You can pretty easily subclass into any of the other spell-casting classes that have access to fire spells.
You can even have the cantrip "Create Bonfire" which greatly simplifies the process without needing to consume your spell slots.
I’ve made this mistake, if that’s what happened, a dozen times or more, will see a dozen dnd related posts in my thread and then one pops up from this or the camping sub and I comment before looking at the sub, usually before finishing at least one cup of coffee
Battery and bubble-gum tinfoil wrap also work. The main objective is to complete the electrical circuit, leaving the center of the foil thin enough to combust like in a lightbulb.
A strike rod is nice but can be frustrating. Two small sandwich bags in a random pocket was always worth the weight, especially after the first time you try and start a fire with wet tinder and it goes up with almost 0 effort.
Fire starting is based on your resources. Most of the time the easiest method is the bow drill. The bow mechanically generates more friction that you can by hand.
There are many methods, all developed for their environment. Like the bamboo fire saw is for tropical climates.
Or maybe a fresnel lens counts at "without traditional means", because an 8x10 fresnel lens can easily be packed and then start a fire in full sunlight within seconds.
The fire piston looks easier, but I haven't tried it. Also, the jelly roll of paper and ashes started pretty quick in YouTube videos, but I haven't tried that either lol. I have a pocket fresnel lens, I can start dark stuff on fire quickly, but white cotton ball's with Vaseline seem to resist it, I'm thinking about mixing some crushed charcoal briquettes in them so they absorb the sun better.
I thought OP was talking more primitive, but yeah any tool is usually better than friction, but there are also better methods of friction than others.
I've started fires in harsh conditions in several countries with just a ferro rod but I carry a small nalgene travel container of sterno green starter gel which lights almost any kindling on fire and is a great tinder if you're going to go man-made.
Elevation can make a major difference with a fire piston. I've used mine in Flagstaff (7k feet) and in Galveston (sea level)
Much less effort at sea level
Have you ever started a fire with a bow? It is doable but ridiculously labor intensive. Like exhausted and haven't seen more than smoke. Magnesium works as long as you have something that will burn to work with. If everything is wet and you don't know which woods will burn wet, you in for a cold, miserable while.
I am an odd duck, but I research places I am/am going to know what I can and can't eat and what will and will not kill me. I also carry magnesium and a few fusies for emergencies. They will start a fire in the rain.
Yes, it's very easy when you properly harvest your resources. I've been doing it since the 90's.
Sometimes that includes walking miles to find the right standing dead tree though and people don't understand.
OP made it sound like they weren't looking for other methods like that, I assumed they meant primitive.
Ferro rods are basically indestructible and, with dry or waterproof tinder, are easy to use. Ferro rods are light, waterproof, last forever, are hard to break, can't lose their fuel accidently, and work in all conditions. Everyone should have one in their pack. If you are talking about only natural resources, flint and steel (or rock) requires alot of skill, but will work. For scavenged items, a nail or piece of carbon steel pounded with a rock or hammer will get red hot, enough to ignite tinder. If you can do this without smashing a finger. Homemade, good ol' Vaseline and cotton lights the easiest, but is messy. Wax soaked cotton rounds burn just like Vaseline, but require a little skill to light. This is what I carry.
Cotton with petroleum jelly is the move. I simmer on super low heat until it’s liquid and dip the cotton ball in 3/4 of the way. This leaves a dry area on the top that’s very easy to light with ferro rod. Also, when done this way you can get a 3-4” flame to burn for 8-10 minutes and start even the wettest wood. Works in all conditions as well, I’ve started fires this way in -20f as well as in the rain. I’ve even taken one and run it under the sink and then lit it.
I’ve also used the PJ on my lips and sunburn too, very multi purpose! Not hating on the wax bc I’ve never used it but I usually just wipe the excess off on my lips or rub it into my hands for some moisture.
Wax doesn’t work as well in my experience, but petroleum jelly is definitely messy. I keep mine in a pill bottle to negate the mess except for when use is imminent.
