I’ve just been reacquainted with this fire-by-friction method recently and enjoy the simplicity and ease-of-use to create an ember/coal so I wanted to share it with others, enabling them to try it out for themselves. Folks who tried it were delighted with how quickly they could create a coal that could be placed into a tinder bundle to create fire. The more hefty the firecrafter the quicker the ember would be created when a person’s weight over the top board would cause greater friction when passed over the tinder roll.

 
In the course of the day some videographer’s from UNC-TV Public Media North Carolina arrived to capture footage for the program North Carolina Weekend (Airing Thursdays, at 9 PM, on UNC-TV) and I was able to demonstrate this fire-by-friction method as well as shared my thoughts on Turtle Island Preserve, Families Learning Together, and Eustace Conway. I was glad to give a positive report! I was featured (for a whole two seconds worth! starting at 2:19) along with a host of other folks that day. Click on the photo to see the finished video production that captured the day’s events.

It is always fun to share my knowledge and skills but just as importantly to learn from others who have come to share their knowledge and experiences. I highly recommend this annual event as a destination for you, your family, and friends next year. Perhaps I’ll see you there.

Before the crowds arrive…

After I arrived at the FLT event and set up my demo area I saw a wide range of activities demonstrated by a range of other instructors such as blacksmithing, wood working, knife craft, blade sharpening, and many more. There was a variety of vendors offering items such as herbal tinctures, canned goods, natural paper note cards, fresh honey, framed photos, clothing, and keepsakes.

Eustace Conway, TIP’s founder was seen strolling throughout the grounds and I was able to listen in on a hillside talk in the afternoon. I began a friendship with Eustace some years before he was involved with the History channel’s “Mountain Men” series in which he and Preston Roberts, also on the grounds, have been featured in the last four seasons. For some of the attendees the Mountian Men series was their first exposure to Eustace, Preston, and TIP which was a delight to meet in person. There was close to 600 visitors in attendance for this annual event.

It’s always been an honor to participate on this special occasion held over the last several years. Not only am I able to share my skills and experiences with others but I am also enriched by the folks in attendance who share with me. I highly recommend this worthwhile event and encourage you to put in on your calendar for next year’s attendance.

I began our session by handing out wallet-sized pieces of paper on which were printed seven points of survival priorities. We moved on to some edibles. I brought a prickly pear (or nopales) cactus paddle as seen on many survival shows and prepared pieces for sampling. Earlier upon my arrival I caught a grasshopper and then demonstrated how to prepare it for roasting. A young lad volunteered to eat it later with a nod of approval.

We progressed on to firecraft where I built a campfire from scratch so that everyone could see the progression of materials from thin to thick and lit it with the sparks from a broken flint-wheel lighter. Then I shared my “Five Fire Categories” of optical, electrical, chemical, percussion, and friction, and proceeded to demonstrate each one.

Optical – The sun had already set so I could not demonstrate optical fire methods but I did show the different optical devices and described how they are used. I gave each one a wallet magnifier of their own to experiment with on a sunny day. I always keep one in my wallet as a solar fire starter.

Electrical – I pulled off a piece of AAAA steel wool into a strand and crossed the terminals of a lantern battery. Nine volt batteries work well for this. I placed an ignited piece into a paper towel and coaxed it into a flame. Later in the evening I located a AA battery and created a flame using a strip from a foil gum wrapper.

Chemical – I poured out a small mound of Potassium Permanganate (KCO3) and made a small impression in the middle whereupon I added a little bit of anti-freeze (containing glycol). After a few moments smoke appeared followed by an erupting flame. This demonstrated how exothermic reactions of chemicals can create a flame.

Percussion – I showed the materials used for Flint & Steel fire making. I showed different strikers and various rocks. I demonstrated how to make “quick charcloth” by burning a piece of 100 percent cotton cloth until black and extinguished it between two blocks of wood. I then placed it on the flint to catch a spark from the steel striker. Later in the evening I demonstrated a fire piston using the quick charcloth as tinder.

Friction – My last demonstration was Bow & Spindle fire method. This took a few tries but demonstrated the nature of different woods and what to look for in developing proper char powder for the creation of a live coal.

By the end of the meeting the men had gained a greater knowledge of survival and firecraft skills that they can now pass down to their children and future generations.

I explained that my instruction is different than the more recently publicized Prepper trend in that I focus on more immediate short-tem emergencies such as when a person because of circumstances becomes stranded. I teach how to stay alive, how to find help or become found. In tandem with that, I show ways to exploit the resources on hand. This approach provided the other end of the spectrum from the bunker approach that Stephanie wanted to present to her audience.

The extent of my provisions for our discussion fit into a 20 gallon bin. The items were geared toward a power outage scenario in an urban setting which accommodated for loss of heat, light and water, but I also show Stephanie some local edible plants that she sampled. I demonstrated how some trash items could be useful when you don’t have proper tools. while searching for edibles I came across a beer bottle and demonstrated how to remove the bottom by hand so that the piece of glass could be used as a knife. I also mentioned how car headlights could be used to start a fire and how a plastic Gatorade bottle could be used to make soup by rotating it over an open fire.

