A fire steel has many advantages compared to a lighter or matches. It works when it gets wet and is useful even if it is windy. It is easy to carry in your pack and can, despite its small size, be a potential lifesaver.
A fire steel lasts for about 500-1500 ignitions, depending on the size you use.
The first step is to collect fuel for the fire. It is good to have some tinder in the form of birch bark, dry grass, paper or similar. Simply something that burns quickly and is easily flammable. It is important that your tinder is dry, the drier the better. After this, you can start feeding the fire with small twigs or dry spruce branches. To make the fire last longer, you can then add wood or stronger branches.
Start by placing your tinder on a flat and stable surface. A large piece of wood or a stone is recommended. Then arrange it in a small pile, think bird's nest.
Now it's time to get out the fire steel. Place the fire steel against your pile, then you pull the igniter over the fire steel down towards the tinder with determined strokes. The goal is to create sparks that set the tinder on fire.
As with most things in life, this requires a little patience and practice before you get the right spark. But don't give up, practice makes perfect!
Once you have ignited your pile, you can blow some oxygen into the sparks and add more tinder.
Then you can gradually start feeding the fire with sticks and wood to keep it alive.
IMPORTANT! Don't forget to put out the fire before you leave. And leave the area as it was when you arrived, or better.
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