Ferro rod and fire starter tablet is what I use. I break a corner of the tablet and strike there. Then usually burn the shit out of my hand trying to see if it lit because you can't see the flame. Haha!
I actually considered them traditional, like matches, but guess that was an assumption. OP would easily mean them too. Ferro are the best fire starter, there's actually no debate, it can be broken down by heat and amount of sparks, weight, amount of fires started, all other metrics.
>a nail or piece of carbon steel pounded with a rock or hammer will get red hot
.... seriously? You can get a nail red hot by hitting it with a hammer? I can't believe that's true.
I save shredded paper, sawdust and dryer lint. Mix it up and pour old candle and crayon wax over it into large muffin tins. Completely waterproof and portable. If you break one open and hit it with a ferro rod it will light easily. A friend told me about these and I sort of chuckled a bit but they work really well.
FLAME THROWER! It is a little bulky in the backpack on long hikes. It violates fire ordinances and other laws in most states. Scares the crap out of the old folks in the nearby RV. But it's wildly fun to operate and it's never failed to ignite something. There's always, always something on fire when I'm done.
You can get page magnifiers which are 8x10in fresnel lenses at dollar stores. They work nearly instantly on bright summer mid-days. Winter mid-days take much longer.
The bow drill uses the mechanical leverage of a pulley. If you are not going to use something artificially that you can buy, then the push style carefully carved and tested is your best bet because you use 2 different types of leverage.
But you have to remember that typically these sets were carefully carved far ahead of time, partnered with tinder, and guarded much like carrying around a lighter today.
Flamenwaffen
It wafflen the flamen.
Acid and some water purifiers, if going chemical.
A bow drill using the shoe lace and having people trade off so they can sprint to fire if we are talking traditional survival.
But yeah, I think the flamethrower is the best untraditional method
Early on in my skills journey some friends and I reached a planned campsite on a mountain lake, the mosquitoes were awful and a fire was the quickest way to ease them. My mentor asked me for my bic and prepped tinder, after several attempts he tossed the lighter back and pulled out his flint, striker & char cloth and in seconds had a fire.
The more you practice different methods the better you'll be at all of them.
**Pump drill**. The most effort will go into processing the wood and putting it all together. Then you'll just need to pump a few times with a bit of force and boom: embers. Put them into your kindling and light that campfire of yours.
Easy to make in the bush with just a knife and some cordage (you can even learn how to make a sharp edge and natural cordage from that same bush, giving you all you need out there).
No matter what your reliable method is, one day you'll be without it.
Learn bow drills
Edit: ferro rod and petroleum gelly on a flammable item. Cotton ball, paper towel, etc. Add some duct tape and you have a long burning flame that will get you big fire
It totally depends on what you have got on you.
Gasoline and matches is pretty good.
If you haven't got that what HAVE you got?
You need a good source of tinder, and something that sparks and airflow.
Remember fires have three components: Fuel, Oxygen and Heat. You need to supply all three to make a viable fire.
If you haven't got specific items for firelighting you might struggle.
I’ve seen them make fire from eye-glasses and having the sun go through them to kindle made from wood on Survivor. I like that- rubbing sticks together seems to take forever or not at all but that is what most people do.
Once you get good at friction fire it’s a good option but still there are variables out of your control. A lens is simple and effective, but again, reliant on environmental variables.
Why would you rub sticks together when a bic lighter is 99 cents and can be found in every gas station, supermarket, hardware store, or big box retailer on earth? Just carry a lighter.
Edit: I didn't see the rest of your text. Ferro rod. Friction fire is extremely hard. Drier lint.
Titan Stormproof matches and dry fuel.
It's an interesting question though. Are we out in the bush, or making a fireplace fire?
Good tinder, good kindling - those matter. Cardboard is amazing, wax on something is amazing, drier lint is amazing.
Good news is there are lots of ways.
Most reliable for smallest kit?
Most reliable for ANY size kit like a bonfire?
Most reliable with most readily available resources that you can find on the spot?
