Fire steel discovery

[Jeff Wagner]

With some help from my lovely assistant I think we can make a photo showing this in action.

 

[addyb]

Lovely assistant? Is she Swedish?

 

[Jeff Wagner]

No, actually Hiromi is from the land of the rising sun, rather than the midnight sun.
She was the best development from three trips to Tokyo.

Here is making single flame fire using the micro firesteel.

 

[firemaker]

Finally got an opportunity to get some pictures taken. Here is what I have come up with so far, what I call a Kabuki piston. I have more models in the works that will have more features. This ones features are: 5/8" long fero rod inserted in the capped end of the piston, jute tinder double-wrapped around a recessed area around the center of the barrel, (about 15 feet of jute) and a deep tinder keep that holds tinder, packet of luricant, gasket string, chaga, and of course a small fero scraper. All in one unit, for MY kit.

Great shots showing these awesome steels at work Jeff.

 

[Jeff Wagner]

"Q, what in the world have you came up with now?"

"Its a fire starting device, James.. Based on an ancient device from the Pacific Islands but with a few modern twists. Quite remarkable actually"

"How does it work?"

"Look here James...this knob is connected to a piston shaft. You place a bit of combustible in the end there and give it a push. There...you see ...a glowing coal..instantly."

"You were right Q, that is remarkable. Hello....whats this...?"

"Ahh...thats one of the modern twists I mentioned. As a contingency measure there is a Swedish fire steel hidden in the body along with a striker."

"Spendid...Q, you have out done yourself. This would appear to be a fire making device for all occasions. Tell me ....does this device hold any other secrets?"

"A couple James.The cap there comes off to reveal a hidden compartment." " And look here, there is a compass to keep your way. Over on this end is a water purifier should you be stuck in the swamp. And on this end we have...."

"There is a hidden burning lens inside...how ingenious, Q. I must give this a try". What do you call this amazing contraption?

Well, I'm not sure what to call it. Its part diesel, part archemedes and part prometheus, part swiss army knife. I really dont know what the hell to call it. Maybe I'll just call a Kabuki piston - I dont really have a reason why...I just like the sound of it"

"Moneypenny!.....Come out to the bush with me would you.... I want to show you my Kabuki piston"

"Ohh...James...."

 

[firemaker]

Great minds think alike. We should get together sometime. Together we could rule the world!!!

Close guess, not quiet what I had in mind though.

Do you also forge Jeff???

 

[Jeff Wagner]

Do you also forge Jeff???[/QUOTE]

Nope. Since I can create originals.... I have no interest in forgery.

 

[firemaker]

Take it easy there Jeff. I have been nothing but awed by your work. (And I hope that I am still on your work list.)

At first I was quite surprised by your similar model. But I will be the first to admit it was not my idea. One phone call told me nor is it yours. I am often asked by friends to help create their ideas. You know this very well I believe.

I also do not have an issue with sharing things that I have learned. That is what this site is for.

 

[oops56]

Sure Sure now that i got one off both you guys you do this to me can i trade my old for new type

 

[Jeff Wagner]

Take it easy there Jeff. I have been nothing but awed by your work. (And I hope that I am still on your work list.)

Relax grasshopper...merely a humorous play on your "forge" word. Apologies for any unintended offense. Yes, you are definitely on my list.

 

[Ralph]

Where do you get the micro firesteels?

 

[Jeff Wagner]

Where do you get the micro firesteels?

Please drop me an email or PM Ralph. Thanks

 

[Burnt Ash]

Dryer lint is OK, but often contains synthetic fibre, which doesn't help. Better than silicone spray is candle wax. Don't dip connon wool in it, that's too much. Some candle scrapings on top of a ball of wool, heated up 'til it soaks in. Works a treat. Non greasy, too.

IMO, pure cotton wool is the best tinder going. It's dirt cheap and you can buy it almost anywhere. It lights first time with the feeblest of sparks and you can pack a lot of it into a 35mm film canister or small screw-top pill bottle to keep it dry.

Vaseline is an excellent extender (used with cotton wool or other tinder) and burns with a hot, luminous flame (the smoke is a bit sooty, but you're only going to be using a smear of the stuff to get a fire going). I take the point about Vaseline being greasy, but it's not unpleasantly so -not like spilling diesel or kerosene on your kit. I used to lard myself with industrial quantities of the stuff when I played rugby to prevent abrasion injuries in the scrum and grass burns. Also in its favour, Vaseline has several other 'bushcraft uses' apart from fire lighting: you can put it on chapped lips, nappy rash, grazes, etc. I've even used it to keep my dry flies afloat when fishing.

It's a pity we can't get Vaseline in tootpaste-type tubes here in the UK, as you can in North America.

Burnt Ash

 

[2blackcat]

Nappy rash

 

[AJB]

Anyone know where you can buy these micro firesteels from?

ta ajb

 

[scanker]

This link: http://www.campingsurvival.com/flintbar18x2.html was from this thread.

 

[AJB]

Hi Neil,

Thanks a lot for that, they don’t seem to mail to the UK, but I’ve sent them an email and I live in hope.

Thanks again,

Andy

 

[Mooney]

any news on the mail order AJB?

 

[AJB]

Hi,

Sorry, I’ve been busy and forgot to get back top you.

The people at Camping and Survival turned out to be a complete shower. They would sell me a some rods, at about $5, but wanted to charge me $106 to deliver them! When I asked about the $5 Global priority envelope the rest of America use, they just got stropy!

However, these people (http://survival.instantestore.net/pd_mini.cfm) were very nice, a bit expensive for what they are, but nice people to deal with.

They seem to specialise in Bushcraft training films, which is interesting in itself.

AJB

 

[Mooney]

Hi,

Sorry, I’ve been busy and forgot to get back top you.

The people at Camping and Survival turned out to be a complete shower. They would sell me a some rods, at about $5, but wanted to charge me $106 to deliver them! When I asked about the $5 Global priority envelope the rest of America use, they just got stropy!

However, these people (http://survival.instantestore.net/pd_mini.cfm) were very nice, a bit expensive for what they are, but nice people to deal with.

They seem to specialise in Bushcraft training films, which is interesting in itself.

AJB

excellent thanks, i have a great idea for these if i dont say so myself
edit* just ordered 4 of em
Cheers
John