Like you said, I start 90% of my fires with a Bic lighter, but I also carry a ferro rod, sometimes a magnifying glass, my Mora carbon steel knife, and two separate containers of tinder. In my backpack I have an altoids tin packed with 0000 steel wool, char cloth, 10 feet of jute twine, and a ferro rod. In my possibles bag I carry a stick of fatwood, paper towel strips that have one half soaked in beeswax, and more jute twine. Options are a good thing.
As a little kid my dad taught me to carry a different type of fire starting implement in each pocket when I was out brush busting. To this day I still do. Thanks for telling the people that you do the same. Keep Warm. ;-)
One thing that I find works very well with my magnesium and flint ferro rod is tissue/toilet paper. I simply scrape some magnesium filing from my rod into one dry tissue and strike sparks into it and it has never failed me YET. I'd recommend them if you are having trouble finding dry natural fire starters and carry them around as a backup. Thanks for the great video Lonnie.
I find some of the early comments interesting. I think this is an excellent reminder of the limitations of this technology. Perhaps this is the first time some viewers have seen a demonstration like this. Well worth it Lonnie! Thank you.
The last time I tried to use that tool between my ears everyone told me not to do that anymore. Said it was too dangerous. LOL. Enjoyed the the commonsensical thumbs up video. Thank you for sharing.
Great advice. The main point of the video seems to be to practice multiple options. My son and I are very big fans. Keep up the good work. Thanks Lonny.
Lonnie both you and your wife are wonderful people keep making these videos we definitely appreciate these videos there's not too many people that are as wonderful as you both anymore, it's refreshing to I know that there are still good people out there thank you.
Most of your detractors have probably not been outside there back yards and never have been in subzero weather but you know that, you have been oh so kind to them . Thanks again Lonnie for so much common since. Happy Trails
Wow, this has really set me straight on my own pre-conceived notions about having a Bic lighter. You are so calm and straight forward, you just make sense. Excellent work!
Thanks Lonnie for another fine video. I prefer my ferro rod for 90% of my fire making. The trouble is often finding suitable tinder. I rarely can find chaga, and sometimes i can’t even find birch bark.. so I’ve found great success using pine needles. Dried needles when pulverized with a stone will catch a spark for me in a pinch. I hope that helps someone.
The ultimate lighter is still a Zippo with extra flint & fuel stored in an eyedropper bottle and stored in a plastic bag in my shirt pocket ... right next to a ferro rod and life boat matches . 3 ways . The ultimate fire starter and signaling device is a road flare cut in 3 pieces + fuse and dipped in wax . Works great in freezing rain and snow when a guy doesn't have time to mess around . Knowing how to use a bow drill and fire plough is a prerequisite . Lonnie says -> Have modern technology , but don't rely on it - Know the old ways and the best piece of survival gear is between your ears = Perfect . Good video and Respect sent .
You're absolutely correct Lonnie. Thanks for making this video. Excellent demonstration. Under good, conditions, this lighter is easy to use. When wet or cold, the lighter doesn't work. ...ken
Always good info from Lonnie. I carry bic lighters, storm proof matches, regular kitchen matches in water proof container, magnesium and striker. I still need to practice the bow and drill you've demonstrated. Knowledge is power. Thanks Lonnie.
As Lars from 'Survival Russia' always says, "The first rule of survival" is to not put yourself in a survival situation.' For weekend / Car-Campers, this is a nice to know -- they aren't likely to ever see this, however. I carry more than one lighter with me ... they're light, compact and work. Amen to you, Brother ... for pointing out that '90% of my fires are started with a lighter' ... It's a convenience item. I have electricity in my home too ... but I still have a flashlight for when the power goes out. The bottom line here, which I wholly agree with, is simple ... don't put all of your eggs in one basket ... 'cause when that basket breaks ... --- Alan
This is one of your best videos Lonnie. I’m going to practice primitive techniques sometimes and give technology a break. Because it may fail and when your survival kit fails... that thing between your ears will be your best kit. I always enjoy the videos! 😊
At around 4:54 a squirrel jumped out of the tree in the background and ran left, his right. Made me smile. I always carry a faro rod, bic lighter and windproof matches. Love your videos and the calm way you describe everything in detail. Thumbs up.
Lonnie, I have only read of few of the comments below, and I suspect that many of the nay sayers have not even tried fire starting in their back yard, let alone in the bush. Everything you put forward is good advice and supported by many other teachers of bushcraft/survival/self reliance. It may be worth mentioning that if my Bic runs out of fuel, I know that I can shave off thin slices of the plastic and these work well as an accellerant. And of course, if the striker is still functioning, it may be able to ignite other fire starting materials: fat wood, chaga, petroleum cotton balls, etc.. I love your videos for the how-to nature of them. Keep up the good work. Stephen in Roberts Creek, BC (far from the Far North)
Thanks for sharing. Much appreciated, I always enjoy your down to earth, no nonsense, no gimmick style of thinking. Easy to get pulled in by the gadgets rather than focus on improving knowledge.
I remember hunting in central Ontario in the winter, 20 below. Not only did the bic not light, but the sandwiches in my coat pocket were frozen solid. No big deal, I was only a couple miles from the cottage, but I had waterproof matches in my kit and started a small fire with some dead wood behind a big outcropping of rock and thawed my lunch and myself, ate, and headed home. I should have learned about ferro rods, but in the 70's they were not really around. I was never in your situation to be sure. Still, a nice memory.
The ultimate instruction in survival bar none: u r ur best survival tool. The penultimate instruction for survival: learn the methods that do not involve technology. Brilliant Lony 👍🏻 I wish the whole world knew those two things, teach them at school.
Thank you for being a breath of fresh air in these days of highly charged political commentary. Sometimes it's nice to just see something useful and educational done by a knowledgeable and calm presenter.
Hands down this is the most comprehensive video on winter survival lighting fires. You covered everything you have taught us through previous video's, so for most of us it's a great review. Those new to fire techniques it's a great video to learn "how to" light survival fires in cold weather. I've tried them all and I know my hands freeze and won't work the Bic wheel in -5c, I know it's also very difficult for me to light a fire using the ferro rod in freezing temps. My go to fire starter in any cold weather is the Zippo lighter you demoed a couple years ago. I pre-fill it before heading out and easily get instant fire, even if very windy/cold. Carrying the tin of fuel for it, if the lighter fails, I can always pour it on and use a match to light it. But if i could afford those flares I would use them every time, they are so fast and produce a large amount of heat faster than any other method. I used to carry just matches and got lucky there. Great video Lonnie, thank you for all you have done to educate for wilderness touring, cheers.
I always carry my zippo in a shirt pocket as well but with a bicycle inner tube over the lighter it will still go empty in a couple months. I filled the zippo just before our moose hunt a little over 2 months ago, but when I pulled it out yesterday it was empty and I could not find my fluid to top it off again. Lol I guess I will have to get more fluid next time we go to town.
Very true, a butane lighter is ok to have with you but it can't be the only thing you have for starting a fire. Multiple fire starters and multiple fire starting materials. great video thanks Lonnie
I found that out the hard way when I was a kid! It was at least -30 that frosty January morning, & I brought my younger cousin with me cross-country skiing, out to where I had built a lean-to that previous summer. The plan was to go out to the shelter, make a fire, warm back up, then return. Well, when I pulled the bic lighter out of my pocket to light the fire, to my total shock, it was frozen! I was unable to get it to light no mater what I tried! We looked at each other, with our eyes wide open in shock & astonishment. Shivering from the cold, I said, oh no..... let’s go!!! We began our hasty evacuation! We made our way back as fast as we could, becoming more & more numb from the cold as we went. By the time we got back, and what a relief that was, our hands were of no use, frozen to the shape of us holding our ski poles. We had survived what we felt could have easily killed the both of us! After getting into the house to warm back up, with our now thawing fingers burning, we again looked at each other, & said, that was a close one! After surviving that experience, I made it my mission, to now have the ability to start a fire no matter what the conditions, & a bic lighter is no longer known to me as a reliable resource of firemaking!
I always carry a pack of matches, sealed in a small plastic bag and a knife whenever im hiking or just out in the woods, you never know what happends. Always prepare. Thanks Lonnie for all the informative videos you produce!
