Should generate some different opinions.
avoid swinging a sharp object around vulnerable body parts. I still prefer an axe.
Thanks...
I could taste the ‘Smores!’
I guess I just need to pre-heat my wood burning stove this winter.
That would kind of defeat the purpose of the fire, though.
I always thought the third requirement was ignition.
Where’s the kindling?
NOBODY is going to start a stack of logs those size without a blowtorch.
Dryer lint makes a decent fire starter. I’ve made homemade starters using dryer lint inside a used toilet paper roll, and then wrapped newspaper with a twist at the ends. Put that under your kindling, and build your logs around the kindling. I often use the cabin style method, but the tepee works great, too. I really like the lean-to method, too, because that’s what the logs tend to form on their own as they fall into each other, so why not start that way?
I used to live at sea level in Florida. The tepee technique was needed to give enough air to get and keep the fire going.
Now I live at a much higher altitude and use the stacked log cabin method.
I wanted to look at the knife the article linked to, but the site covered it up with a pop-up so I skipped it.
I don’t know why sites hide the item you went to see about buying.
Not interested in picking up my fingers off the ground so I use a 4-lb Roughneck Drilling Hammer to split logs on a Kindle Kracker bolted to a stubby 30-lb tree stump to make kindling for our 4,500 lb. wood burning brick oven.
No axes or hatchets or knives. To start the fire I use a Bernzomatic Campfire Starter about three feet long attached to a 16-oz propane camping canister. It’s a mini flamethrower.
Under the log pile I place three fatwood fire starter wood strips which Walmart sells in a 3 or 4 lb plastic bag. They are actual coarse cut strips of wood about 8 inches long not manufactured. From Honduras and have a wonderful aroma. They burn like crazy with no additives.
Don’t know about the various arrangements of the timber the only thing I don’t have is the fine stuff.
I get a supply of oak logs from a local seller who runs a landscape business. Am in Florida at sea level so we have issues with sometimes not having a wind current.
Still experimenting with getting the logs to burn hot and appreciate your posting, you’ve provided excellent advice on the topic.
Leaf blower
Fat wood, fat lighter, knot wood it’s all the same
I prefer the boy scout fire. Just get a small fire going with a large pile of wood and then throw about a pint of gasoline on it.
POOF!
We’ve always used kerosene-soaked sawdust. With it, tent, log cabin... doesn’t matter, the sawdust burns long enough to light any stack.
Johnny and Doc are challenged by a couple of Boy Scouts to build a camp fire
Johnny cheats....
https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyCarson/videos/1973-03-30-johnny-doc-challenged-by-bsoa/10153390607340496/
A log cabin stack with a teepee built in the middle has always worked well for us. A small teepee with starter twigs and materials with a larger teepee built over it will get your fire going. The log-cabin stack surrounding it will keep the fire going for a longer period of time. You just have to have the patience to take the time to build it correctly, otherwise you are wasting your time and materials. That can be hard to do in an emergency situation.
Also, people do not realize the small items usually available to use in starting fires in an emergency. For instance, check your jacket or pants pockets or cuffs for small pieces of lint. Lint catches fire quickly and placed beneath the smaller teepee will help those twigs catch fire quicker than just using the small twigs alone.
I make my own fire starters.
Save dryer lint
Save cardboard egg cartons
Buy candles from thrift stores
Put dryer lint in egg cartons. Melt candles and pour over lint in egg cartons. Let cool and break apart. Voila, Great fire starters. I keep some in my jeep. In my hunting gear. I use them at home to start fires in my wood stove.
Bkmk