How to Make a Flint Spark

Before embarking on a hike or overnight camping trip, make sure you have a few essential pieces of gear. Many recreational campers will use starter logs, a lighter or matches to ignite a campfire. In the event that your gear gets wet, the flint is a handy piece of equipment. According to Backpacker magazine, the flint consists of a magnesium rod and a metallic striker. The flint striker creates a shower of sparks.

Instructions

    • 1

      Create a pile of tinder consisting of small sticks, dried moss and tree bark. Lower the tinder pile into your fire pit. Hold the magnesium flint rod in your non-dominant hand.

    • 2

      Grip the small metallic striker in your dominant hand. Place the edge of the striker against the base of the flint rod. Align the flint and striker above your tinder pile.

    • 3

      Apply downward pressure to the striker with your dominant hand. Drag the striker down the length of the magnesium rod to emit a shower of sparks over your tinder pile. Repeat the process until your tinder pile begins to smoke.