The only one that made sense to me when I was about ten was stroking the needle with a magnet several times in the same direction, and if you had trouble getting it to float, coat the needle with ear wax.
Even as a kid I could tell the difference between static and magnetism.
WARNING & DISCLAIMER:
SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted
on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please
review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this
site.