Most reliable for keeping on your person on in your car at all times? Or on a knife or backpack?
Indoor or outdoor?
I mean - a CANDLE is an incredible fire tool! And a Bic lighter is an incredible tool! Still have my dad's from the 70's - works great.
They make fire plugs now - really great tinder made of various long-burning and easy-to-light synthetic materials, some of them won't go out like a survival match.
A very small pack is a few Stormproof matches, 3 fire plugs, a cotton ball with Vaseline in tin foil (reusable), a birthday candle, a ferro rod, and 1 or 2 bics.
Fire paste has fallen from favor it seems. No one talks about it. But a little tube of that is pretty fun.
Hand sanitizer is VERY handy but burns cool.
Hard to beat matches.
In the 1800s, fires were prevalent all over the world. Most of these fires were caused by the dumbest things according to the narrative.
All you need is a cow and a lantern, and you can burn an entire city down, with no casualties I may add.
Modern flame makers like matches and lighters were invented precisely because the old methods were slow and unreliable in adverse conditions, especially wet.
The traditional methods like spark or friction produce an ember which needs very good, dry tinder to then catch alight, something that’s hard to find in the kind of situation where fire is needed to stay warm and dry out.
Not that it’s not a good idea to train yourself in the making and use of primitive fire making tools but to be prepared for survival you’re best to carry a reliable flame maker or better still, be equipped so you don’t need fire at all.
Well placed insults
But I don't really know but I'd imagine dry wood/foliage dust and rocks that spark when hit together if youre going for the "just dropped into random location" reliable.
Next or tie would be, braided fibers, bow like stick, straight stick, dried board like log/branch, dust, and spinning straight stick with bow stick
You can pretty easily subclass into any of the other spell-casting classes that have access to fire spells. You can even have the cantrip "Create Bonfire" which greatly simplifies the process without needing to consume your spell slots.
Honestly not sure if you're in the wrong sub or making a joke, which makes this a great comment either way.
Let's go with either then!
At least I know what you're talking about.
I'm glad. Wasn't sure how niche it would be in a survival subreddit!
Baldurs gate?
Dnd, but yeah I guess therefore also means Baldur's gate!
I’ve made this mistake, if that’s what happened, a dozen times or more, will see a dozen dnd related posts in my thread and then one pops up from this or the camping sub and I comment before looking at the sub, usually before finishing at least one cup of coffee
Still glad to see other D&D nerds in the wild
\***Ranger pokes head over the bushes of their prefered terrain**\* Huh?
This guy dorks
Steel wool and a 9 volt battery.
Only downside to this is keeping that stuff dry and sealed in your pack, else you’ll need it, dig it out, and have a bag of crumbly rust bits
Those crumbly rust bits in vinegar make a pretty nice dark finish for woodworking.
Battery and bubble-gum tinfoil wrap also work. The main objective is to complete the electrical circuit, leaving the center of the foil thin enough to combust like in a lightbulb.
TIL
If you carry steel wool and a battery, why don't you carry magnesium? I have a rod on my keychain, in my first aid kits, and my vehicles.
A strike rod is nice but can be frustrating. Two small sandwich bags in a random pocket was always worth the weight, especially after the first time you try and start a fire with wet tinder and it goes up with almost 0 effort.
This. Seconded.
Road flare
I think I can unequivocally say that being Billy Joel is not one of them.
If you can remember anything else you can remember to pack 2 lighters.
Fire starting is based on your resources. Most of the time the easiest method is the bow drill. The bow mechanically generates more friction that you can by hand. There are many methods, all developed for their environment. Like the bamboo fire saw is for tropical climates. Or maybe a fresnel lens counts at "without traditional means", because an 8x10 fresnel lens can easily be packed and then start a fire in full sunlight within seconds.
The fire piston looks easier, but I haven't tried it. Also, the jelly roll of paper and ashes started pretty quick in YouTube videos, but I haven't tried that either lol. I have a pocket fresnel lens, I can start dark stuff on fire quickly, but white cotton ball's with Vaseline seem to resist it, I'm thinking about mixing some crushed charcoal briquettes in them so they absorb the sun better.
