Primitive fire making kit

[Mr Cake]

The latest incarnation of my primitive fire making kit:

Clockwise from the top -

Limpet shells - could be used for a bow drill bearing block but I use them as 'rain covers' inside the two pouches

Flint striker wrapped in bucksin to protect my hand

Marcasite lump - I gave my previous one to someone who kindly gave me some amadou so I need to make a groove in this

Tinder pouch - the flap helps to keep the contents dry when not in use. I strike directly into the pouch so the flap also helps to extinguish any bits of ember I might accidently leave in the pouch

Flint flake - for scraping/fluffing up the amadou or other tinder material

King Alfreds Cake / Daldinia Concentrica - ember extender

Main pouch containing the above

Small pouch for spare tinder

I don't regularly use amadou as suitable fungi don't grow in my area

Inspired by the following:

http://www.primitiveways.com/marcasite and flint.html

 

[udamiano]

excellent kit you've got there, thanks for sharing it with us

 

[Ogri the trog]

Cool beans Mr Cake

Can I ask where you got your marcasite piece from, I've been looking out for one as a demonstration piece for ages?

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Mr Cake]

From an ebay seller who goes under the name of 'goldwray' or 'sylverwray'. Bought a few pieces off him and he's always been very good. He usually has larger lumps if you contact him directly.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Thank you.....

Off for a fossick.

Ogri the trog

 

[JulesC]

@ Mr Cake,

I found the guy on ebay you recommend, does the shape/surface texture matter? You seem to have a smooth surface finish on the marcasite.

Thanks

Jules

 

[Stringmaker]

@ Mr Cake,

I found the guy on ebay you recommend, does the shape/surface texture matter? You seem to have a smooth surface finish on the marcasite.

Thanks

Jules

If I may butt in, I bought some marcasite from the same chap.

It doesn't seem to matter which part of the nodule you hit as long as you are positive; what worked for me was a similar wrist snap action like with a steel. I struck the marcasite with the flint, not the other way round.

 

[Mr Cake]

I also strike the marcasite with the flint. I've always used nodules with a smoothish surface as I make a groove in the nodule with a piece of flint and it seems easier to get a reasonably straight groove on a smoothish nodule done that way.

 

[JulesC]

@Mr Cake & @Stringmaker

Thanks very much for the advice - new exciting project ahead - here I go to ebay.

Thanks

Jules

 

[Stringmaker]

@Mr Cake & @Stringmaker

Thanks very much for the advice - new exciting project ahead - here I go to ebay.

Thanks

Jules

My pleasure.

I keep learning so much from this site it's nice to be able to pass on the good vibes.

 

[Seoras]

He seems to have quite a few modules for sale at http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/goldwray/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=50&_trksid=p3692

Any thoughts which would be a good one?

Cheers

George

 

[Stringmaker]

He seems to have quite a few modules for sale at http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/goldwray/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=50&_trksid=p3692

Any thoughts which would be a good one?

Cheers

George

I just went for one that could be easily handheld; mine was 300g.

I would imagine that they would all be as good as each other for getting sparks.