I do carry two Bic lighters. Alongside a magnesium block and ferro rod and about five other ferro rods. This is a very important video many people may not know butane lighters will not ignite in low oxygen or freezing temperatures often. Let alone when they are wet and you are too. I also carry a hypothermia kit which includes several mylar blankets and packages of "hot hands" that you could put all over your body.
ALL of my field knives are 1095 carbon steel for the reason you mentioned and I ALWAYS carry ferro rod(s). Course I ALWAYS carry a lighter too :-) My Fire kit includes Flint, Striking Steel, Ferro rod, Solar Galss, prepared punk wood and charcloth. Good points Lonnie, enjoy your winter...
Cigar smoker here. A fully topped Zippo is always part of my EDC along with fixed blade and handgun and a tin of stormproof matches. Last thing I want to come upon is wanting a smoke but not able to get a light. Vector also makes the Thunderbird line of butane Zippo inserts. The G model functions just like the Zippo, but uses butane. Flint ignition. Awesome to have as well.
Great lesson learned today. Don't rely on technollogy (it can fail anytime) - rely on knowledge (it is 100000000 times better and it is alwaya going to help you, some way or another). Thanks for another great video Lonnie! :)
Very good point, sir. Your commemts made me think about what I'm relying on. For now, bushcraft is like a costume play to me because I live in downtown. But when the situation becomes survival, I will have to think about what I can do without relying on fancy delicate items. Thank you so much for this great advice. ♡
Great video Lonnie. Thats why my primary fire source is my ferro rod and I use it all the time. Even at home. I light my bbq candles and everything else with that rod. Now after a few years of useing the rod all the time. Processing my materials correctly has become second nature in any conditions. I learned the hard way to not rely on a lighter . Luckily I had a ferrorod with me or I might not be here today. Keeping multiple fire sources and keeping my skill set on point saved the day. Thanks for sharing your wisdom Lonnie. I couldn't agree with you more.
During the Apollo missions to the moon, the main module carried three computers. They only needed one computer to make the calculations for course maintenance and engine burns for orbital entries. However, if one computer failed, they had two back up computers to get them back home because no one could rescue them if major problems occurred. The concept is known as triple redundacy. The same applies to what you just described. You can't rely that someone will be able rescue you if you're in a life or death scenario. Having many different ways to start a fire is exactly the same concept. Redundancy in methods of combustion is key to whether one will live or die. So the more varied combustion methods are, the higher the odds of surviving.
Its a true and valid point Fred.....but the metaphor breaks down a little when you consider that they carried "three fully functional computers"....not one computer and one set of stone tools to carve an abacus should the primary computer fail. No, they launched with three fully operational and ready computers. That's effective redundancy. Which is sorta, but not entirely, my point. All this "primitive fire making" stuff is neat and I'm impressed by the people who can do it but in these modern times where fast and effective fire starting methods a ubiquitous and cheap, slagging them off as ineffective seems odd. It's neat that people can make a fire from primitive materials while warm and dry in their back yard....but soaked and freezing give me the instant fire every time......for the very same reason those astronauts needed an instant and working computer right away and something they had to build from materials they may or may not find on the moon.
In prepping the rule of faith is "Two is one and one is none", meaning that you should always have a backup of critical supplies. In the case of fire making I think I prefer your approach. In my get home bag I have four options - including a long necked BIC lighter and a regular BIC lighter, but I count them as only one type of fire source. I also have my trusty ferro rod and petroleum saturated cotton balls, a 9 volt battery and steel wool, and my trusty old Zippo lighter. I also keep a small watertight container with kindling and survival matches, so I guess that's five. One thing I need to do is learn how to make a friction fire. I need to watch your videos on this. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
good point about the BIC at least not being the ONLY solution for lighting fires. ANY complete fire kit will include a BIC, but no one should RELY on a BIC for a fire. Various methods of lighting fire should always be included in your kit. Fire steel + BIC + matches etc.
IMO, I would think that anyone that goes into the woods with only a lighter for an ignition source is "greenhorn qualified". Needs to get advice from someone that goes out a little more.
Every time I see one of your videos, I hope I can live up to the example you have set for being "one of those whose unflappable nature saves lives." Well done.
Great video and sound advice. I carry three methods of fire lighting and the knowledge for more every time I go out. Unless it's raining hard I use a more traditional method to test myself and secure those skills forever. Practice makes perfect. Thank you Lonnie and Connie your videos are a constant source of information and entertainment.
Very practical advice, thanks. However, just because one uses a Bic 95% of the time doesn't necessarily mean one "depends" on it, not solely. As you rightly point out, one should have other back-up means, like a ferrocerium rod, storm matches, flint/steel, etc. That is being practical to cover that other 5% of times. Of course, again as you rightly said, using one's brain also helps to take steps to cover that 5%! Like: In sub-zero temperatures, keep your pic inside your underpants (Yes, seriously!). Always pack your Bics in separate Zip-loc bags. (at least 3!) Always carry a candle (or at least a short length of candle), or a few tea lights. Always have plenty of those cotton make-up removal pads, rubbed with vaseline (also in Zip-loc bags). [The cotton wool balls are too bulky) Before venturing out into bad weather conditions, spend some time beforehand going over ALL your options, maybe beefing up on fire-making materials. If you have a fire kit, make sure it's topped up and more than adequate. Don't RELY on your knife to strike your ferro rod - have a back-up striker. Always pack a pencil sharpener (quickest way to make lots of very fine curls!). Always have some duct tape. Pack lengths of it everywhere you possibly can! But, the best precaution of all, by a country mile, is to avoid those circumstances where you could get into difficulty, as far as possible. How? Planning! Think ahead, plan ahead, prepare ahead, and stockpile ahead! That is, after all what summer is for! That should take care of those 5% of times when a Bic MIGHT let you down. Thanks for the video!
I agree with basically everything you said here. However I do want to point out that I encourage people to have and know how to use fire starting helps but not to rely even on them. I encourage people to routinely start their everyday fires with nothing but natural local found materials other than the firestarter itself such as a lighter or matches etc. Save the fire starting helps for more emergency type use.
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival Fair enough. I just get the idea from other RUclips presenters that those ways are the only ways they consider acceptable, especially using a lighter, or matches. You do, however, make a good point. Thanks
I failed to address the reason why I espouse the previous stance of firecraft. Far too many people would be helpless if they ever found themselves in an emergency situation and did not have the fire starting helps such as cotton and Vaseline. On the other hand, if they did not rely on those helps but rather took the time to train themselves how to become proficient in firecraft without them, they would be confident of being able to light a fire in an emergency situation regardless of their equipment/supply list at that moment in time. In an emergency, by all means, use any fire starting helps one might have, but if no helps are available, one should have the necessary skills to light that fire anyway.
Great points. I always have a Bic with me and light the vast majority of my fires with it. But I too carry and practice other ways. I 100% agree that relaying on one method (not just for fire starting) can be asking for trouble during a bad situation. Lighters break and can run out of fuel at the worst times. Sometime "Murphy" tags along on a trip. Having a Plan B and knowing how to use it is always a good idea. Thanks for the great advice!
Thank you Lonnie, for sharing your valuable wisdom with all of us learners. I guess it's best to not depend on them, but to bring as an optional tool. I would instead bring a jute twine match and a ferro rod.
I agree. Lonnie is a great teacher. But in order for a great teacher to gain ground with a student, that student must first have the capacity to learn.
Everything you talk about is true and sensible. I think that everything you showed is a fire starting redundant system.I always want to have a Bic lighter, a container of matches, and a good Ferro rod.Last thing I ever want to do is rely on friction to start a fire.
I learned the hard way that a bic doesn't work well in the cold. The simple solution is to keep your bic/butane lighter in an inside shirt pocket close to your body. Your body heat will keep the lighter warm enough to function even at -40 winter temps.
Finally some common sense. I did a video on this very subject when a person commented on one of my ferro rod reviews. A ferro rod saved my life one day when a bic failed me and then dissapeared in the snow when I dropped it because I was shivering and losing control of my extremities. Good practice with a ferro rod I can get a fire lit really fast with a ferro rod. Since that day I got in trouble I practice with my ferro rod all the time and carry my bic lighter. I also revisit alternative methods often to keep them sharp. Great video Lonnie
This is good, I've used many alternate fire sources such as fire piston. However, I always take a bic lighter. If your armpit is not warm enough to vaporize butane after a dunking in icy water, you've got bigger problems than your fire source.