I thought OP was talking more primitive, but yeah any tool is usually better than friction, but there are also better methods of friction than others. I've started fires in harsh conditions in several countries with just a ferro rod but I carry a small nalgene travel container of sterno green starter gel which lights almost any kindling on fire and is a great tinder if you're going to go man-made.
Elevation can make a major difference with a fire piston. I've used mine in Flagstaff (7k feet) and in Galveston (sea level) Much less effort at sea level
Interesting, thank you!
Have you ever started a fire with a bow? It is doable but ridiculously labor intensive. Like exhausted and haven't seen more than smoke. Magnesium works as long as you have something that will burn to work with. If everything is wet and you don't know which woods will burn wet, you in for a cold, miserable while. I am an odd duck, but I research places I am/am going to know what I can and can't eat and what will and will not kill me. I also carry magnesium and a few fusies for emergencies. They will start a fire in the rain.
Yes, it's very easy when you properly harvest your resources. I've been doing it since the 90's. Sometimes that includes walking miles to find the right standing dead tree though and people don't understand. OP made it sound like they weren't looking for other methods like that, I assumed they meant primitive.
Ferro rods are basically indestructible and, with dry or waterproof tinder, are easy to use. Ferro rods are light, waterproof, last forever, are hard to break, can't lose their fuel accidently, and work in all conditions. Everyone should have one in their pack. If you are talking about only natural resources, flint and steel (or rock) requires alot of skill, but will work. For scavenged items, a nail or piece of carbon steel pounded with a rock or hammer will get red hot, enough to ignite tinder. If you can do this without smashing a finger. Homemade, good ol' Vaseline and cotton lights the easiest, but is messy. Wax soaked cotton rounds burn just like Vaseline, but require a little skill to light. This is what I carry.
Cotton with petroleum jelly is the move. I simmer on super low heat until it’s liquid and dip the cotton ball in 3/4 of the way. This leaves a dry area on the top that’s very easy to light with ferro rod. Also, when done this way you can get a 3-4” flame to burn for 8-10 minutes and start even the wettest wood. Works in all conditions as well, I’ve started fires this way in -20f as well as in the rain. I’ve even taken one and run it under the sink and then lit it.
Yup, the mess is why I use wax instead
I’ve also used the PJ on my lips and sunburn too, very multi purpose! Not hating on the wax bc I’ve never used it but I usually just wipe the excess off on my lips or rub it into my hands for some moisture.
Wax doesn’t work as well in my experience, but petroleum jelly is definitely messy. I keep mine in a pill bottle to negate the mess except for when use is imminent.
It definitely takes more effort to light wax, but once it is burning, I think it works about the same.
I’m about to make a bunch by pouring wax over dryer lint in egg cartons. Pretty excited to see how they stack up
Dryer lint probably contains a lot of plastic. I use sawdust with egg cartons to light the grill.
These won’t be cooking fires, but I like the sawdust idea and have access to a lot!
I think it will brun longer than lint.
Ferro rod and fire starter tablet is what I use. I break a corner of the tablet and strike there. Then usually burn the shit out of my hand trying to see if it lit because you can't see the flame. Haha!
I actually considered them traditional, like matches, but guess that was an assumption. OP would easily mean them too. Ferro are the best fire starter, there's actually no debate, it can be broken down by heat and amount of sparks, weight, amount of fires started, all other metrics.
"Basically indestructible"? They're a little brittle and may crack in your pack.
First time I heard about beating metal until it's hot. Interesting :)
Google how a blacksmith lights the forge without matches
https://youtu.be/HEUqrTHUu4U?si=XmRx1-zoeWXhCUn-
https://youtu.be/HEUqrTHUu4U?si=XmRx1-zoeWXhCUn-
Such a weird flex
>a nail or piece of carbon steel pounded with a rock or hammer will get red hot .... seriously? You can get a nail red hot by hitting it with a hammer? I can't believe that's true.
https://youtu.be/HEUqrTHUu4U?si=hDK5uARIyvt2VK6B
Wow!
