Prepared Minimalist

Your fire kit should be watertight which I would recommend packing it again in a ziplock bag to make sure.  Also, I would recommend also making this kit stand out so one can find it in complete dark, or while blindfolded since one may need to use this kit in very low lighting at times. 

 

Most people say to carry at least three ways to start fire.  However, if you are a pro with one type and have lets say a magnifier for reading or something else multi purpose, there is no need to have that many.  Native tribes never had three or more ways to start a fire.  They perfected one way and live off that with much practice.  A minimalist approach would be two items max, and those items would be your most practiced source of creating fire as well.  A skilled person could light two fires with one match by splitting the match carefully in two as well.

 

This kit will need two type of things: Ignition source and Fire-starting tinder.

 

Ignition Sources:

• Lighter

• Matches

• Magnesium Fire Rod

• Fire Steel Striking Rod

• Magnifier and the sun

• Bow and drill methods

• Fire Piston

• Chemicals such a potassium permanganate and glycerin mixed together ignites into a fire.  I have to credit Survivorman’s Les Stroud for this find since I found that out watching Surviorman.

• In a survival situation the other ways are any way you can!  Cross wires on batteries to make it spark to ignite tinder.  Make sure not to breathe the air though from it since this and other methods in an everything goes is TOXIC.

 

 

Fire-Starting Tinder:

• P.E.T Cotton Balls are cotton balls socked in petroleum jelly.

• Wet Fire packets usually come in a ten pack.

• Steel Wool

• Dried leaves, bandana, or other dried items on the ground.

• Lint from your pockets which aren't wet would make great tinder!

• Saw dust or small wood ships are also options for tinder.  Use your knife to cut into wood to get to the dry wood.

• Hand sanitizes, hand cream, lip balm, or anything alcohol based also ignites well.