Wise words right there! When I was traveling and living outside, in my fire kit, I had all of the mentioned items. I had a firesteel, an airtight container full of matches, two Bic lighters and a magnifying glass, on top of a knife and a multitool, the knife I always carried on me. I always had a couple possibly useful items as well, like a roll of trapline, a wire saw, a small fishing kit, a first aid kit and an emergency blanket.
Nice video!! Personally i carry a Zippo with spare parts and a extra gascontainer, Ferro rod and stormproof matches, I live in northern Sweden ( North of the Arctic circle) so i guess we have the same kind of conditions for getting a fire started, all 3 have never failed me yet :) But i like to have as we say in Sweden "both belt and suspenders" bcs Mr Murphy is a reality in survival and bushcraft. Cheers
Very enjoyable video as always. As I was watching I kept thinking of not keeping all your eggs in one basket, which is the point, I think, you were making. Not betting your life on one single device, smart good advice, and well worth repeating, and you did a great job of getting the point across. Thanks for the video.
Next time I have this discussion with someone I can just link to this video, thanks. I have first-hand experience with lighter failures. It's more common than non-smokers think. Sometimes the steel rollers break away or the flint springs fail. Sometimes they discharge all the fuel in your pocket. They also carry much less fuel than they did a few years ago. Convenience, sure. Reliability? No.
yupp, and the steel roller / flint / housing on the top of lighters is not super tough, all it takes is a fall and it can be damaged and no longer functional. pretty hard to break a ferrocerium rod.
Non Smokers typicaly think a lighter is a lighter and that is not true, a smoker knows buy a BIC. I trust BIC above all other lighters. I would trust a BIC for at least 500 + lights and as much as 1,000 lights. I can say that because I only buy and use BIC. for me, I trust them wet or cold.
In my fire kit I carry trick birthday candles. My buddy made fun of me for having birthday candles in my fire kit(he did not know they were the trick candles) Then one windy day he got wet while we were hunting and I got a fire going using one of these. He now carries these as well.
I carry a road flare wrapped in a sealed drill bit container in my pack at all times in case I need a guaranteed fire no matter what the conditions. That and a ferro rod are part of my edc when in the wilderness
Hello Lonnie, another great video. As for myself im totaly with you never rely on only one way. I keep storm matches, fero rod, a couple bics, a home made flint and steel and on my belt knife sheath i have duct tape, 5' of fire cord. Fero rod. Love the road flare idea..
I agree. Like I think i said in this video, I light perhaps 90% of my fires with a butane lighter but i will not depend solely on that lighter when it comes to survival. I always have backup means of fire lighting.
It's a good idea to practice using other methods of lighting a fire also. I've seen guys struggle with their brand new flint and steel set in the middle of winter. It's always a good idea to practice using any of your survival items so you know what you're doing before you're in a situation where you really need it. I practice using my equipment anytime I take the family camping. That being said, I have a new 5 pack of Bics in my camping/bug out bag.
Thanks, Dad, the best video you have ever made. Not joking one bit. This old world is going to change to a new way of doing things, and those like us, who trust Him for eternity, will need skills like this. Thank you, Lonny.
Absolute agreement: your brain is your best tool. But it does need to be prepared and practiced. I volunteer on wilderness duty for the Forest Service on Mt Hood and surrounding areas, just 50 minutes from Portland's 2.2 million residents. One of my winter tasks is preparing new materials and lessons for teaching wilderness safety, which we teach ad hoc on the trail in the wilderness. For emergency fire we look at what unprepared day hikers might carry, that t-shirt hem you mentioned works as dry tinder, hand sanitizer as fire accelerant, potato chips and corn chips as candle-like tinder (they burn like a five-minute candle), tampons as waterproof tinder. We do the same for navigation, water purification, first aid, weatherproofing, and food, what can people use that they have with them or can carry next time. All this even though our real goal is getting visitors to follow Leave No Trace so they have somewhere wild to visit so close to the city the next time they come. Thanks for doing all you do.. Getting to Alaska has been my dream since the early 60s, someday I'll get there.
You may enjoy watching a recent video I did as it is on the same subject. Maybe someday you will make it to Alaska. 23 Plus Items To Help Light A Campfire ruclips.net/video/y_koMs3OPr8/видео.html
I dont hunt or go bush like i have done most of my life but ive had expert training in fire lighting started off at five yrs old and have all ways liked a good fire and ive put out a fire in a campervan . Have followed Connie. and Lonnie for a longtime and have found them full of great advice and even at 78 yrs old i find that there are new things to learn so listen up and try out all the ideas they put forward practice with small fires on a cold and wet day with only what you can find and see how that works . BP Bernie
Good tips. I take for granted that my Bic lighter will always work because it rarely gets below 38 degrees where I live. Thanks for making me more aware.
I would never rely on a lighter, but if you find yourself in a situation where it's all you've got, it's too cold to work, and you're freezing/soaking wet put it in your mouth to warm it up. Don't put the metal part in your mouth, keep that dry. Just put the plastic part in your mouth and it will warm up quickly.
"Have technology, but don't rely on it"... Perfect approach. I often have a lighter or storm proof matches with me. I also carry a ferro rod, flint and steel, a fire piston, char cloth in ziplock bags... I even carry a ~10 inch mullein spindle and a white pine hearth board with some cattail fluff, pine needles, pine pitch and and a couple pieces of tinder fungus in a shoulder bag, which I almost always have with me. Candles as well, since they give you a good sustained flame as long as you can light them. Stack the deck in your favor, but have the knowledge and cultivated skill to make it happen even if you have to harvest materials on the spot. I know more than one person who went on an overnight camping trip, and when they got to their site, and got their tent set up, and went to light their fire, discovered their lighter had suffered a casualty during the hike, and had no fuel left. They were lucky; it was summer.
Lonnie...excellent content and video...I broke through the ice on a snowmobile a few years back and was in trouble...matches, lighters and all else were useless except the firesteel that I used to signal a circling snowmobile...my concern was not a firestarter, but my hands that would barely function after the dunking...signaling was imperative to survive...firestarting was secondary and may have not been possible... Blessings
You may want to think about the method that I demo in the video link below if you will be going to similar places i the future. Emergency Survival Fire Starting Tip ruclips.net/video/YfR4zsjse14/видео.html
Far North Bushcraft And Survival. excellent idea...thx Lonnie...had one in my back pocket...soaked...ex railroad guy...always had one on me....Thank You
It would be bad if it were your ONLY choice for fire starting. It's in my gear bag. Along with 2 ferro rods, purified pine sap and fatwood, cotton balls and vaseline, magnifying glass, and waterproof matches. While I usually agree with you I can't this time. People won't survive long if they rely on a ferro rod and never practice making friction fire anyway. The most valuable fire making tool is EXPERIENCE. Great video anyway. My wife and I enjoy watching you and Connie. Stay warm.
Respectfully disagree with regards to friction fire. In my old age, I don't think I have the stamina to produce a friction fire, especially with a hand drill, doubtful with a bow drill. That technique, for me, is like a "fire piston". Fine, if it works. Thus, more emphasis, on my part, is placed on what will work for me and my circumstances. Practice with flint/steel, ferro rod, fire lens along with making both natural & man-made tinder. And a BIC! :-)
Far North Bushcraft And Survival I did watch your video all the way through. However this will be the last. I'm surprised you have managed to "survive" at all. Your lack of common sense and terrible communication are a recipe for disaster. Keep rolling the dice. I feel sorry for your wife.
You can get a flame from a completely empty bic. Fold a piece of paper to make a crease, then thumb the lighter's wheel slowly, without creating a spark, up side down over the paper. It will grind flint particles onto the paper. Gently fold and tap the paper to concentrate a stripe of flint particles in the crease. Have tinder ready, then direct sparks from the dead lighter at the flint in the crease. It will flare and light the paper. Presto!
