Do you teach a fire-starting class?
Because you would be amazed at how many modern americans can't start a fire without a lighter.
/johnny
I don’t teach classes to anyone about anything. I have given some lectures on herbal medicine usage, making, collecting, etc, etc, etc. but that was many years ago. I actually did answer you seriously about one thing. Hope. I meant every word of that.
“Because you would be amazed at how many modern americans can’t start a fire without a lighter.”
I agree. However, the single most useful firestarter is a simple BIC lighter. Unless you lose it, you can use it hundreds to thousands of times worry free. I can make a fire from about a half dozen methods (bows, push boards, bamboo, optics, flint and steel, battery and steel wool) etc, but I can start a fire with a BIC lighter in a matter of seconds. If is gets wet, you just press your lips to the metal portion and blow for 90 seconds (shaking periodically) or sucking air through the metal cover for about 5-15 seconds (2-3 long draws), and it’ll start right up. Better than than foraging for sticks, which i would do if I had to. But the chances of that would first require that I be sans clothing, since I carry a lighter on me at all times, and have one in virtually every room of my house, and vehicle.
Many others are smart enough to carry a lighter.
Personally, I can...several ways. But I keep a half dozen lighters, plastic wallet magnifiers and magnesium spark lighters in several places just in case. Even some 9V batts with steel wool in an Altoids tin.