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Percussion Rust/Aluminum Fire

Ken — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:32:16 +0000

Over the years I’ve viewed science teacher videos on the web that demonstrate the effects of a thermite reaction when two rusty ball bearings were used with one being covered with aluminum foil were struck together to create a massive spark. It was very impressive and of course where there are sparks, there is the possibility to use them as an ignition source.

I was unable to acquire the large ball bearings needed to accomplish this feat and so resigned it to my bucket list. However recently I viewed a video that showed the use of a hammer, aluminum foil, a very rusty disc, and a treated cloth used as tinder to recieve the sparks.

In pursing this method I tried striking foil on top of various rusty items without success. I finally contacted my mechanic friend and asked him if he had any scrap brake rotors that were rusty and fortunately was able to acquired some.

At first I tried to strike the rusty flat disc surface with a ball peen hammer using the flat end but had almost no sparks. Then I used the ball peen end and had better results. Then it dawned on me that the teacher demos used 2 ball bearings for a reason that the curved surfaces provided a single point of contact for effective kinetic energy transfer so I chose to strike the “hat” portion of the rotor that had a curved surface and “presto”! Great sparks were achieved.

To capture the sparks I applied a spirit accelerant to a cloth and layed it next to the metal surface that I was striking. When attempting this it is important to exercise caution as the accelerant can be quite volatile so a pair of tongs can be useful to remove the ignited tinder to a safe place and enabling a way to smother it out for additional safety.

So now you know a another method to create a fire that would make MacGyver proud and might be needed in an emergency situation.

Making Fire With Rocks

Ken — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 13:27:14 +0000

Making fire using only rocks to generate a spark has been on my bucket list for a number of years. Recently I watched a video demonstrating this from David Canterbury that inspired me to try again. Like many fire methods it can mainly depend on the proper materials in order to accomplish it.

In past efforts I had acquired an iron pyrite nugget that was the right size (large enough to hold by hand) and texture where the non-crystal area is the best area to strike in order to create sparks. Historically horse hoof fungus that contains a layer known as amadou has been used for tinder but I had rummaged through some of my firecraft materials and came across some excellent inonotus obliques fungus or chaga as my tinder. The soft punky areas of chaga works the best for catching sparks.

I used my knife to rub an edge of the chaga in order to make powder which created more surface area for catching the weak sparks that iron pyrite produces. Unlike ferrocerium rods where a single strike produces a shower of hot sparks, the rapid succession of striking the pyrite using the flint produces the best results for the weaker sparks to succeed.

Once a spark is caught in the tinder you can bolster it with the surrounding material followed by a gentle breath to help it grow. Once the coal is established it can be transferred into a bird’s nest of tinder (in my case jute fiber) and coaxed into a flame.

Bottle Bottom Breakout Using A Dime

Ken — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 14:16:42 +0000

I often use glass bottle bottoms with which to make arrowheads. The material is free and consistent in it’s properties. Once in awhile I hear about a new (to me) way of removing bottle bottoms. I questioned a hearsay method that someone told me recently and tried it out unsuccessfully. I did some research regarding this on the web and found no references but in the process of research came across a different method using a dime. I had to try it out.

This method uses a 12 oz. bottle for the break out. A dime is small enough to fit inside the opening of the neck and once inserted the bottle is grasped by the neck and the thumb placed over the opening, then the bottle is shaked up and down vigorously for quite a time, perhaps a minute. I was delighted when the bottom finally broke out whole. This is best done over a soft surface so that when the glass bottom comes off it won’t break into pieces when it lands.

I use a tire iron to poke out the bottom of a 40 oz. bottle (because the glass is thicker) but some folks use a nail or bolt to shake in the same manner with this larger size as I did with the 12 oz. bottle and dime. I wondered that if a dime worked, could a small stone work as well. Sure enough, it worked, but it didn’t come out as cleanly as with the dime. I stepped up the test and used a heavy steel nut but the bottom was shattered and broke out in many parts. I’m guessing that there is an optimum ratio of weight-to-glass for best results.

In the end I would call this the “shake” method and it’s good to have alternative methods of removing a glass bottle’s bottom for various uses. Although water can be used for breaking out the bottle bottom (see “Popping Off Bottle Bottoms By Hand“) the “shake” method can accomplish the task when water is not available. Give it a try and share your results.

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 by Fire Piston

Ken — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:40:40 +0000

FIRE PISTON….the most amazing survival fire starting device! With a single push, tinder placed in the end of the piston is ignited by the heat of compression, instantly becoming a glowing ember with no more effort than lighting a match. As a survival device, one of the most compelling aspects of fire pistons is their ability to ignite a variety of natural tinders that can be collected in the woods and fields without special preparation. Some of these tinders having practical value for fire making include true tinder fungus, mullein pith, milkweed pod ovum, milkweed down, cattail fluff, poplar cotton, and wood punk. In addition, cotton charcloth, familiar to flint and steel fire makers works very well in the fire piston and can be made at home.

Survivaltek offers Coco Bolo Fire Pistons for sale for only $60.00. Contact us at info@survivaltek.com for more details.