Or you can soak a twisted up flake of napkin with lighter fluid, stick it in the Bic's flame aperture and strike the wheel. You'll get a nice 3-6 second flame to light your tinder, like a short match.
Great video! The solution to the cold body problem is to stick everything but the striker area in your mouth. even when the rest of the body is cold and wet, the mouth will still have signifigant heat :) But yeah, in the colder times/climes, a ferro rod/flint and steel is great. Oh AND a cold/empty bic will still throw a spark enough to light really fine tinder...and scraping the plastic sides into very fine shavings makes a viable last-ditch tinder source for the dead/cold bic spark. No solution is perfect...so having multiple options is the best plan. Fire starting devices are usually pretty small and light, as is manmade tinder. Always worth having some in a pocket kit ;) Forgive me for rambling, I agree with you!
Thank you Lonnie. I try to plan my life so a single point of failure never ruins the day. Easy to carry multiple fire starting alternatives. But absolutely, the brain is the most important tool, assuming it is pre-loaded with useful knowledge.
Great video Lonnie .. thanks for your wisdom. Yep, having backups .. multi-ignition sources and using the little grey cells helps. For fair weather outdoors, ordinary matches or a BIC work fine. However, as you stress, the Fire Starters, Storm Matches, Fire Steel(s) are always on hand (and also used, to stay on top) .. just in case.
Great video! I routinely carry 3-5 ways to start a fire on my body. Three in my Altoids, mor in my larger PSK and have matches lighters stashed throughout my gear. I also care several types of tinder but not char cloth. I learned the hard way that if i need a fire fast have reliable ignition and tinder.
Another excellent video my friend! I have been chastised on other videos warning people against being solely dependant on Bic lighters. I carry them often but always have at least three forms of ignition! And you nailed it 110%! I have dedication myself to learning every form of fire starting I can and anyone who likes to get "lost" in nature should do the same. You can never be to prepared! Your videos always teach me something new and I can't thank you enough for that! God bless and take care!
Zippo time. They don't freeze. Or matches. Personally I would be very care about going out on ice. All fire lightings devices have their limitations. Thanks for pointing this one's limitations out.
stinkydroolface Yes they will, but you can mitigate that by using inner tube/ ranger band as an "O" ring seal. Which also gives a degree of water resistance. End of the day there is no "perfect" fire starter. They also have their pro's & cons.
Amen Lonnie. I carry a Bic lighter and use it most of the time, but I also have a ferro rod with me too because the mountains of NW Wyoming can be just as unforgiving as Alaska. Self reliance!
I think "ultimate" is a bit much. Bic lighters are great, specially when compared to previous lighters, but do have there flaws. In MN, I have had them explode in the heat, and sometimes pocket/body heat isn't enough. You should have a lighter, and a ferro rod, and or some other means of fire. It does take quite a bit to make a bic lighter not work. I will generally have an area inside my coat for things like water, certain foods. There are a whole slew of things that change when you get to a cold climate vs a southern one. Always have a thermometer, always have correct footwear, a good hat, and be able to vent, and/or carry unworn layers. pay attention to what your doing, and plan ahead...take off the coat before you start chopping the wood, not after. Open up your zippers before you start to go up a hill. It is not about being and staying as warm as possible, it is about regulating. It should be your kinda cold most of the time, just a little cold, and you warm up from time to time, vs the other way of being hot all the time, and cooling yourself off sometimes. you want small fluxuations in your temp...not large ones. If your feet are cold. find quick time apropriate shelter. take off your socks, rub and work your feet, under your wool blanket preferably, put on a dry pair of socks, put your boots back on, and be on your way, get the moisture out, and get some blood flowing. If This fails at any point. If you don't have dry socks, or your footwear is not cutting the mustard it might be time for a fire. Having boot liners, as well as socks, and 2 pairs of liners, the other one in your coat allows you to remove more moisture from your boots. boots that can be taken apart, into its 3-4 layers will dry out quicker by a fire for making a bow/hand drill. you want your spindle to be a hard wood, a hard wood is a wood that your thumbnail can't put a groove in. you want the top of it smaller to reduce friction, and the bottom larger to max it (for a bowdrill). you want your baseboard to be dry, softer, and fiberous. with a divot, and a notch for the hot soot to fall out, and build up. You want your birds nest, and your fire lay ready to go. Don't be afraid to let the ember build up a bit. and its not about going faster, steady will get you there. have your ember building up on a piece of something, so you can move it to your nest The worse the conditions for a fire, the greater the need for a fire. There is always dry wood, it is on the inside of the wet wood...well not always but....being able to crack open wood can be almost as important as being able to get the fire started in the first place. any and all 1-2in rounds may be soaked threw. I tend to have most of my fires in the most abysmal conditions.
Great info about how temperatures can affect butane lighters. Anyone who just carries one form of fire-starter is asking for trouble. I have a butane lighter, matches in a water-tight container (and some of them I cover with wax to boot), ferro rod, magnifying lens, etc. in all of my packs, as well as numerous different types of tinder (the petroleum jelly cotton balls being amazing and dryer lint being great as well) in case there isn't a lot readily available or dampness prohibits the natural options. All of this weighs next-to-nothing and takes up very little room so there is really no excuse not to have many options with you. You also bring up a great point about potentially losing all of your fire starters in one fell swoop if they are all in the same place (i.e. your pack is lost somehow). While most of my fire starting materials are kept in a watertight clamshell container in my pack, I also carry a spare ferro rod that I attach to my knife sheath, and a spare lighter in one of my pockets. I like redundancy when it comes to life-or-death situations! As always, thanks for imparting some great wisdom.
I have never understood what people think is so special about the Bic lighter. I carry 1) A Clipper for everyday use; 2) A Zippo for windy conditions; 3) A flint wheel jet torch for when more heat is required; 4) a USB lighter for the Zombie Apocalypse; 5) A cheap disposable lighter which I will give to anybody who asks me for a light. There is a magnifying glass on my compass, and having considered the contents of this video, I have just placed an order for a ferrocerium rod.
@@williardbillmore5713 Just so you know, you can light a fire with _any_ empty "flint" wheel lighter if you know what you're doing. It is not a property unique to a Bic.
@@williardbillmore5713 That's fair. Thanks for the insight. Bic should probably hire you as a salesman. It's true that the cheaper disposables can be unreliable. I've had the entire flint housing fly apart on first use, more than once.
![KSI - Dirty [Official Visualiser]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VoDh1h1dPUE/mqdefault.jpg)
Like you said, I start 90% of my fires with a Bic lighter, but I also carry a ferro rod, sometimes a magnifying glass, my Mora carbon steel knife, and two separate containers of tinder. In my backpack I have an altoids tin packed with 0000 steel wool, char cloth, 10 feet of jute twine, and a ferro rod. In my possibles bag I carry a stick of fatwood, paper towel strips that have one half soaked in beeswax, and more jute twine. Options are a good thing.
As a little kid my dad taught me to carry a different type of fire starting implement in each pocket when I was out brush busting. To this day I still do. Thanks for telling the people that you do the same. Keep Warm. ;-)
One thing that I find works very well with my magnesium and flint ferro rod is tissue/toilet paper. I simply scrape some magnesium filing from my rod into one dry tissue and strike sparks into it and it has never failed me YET. I'd recommend them if you are having trouble finding dry natural fire starters and carry them around as a backup. Thanks for the great video Lonnie.
I find some of the early comments interesting. I think this is an excellent reminder of the limitations of this technology. Perhaps this is the first time some viewers have seen a demonstration like this. Well worth it Lonnie! Thank you.
The last time I tried to use that tool between my ears everyone told me not to do that anymore. Said it was too dangerous. LOL. Enjoyed the the commonsensical thumbs up video. Thank you for sharing.
Great advice. The main point of the video seems to be to practice multiple options. My son and I are very big fans. Keep up the good work. Thanks Lonny.
Lonnie both you and your wife are wonderful people keep making these videos we definitely appreciate these videos there's not too many people that are as wonderful as you both anymore, it's refreshing to I know that there are still good people out there thank you.
Most of your detractors have probably not been outside there back yards and never have been in subzero weather but you know that, you have been oh so kind to them . Thanks again Lonnie for so much common since. Happy Trails
YUP
Wow, this has really set me straight on my own pre-conceived notions about having a Bic lighter. You are so calm and straight forward, you just make sense. Excellent work!
