Modern Frontier: Dependable Fire Starting Kit
This modern frontier fire kit is a dependable option for today’s outdoorsmen.
There are few places or things I enjoy more than the peace and quiet of the wilderness. Whether alone or with friends and family, the outdoors scratches a deep itch. Maybe it is a natural reaction to the chaotic pace of the modern world. Maybe it’s just the way some of us are wired. Regardless, the brilliant pallet of a mountain sunrise, the whisper of a soft breeze through the pines, and the smell of a campfire are all good for the soul.
As much as I could get carried away by the romance of the wilderness, there is also the practical side to acknowledge. In addition to the sunrises, creeks, and sounds, there are the bugs, thorns, thunderstorms, and blizzards to contend with. It’s not a Disney movie out there. The outdoors can be hot, cold, windy, and dangerous. If you want to spend time outdoors, it’s important to learn to manage the hazards in order to enjoy the good. One way you can manage the hazards is by developing your basic wilderness skills and having functional gear.
One of the fundamental wilderness skills is the ability to make fire. It’s the skill I focused on in A Weekend with Uncle Crockett: Fire. In this story, Carson (the main character) learns the importance of fire skills, how to make a fire, and a little about operating in the real world. At this point, I’ve written a few articles on the subject of fire. However, I have to admit, it’s a topic that already has plenty of information on it. There are a million videos showing fire hacks, weird fire-starting tools, and the best so-and-so lighter of the year. These videos are entertaining, interesting, and a pleasant way to burn (pun intended) 10 minutes. So why add to the pile?
My personal goal has been to develop what I’d call a “modern frontier fire kit.” The idea is to have a simple and effective kit that would last me for long periods of time. In addition to being able to last, the kit also has to be something that I can carry at all times. It has to be there when I need it. Over the years, I’ve eventually settled on the following kit I take with me on forays into the outdoors. In a sense, the purpose of this article is to show the synthesis of all my past articles, trials, failures, and successes. Hopefully, it can help people interested in creating a long-term reliable fire-starting kit. No gimmicks. No attention-stealing videos. Just a simple fire kit that has worked for me in a variety of conditions. If that sounds like something worth your time, here it is.
Ignition
Ferro rod, fire pads, and belt pouch. This modern frontier fire kit is a reliable option for a variety of situations.
One essential component of a fire-starting kit is the ignition device. You have to find a dependable way to create enough heat to start a fire. There are many different ways to do this. My modern frontier fire kit includes two different sources of ignition; a ferro rod and a lighter.
The ferro rod is a simple and effective tool for long-term fire-starting capability. A single rod lasts for thousands of strikes and takes up almost no space. If you want to know more about the ferro rod, you can read this article.
In addition to the ferro rod, I usually keep a lighter in my pocket. Because lighters need a fuel source, they won’t last as long as the ferro rod. However, they are reliable and useful in most situations.
Together, these two ignition devices cover all the bases. The ferro rod offers long-term use, while the lighter is extremely functional and dependable.
Fire Starter
In addition to having a reliable ignition device, it’s worth bringing along a dependable fire starter as well. Fire starter is what helps you take your ignition and turn it into a small flame. Good fire starters will easily ignite with a spark or small flame, burn hot, and burn for several minutes. It also has to be carried easily. With these goals in mind, I’ve settled on a few different options.
The easiest option is cotton balls impregnated with Vaseline. If I’m hurrying to get packed then I can make a half dozen of these in less than five minutes. They easily fit into an old pill bottle and ignite quickly.
However, the “go-to” fire starter are the fire pads I described in another article. These pads that are infused with lighter fluid and wax are, in my opinion, the better option. They burn hotter and longer than cotton balls and pack just as easily. The downside is that they do take more time to make. That’s why I try to make plenty of them when I make batches.
Finally, on long trips, I do carry a trioxane bar in my first-aid kit. I’ve carried these for a few decades, and they work great. Personally, I save them for a true emergency. They have bailed me out on a few occasions.
It might be worth mentioning that these are all backups in my personal kit. The ideal fire stater is what you can find in the outdoors. Can you use pine shavings? Cottonwood bark? A bird’s nest? The best part about learning to use natural sources of tinder is that they are plentiful in nature. Saving the manufactured fire starters and relying on natural sources can help me stay out for longer periods. It also saves my fire starters for situations when I really need them.
Belt Pouch
As mentioned earlier, when I constructed my modern fire-starting kit, I wanted to carry it in a way that it was always with me. If I don’t carry it on me at all times, there is a chance I might not have it when I need it. This is the same concept as the mountain man possibles bag.
Over time, I eventually created a small belt pouch that works great. I do some leathercraft, so making a custom belt pouch wasn’t difficult. For the most part, the belt pouch stays out of the way, so I rarely know it’s there. To keep it minimal, I designed it so I could keep my ferro rod and two fire pads in it. Any bigger than that, and it just gets too bulky. For longer trips, I also have a metal tin that holds a few fire starters. This goes into my pack. What’s great about this is that the tin not only holds the fire pads, but it can also help make char as well. Although char typically isn’t associated with a ferro rod, it can really extend the sparks. Having the ability to make char is certainly a positive attribute.
Another thing a belt pouch offers is easy access when I do need it. Carrying it on my belt also ensures that it goes with me everywhere. It also incorporates well with my knife sheath on my belt. With this setup, I always have a knife and a fire-starting kit with me at all times. Just those two items can help me accomplish quite a lot.
At this point, it might be worth interjecting that while the kit is dependable and
This modern frontier fire-starting kit has proven to be a good option to help me reach my goals. I wanted a fire kit that was dependable, would be able to last me for long periods of time, and could carry on me at all times without being in the way. The kit as described is lightweight and reliable. It carries some manufactured items, but this kit also encourages me to utilize knowledge of the natural world. Carrying it in a belt pouch also ensures I always have it with me. All in all, I’m pleased with the practicality and functionality of this modern frontier fire-starting kit. It might not be fancy, or go viral on the Internet, but it works. Hopefully, it might help you create a kit of your own.
