All firemaking instruction or efforts at mastering a new method properly start with reading Jack London's TO BUILD A FIRE. We all have our favourites and dislikes. Let me pose a few scenarios. You are face down in a snowdrift turning blue. A troop of girlscouts passes by almost without noticing you.The last one spots you, runs over, gives a tentative nudge. You move ever so slightly. HEY MISTER! want to buy some cookies? Ignoring this, she realises you are hypothermic. She goes through your pockets (No, not for cookie money) and pulls out examples of all the firemaking strategies discussed here. How many people are familiar with a book of matches vs every other item? Now lets reverse roles. You find a troop of boyscouts face down in the snow, and, opening your PSK find it's full of tobacco and is the new tin you meant to build a second PSK with. You go through the scout's pockets and find------ block after block of magnesium. So, even though you personally hate magnesium blocks, did you become good enough with the lousy things to build a fire? Your sled dog is giving you a wary look about now <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />