Magnifying Glass

Magnifying Glass

Using a lens to start a fire is an easy matchless method. If the sun is shinning brightly a magnifying glass, binoculars, or even a thick pair of eye glass lenses can start a fire. Adding some water to the lens will intensify the beam. By adjusting the glass to redirect the sunlight to focus directly on your nest of tinder you'll soon start a fire without matches. The only drawback to the lens based method is that it only works when you have sun. So if it's night time or overcast, you won't have any luck.

Flint and Steel

Flint and Steel

Many campers, hikers and outdoorsmen carry flint and steel as part of their basic equipment. Flint is a very hard rock, dark colored and with very sharp edges. It can often be found in the wilderness areas but if you cannot find flint, other hard stones may also bring enough spark to start a fire. You can test them by striking them on a piece of steel.

To start a fire without matches you will first want to separate the steel into a small nest. Lint from a clothes dryer will also work. This nesting area is what will catch the spark. With some very gentle blowing from you at the base of the smoldering area, a spark can ignite a flame. Gradually add small tinder to your fire to build it up into a strong fire.

Bow and Drill

Bow and Drill

Five things are necessary to start a fire without matches using this method. A spindle (drill), fireboard, socket, a bow, and tinder.

Place the rounded end of the spindle into the dish of the fireboard and the pointed end of the spindle into the hand socket. Pressing down lightly on the socket, draw the bow back and forth, rotating the spindle slowly. Add pressure to the socket and speed to your bowing until you begin to produce smoke and ash. When there is alot of smoke, you have created a fire ember.

To start a fire without matches, carefully lift the fire-block so as to leave the smoking powder undisturbed on the chip. Gently fan this with your hand into a bright glow. Then put a wad of tinder gently over the glowing powder and blow until the tinder bursts into flame. Follow this with the kindling and your fire is started.

Coke Can and Chocolate Bar

The Coke Can and Chocolate Bar

To start a fire without matches using this method you will need a soda can, a bar of chocolate, and a sunny day.

Polish the bottom of the soda can with the chocolate by rubbing it on the bottom of the soda can. The chocolate acts as a polish and will make the bottom of the can shine like a mirror. (You can also use toothpaste instead of chocolate). After polishing the bottom of your can, what you have is essentially a parabolic mirror. Sunlight will reflect off the bottom of the can, forming a single focal point. It's kind of like how a mirror telescope works.

Now to start a fire without matches using this method point the bottom of the can towards the sun. You'll have created a highly focused ray of light aimed directly at your tinder. Place the tinder about an inch from the reflecting light's focal point. In a few seconds you should have a flame.

9 Ways To Start a Fire Without Matches - Article by The Art of Manliness describes Friction Based Methods, Lens Based Methods, and Batteries and Steel Wool Method. www.artofmanliness.com

5 Ways To Start a Fire Without Matches - Article by eHow.com describing 5 ways to start a matchless fire. www.ehow.com

Coke Can and Chocolate Bar Method - This article by Wildwood Survival teaches you how to make fire from a coke can and a chocolate bar. Photos and videos are included. www.wildwoodsurvival.com

Cedar Bark and Yucca Stem Method - This article by Essortment describes the Cedar Bark and Yucca Stem Method. The Flint and Steel and Magnifying Glasss methods are also explained. www.essortment.com

Fire From Water - Article by Wildwood Survival with photos on how to start a fire without matches using a a piece of plastic wrap and water. www.wildwoodsurvival.com

Fire From Ice - Two articles by Wildwood Survival with photos. www.wildwoodsurvival.com

Fire From Two Stones - Three articles by Wildwood Survival with photos. www.wildwoodsurvival.com

Battery and Steel Wool

Batteries and Steel Wool

Considered to be the easiest, quickest and reliable method to start a fire without matches.

Stretch out the Steel Wool. You want it to be about 6 inches long and a ½ inch wide. Rub the battery on the steel wool. Hold the steel wool in one hand and the battery in the other. Any battery will do, but 9 volt batteries work best. Rub the side of the battery with the "contacts" on the wool. The wool will begin to glow and burn. Gently blow on it. Transfer the burning wool to your tinder nest. The wool's flame will extinguish quickly, so don't waste any time. Follow these two links to view videos demonstrating this method