireboard and place some bark under the notch to catch the smouldering ember. Make another indentation at the point of the V for the tip of your spindle. You can spin your spindle, which should be about two feet long, using a bow made with string and a bent piece of bendy wood. By wrapping the bow string around the spindle and putting light pressure on the end you can make the spindle spin really fast, creating a lot of friction. Hopefully you will soon see wisps of smoke coming from your fireboard. Once you have created a burning ember, transfer this to your tinder nest using a piece of bark. Then gently blow to make fire.

Using Fire Sticks
Once upon a time many people would carry a piece of high carbon steel and flint to make fire. The flint would be used to strike the steel, creating a spark. Todays modern equivalent consists of a rod made of high carbon steel and a hardened steel striker. Its also possibel to use the steel blade of a knife.
As for other fire-making methods you need a nice dry tinder nest for your spark, but this method is much easier than the friction based method described above.

Using the Suns Rays
We will all recall scorching things using magnifying glasses and the sun. This is another relatively easy way to make fire, if it's sunny. But of course we don't always have a hand magnifying glass in our pockets. You might have a pair of spectacles that you could use, or even a condom filled with water.

Electricity
This is a great way to demonstrate to children the power and the danger of electricity. To make this work you will need a battery and some steel wool. The best batteries to use for this are the 9V variety. By rubbing the battery contacts on the steel wool it will heat up and begin to burn. Transfer your burning steel wool to your bone dry tinder nest and blow to start the fire. Hey presto, you've got a fire!

These are excellent techniques to try when you are next on a family camping trip. Why not include a few fire-making tools with your camping equipment and let your children have a go. But be sure to take plenty of warm outdoor clothing because you might be a little chilly without a fire.

Carving the Four-Arts doors at Karges Furniture Co.