Thanks Lonnie for another fine video.
I prefer my ferro rod for 90% of my fire making. The trouble is often finding suitable tinder. I rarely can find chaga, and sometimes i can’t even find birch bark.. so I’ve found great success using pine needles. Dried needles when pulverized with a stone will catch a spark for me in a pinch.
I hope that helps someone.
The ultimate lighter is still a Zippo with extra flint & fuel stored in an eyedropper bottle and stored in a plastic bag in my shirt pocket ... right next to a ferro rod and life boat matches . 3 ways . The ultimate fire starter and signaling device is a road flare cut in 3 pieces + fuse and dipped in wax . Works great in freezing rain and snow when a guy doesn't have time to mess around .
Knowing how to use a bow drill and fire plough is a prerequisite . Lonnie says -> Have modern technology , but don't rely on it - Know the old ways and the best piece of survival gear is between your ears = Perfect .
Good video and Respect sent .
Master Tracker put your six flints in the bottom of the lighter under the "lift" felt, along with a spare wick. They all fit nicely.
You're absolutely correct Lonnie. Thanks for making this video. Excellent demonstration. Under good, conditions, this lighter is easy to use. When wet or cold, the lighter doesn't work. ...ken
Always good info from Lonnie. I carry bic lighters, storm proof matches, regular kitchen matches in water proof container, magnesium and striker. I still need to practice the bow and drill you've demonstrated. Knowledge is power. Thanks Lonnie.
Nice. A great example backup methods in descending order of ease and effectiveness.
As Lars from 'Survival Russia' always says, "The first rule of survival" is to not put yourself in a survival situation.'
For weekend / Car-Campers, this is a nice to know -- they aren't likely to ever see this, however.
I carry more than one lighter with me ... they're light, compact and work.
Amen to you, Brother ... for pointing out that '90% of my fires are started with a lighter' ... It's a convenience item.
I have electricity in my home too ... but I still have a flashlight for when the power goes out.
The bottom line here, which I wholly agree with, is simple ... don't put all of your eggs in one basket ... 'cause when that basket breaks ...
--- Alan
This is one of your best videos Lonnie. I’m going to practice primitive techniques sometimes and give technology a break. Because it may fail and when your survival kit fails... that thing between your ears will be your best kit. I always enjoy the videos! 😊
This man deserves his own series.
At around 4:54 a squirrel jumped out of the tree in the background and ran left, his right. Made me smile. I always carry a faro rod, bic lighter and windproof matches. Love your videos and the calm way you describe everything in detail. Thumbs up.
That was not a Squirrel
down to earth common sense as always Lonnie
Excellent video!!! Mors Kohanski said it best “the more you know the less you carry” always have multiple uses for every piece of gear
Lonnie, I have only read of few of the comments below, and I suspect that many of the nay sayers have not even tried fire starting in their back yard, let alone in the bush. Everything you put forward is good advice and supported by many other teachers of bushcraft/survival/self reliance.
It may be worth mentioning that if my Bic runs out of fuel, I know that I can shave off thin slices of the plastic and these work well as an accellerant. And of course, if the striker is still functioning, it may be able to ignite other fire starting materials: fat wood, chaga, petroleum cotton balls, etc..
I love your videos for the how-to nature of them. Keep up the good work.
Stephen in Roberts Creek, BC (far from the Far North)
Thanks for sharing. Much appreciated, I always enjoy your down to earth, no nonsense, no gimmick style of thinking. Easy to get pulled in by the gadgets rather than focus on improving knowledge.
I remember hunting in central Ontario in the winter, 20 below. Not only did the bic not light, but the sandwiches in my coat pocket were frozen solid. No big deal, I was only a couple miles from the cottage, but I had waterproof matches in my kit and started a small fire with some dead wood behind a big outcropping of rock and thawed my lunch and myself, ate, and headed home. I should have learned about ferro rods, but in the 70's they were not really around. I was never in your situation to be sure. Still, a nice memory.
The ultimate instruction in survival bar none: u r ur best survival tool.
The penultimate instruction for survival: learn the methods that do not involve technology.
Brilliant Lony 👍🏻 I wish the whole world knew those two things, teach them at school.
Thank you for being a breath of fresh air in these days of highly charged political commentary. Sometimes it's nice to just see something useful and educational done by a knowledgeable and calm presenter.
Hands down this is the most comprehensive video on winter survival lighting fires. You covered everything you have taught us through previous video's, so for most of us it's a great review. Those new to fire techniques it's a great video to learn "how to" light survival fires in cold weather. I've tried them all and I know my hands freeze and won't work the Bic wheel in -5c, I know it's also very difficult for me to light a fire using the ferro rod in freezing temps. My go to fire starter in any cold weather is the Zippo lighter you demoed a couple years ago. I pre-fill it before heading out and easily get instant fire, even if very windy/cold. Carrying the tin of fuel for it, if the lighter fails, I can always pour it on and use a match to light it. But if i could afford those flares I would use them every time, they are so fast and produce a large amount of heat faster than any other method. I used to carry just matches and got lucky there. Great video Lonnie, thank you for all you have done to educate for wilderness touring, cheers.
I always carry my zippo in a shirt pocket as well but with a bicycle inner tube over the lighter it will still go empty in a couple months. I filled the zippo just before our moose hunt a little over 2 months ago, but when I pulled it out yesterday it was empty and I could not find my fluid to top it off again. Lol I guess I will have to get more fluid next time we go to town.
Zippo's are a pain to keep fueled but they rock, lol.
Very true, a butane lighter is ok to have with you but it can't be the only thing you have for starting a fire. Multiple fire starters and multiple fire starting materials. great video thanks Lonnie
Kahlest Enoch agreed 100%
Great teacher, one of the few. Even when it's older material or common sense stuff, still awesome vids.
This is something I've known but never heard anyone say. Good job keeping it true.
I found that out the hard way when I was a kid!
It was at least -30 that frosty January morning, & I brought my younger cousin with me cross-country skiing, out to where I had built a lean-to that previous summer. The plan was to go out to the shelter, make a fire, warm back up, then return. Well, when I pulled the bic lighter out of my pocket to light the fire, to my total shock, it was frozen! I was unable to get it to light no mater what I tried! We looked at each other, with our eyes wide open in shock & astonishment. Shivering from the cold, I said, oh no..... let’s go!!! We began our hasty evacuation! We made our way back as fast as we could, becoming more & more numb from the cold as we went.
By the time we got back, and what a relief that was, our hands were of no use, frozen to the shape of us holding our ski poles. We had survived what we felt could have easily killed the both of us! After getting into the house to warm back up, with our now thawing fingers burning, we again looked at each other, & said, that was a close one!
After surviving that experience, I made it my mission, to now have the ability to start a fire no matter what the conditions, & a bic lighter is no longer known to me as a reliable resource of firemaking!
I agree %100 you are a respectable woodsman with a great deal of knowledge and experience in the woods.
I always carry a pack of matches, sealed in a small plastic bag and a knife whenever im hiking or just out in the woods, you never know what happends. Always prepare. Thanks Lonnie for all the informative videos you produce!
I do carry two Bic lighters. Alongside a magnesium block and ferro rod and about five other ferro rods. This is a very important video many people may not know butane lighters will not ignite in low oxygen or freezing temperatures often. Let alone when they are wet and you are too. I also carry a hypothermia kit which includes several mylar blankets and packages of "hot hands" that you could put all over your body.
Hot hands are life savers
ALL of my field knives are 1095 carbon steel for the reason you mentioned and I ALWAYS carry ferro rod(s). Course I ALWAYS carry a lighter too :-) My Fire kit includes Flint, Striking Steel, Ferro rod, Solar Galss, prepared punk wood and charcloth. Good points Lonnie, enjoy your winter...
Butane lighters are great. Light weight and pretty reliable, but you always should have at least two methods to make fire.
Cigar smoker here. A fully topped Zippo is always part of my EDC along with fixed blade and handgun and a tin of stormproof matches. Last thing I want to come upon is wanting a smoke but not able to get a light. Vector also makes the Thunderbird line of butane Zippo inserts. The G model functions just like the Zippo, but uses butane. Flint ignition. Awesome to have as well.
