Craig,

Ah, thank's for explaining!

-Blast

Last night I was repacking my hiking-kit and desided I'd try to make a fire using the stuff in it and what I had in my jacket/keychain.
It was pretty cold outside but dry, so I put on my headlight and went outside.

The fire-starting components:

Hiking-kit:

1 BIC-lighter
1 Fire-Steel+striker
30 Coghlan?s Wind/Waterproof matches + striker strip
15 Coghlan?s Emergency-Tinder
4 small candles
2 ?Camp-Heat?
1 Esbit folding stove with 20 fuel tabs.

EDC/FAK

1 'Light my fire' army fire-steel (used with Leatherman Wave file)
5 waterproof coghlan's matches (UPSK)
6 waterproof coghlan's emergency tinder (UPSK)
1 BIC-lighter
1 Gauze pad (FAK)

Keychain:

1 ferro-rod (used with Leatherman Squirt blade and file)
1 small piece of cotton wool

Conclusion: I have a lot of fire-starting gear <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

First I simply tryed to light a piece of emergency-tinder with my fire-steel.
I prepared the tinder according to the instructions and it lit on the first strike.
Next I tryed to do the same with the gauze pad.
After some strikes I fluffed it up and it caught fire almost immediately.

Next I tryed to do the same using some cotton wool ,but I discovered it was synthetic, so it just melted. Not a smart move, isn't it? <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
(with the 'normal' cotton wool it did work)

Then I tryed to lite a piece of tinder using just the equipment on my keychain, so I used the file of the Squirt: barely any sparks!
Next I used the blade, same results. Finally, using the file on the Wave it did work.

Finally I wanted to lite the solid fuel tabs that came with the esbit stove. I knew a spark wasn't going to do that,
and neither would a Coghlan's wind/waterproof match. (guess due to the short burn-time of the match.)
After some trying I put 2 of the matches on the bottom, placed the fuel tab on top and then used
another 2 matches to form sort of a roof-construction on top of the fuel-tab. When lighting one of those matches with yet another match,
a huge 'fire-ball' lit the fuel tab almost immediately!! Maybe a good tip if you got enough matches?

Lessons learned and equipment changes:

- Preparation is the key to a fire!
- Always pack enough matches!
- When using solid-fuel, use the above setup!
- Fire-steels are great!
- I replaced the synthetic cotton with real cotton wool.
- I added a short piece of hacksaw-blade to the keychain to use as a striker for the ferro-rod.

Now I guess I have to try this in the rain <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />!

Have a great day!

Blast, I stayed out thursday night in the cold as well. I videotaped part of it, until the camera died (too cold to film).
My long term BoB has, much to my chagrin, turned out to be my old military rucksack. As much as I hated it in the army, I find that, for winter, it is ideal for holding gear. The other 3 seasons I have a goLite frameless pack (I am an ultralighter at heart...I swear!).
I like to get out once a week, usually just for dayhikes. Although, as of late, I've taken to overnighters. My nephew is coming with me this saturday, for his innaugural fire making class (and my practice <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ).

PS, if anyone can hostr a 160 meg vid, let me know <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Oldsoldier,

Getting out is great. My only New Year's Resolution for 2007 is to sleep outside at least one night each month.

Can you break the video down into sections and then upload it to www.YouTube.com?

Also, may I add a link to your blog on mine?

-Blast

JIM,

Gee, and I thought I carried a lot of fire-makey! Thanks for the write-up, it makes me realize I better confirm my cotton really is cotton!

-Blast