You dont have to "float" the needle. Although you can if so inspired. If you spear a small piece of green leaf front and back (so the point and the eye are on the same side of the leaf) it will float.<br><br>My question is: Is this practical or is it a waste of time? Will the needle hold a charge for a period of time or will it be dead by the time I need it? Is this useless redundency if I already have a compass in my kit?

Knowledge is the ultimate expedient redundancy. It weighs nothing and cost little. It can often be used on whatever happens to be around. <br><br>In this case the needle can be replaced with almost any long straight piece of steel that is light enough to be handled in this manner. The silk can be replaced by other fabrics or you could carry silk thread wound around you needles and have that available for re-magnetizing it as well as fixing you ripped skivvys. Anyone know the list of fabrics which will impart a sufficient static charge on the needle / straight pin / small nail / short steel wire? <br><br>If you have a lensatic orienteering compass in you pack you probably won't use the button compass in you PSK. OTOH if you lose the orienteering compass from your pack you would be glad to have the button compass in your PSK. If you lose your pack and psk it is handy to know how to pick up a small short length of steel and magnetize it and use it on water. In true wilderness the length of steel might be difficult to find but if you are standing beside a downed aircraft it shouldn't be too hard. <br><br>Is it pratical? Well, 'depends upon the options.

I seem to recall that certain rocks can impart a slight magnetic field to a needle. Does that ring a bell with anyone or am I dreamin'?

I should have browsed a bit before I posted. I found some info on magnetic rocks and then it hit me like a ton of bricks.. Lodestones! Naturally occuring minerals where the first magnets. I found some info on About.com on the history of compasses. It doesn't answer my question directly, but it would stand to reason that naturally magnetic stones, ferrites, would magnetize a needle.

Dude! skip the darn needle. If yous gots lodestones just braid some thistle and hang the dang lodestone in the air and - TaDa! a compass. Worked for centuries before there were forges. Walk on.