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Uplands Reach Conference Center Class

Ken — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:32:11 +0000

I was invited to teach a class at the Rugged Spirituality event at Uplands Reach Conference Center today. I arrived a little early and was welcomed by the group as they were preparing breakfast in the camping area. They were making omelets in plastic bags by combining 2 eggs, cheese, cooked sausage and tater tots. Once all the air has been expelled from the bag, it is sealed and suspended in a pot of boiling water until cooked. The first person to begin cooking had selected just eggs and cheese and accomplished a textbook omelet. The next campers loaded up the bags with the works and it took quite awhile to cook it’s contents. It turned out that the sausages and tater tots where still frozen and inhibited the quick cook time. This reminded me of my cooler cooking experience. When preparing food, it’s best to add room temp contents for faster cooking.

After breakfast we began discussing survival basics such as the rule of 3s and survival priorities. Then we discussed edible plants, finding direction and shelters. Of course, we ended up with firecraft and we discussed the fire making categories of friction, percussion, optical and electrical. I used a broken headlamp to start a fire by the solar method. Then I showed how to use fine steel wool with a 9 volt battery to start a fire and everyone had a chance to try it for themselves. Then I showed how to use steel wool instead of charcloth to catch a spark using flint and steel, and in the end I demonstrated fire by friction using the bow and spindle method.

Recently I acquired some basswood and it is now my new best friend for fire by friction. In the last couple of weeks I’ve been able to guide several folks in accomplishing their first successful fire by friction by bow and spindle. It is such a delight to see the joy of their success. Such was the case this morning where 4 guys made their first bow and spindle fires and a young lad made his first flint and steel fire.

The program director, Matthew McNiel showed me a fire piston that he had made out of inexpensive hardware, so now it’s on my “to-do” list to accomplish. As we concluded our time, Matthew began to envision next year’s programs in which I may be able to participate. It was a great day with prospects of a great future.

Fire Pistons – Old and New

Ken — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:18:22 +0000

Fire pistons use a centuries old technology that capitalizes on a physics law, that rapidly compressed air generates heat… enough heat to ignite certain tinders. Fire pistons were discovered over 200 years ago in South East Asia and were brought to Europe where they were demonstrated among the scientific community, eventually leading Rudolph Diesel to invent the Diesel Engine.

Fire pistons were originally made out of bamboo, bone, and horn. The gasket was made of string fiber and lubricated with dog fat. Different tinders include true tinder fungus, mullein pith, milkweed pod ovum, milkweed down, cattail fluff, poplar cotton, and wood punk. The tinder is placed in the end of the piston which in turn is inserted into the cylinder. By striking the piston down briskly, the tinder is ignited by the heat of compression, instantly becoming a glowing ember. The ember is then transferred to a waiting bundle of tinder which is coaxed into a flame.

I bought my first fire piston about 8 years ago and had fun until the wood grain separated, thus creating a leak – causing a lack of compression. As a reproduction of a centuries old fire making device, the string gasket fire piston is a treasure. But for unequaled performance, the 2nd Generation fire piston is now being produced that consists of a brass cylinder and piston that are incorporated into the traditional wood materials so that the look and feel are the same, but the durability is unlimited. It also uses a rubber “O”-ring that is consistent and replaceable. In addition, it has a patent-pending pressure-relief valve that allows easy stowage of the piston within the cylinder.

The fire pistons in the photo illustrate the difference in construction between the old and new technologies. I have enjoyed using both of them. You can order your own fire piston from the Survivaltek Store. Each kit comes with charcloth and instructions.

Meeting “Big Tom” Buchanan…

Ken — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:22 +0000

Big Tom, my sons, and Me

Last Saturday night I was treated to a surprise dinner by my youngest son Grayson. We pulled into the parking lot of “Big Tom’s Wings and Pizza” located in town. Unknown to me it was the Grand Opening with “Big Tom” of “Survivor Africa” appearing in person for a “Meet and Greet”. He was very personable and very pleasant to talk with. I mentioned that I had applied for Survivor Australia the season before his. He said that knowing how to make fire was part of the success of his long duration in the game. He also mentioned that dry elephant dung was the best tinder for starting fires, which I concur. Most herbivores leave fine fibrous material at the end of their digestion process.

Fire Piston Demo with Big Tom

Locally I use dry horse dung for solar fire starting as it’s fibers are loose enough for air flow but tight enough to transfer and build heat. After dinner I told Big Tom that I would like to show him a primitive fire method and so went home to retrieve a fire piston. After returning, I explained the history and process of ignition by air compression. I demonstrated the fire piston and after loading it with fresh charcloth, Big Tom successfully produced a live coal as well. He said “If I would have had this in Africa, I would have been a BIG hero!”. Well, after sharing this experience with him we had a great time while he shared stories of his Survival series adventures abroad.

Thanks to Ricky Roope and Jule Hubbard for the photos.