Today i got my first ember

[Man of Tanith]

Today with instruction from jason at world of bushcraft i managed to get my first ember after approx three years attempting fire by friction using a bowdrill just wanted to share really

[Kepis]

Way to go Sam, chuffed for you

[Man of Tanith]

i honestly skipped down the road after i got it, must of got some odd looks in Bedford

[Kepis]

things is, you will always remember, where, when and in what company you were in, when you got it, to this day, i can take you to the exact spot in in the woods on top of the South Downs where i got my first one, it's a magical feeling.

[TurboGirl]

Ahhh yes, I thought you seemed rather happy on the old Basefook there... deservedly so Tis a grail conquered!

[Man of Tanith]

oh yes i shall remember this, i wasn't even out of breath

[Shewie]

Well done mate, here's to many more

[Man of Tanith]

Cheers Rich
hows the packing going?

[Mesquite]

Well done Sam... Hand drill next

[Man of Tanith]

Hand drill next

funny you should say that........

[Pignut]

Nice one! The fabled fire dance!

[Man of Tanith]

i had to stop doing a happy dance in the store....

[decorum]

... i wasn't even out of breath

Ah, so it was the fabled Black and Decker method then


Congratulations ~ it's been a long old road .

[Man of Tanith]

nope not black and decker
hazel and lime

[decorum]

nope not black and decker
hazel and lime

Is that the Adli or Lidl tool brand then?



Did you rework your posture to save grieving your knee(s)?

[lannyman8]

well done Sam...

whoooop whoooop....

[Shewie]

Cheers Rich
hows the packing going?

Final pack tomorrow, probably

[RonW]

Cool!
You're ahead of me on that....

[Man of Tanith]

Did you rework your posture to save grieving your knee(s)?

no i just decided it was time to man up and do it and ignore any aches
well chuffed haven't attempted it again since saturday but i will probably tomorrow

[swampy99]

I have about 10 bic lighters secreated about my kit. That works fine for me. No sweat, no hurty knees. If that fails Ill use the cig lighter from my Jeep that is emberish. Or the ferro rod. Or the petrol in the tank on a rag and the spark from the battery.

I can see the point of friction but it is a last resort and nothing to get excited about.

[Paratac]

I can't get my head around this obsession with friction fire lighting. I can understand the obvious need for fire and all the relevant tasks that can be accomplished by having it....BUT....we are not in state of armageddon where simple fire lighting (lighter or 10) is not available. We do not live in prehistoric times where said lighters do not exist and hence 15 hours of arm breaking bow-drilling is the only alternative. What is so enjoyable about getting painful blisters and muscle fatigue to establish a coal that is then blown into a birds nest to facilitate what can be achieved with...matches/lighter/hexamine or similar fuel. It is well known to most wilderness experts and mock TV survival experts that most of the time it simply doesn't work!!! I am all for enjoying nature and bushwalking (for the ensuing onslaught --> Yes, I am a keen hiker and am very experienced in fieldcraft) but why is there this need to do things that make it X15 harder. A good woodsman is prepared before going into the field (ie like swampy99 says, make provision for the loss of your primary fire making tool). Couldn't agree more with Swampy.

[southey]

Goons, its not so much the task but the effort, and the sense of achievement, stop being rude, and just celebrate MOT's happy post.

[swampy99]

I can't get my head around this obsession with friction fire lighting. I can understand the obvious need for fire and all the relevant tasks that can be accomplished by having it....BUT....we are not in state of armageddon where simple fire lighting (lighter or 10) is not available. We do not live in prehistoric times where said lighters do not exist and hence 15 hours of arm breaking bow-drilling is the only alternative. What is so enjoyable about getting painful blisters and muscle fatigue to establish a coal that is then blown into a birds nest to facilitate what can be achieved with...matches/lighter/hexamine or similar fuel. It is well known to most wilderness experts and mock TV survival experts that most of the time it simply doesn't work!!! I am all for enjoying nature and bushwalking (for the ensuing onslaught --> Yes, I am a keen hiker and am very experienced in fieldcraft) but why is there this need to do things that make it X15 harder. A good woodsman is prepared before going into the field (ie like swampy99 says, make provision for the loss of your primary fire making tool). Couldn't agree more with Swampy.

I thank you sir.

[swampy99]

Goons, its not so much the task but the effort, and the sense of achievement, stop being rude, and just celebrate MOT's happy post.

Now who is being rude by calling me a goon. But it is the word "effort" that is the point. I cant see the point of putting so much effort in to getting a fire when you cna use a lighter. So after you have sweated yourself in to a pile of disapointment I would have finished my brew packed my kit up and the offered you a drink of water to replace the sweat you have lost.

Plus I dont have to celebrate someone elses success as there seem to be so many other people happy to blow sunshine up peoples ***** the second they do some thing "bushie".

I shall now stand back and wait for the bushcraft snobs to flame me or the mods to rant at me.

[Paratac]

Goons, its not so much the task but the effort, and the sense of achievement, stop being rude, and just celebrate MOT's happy post.

Goon?? Stand down the attitude and rudeness. The last time I checked, we live in a democracy and everyone is free to express their opinions openly. If you took the time to read the reply to the post, I was not in any way putting down MOTs happiness (congrats on the 3 years hard work) but was simply expressing my own opinion on the broader topic in hand. The use of a system that has limited worth in the real world --> and the potential to be detrimental to those who put faith in something that when most needed will fail (when was the last time you heard from the well publised survival experts "take a lighter - it works"). I was trying to emphasize the need for good fieldcraft. HOWEVER, if that's you're hobby well carry on the with the hard work.

[swampy99]

Well if you would like to watch this even the T.S.I's that RM raves about asks if anyone has a lighter.



Wonder if he is a goon?

[mountainm]

I think your opinions on wether fire by friction is a worthwhile skill are valid - However - they belong in another thread. Stop raining on MOT's parade and go start your own thread on the matter.

Although you may as well call it:

"why do people climb mountains"

Oh and

Well done Sam.

[Edcraft]

Well done. They can take all your kit, your car etc but they can't take your knowledge (unless they smash your head in taking your car lol) but like Ray says, when you need all your gear you won't have it, so, well done.

[Edcraft]

As for "we're not in an apocalypse". Do you watch the news? It could come to that, or at least supply lines be cut by fuel shortages. Anything could happen... in the next half hour dn dndn dndn dndnd d (lol)

[Man of Tanith]

Swampy99 and partec
you both have valid points i do carry a lighter (i smoke so always have several about my person) i usually have a spark stick about me for lighting my meths stove so i don't need to be able to make fire by friction.
however as it something that i wanted to learn/accomplish and i have asked and received advice from folk on this forum including several who have commented in this thread i thought i would share my success with the forum.

perhaps if you weren't interested in my success you maybe should of done what a lot of folk have chosen to do and just not commented? (just a thought)

PS swampy 99 if you want to blow sunshine anywhere near me you could at least buy me a drink and tell me you will still respect me afterwards