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How to Make Matches in the Outdoors

Matchsticks are made through a machine-controlled chemical process. Unfortunately, without chemicals like silica, gelatin, potassium chlorate and sulfur, matches are impossible to make. Matches have been around since 1827, and the first versions were unpredictable and explosive. Prior to the invention of these fire sticks, there were common ways to start fire that only required simple materials easily found in nature. When stuck in the wilderness with little or no supplies, it's necessary to know other methods of getting a spark.

Things You'll Need

Wood
Kindling
Shoelace
Steel wool
Battery
Convex lens

Instructions

- 1
  Start a fire using the bow and drill method. Use a straight stick of hardwood for your drill. Round the top end of the stick, and leave the bottom end blunt so it will produce friction. Put the bottom of the stick in a carved depression on a piece of flat, soft wood. Make a bow with a piece of string, like a shoelace, and a branch thin enough to bow but not break. Loop the bow string around the drill. Use another piece of wood or bone to press on the top part of the stick and apply pressure. Strong-arm the bow back and forth, the loop around the drill will cause it to twist with each slide of the bow. The drill will grind the soft wood creating friction heat until you get a spark. Pile some kindling on the flat piece of wood ready to catch the spark. This will take determination and strength, but it will work when stuck in the wilderness.
- 2
  Cut the string out of the drill and bow method for a simpler fire starting device. If you cannot find any type of string, use this wood-on-wood trick. Carve a long, straight groove in a piece of flat soft wood with a rock or something sharp. Use a long hardwood stick as your drill, but, instead of twisting, slide the drill along the straight shaft. Move it back and forth pushing down hard until friction heat gets hot enough to form a spark.
- 3
  Carry batteries and steel wool with you when going into the forest. They are extremely helpful when needing to start a fire in the woods. A 9-volt battery works the best. Simply rub both of the electrodes on to the steel wool. The electricity between them will create sparks. Light kindling with the sparks, and you'll have a fire in no time. If you have another type of battery, attach a wire to each electrode and then touch them together to produce a spark.
- 4
  Start a fire using a lens to focus sunlight. Any type of convex lens -- including a magnifying glass, glasses or camera lens -- will work to start a flame. Use the lens to focus a small point of light on a piece of kindling such as a dry leaf or tree moss.

Nature