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.

Although our activities were held in separate areas at TIP events I still enjoyed sharing a table with he and his wife Kathleen at the end of the day at “Nacho Mama’s” dining area with the rest of the staff and volunteers. Preston was a regular fixture at Tip but I was amazed at all of the folks in my neighboring county who were art students of his during his Public School days. That was one of the many themes that was shared from attendees at the memorial service. Eustace shared some of Preston’s experiences while teaching at the Boy’s Camps held over the years. He took delight in sharing his knowledge and experience with others, which is also a passion of mine.

 
It was fitting that the memorial service was held in the Pavilion that Preston had designed and built. His family and kin were seated inside while various folks shared their thoughts and remembrances about Preston. Eustace (seen in the photo) spoke of his character and expressed his gratitude for their friendship over the decades. Although Preston will be missed, his contributions in service and investment in the lives of others will go forward for generations. 
 

In usual fashion we discussed the priorities of survival. I began to construct a campfire showing the progression of tinder-to-kindling-to-fuel. As I battoned some wood to create kindling the boys were able to practice using ferro rods to light cattail fluff. After some coals were established I used two cans of different sizes to clam-shell over a yam and let it bake. Then I passed around some edible flora that I had collected earlier in the morning for hands-on inspection and tasting.

We spent some time learning different ways to create fire by using solar, electrical, and percussion methods. Everyone had a chance to try flint and steel firecraft and I demonstrated how to make “Quickie Charcloth” with which to catch a spark. We celebrated with each individual who was able to achieve this method of making fire!

Between classes Eustace Conway stopped by to chat with me about his vision for Turtle Island Preserve and that he encouraged instructors to include cultural aspects of our craft beyond technique and how they relate to sustainability in contrast to modern society.

You can follow the activities of Turtle Island Preserve at their website where you can register for classes and events that they offer.

I always enjoy sharing my passion with others and having the fathers accompany these young boys was a throw-back to home-schooling my own sons. The boys ranged from approximately 12-8 years old and holding a class for two and a half hours went quite well with participation by all. The class was joined by some TIP staff and one of their fathers so it spanned several generations.

After discussing the priorities of survival I began to construct a campfire showing the progression of tinder-to-kindling-to-fuel. As I batoned some wood to create kindling the boys were able to practice using ferro rods to light cattail fluff. After some coals were established I used two cans of different sizes to clam-shell over a yam and let it bake. Then I passed around some edible flora that I had collected earlier in the morning for hands-on inspection and tasting.

We spent some time learning different ways to create fire by using solar, electrical, and percussion methods. Everyone had a chance to try flint and steel firecraft and I demonstrated how to make “Quickie Charcloth” with which to catch a spark. We had numerous victories of making fire!

As the class was held in the late afternoon I was able to stay for dinner at the famous “Nacho Mama” cafe which is the TIP dining area. The meals there are always great and varied. It was a great time with wonderful folks and made my father’s day weekend that much more special.

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.

At the beginning of each class we shared informal introductions and then I passed out slips of paper to each boy listing survival priorities, and discussed the “rule of threes”. I then demonstrated how to build a campfire that would would later serve to make charcloth for flint & steel firecraft. Each boy who attended the classes successfully achieved this fire method.

They also learned how to make a whistle out of acorn caps and soda bottle caps for signaling. We discussed cooking methods using unconventional tools such as cans and plastic bottles. I demonstrated how to use hand-sanitizer as fuel to cook an egg. They also learned about “Hobo” fishing and had the opportunity to cast a lure using a soda can instead of a conventional rod and reel. At the conclusion of the class I demonstrated a little flint knapping using glass from the bottom of a glass bottle.

I reflect on the days of my youth and value the folks who shared life-skills with me and hope that the information and demonstrations that I shared will be a benefit to the boys who attended my classes.

Some of the activities included blacksmithing, buggy rides, chicken processing, fire by friction, knife sharpening, spoon carving, salt making, shingle riving, all of which comprised only a fraction of the educational classes offered.

As usual, I provided demonstrations of primitive and survival skills. Many of these demos centered around the use of available resources that can turn typical “trash” into survival tools. I turned a coffee can into a suspended cooking pot, a soda bottle cap into a whistle, a soda can into a hobo fishing rig, a broken headlight into a fire starter, a hacksaw blade into a flint & steel striker, and bottle bottoms into a cutting blade and an arrowhead. I also demonstrated the traditional bow & spindle fire by friction method and shadow-stick directional navigation.

Turtle Island Preserve is a great environment to experience heritage skills and self-sustainable living skills. You can learn more about TIP at their website and keep up with their activities on their FaceBook page.

It was a beautiful day for such an event even though there were pockets of icy puddles throughout the grounds. It was strategic to stand in the sunlight when possible. Eustuce began the instruction by telling the history of his efforts at TIP which included Spencer’s contribution thirteen years ago. Spencer, once a student, continued building his skill and returned this day as a teacher of the craft.

Although the majority of wood shingles are made from oak, this class focused on white pine which was the main resource at TIP. Whereas oak is split in a radial manner, white oak is cut in parallel fashion. This is all done with hand tools.

With a chain saw, Eustace felled the first of three white pines of the day. I was totally impressed with his skill as he selected the proper tree, called out the path among a stand of trees for it’s destination and then cut with precision and layed the pine right on target. He proceeded to cut out the segments that were to be split. He then demonstrated the splitting technique on one segment and groups of two to three students began to repeat the process on the rest. Spencer advised us on techniques that would benefit us throughout the day.

Having spent the day learning this skill, I will now be on the look-out to acquire the tools with which to perform this task on my own. As Eustace says, this skill empowers you to be self-sufficient. Now, having the knowledge and some experience, I will be able to teach others to do the same.

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!

The day began with a tour led by Desere, the office manager of TIP. She has been there for eight years now and is a walking plethora of information. We as a group walked past many structures built throughout the years with differing materials and for different purposes usually with reclaimed materials or timber from the land. There is a saw mill on the premises that produces lumber, and on this particular day there was a separate volunteer crew led by Eustace Conway and Preston Roberts who were busy constructing a massive lumber storage building.

The focus of our group was the up-coming Families Learning Together (FLT) event being held on April 26th where folks can purchase tickets for a day to learn more about heritage skills and crafts. You can find more information and purchase tickets by visiting the TIP FaceBook EVENT PAGE or CONTACT them through their website.

The photo above shows the volunteers and interns as they gathered at “Nacho Mama’s” kitchen area where great food and fellowship was shared. I have been privileged to participate in various classes and demonstrations over the last several years and can attest to the awesome events, opportunities and experiences available to visitors. I am planning to demonstrate both primitive and survival skills at FLT and would love to see you there.