pencil sharpener

[Chinkapin]

This idea was a new one for me, so I thought I would pass it on. It looks like it should work quite well, and I can't wait to try it out.

Carry a standard lead pencil and one of those small, hand-held pencil sharpeners. When you want to light a fire, get out the pencil sharpener, and the pencil and sharpen it. The thin slivers of wood will supposedly ignite readily.

Since most pencils are made of cedar, a dead, dry cedar twig would probably work in place of the pencil, if need be.

Note: Although most all small, hand-held pencil sharpeners are rather poorly made with plastic housings and cheap blades. However, most art supply stores and "hobby" stores carry inexpensive, but well made, metal pencil sharpeners. Some even have replaceable blades.

 

[kiltedpict]

What a brilliant idea.... instant tinder if nothing else around.

Thanks for that, will add it to my kit.

a' the best

KP

 

[Neumo]

Yes this is a good idea, that was in another thread on here a while ago. I keep one in my fire kit & use it from time to time on small dry twigs to make tinder. The cheap metal ones can also be burnt, either as shavings or whole, as they are made from a cheap metal than can be set on fire apparently (I have not tried this part). I got myself one of those double pencil sharpeners that does a thick pencil as well as a standard sized one.

 

[g4ghb]

I've carried a pencil sharpener for a while now but have to confess seldom use it. I beleive the metal ones are some kind of magnesium alloy hence the use as a fireligher themselves

Never really got on with the 'proper' magnesium blocks either so couldn't say if they are better / worse

 

[Wayland]

I've had a pencil sharpener in my fire kit for years and it does get used with twigs quite often.

Even if the twig is damp on the outside there is usually enough dry stuff on the inside to light and that sets off the rest.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Best thing I've heard in a long time.

 

[JonathanD]

Best thing I've heard in a long time.

I agree, that's a cracking idea. I've got loads of em. Pencil sharpners that is, not ideas.

You can get the larger sized versions that women use for their make up pencils too, ideal size for bigger sticks.

 

[Muddy Boots]

I've had a pencil sharpener in my fire kit for years and it does get used with twigs quite often.

Even if the twig is damp on the outside there is usually enough dry stuff on the inside to light and that sets off the rest.

I carry one after getting the idea from this top fella.

Cheers matey.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

what a wicked idea man i am so going to be using it

 

[JonathanD]

what a wicked idea man i am so going to be using it

Yeah, I've just stolen my girlfriends from one of her numerous make up bags and replaced it with one of my regular ones. Time to practice my innocent face.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

classic johnathan i think mums make up sharpener might be getting rehomed as fire lighting aid

 

[axemangler]

You can get the larger sized versions that women use for their make up pencils too, ideal size for bigger sticks.

Mnn! how would you know that. X.

 

[maddave]

Yup I've carried one for a while. The womens makeup pencil ones are good because they have 2 sizes, normal and big.

Neumo has an idea in his post about setting cheap metal ones on fire.... I suspect some may be made from magnesium. Could be used like a Doan firestarter with a firesteel perhaps?? who knows

 

[Chinkapin]

Didn't mean to step on someone else's idea. I looked around a bit prior to posting and didn't see anything like it so I went ahead and posted it. So, full credit goes to whomever posted this originally.

 

[Mang]

An artistic picture I posted on Escouts' Bushcraft and Nature Social group

 

[Asa Samuel]

I've heard of grinding the metal ones down to set alight to, I usually just use my knife if I want to get curls though.

 

[JonathanD]

I've heard of grinding the metal ones down to set alight to, I usually just use my knife if I want to get curls though.

Funny you should say that. After explaining why I'd liberated my GFs eyeliner pencil, she made a profound statement... "Don't you do that with your knife?" Well, for once, she is right. It's a nifty and new way of doing the job, but I simply don't need to carry something extra around.

Bushcraft can be viewed as going back to basics, but it is in our nature to improvise and look for new ideas that really aren't needed. I'll certainly keep one in my fire pouch along with flint, steel etc. But I won't be taking it out with me when I have a knife at hand.

 

[Thoth]

Allthough it is a clever tip I agree with Johnathan; I'd rather use something I already carry to do the job than carry something extra. But in a survival situation a pencil sharpener just might be available when a knife isn't. By the way, a knife can be used to sharpen pencils too! ;-)

 

[Wayland]

Didn't mean to step on someone else's idea. I looked around a bit prior to posting and didn't see anything like it so I went ahead and posted it. So, full credit goes to whomever posted this originally.

Never does any harm to revisit a good idea.