An Omission...Both Nessmuk and Kephart

[Tengu]

I am a big fan of both of them, as you know.

But re-reading I spot an omission, to my eyes.

They talk a bit about survival, (though are mostly Bushcraft) but assume that you are in possession of (dry) matches.

No alternative fire lighting, as more modern authors talk about.

 

[Broch]

Well, remembering that this was a time and a place when everyone carried some kind of firearm, Kephart's advice of using a round with the projectile removed is very effective (I have tried it) and pretty reliable.

 

[Kadushu]

I've only read a little bit of Kephart but I'm more familiar with Nessmuk and in his case he was writing about recreational camping and "smoothing it". He wasn't concerned with showcasing traditional or primitive techniques but rather ease, simplicity and lightweight kit. He was a bit crusty too and I suspect his answer to wet or lost matches would have been "look after them better!"

 

[HillBill]

While both were outdoorsmen, they were practical men of their time. Both ventured out for different reasons.

Kephart was a librarian and author, Nessmuk was a conservationist, author and hunter.

They didn't work with fantasy scenarios...They went equipped for the outdoors given their own needs. There was no random survival situation envisioned by them, No plane crash in the wilderness etc, as seems to happen a lot these days. They weren't about historical 'bushcraft' methods as per Ray Mears for example.

They just did what they did and wrote about it. Matches were the reliable modern (at the time) way of making a fire. They would have known of their importance and protected them accordingly.

I carry a lighter and a firesteel, can i use flint and steel, or bowdrill...sure. Would i? No. Other than for fun, what would be the point?

 

[Pattree]

I have read neither author but T E White, a novelist and outdoorsman, writing at a similar time (1908) is exactly the same.

All his references to fire lighting (and smoking his pipe) involve matches. However his accounts of his hikes and canoe trips described various ways of keeping matches dry, from sealed tins to filling the matchbox with candle wax and extracting them through the wax when needed.

Besides writing accounts of his own forest, fishing and mountaineering experience he wrote novels about outdoor adventures. In these he frequently refers to flint and steel and is particularly keen on collecting powdered wood from decaying birch trees which he recommends for catching a spark.

 

[Tengu]

Broch, you are right about the firearms (and the go-to fire starter if matchless would have been the firearm, yes) But Nessmuk advises us not to take one if out of season.

And no fantasy situations but both authors do talk about getting lost/losing equipment.

(But both authors have waterproof match containers in several places including on their persons).

We are spoiled for choice, arent we?

 

[HillBill]

Broch, you are right about the firearms (and the go-to fire starter if matchless would have been the firearm, yes) But Nessmuk advises us not to take one if out of season.

And no fantasy situations but both authors do talk about getting lost/losing equipment.

(But both authors have waterproof match containers in several places including on their persons).

We are spoiled for choice, arent we?

Yeah, we are these days. So many options for fire lighting. We always find easier, more efficient and reliable ways to do things... It's basically an evolution of essential kit.

Regarding the firearm and seasons... in the US, it's always self defence season. So a pistol, or bear rifle would always be a consideration.