Fire Building Without Matches

No one expects to be stranded in the wilderness without matches to start a fire. The fact of the matter is, though that it does happen. When it does, it helps to know how to start a fire without matches. You need to have fire to provide heat and light while you’re stranded.

Some of the oldest methods of fire building without matches are friction-based methods. These methods use a spindle – a stick you spin to create friction. They also use a fire board, which is the board on which you will create the ember that you use to start your fire. Both the spindle and the fire board need to be bone-dry in order to be effective.

The Hand Drill Method

1. Gather and build a pile of tinder. This tinder needs to be dry and catch fire easily. Leaves, bark and dry grass are all good choices.
2. Cut a notch into your fire board in the shape of a V. Make a small dent next to the notch.
3. Put some bark beneath the notch. This will catch the ember you create.
4. Place the spindle into the dent and begin to spin. It will take a long time, but don’t give up. Your survival may depend on it.
5. Once an ember forms, tap the fireboard to drop the ember onto the bark. Put the bark into the tinder pile, and fan it to start your fire.

Fire Groove Method

1. Cut a line groove in the fireboard.
2. Place the fireboard at the end of your tinder pile.
3. Place the spindle in the groove.
4. Rub the spindle back and forth in the groove.
5. Once an ember forms, transfer the ember to the tinder pile, and fan it to start your fire.

Bow Method

1. Get a rock or another piece of wood to use as a socket.
2. Use a flexible piece of wood about an arm’s length and attach a string tightly to either end. This is your bow.
3. Cut a notch into your fire board in the shape of a V. Make a small dent next to the notch.
4. Put some bark beneath the notch. This will catch the ember you create.
5. Wrap your spindle in a loop of your bow string.
6. Place the spindle on the dent in the fireboard, and hold your socket on the other end to maintain pressure.
7. Saw the bow back and forth.
8. Once an ember forms, tap the fireboard to drop the ember onto the bark. Put the bark into the tinder pile, and fan it to start your fire.