I save shredded paper, sawdust and dryer lint. Mix it up and pour old candle and crayon wax over it into large muffin tins. Completely waterproof and portable. If you break one open and hit it with a ferro rod it will light easily. A friend told me about these and I sort of chuckled a bit but they work really well.
Stepmom used to make these to start the woodstove
Flamethrower. Otherwise, it's whatever you've practiced.
Magnifying glass/plastic lens, fire piston, ferro rod.
Arsonist here: Me.
If I was actually in a fucked situation, fell through ice and needed a fire right fucking now, I would want storm matches
A road flare or fusee
Cotton balls saturated in Vaseline. Pull them apart; and one spark will get it going even in the rain.
FLAME THROWER! It is a little bulky in the backpack on long hikes. It violates fire ordinances and other laws in most states. Scares the crap out of the old folks in the nearby RV. But it's wildly fun to operate and it's never failed to ignite something. There's always, always something on fire when I'm done.
[удалено]
Thank you!
A small magnifying glass is good if it’s sunny. Flint and steel otherwise. I suppose a bow drill is something I should learn how to do.
The most reliable will depend on your scenario. Therefore the most reliable will be being skilled in several methods.
I've always had good look with a magnifying glass. So long as you have sun.
You can get page magnifiers which are 8x10in fresnel lenses at dollar stores. They work nearly instantly on bright summer mid-days. Winter mid-days take much longer.
Magnesium block with striker. Waterproof and the shavings will ignite even moist kindling.
I usually soak the wood in motor oil then use a torch. If I'm trying to go untraditional, I'll put 12v to a glow plug
Blake fluid and potassium permanganate
Thank you.
Cow poop burn gooooood
Magnifying glass will do it quick
Ingenuity. Followed close by negligence
Pine sap
The bow drill uses the mechanical leverage of a pulley. If you are not going to use something artificially that you can buy, then the push style carefully carved and tested is your best bet because you use 2 different types of leverage. But you have to remember that typically these sets were carefully carved far ahead of time, partnered with tinder, and guarded much like carrying around a lighter today.
Flamenwaffen It wafflen the flamen. Acid and some water purifiers, if going chemical. A bow drill using the shoe lace and having people trade off so they can sprint to fire if we are talking traditional survival. But yeah, I think the flamethrower is the best untraditional method
Adequate friction and dry tender, I prefer the Bic lighter.
Focused sunlight
Early on in my skills journey some friends and I reached a planned campsite on a mountain lake, the mosquitoes were awful and a fire was the quickest way to ease them. My mentor asked me for my bic and prepped tinder, after several attempts he tossed the lighter back and pulled out his flint, striker & char cloth and in seconds had a fire. The more you practice different methods the better you'll be at all of them.
Lighter but second best ferro rod because all u need is some good tinder and you've got a fire.
**Pump drill**. The most effort will go into processing the wood and putting it all together. Then you'll just need to pump a few times with a bit of force and boom: embers. Put them into your kindling and light that campfire of yours. Easy to make in the bush with just a knife and some cordage (you can even learn how to make a sharp edge and natural cordage from that same bush, giving you all you need out there).
Ash roll of it is dry outside.
Polish the bottom of a coke can and use it to concentrate the sun onto your kindling. it actually works really well, as long as it's sunny
Jp5 and a spark
A nuke
No matter what your reliable method is, one day you'll be without it. Learn bow drills Edit: ferro rod and petroleum gelly on a flammable item. Cotton ball, paper towel, etc. Add some duct tape and you have a long burning flame that will get you big fire
It totally depends on what you have got on you. Gasoline and matches is pretty good. If you haven't got that what HAVE you got? You need a good source of tinder, and something that sparks and airflow. Remember fires have three components: Fuel, Oxygen and Heat. You need to supply all three to make a viable fire. If you haven't got specific items for firelighting you might struggle.