My Respects and Keep Armed and stay safe I understand and may God bless you
Great lesson learned today. Don't rely on technollogy (it can fail anytime) - rely on knowledge (it is 100000000 times better and it is alwaya going to help you, some way or another). Thanks for another great video Lonnie! :)
Very good point, sir.
Your commemts made me think about what I'm relying on.
For now, bushcraft is like a costume play to me because I live in downtown. But when the situation becomes survival, I will have to think about what I can do without relying on fancy delicate items.
Thank you so much for this great advice. ♡
Great video Lonnie. Thats why my primary fire source is my ferro rod and I use it all the time. Even at home. I light my bbq candles and everything else with that rod. Now after a few years of useing the rod all the time. Processing my materials correctly has become second nature in any conditions. I learned the hard way to not rely on a lighter . Luckily I had a ferrorod with me or I might not be here today. Keeping multiple fire sources and keeping my skill set on point saved the day. Thanks for sharing your wisdom Lonnie. I couldn't agree with you more.
During the Apollo missions to the moon, the main module carried three computers. They only needed one computer to make the calculations for course maintenance and engine burns for orbital entries. However, if one computer failed, they had two back up computers to get them back home because no one could rescue them if major problems occurred. The concept is known as triple redundacy. The same applies to what you just described. You can't rely that someone will be able rescue you if you're in a life or death scenario. Having many different ways to start a fire is exactly the same concept. Redundancy in methods of combustion is key to whether one will live or die. So the more varied combustion methods are, the higher the odds of surviving.
Its a true and valid point Fred.....but the metaphor breaks down a little when you consider that they carried "three fully functional computers"....not one computer and one set of stone tools to carve an abacus should the primary computer fail. No, they launched with three fully operational and ready computers. That's effective redundancy.
Which is sorta, but not entirely, my point. All this "primitive fire making" stuff is neat and I'm impressed by the people who can do it but in these modern times where fast and effective fire starting methods a ubiquitous and cheap, slagging them off as ineffective seems odd.
It's neat that people can make a fire from primitive materials while warm and dry in their back yard....but soaked and freezing give me the instant fire every time......for the very same reason those astronauts needed an instant and working computer right away and something they had to build from materials they may or may not find on the moon.
In prepping the rule of faith is "Two is one and one is none", meaning that you should always have a backup of critical supplies. In the case of fire making I think I prefer your approach. In my get home bag I have four options - including a long necked BIC lighter and a regular BIC lighter, but I count them as only one type of fire source. I also have my trusty ferro rod and petroleum saturated cotton balls, a 9 volt battery and steel wool, and my trusty old Zippo lighter. I also keep a small watertight container with kindling and survival matches, so I guess that's five. One thing I need to do is learn how to make a friction fire. I need to watch your videos on this. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I always carry more than one way to make fire.
Gotta get out and practice though.
Thanks for the video
I am an outdoorsman, I and my grandsons will share your knowledge and advice. thanks for sharing !!!
good point about the BIC at least not being the ONLY solution for lighting fires. ANY complete fire kit will include a BIC, but no one should RELY on a BIC for a fire. Various methods of lighting fire should always be included in your kit. Fire steel + BIC + matches etc.
IMO, I would think that anyone that goes into the woods with only a lighter for an ignition source is "greenhorn qualified". Needs to get advice from someone that goes out a little more.
Every time I see one of your videos, I hope I can live up to the example you have set for being "one of those whose unflappable nature saves lives." Well done.
Great video Lonnie. Nothing wrong with a Bic lighter, but you want a backup.
Great video and sound advice. I carry three methods of fire lighting and the knowledge for more every time I go out. Unless it's raining hard I use a more traditional method to test myself and secure those skills forever. Practice makes perfect. Thank you Lonnie and Connie your videos are a constant source of information and entertainment.
Very practical advice, thanks.
However, just because one uses a Bic 95% of the time doesn't necessarily mean one "depends" on it, not solely. As you rightly point out, one should have other back-up means, like a ferrocerium rod, storm matches, flint/steel, etc. That is being practical to cover that other 5% of times. Of course, again as you rightly said, using one's brain also helps to take steps to cover that 5%!
Like:
In sub-zero temperatures, keep your pic inside your underpants (Yes, seriously!).
Always pack your Bics in separate Zip-loc bags. (at least 3!)
Always carry a candle (or at least a short length of candle), or a few tea lights.
Always have plenty of those cotton make-up removal pads, rubbed with vaseline (also in Zip-loc bags). [The cotton wool balls are too bulky)
Before venturing out into bad weather conditions, spend some time beforehand going over ALL your options, maybe beefing up on fire-making materials. If you have a fire kit, make sure it's topped up and more than adequate.
Don't RELY on your knife to strike your ferro rod - have a back-up striker.
Always pack a pencil sharpener (quickest way to make lots of very fine curls!).
Always have some duct tape. Pack lengths of it everywhere you possibly can!
But, the best precaution of all, by a country mile, is to avoid those circumstances where you could get into difficulty, as far as possible. How? Planning! Think ahead, plan ahead, prepare ahead, and stockpile ahead! That is, after all what summer is for!
That should take care of those 5% of times when a Bic MIGHT let you down.
Thanks for the video!
I agree with basically everything you said here. However I do want to point out that I encourage people to have and know how to use fire starting helps but not to rely even on them. I encourage people to routinely start their everyday fires with nothing but natural local found materials other than the firestarter itself such as a lighter or matches etc. Save the fire starting helps for more emergency type use.
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival Fair enough. I just get the idea from other RUclips presenters that those ways are the only ways they consider acceptable, especially using a lighter, or matches. You do, however, make a good point. Thanks
I failed to address the reason why I espouse the previous stance of firecraft. Far too many people would be helpless if they ever found themselves in an emergency situation and did not have the fire starting helps such as cotton and Vaseline. On the other hand, if they did not rely on those helps but rather took the time to train themselves how to become proficient in firecraft without them, they would be confident of being able to light a fire in an emergency situation regardless of their equipment/supply list at that moment in time. In an emergency, by all means, use any fire starting helps one might have, but if no helps are available, one should have the necessary skills to light that fire anyway.
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival Thanks, and very relevant.
Great points. I always have a Bic with me and light the vast majority of my fires with it. But I too carry and practice other ways. I 100% agree that relaying on one method (not just for fire starting) can be asking for trouble during a bad situation. Lighters break and can run out of fuel at the worst times. Sometime "Murphy" tags along on a trip. Having a Plan B and knowing how to use it is always a good idea.
Thanks for the great advice!
Sioux Scout - we gotta get that guy !! Murphy!
Thanks for the tip on the butane temperature. I didn't know that. Thanks again!
Thank you Lonnie, for sharing your valuable wisdom with all of us learners. I guess it's best to not depend on them, but to bring as an optional tool. I would instead bring a jute twine match and a ferro rod.
[154thTN] Seth Adam - oh ya, Like the one he made. I forgot about that. Soaked with paraffin wax. Thanks
another great video Lonnie your a great teacher. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience
I agree. Lonnie is a great teacher. But in order for a great teacher to gain ground with a student, that student must first have the capacity to learn.
Everything you talk about is true and sensible. I think that everything you showed is a fire starting redundant system.I always want to have a Bic lighter, a container of matches, and a good Ferro rod.Last thing I ever want to do is rely on friction to start a fire.
Excellent video - very thought provoking
Thank you for adding the Celsius conversions.
I learned the hard way that a bic doesn't work well in the cold. The simple solution is to keep your bic/butane lighter in an inside shirt pocket close to your body. Your body heat will keep the lighter warm enough to function even at -40 winter temps.
Finally some common sense. I did a video on this very subject when a person commented on one of my ferro rod reviews. A ferro rod saved my life one day when a bic failed me and then dissapeared in the snow when I dropped it because I was shivering and losing control of my extremities. Good practice with a ferro rod I can get a fire lit really fast with a ferro rod. Since that day I got in trouble I practice with my ferro rod all the time and carry my bic lighter. I also revisit alternative methods often to keep them sharp. Great video Lonnie
There is also an elevation limit on use of butane. Don’t remember for sure but I think it’s around 7000 feet at temperatures above 50F.
