How To Use Rust To Start A Fire
One method for starting that is not well know is using rust and fine tinder rolled into a tight cigar shape and then using friction to generate enough heat to ignite the fibers. Follow the following steps and you will have another fire starting method to add to your repertory.
Step 1: Gather materials
The first step is to gather the materials you'll need. You'll need rust, which can be obtained from old metal objects. Just rub off the rust as a fine powder by running two metals together or a rock on your rusted metal. You will also need very fine hairlike plant fibers, which can be found in materials such as milkweed hemp fibers or cotton. These are certainly not the only plant fibers you can use. Just be sure that the fibers are fine like hair and super dry. This method will not work with tender that is not long and thin like hair. You will also need to boards or something similar to tow boards. They need to be pretty darn flat and not super slick like glass or plastic.
Step 2: Sprinkle rust on the plant fibers
Once you have your materials, sprinkle a small amount of rust onto the plant fibers. The rust will generate friction heat and elevate the temperature so that when oxygen is introduced the fibers will ignite.
Step 3: Roll the fibers into a cigar shape
Next, take enough fiber to make three or four cigarettes. Sprinkle the fiber with a few pinches of powdered rust. Take the plant fibers and roll them tightly into a cigar shape. This will create a dense bundle of fibers that will be easier to ignite.
Step 4: Place the fibers between two flat, smooth surfaces
Rolled top board away from you as you press down on the plant fibers. This will roll the fibers into an even tighter, denser pencil shape. This could be two rocks, two pieces of wood, nothing works better than a couple of two by six boards. The key is to find two surfaces that are flat and smooth so that they will not tear the fibers as you apply pressure.
Step 5: Roll the top board back and forward
Now, begin rolling the top board back and forth very vigorously. The friction generated by the rolling motion will cause the fibers to heat up, eventually producing smoke. If you stop and there is a little smoke then that probably isn't enough. Continue until your tender is generating more smoke. How much smoke needed will vary with your tender. However, over time you will learn to not stop the friction process to early, wasting all that effort.
Step 8: Blow on the fibers Finally, try to blow on the fibers to ignite them. If the fibers have been rolled tightly enough and have produced enough heat, you should be able to blow them into flame.
Starting a fire using rust and plant fibers may take some practice, but with patience and persistence, you'll be able to get it right. This method is a great way to start a fire without relying on matches, lighters, or other modern fire-starting tools.
