The event was “sold out” with 400 tickets sold. There were numerous volunteers in attendance as well. I was surprised at the slower pace of previous years and I suspect that next FLT event will increase the number of tickets available as there is a greater capacity for Public participation.

I was able to demonstrate and teach flint and steel firecraft, optical firecraft, hobo fishing with a tin can, alcohol burner construction with a aluminum can, outdoor cooking methods and more. As usual, I enjoyed learning from others their experiences and techniques in these endeavors.

TIP is already discussing the prospect of scheduling another event for this Fall. You can keep up with their activities at http://www.turtleislandpreserve.com. I might see you there!

I began to speak about fire as it relates to survival as well as the philosophy of it’s use… how “the White Man builds a fire and steps back from it” and how “the Indian builds a fire and hovers over it”. Being judicious with resources in a survival situation can be crucial. Next, I shared “Ken’s 5 fire categories” – friction, percussion, optical, electrical and chemical as the “ways” to make fire with various combinations or “means” to start a fire within these categories.

Having introduced these concepts I began to demonstrate some the these methods: reflective mirrors and refractive lens – solar; flint & steel using charcloth, then steel wool – percussion; steel wool and a 9 volt battery – electrical; bow & spindle – friction.

The girls were great – attentive and polite. I asked one volunteer among them who had a ferro-rod to come up and use it to ignite some cattail fluff. I received warm affirmations in the end which made the whole event a delightful experience.