Good points. Allways have multiple ways to start fires.
This is good, I've used many alternate fire sources such as fire piston. However, I always take a bic lighter. If your armpit is not warm enough to vaporize butane after a dunking in icy water, you've got bigger problems than your fire source.
Thanks for adding Celcius. Much appreciated, and I never would have thought of a bic lighter not working when wet or cold. Thanks!
Love all of your videos, but in my opinion, this is your best yet!!! Thank you so much!!
Wise words right there! When I was traveling and living outside, in my fire kit, I had all of the mentioned items. I had a firesteel, an airtight container full of matches, two Bic lighters and a magnifying glass, on top of a knife and a multitool, the knife I always carried on me. I always had a couple possibly useful items as well, like a roll of trapline, a wire saw, a small fishing kit, a first aid kit and an emergency blanket.
Nice video!! Personally i carry a Zippo with spare parts and a extra gascontainer, Ferro rod and stormproof matches, I live in northern Sweden ( North of the Arctic circle) so i guess we have the same kind of conditions for getting a fire started, all 3 have never failed me yet :) But i like to have as we say in Sweden "both belt and suspenders" bcs Mr Murphy is a reality in survival and bushcraft.
Cheers
Very enjoyable video as always. As I was watching I kept thinking of not keeping all your eggs in one basket, which is the point, I think, you were making.
Not betting your life on one single device, smart good advice, and well worth repeating, and you did a great job of getting the point across. Thanks for the video.
Next time I have this discussion with someone I can just link to this video, thanks. I have first-hand experience with lighter failures. It's more common than non-smokers think. Sometimes the steel rollers break away or the flint springs fail. Sometimes they discharge all the fuel in your pocket. They also carry much less fuel than they did a few years ago. Convenience, sure. Reliability? No.
yupp, and the steel roller / flint / housing on the top of lighters is not super tough, all it takes is a fall and it can be damaged and no longer functional. pretty hard to break a ferrocerium rod.
Non Smokers typicaly think a lighter is a lighter and that is not true, a smoker knows buy a BIC. I trust BIC above all other lighters. I would trust a BIC for at least 500 + lights and as much as 1,000 lights. I can say that because I only buy and use BIC. for me, I trust them wet or cold.
Yes and on top of all this, once it's out of commission you're left with a plastic piece of garbage that you'll throw away to pollute the wilderness.
Thank you for your knowledge of alternative fire starting implements.
In my fire kit I carry trick birthday candles. My buddy made fun of me for having birthday candles in my fire kit(he did not know they were the trick candles) Then one windy day he got wet while we were hunting and I got a fire going using one of these. He now carries these as well.
didn't happen
Great subject and delivery Lonnie. Redundancy in survival equipment is so important and keeping it on you in different places is too. Thank you
I carry a road flare wrapped in a sealed drill bit container in my pack at all times in case I need a guaranteed fire no matter what the conditions. That and a ferro rod are part of my edc when in the wilderness
Hello Lonnie, another great video. As for myself im totaly with you never rely on only one way. I keep storm matches, fero rod, a couple bics, a home made flint and steel and on my belt knife sheath i have duct tape, 5' of fire cord. Fero rod. Love the road flare idea..
I think the bic lighter will work 99% of the time and be easier to use; but it's good to have the fire steel rod for backup.
I agree. Like I think i said in this video, I light perhaps 90% of my fires with a butane lighter but i will not depend solely on that lighter when it comes to survival. I always have backup means of fire lighting.
It's a good idea to practice using other methods of lighting a fire also. I've seen guys struggle with their brand new flint and steel set in the middle of winter. It's always a good idea to practice using any of your survival items so you know what you're doing before you're in a situation where you really need it. I practice using my equipment anytime I take the family camping. That being said, I have a new 5 pack of Bics in my camping/bug out bag.
Excellent advice Travis and is just how I feel also.
Travis Orr I agree 100%...better to need and have than to need and not have.
@@SouthernPatriot1 I know you meant to say: it's better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.
Thanks, Dad, the best video you have ever made. Not joking one bit. This old world is going to change to a new way of doing things, and those like us, who trust Him for eternity, will need skills like this. Thank you, Lonny.
Absolute agreement: your brain is your best tool. But it does need to be prepared and practiced.
I volunteer on wilderness duty for the Forest Service on Mt Hood and surrounding areas, just 50 minutes from Portland's 2.2 million residents. One of my winter tasks is preparing new materials and lessons for teaching wilderness safety, which we teach ad hoc on the trail in the wilderness. For emergency fire we look at what unprepared day hikers might carry, that t-shirt hem you mentioned works as dry tinder, hand sanitizer as fire accelerant, potato chips and corn chips as candle-like tinder (they burn like a five-minute candle), tampons as waterproof tinder.
We do the same for navigation, water purification, first aid, weatherproofing, and food, what can people use that they have with them or can carry next time. All this even though our real goal is getting visitors to follow Leave No Trace so they have somewhere wild to visit so close to the city the next time they come.
Thanks for doing all you do.. Getting to Alaska has been my dream since the early 60s, someday I'll get there.
You may enjoy watching a recent video I did as it is on the same subject. Maybe someday you will make it to Alaska.
23 Plus Items To Help Light A Campfire
ruclips.net/video/y_koMs3OPr8/видео.html
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival Yep, I watched the 23+ Items video and it was a good compendium. Thanks for the suggestion.
I dont hunt or go bush like i have done most of my life but ive had expert training in fire lighting started off at five yrs old and have all ways liked a good fire and ive put out a fire in a campervan . Have followed Connie. and Lonnie for a longtime and have found them full of great advice and even at 78 yrs old i find that there are new things to learn so listen up and try out all the ideas they put forward practice with small fires on a cold and wet day with only what you can find and see how that works . BP Bernie
I am a Bic fan (lazy), but have overlooked the possible problem with Butane evaporation. Henceforth, l will carry the ferro rod as well.
Good tips. I take for granted that my Bic lighter will always work because it rarely gets below 38 degrees where I live. Thanks for making me more aware.
I would never rely on a lighter, but if you find yourself in a situation where it's all you've got, it's too cold to work, and you're freezing/soaking wet put it in your mouth to warm it up. Don't put the metal part in your mouth, keep that dry. Just put the plastic part in your mouth and it will warm up quickly.
"Have technology, but don't rely on it"... Perfect approach.
I often have a lighter or storm proof matches with me. I also carry a ferro rod, flint and steel, a fire piston, char cloth in ziplock bags... I even carry a ~10 inch mullein spindle and a white pine hearth board with some cattail fluff, pine needles, pine pitch and and a couple pieces of tinder fungus in a shoulder bag, which I almost always have with me. Candles as well, since they give you a good sustained flame as long as you can light them.
Stack the deck in your favor, but have the knowledge and cultivated skill to make it happen even if you have to harvest materials on the spot.
I know more than one person who went on an overnight camping trip, and when they got to their site, and got their tent set up, and went to light their fire, discovered their lighter had suffered a casualty during the hike, and had no fuel left. They were lucky; it was summer.
Lonnie...excellent content and video...I broke through the ice on a snowmobile a few years back and was in trouble...matches, lighters and all else were useless except the firesteel that I used to signal a circling snowmobile...my concern was not a firestarter, but my hands that would barely function after the dunking...signaling was imperative to survive...firestarting was secondary and may have not been possible... Blessings
You may want to think about the method that I demo in the video link below if you will be going to similar places i the future.
Emergency Survival Fire Starting Tip
ruclips.net/video/YfR4zsjse14/видео.html
Far North Bushcraft And Survival. excellent idea...thx Lonnie...had one in my back pocket...soaked...ex railroad guy...always had one on me....Thank You
Your right the best tool we have is our mind. I am glad you brought it up.
I have been in cold evough wearher where a ferro rod will not work. It was just to cold for the spatk to transfer heat. Carry a road flare.
It would be bad if it were your ONLY choice for fire starting. It's in my gear bag. Along with 2 ferro rods, purified pine sap and fatwood, cotton balls and vaseline, magnifying glass, and waterproof matches. While I usually agree with you I can't this time. People won't survive long if they rely on a ferro rod and never practice making friction fire anyway. The most valuable fire making tool is EXPERIENCE. Great video anyway. My wife and I enjoy watching you and Connie. Stay warm.
