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#58628 - 01/19/06 08:47 PM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting
Polak187 Offline
Veteran

Registered: 05/23/02
Posts: 1403
Loc: Brooklyn, New York
Ahhh Kari not my type you guys can have her. I stick with Scotty since her torch technique are of extraordinary magnitude. And I always wanted to learn welding.
_________________________
Matt
http://brunerdog.tripod.com/survival/index.html

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#58629 - 01/19/06 10:31 PM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting (Summary please?)
benjammin Offline
Rapscallion
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 4020
Loc: Anchorage AK
The Ice Lens technique of firestarting was referenced in the movie "The Edge" (one of my faves). Hopkins character riddles Baldwin's "How do you get fire from ice?" in an effort to distract him from the despair of having watched the rescue helicopter heading for the horizon away from them.

If you build a big enough lens, you can get moonlight to start a fire.
_________________________
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)

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#58630 - 01/20/06 12:35 AM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting
ironraven Offline
Cranky Geek
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 4642
Loc: Vermont
We are failing at looking the innocent.

_________________________
-IronRaven

When a man dare not speak without malice for fear of giving insult, that is when truth starts to die. Truth is the truest freedom.

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#58631 - 01/20/06 01:11 AM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting (Summary please?)
Susan Offline
Geezer

Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
"If you build a big enough lens, you can get moonlight to start a fire."

Ah... I don't think so. Moonlight is just reflected glow-light -- it just doesn't have the "candlepower" that the sun does.

Also, what I don't understand about ice lenses is how to get clear ice. If it's cloudy ice (the only kind I can make <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />), I don't see how it can focus light. I actually tried making two ice cubes in half-sphere molds (5" dia), then "gluing" them together with water, but I couldn't get it to focus, and that was on the 4th of July at high noon. (I figured if I couldn't do it then, I couldn't do it in MN in January.)

Sue

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#58632 - 01/20/06 01:13 AM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting
wildcard163 Offline


Registered: 09/04/05
Posts: 417
Loc: Illinois
I've used (or rather, tried to use) both smokeless and black powder to start a fire... NOT a good idea. Smokeless doesn't ignite until you get to a pretty high temp, if you can get your tinder that hot, you don't need the smokeless. Black powder flashes at the least provocation, and you'll singe your fingers and blacken your tinder, but the flash doesn't last long enough for ignition of the tinder. I tried both when I was young and FOOLISH, and learned the hard way. I've never tried the textbook "cloth in a cartridge after pulling the bullet" method, but then again, after learning my lesson with gun powder fire starters, I've never been without (several) better ways to make a fire <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Troy

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#58633 - 01/20/06 01:16 AM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting (Summary please?)
ironraven Offline
Cranky Geek
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 4642
Loc: Vermont
You just need a REAAAALLLLLYYYYYY big lens.
_________________________
-IronRaven

When a man dare not speak without malice for fear of giving insult, that is when truth starts to die. Truth is the truest freedom.

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#58634 - 01/20/06 09:32 AM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting (Summary please?)
Raspy Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 01/08/04
Posts: 351
Loc: Centre Hall Pa
I've tried the ice lens as an experiment in natural surroundings. I. E. The middle of the winter in the North East. This was long ago in my scout days. Following pictures from a book the lens was about 6 to 8 inches in diameter. The ice was pond ice and appeared cloudy to start. As per the text the lens was shaped using the hands to melt and shape it. Brother was that cold. But as it melted into shape it cleared up. And yes I was able to start a fire.

While it worked and I now know it is an available part of my repertoire. It is definately not very high on my list of ways to start a fire. In fact because it is slow to make, very cold on the hands and once made slow to start the tinder. I would say it is about a last resort method.
_________________________
When in danger or in doubt
run in circles scream and shout
RAH

And always remember TANSTAAFL

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#58635 - 01/20/06 02:10 PM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting (Summary please?)
benjammin Offline
Rapscallion
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 4020
Loc: Anchorage AK
Yes, size does matter, at least that's what they say in the commercials.

Okay, maybe not practical for a survival situation, but hey, what a concept.

_________________________
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)

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#58636 - 01/20/06 03:54 PM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting (Summary please?)
Susan Offline
Geezer

Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
Re: TANSTAAFL

Are you a Richard Maybury fan?

Sue

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#58637 - 01/20/06 06:24 PM Re: Mythbusters on Firestarting
ki4buc Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/10/03
Posts: 710
Loc: Augusta, GA
Les Stroud started a fire with a "bullet" (bullet head removed) from a rifle. He eventually got it to work.

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