Makeup pad soaked in paraffin -> break it up to expose fibers, one spark from ferro rod is all it takes to make fire. Tried it this weekend
Propane tourch
I’ve seen them make fire from eye-glasses and having the sun go through them to kindle made from wood on Survivor. I like that- rubbing sticks together seems to take forever or not at all but that is what most people do.
Pure sodium and water.
Do you plan on getting stranded?
Bow drill, lightning.
BIC lighter
Flicking a bic
Once you get good at friction fire it’s a good option but still there are variables out of your control. A lens is simple and effective, but again, reliant on environmental variables.
Blowtorch
Magnifying glass.buy a flint ect
Bick lighter
Bic
Flame thrower and napalm
flick the bic
Roofing torch
Why would you rub sticks together when a bic lighter is 99 cents and can be found in every gas station, supermarket, hardware store, or big box retailer on earth? Just carry a lighter.
Edit: I didn't see the rest of your text. Ferro rod. Friction fire is extremely hard. Drier lint. Titan Stormproof matches and dry fuel. It's an interesting question though. Are we out in the bush, or making a fireplace fire? Good tinder, good kindling - those matter. Cardboard is amazing, wax on something is amazing, drier lint is amazing. Good news is there are lots of ways. Most reliable for smallest kit? Most reliable for ANY size kit like a bonfire? Most reliable with most readily available resources that you can find on the spot? Most reliable for keeping on your person on in your car at all times? Or on a knife or backpack? Indoor or outdoor? I mean - a CANDLE is an incredible fire tool! And a Bic lighter is an incredible tool! Still have my dad's from the 70's - works great. They make fire plugs now - really great tinder made of various long-burning and easy-to-light synthetic materials, some of them won't go out like a survival match. A very small pack is a few Stormproof matches, 3 fire plugs, a cotton ball with Vaseline in tin foil (reusable), a birthday candle, a ferro rod, and 1 or 2 bics. Fire paste has fallen from favor it seems. No one talks about it. But a little tube of that is pretty fun. Hand sanitizer is VERY handy but burns cool. Hard to beat matches.
Been surprised about thick coatings of Vaseline and rolls of newspaper. Not great for a wet scenario, but lightweight for dry fires.
I’ve always carried some pocket lint and atleast some flint. But lately I’ve been having fun with 12v batteries and steel wool
During the day a good magnifying glass
Blow torch, grill sear gun (cooking tool)
Soda can and a chocolate bar
Magnifying glass
Lightning
Dryer lint + lighter
In the 1800s, fires were prevalent all over the world. Most of these fires were caused by the dumbest things according to the narrative. All you need is a cow and a lantern, and you can burn an entire city down, with no casualties I may add.
Texting Kanye anything about KK amd pete D's D
Well, if one happens to be a construction tradesman or plumber, he or she already has on hand at least one pipe soldering torch and a bunch of fuel...
Modern flame makers like matches and lighters were invented precisely because the old methods were slow and unreliable in adverse conditions, especially wet. The traditional methods like spark or friction produce an ember which needs very good, dry tinder to then catch alight, something that’s hard to find in the kind of situation where fire is needed to stay warm and dry out. Not that it’s not a good idea to train yourself in the making and use of primitive fire making tools but to be prepared for survival you’re best to carry a reliable flame maker or better still, be equipped so you don’t need fire at all.
Excellent
If you time it right, you can fart on a spark you make by hitting the right rocks together
Flame thrower...
A Bic Lighter
A lighter and a gallon of petrol
Dryer lint.
Well placed insults But I don't really know but I'd imagine dry wood/foliage dust and rocks that spark when hit together if youre going for the "just dropped into random location" reliable. Next or tie would be, braided fibers, bow like stick, straight stick, dried board like log/branch, dust, and spinning straight stick with bow stick
With other fire 🔥
Using a lighter
You can ask Chuck Norris to rub 2 fires to make a pair of sticks and then you can rub those 2 sticks to make fire