Respectfully disagree with regards to friction fire. In my old age, I don't think I have the stamina to produce a friction fire, especially with a hand drill, doubtful with a bow drill. That technique, for me, is like a "fire piston". Fine, if it works. Thus, more emphasis, on my part, is placed on what will work for me and my circumstances. Practice with flint/steel, ferro rod, fire lens along with making both natural & man-made tinder. And a BIC! :-)
ganjiuana You either did not watch the video all the way through or else you misunderstood everything I was saying.
Far North Bushcraft And Survival I did watch your video all the way through. However this will be the last. I'm surprised you have managed to "survive" at all. Your lack of common sense and terrible communication are a recipe for disaster. Keep rolling the dice. I feel sorry for your wife.
Unsubbed
You can get a flame from a completely empty bic. Fold a piece of paper to make a crease, then thumb the lighter's wheel slowly, without creating a spark, up side down over the paper. It will grind flint particles onto the paper. Gently fold and tap the paper to concentrate a stripe of flint particles in the crease. Have tinder ready, then direct sparks from the dead lighter at the flint in the crease. It will flare and light the paper. Presto!
Or you can soak a twisted up flake of napkin with lighter fluid, stick it in the Bic's flame aperture and strike the wheel. You'll get a nice 3-6 second flame to light your tinder, like a short match.
Great video!
The solution to the cold body problem is to stick everything but the striker area in your mouth. even when the rest of the body is cold and wet, the mouth will still have signifigant heat :) But yeah, in the colder times/climes, a ferro rod/flint and steel is great. Oh AND a cold/empty bic will still throw a spark enough to light really fine tinder...and scraping the plastic sides into very fine shavings makes a viable last-ditch tinder source for the dead/cold bic spark.
No solution is perfect...so having multiple options is the best plan. Fire starting devices are usually pretty small and light, as is manmade tinder. Always worth having some in a pocket kit ;)
Forgive me for rambling, I agree with you!
Did anyone else see the mouse? 4:53 mins in over his right shoulder. snack opportunity missed! lol
Thank you Lonnie. I try to plan my life so a single point of failure never ruins the day. Easy to carry multiple fire starting alternatives. But absolutely, the brain is the most important tool, assuming it is pre-loaded with useful knowledge.
Bics are great but I always carry multiple fire starters
Great video Lonnie .. thanks for your wisdom. Yep, having backups .. multi-ignition sources and using the little grey cells helps. For fair weather outdoors, ordinary matches or a BIC work fine. However, as you stress, the Fire Starters, Storm Matches, Fire Steel(s) are always on hand (and also used, to stay on top) .. just in case.
excellent lecture.
Great video! I routinely carry 3-5 ways to start a fire on my body. Three in my Altoids, mor in my larger PSK and have matches lighters stashed throughout my gear. I also care several types of tinder but not char cloth. I learned the hard way that if i need a fire fast have reliable ignition and tinder.
I love learning survival tips from ZZ-Top
Another excellent video my friend! I have been chastised on other videos warning people against being solely dependant on Bic lighters. I carry them often but always have at least three forms of ignition! And you nailed it 110%! I have dedication myself to learning every form of fire starting I can and anyone who likes to get "lost" in nature should do the same. You can never be to prepared! Your videos always teach me something new and I can't thank you enough for that! God bless and take care!
Zippo time. They don't freeze. Or matches.
Personally I would be very care about going out on ice.
All fire lightings devices have their limitations. Thanks for pointing this one's limitations out.
but they leak. If you dont use it regularly,or keep it filled, they will evaporate over time.
stinkydroolface Yes they will, but you can mitigate that by using inner tube/ ranger band as an "O" ring seal. Which also gives a degree of water resistance. End of the day there is no "perfect" fire starter. They also have their pro's & cons.
Amen Lonnie. I carry a Bic lighter and use it most of the time, but I also have a ferro rod with me too because the mountains of NW Wyoming can be just as unforgiving as Alaska. Self reliance!
I think "ultimate" is a bit much. Bic lighters are great, specially when compared to previous lighters, but do have there flaws.
In MN, I have had them explode in the heat, and sometimes pocket/body heat isn't enough. You should have a lighter, and a ferro rod, and or some other means of fire. It does take quite a bit to make a bic lighter not work. I will generally have an area inside my coat for things like water, certain foods.
There are a whole slew of things that change when you get to a cold climate vs a southern one. Always have a thermometer, always have correct footwear, a good hat, and be able to vent, and/or carry unworn layers. pay attention to what your doing, and plan ahead...take off the coat before you start chopping the wood, not after. Open up your zippers before you start to go up a hill. It is not about being and staying as warm as possible, it is about regulating. It should be your kinda cold most of the time, just a little cold, and you warm up from time to time, vs the other way of being hot all the time, and cooling yourself off sometimes. you want small fluxuations in your temp...not large ones. If your feet are cold. find quick time apropriate shelter. take off your socks, rub and work your feet, under your wool blanket preferably, put on a dry pair of socks, put your boots back on, and be on your way, get the moisture out, and get some blood flowing. If This fails at any point. If you don't have dry socks, or your footwear is not cutting the mustard it might be time for a fire. Having boot liners, as well as socks, and 2 pairs of liners, the other one in your coat allows you to remove more moisture from your boots. boots that can be taken apart, into its 3-4 layers will dry out quicker by a fire
for making a bow/hand drill. you want your spindle to be a hard wood, a hard wood is a wood that your thumbnail can't put a groove in. you want the top of it smaller to reduce friction, and the bottom larger to max it (for a bowdrill). you want your baseboard to be dry, softer, and fiberous. with a divot, and a notch for the hot soot to fall out, and build up. You want your birds nest, and your fire lay ready to go. Don't be afraid to let the ember build up a bit. and its not about going faster, steady will get you there. have your ember building up on a piece of something, so you can move it to your nest
The worse the conditions for a fire, the greater the need for a fire. There is always dry wood, it is on the inside of the wet wood...well not always but....being able to crack open wood can be almost as important as being able to get the fire started in the first place. any and all 1-2in rounds may be soaked threw. I tend to have most of my fires in the most abysmal conditions.
Great info about how temperatures can affect butane lighters. Anyone who just carries one form of fire-starter is asking for trouble. I have a butane lighter, matches in a water-tight container (and some of them I cover with wax to boot), ferro rod, magnifying lens, etc. in all of my packs, as well as numerous different types of tinder (the petroleum jelly cotton balls being amazing and dryer lint being great as well) in case there isn't a lot readily available or dampness prohibits the natural options. All of this weighs next-to-nothing and takes up very little room so there is really no excuse not to have many options with you.
You also bring up a great point about potentially losing all of your fire starters in one fell swoop if they are all in the same place (i.e. your pack is lost somehow). While most of my fire starting materials are kept in a watertight clamshell container in my pack, I also carry a spare ferro rod that I attach to my knife sheath, and a spare lighter in one of my pockets. I like redundancy when it comes to life-or-death situations!
As always, thanks for imparting some great wisdom.
Only a bad choice if it’s your only choice. I carry matches, ferro rod, and a bic, always have always will.
Wise words. Thanks Lonnie.
Really great video. Enjoyed it!
Words of wisdom Lonnie.
Thankyou.
I have never understood what people think is so special about the Bic lighter. I carry 1) A Clipper for everyday use; 2) A Zippo for windy conditions; 3) A flint wheel jet torch for when more heat is required; 4) a USB lighter for the Zombie Apocalypse; 5) A cheap disposable lighter which I will give to anybody who asks me for a light. There is a magnifying glass on my compass, and having considered the contents of this video, I have just placed an order for a ferrocerium rod.
@@williardbillmore5713 Just so you know, you can light a fire with _any_ empty "flint" wheel lighter if you know what you're doing. It is not a property unique to a Bic.
@@williardbillmore5713 That's fair. Thanks for the insight. Bic should probably hire you as a salesman.
It's true that the cheaper disposables can be unreliable. I've had the entire flint housing fly apart on first use, more than once.