Having the correct tools for the job is always preferred but it also pays to know how to improvise when you don’t. Thanks to Stephanie, her viewers now know that there are ways that they can prepare for catastrophic events on a shoe-string budget whether “bugging out” or “bugging in”.

Although my survival skills span both modern and primitive, I chose to demonstrate the primitive skills throughout the day to compliment the historic air set by the teepee. My initial demonstration was given to a group of Boy Scouts using the bow and spindle fire method to start the campfire for the day. A little later I was excited to demonstrate flint knapping for the first time. for this craft I showed the traditional tools used by indigenous peoples, but I also showed the counter-part tools made of modern materials.

I always enjoy meeting folks who stop to chat. I have often learned new things that often turn into articles that I post. As usual, I try to replicate or apply what I learn from others to validate it and add insights for clarification. Although W. Kerr Scott Reservoir has only one 50th Anniversary, they offer great programs and provide wonderful facilities for organizations and individuals throughout the year. You can learn more at: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/wkscott/index.htm

The chain of events began last month when I heard that WXII Channel 12 Weather Man and Producer of “Austin Outdoors” segment, Austin Caviness, would be appearing in my area at a local YMCA while participating in a program called “Transformation Nation”. I felt that my bushcraft and survival skills would be of interest to his audience so I attended the event with the purpose of introducing myself and my website to Austin for his consideration. He was in fact interested and asked me to contact him later so that we could discuss details. Actually connecting with such a busy person is not always immediate, but my persistent calls finally paid off and this week when we finally connected we worked out plans to get together in Winston Salem the following day.

In preparation for any possible subject or demonstration my vehicle was “loaded for bear”, jammed with equipment, kits, and firewood. We met at the WXII television station and traveled a short distance to a park where we video taped the contents of the 2 minute segment “Living Off The Land“. The videographer Jeff did a great job capturing the event and Austin is a great sport and willing to try new things. Having done industrial video in earlier years, I can really appreciate the fine job that they did in creating the segment and the seamless editing. Now, we just have to work on my last name…

I was invited by Eustace Conway, the founder, to demonstrate flint and steel fire making at this event. Flint and steel is one of many ways to make fire but was the main method for thousands of years. I personally own a striker from 3 A.D. that thrills me to own as a piece of history that I can help perpetuate through future generations.

I was able to teach a number of folk, both young and old, while giving them hands-on experience and shared in their delight as they made flint and steel fire for the first time. I was also able to demonstrate modern materials that can be used for this historic craft. You can view my video demonstrating these materials.

So, today I was honored to help people make memories of their fire making experience in a rustic setting that helps us understand and appreciate the lifestyles of our forefathers.

The Pow Wow was sponsored by the Blue Ridge Intertribal Pow Wow Association founded in 2005 by Mabel Benjamin and serves as an educational resource on Native American history and culture in western North Carolina and neighboring communities.

Traditionally local schools are invited to attend on Friday mornings to learn about the Indian culture with song, dance, crafts, demonstrations and displays. I was able to demonstrate the bow and spindle method of fire making which was no small feat as compared to modern methods. Both children and adults gathered around my booth as I explained the elements and process. It seems that each time I make fire I learn more about the materials that I use and ways to encourage the coal to come about. After several tries I had victory.

As the crowd wandered over to the dance area, a young Boy Scout stayed behind to get some hands-on experience, so we worked together to develop the proper stance and method. There’s no substitute for practice to develop a good rhythm and understanding of speed and pressure.

The Pow Wow continues today. Check http://www.blueridgepowwows.org/powwow-schedule.html for details.

Yesterday was my first time participating as a vendor at the Wilkesboro Open Air Market and had a totally great time. I had the opportunity to meet many local friends and website visitors. I was able to teach solar and flint & steel fire methods to those who had previously never tried it and were successful in making their first fire using those techniques. They walked away standing a little taller, being better prepared for future fire needs. We had a lot of fun. I demonstrated bow and spindle technique using Red Cedar fire kits. I’ve discovered that Red Cedar will heat quickly, but it also cools quickly, and takes special care in the process. It took several tries throughout the afternoon, but in the end I had success as the on-lookers applauded.

All Open Air Market events take place in Historic Downtown Wilkesboro in the town-owned parking lot near Havana Dreams (except for the Oct. 22 event, which will be held in Cub Creek Park.) Baring any unforeseen circumstance, I plan to be a regular vendor located at the far end of the lot. Just follow the camp fire aroma to my booth.

Heritage crafts of that time were demonstrated throughout the day that included cooking, spinning, blacksmithing, flint knapping, Indian skills, and Civil War drill re-enactments. My part in this event was to display my era-associated items such as my Cheyenne style teepee and stretched deer hide. I brought a 5 foot “fish pillow” replica to add to the atmosphere by hanging it on a tripod as if ready for cleaning. Although I was prepared to demonstrate era cooking skills, my interest in firecraft and flint napping took precedence for the day and I enjoyed meeting many friendly people.

If you find yourself in this area next May, it would be well worth your effort to experience this celebration. I expect you’ll see me there having fun.