View Full Version : Magnifying Glass
TheViking
11-09-2004, 17:47
Hi...
This is simple! Do you carry a magnifying glass with you into the wilderness? :-) I actually do. I think the magnifyer is an overlooked and underrated item and as long as there's sun, there's fire! :D
I have a small one, which is 4 centimeters in diameter. It's made in plastic and I've sawed the 'handle' off. Then it's 'coated' with normal tape, so it can take a scratch. :wink: Instead of this you could also carry it in a little soft pouch. :biggthump
Cheers
RovingArcher
11-09-2004, 17:57
Yep, I carry a wallet reading lense with me. Not as good as a real magnifier, but it will start a flame.
I carry a 10 cm x 15 cm fresnel lens in my kit at all times. This photo is not the best but you can see the shadow of the lens and the beginning of the immediate flame I got. When I set this up I intended for it to take about 20 seconds to light up but within 5 seconds of placing the lens over the cedar shavings it burst into flame. The key is to create a spot that is about 15 to 20 mm with the sized lens above. The larger the lens the more power it will gather and the faster you get flame. The fresnel lens is plasitc and it wont break. It lays flat in the kit and weighs nothing.
http://photos.imageevent.com/boynhisdog/companion/FresnelFireStart640.jpg
Tantalus
11-09-2004, 19:28
yup i only really take them off if its raining
i can see pretty well without them just cant make out writing or small things in the distance
Tant
Nightfall
11-09-2004, 23:01
I carry one in my fire kit.The lens is glass.Also have char cloth for it. If its cloudly or raining have a flint rod with it also.
masongary44
11-09-2004, 23:39
I carry a small plastic reading lens, that I bought form my bookshop for about 50p. It is about 3cm by 5cm and pretty much unbreakable...
I found that it works brilliantly with char-cotton (made form denim). It also gives you the advantage of aiming the heat where you want it unlike the firesteel that can sometimes seem a little clumsy and leave your nice dry tinder scattered all over the place.....
Just for the record, Whats the knife in the piccie above... Its very nice??
Paganwolf
11-09-2004, 23:52
hold striker still pull on fire steel, stops the flying tinder :wave:
Just for the record, Whats the knife in the piccie above... Its very nice??
It's a Dozier Companion shown here with my SAK Farmer. It is a great blade for hiking/fishing etc. Nice EDC size.
http://photos.imageevent.com/boynhisdog/realthings/EDC-duo.jpg
TheViking
12-09-2004, 09:18
Hi...
Yes, a magnifying glass is very good to use with charcloth. :wink: I've never been in the desert, but I think it's a must to carry one there. But perhaps Stuart can tell us?? :biggthump
The pics above were taken in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. A 10 cm x 15 cm fresnel lens (flat plastic reading lens from bookstore) will set almost anything on fire. I have lit up all manner of try tinder and even cotton t-shirts in seconds. The bigger the lens, the more heat it can focus.