Newsletter

Topic:  STARTING FIRE WITH MAGNIFYING GLASS

  Most people do not carry a magnifying lens on their person. However, many of us do wear glasses, which are no more than a magnifying glass. I do recommend carrying a magnifying glass in your survival kit. Any  person that must wear glasses knows the importance of such an item. They are handy for more than reading or observing things close up. Fire is but another use for this glass lens. I will admit that starting fires with a magnifying glass is not as easy as we are taught to believe by many of our Hollywood actors.

  The sequence of photos shown, describe the necessary steps needed for starting a fire with a magnifying lens.  Understand one thing, starting a fire with a magnifying lens is by no means an easy task. Many conditions and materials used must be exactly right. The larger the lens the more heat is concentrated into a fine point, and the easier it will be. Also the tinder must not be damp and preferably of a dark color. I have tried many different materials in a quest to build a fire quickly. What I have determined is pretty basic. Very dry material must be used as tinder. I normally locate a dead, standing and very dry tree. I have had good success with the dry bark or very dry inner wood. I also make sure all of my material is close at hand. Pulverized birch bark works well to catch a hot coal. Collect all of your tinder and kindling and be ready to use it. First, use your magnifying glass to burn a fairly large area onto dry wood. Be sure to burn in a small circle from the inside working outward. This will be useful in creating a larger coal. After it begins to smoke considerably, blow gently onto the smoking area to increase the size of the coal and to increase heat. Once a decent size coal begins to form, use a straw, hollow reed or blow tube. Blow gently at first and increase intensity of air as smoke begins to form in large amounts. DO  NOT blow out coal.

  Be very careful when  blowing onto smoking wood to prevent extinguishing this newly formed and very hot coal. Once wood is glowing, and has developed into good hot coal , set the burning material into a birds nest or tinder pile. All the while blowing very gently. Once the tinder begins to emit considerable smoke, you should increase the volume of air directed onto tinder.  If done properly, large amounts of smoke will be produced. At this point increase the amount of air blown into tinder pile. It will begin to get very hot and burst into flames. Be very careful so as not to burn your hands.  Once a flame has started, add material as needed. And presto a nice camp fire is on the way.  Understand, this is no easy task. The larger the lens and the brighter the sun, the better your chances will be. I have uses a small piece of my cotton shirt cut from the tail to use as tinder. Even a small piece of denim seems to work fine. Practice this technique. It is fun, but can be extremely frustrating until it is learned and mastered. Good luck. TC