5 Different Ways to Start a Fire

Getting stuck in a detrimental environment can be perpetuated if you don't know how to start a fire. Everyone knows that a fire can be started with matches or a lighter, however, other techniques and tools can be used to create fire. You will probably never need this survival skill, although it never hurts to know how to accomplish this task in case of an emergency.

  1. Hand Drill

    • The hand drill method of starting a fire is the most difficult and primitive. Build a tinder nest out of dry grass, leaves or anything that easily catches fire. Find a stick about 2 feet long and a flat piece of wood. Cut two notches in the surface of the flat wood. One notch should be V-shaped and hold the tinder. The second notch should be a small, circular depression. Set the tinder in the "V" notch and the stick tip in the adjacent depression. Roll the stick back and forth in the palm of your hands. Continue rolling the stick until an ember is formed on the end of the tip.

    Two-Man Technique

    • The two-man technique for starting a fire is easier than the hand drill method. You will need a piece of string or shoestring. Design the same tools used to start a fire using the hand drill method. Wrap the string around the stick. Have one person press down on the two-foot stick while you rapidly rotate the stick with the string. Pulling back and forth on the string will cause the stick to rotate faster. Embers will develop on the end of the stick and the tinder can be lit.

    Fire Plough

    • The fire plough method requires the use of other tools to make a groove down the middle of the flat wood. Use a knife or stone to chop out the groove, make sure it runs along the length of the flat wood. Place the tinder at the opposite end from where you're working. Take the stick, commonly called a spindle, and start moving it back and forth along the groove of the flat wood. Friction created causes the tip of the stick to turn red and create embers.

    Bow Drill

    • The bow drill method of starting a fire is taught to a lot of young campers. Make a small bow out of a stick and string. Cut the flat wood and spindle the same way you would if you were using one of the other methods, but make a separate pressure block out of a small piece of wood. The pressure block allows you to press down firmly on the spindle, while you pull back and forth on the bow. Wrap the string of the bow around the spindle. As you pull back and forth on the bow, an ember is created on the tip of the spindle which can drop onto the tinder.

    Flint and Steel

    • Soft steel will spark when you strike it against flint or quartz stone. An old axe head or file will work, however, stainless steel is too hard to produce a spark. Take a small flint stone and place a piece of bark between the flint and thumb of your hand. Strike downward with the soft steel, causing the flint to spark. Use a quick wrist motion when striking the steel and flint. Sparks will pop off the end of the flint and be caught by the tinder. Blow lightly on the tinder until it catches fire and place it on kindling.