Friction fire and alternatives without an ignition source

How do I make fire without a lighter or matches?

Friction fire, burning lens, flint and steel and battery with steel wool compared. To be honest up front: none of these methods is as reliable as a lighter, matches or a ferro rod. The best preparation is to carry two modern ignition sources in different places. Ratings are qualitative and assume correct use by practised people.

Starting situation

Legend
Method	Without carried equipment	Little practice needed	Without sunshine	Damp surroundings	Low physical effort	Reliable in an emergency
Bow drill friction fire	Partly	No	Yes	No	No	No
Hand drill friction fire	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
Fire plough	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
Bamboo fire saw	Partly	No	Yes	Depends	No	No
Burning lens, magnifier and reflector – fire from sunlight	No	Yes	No	Partly	Yes	Depends
Flint and steel with char cloth	No	Partly	Yes	Partly	Yes	Depends
Fire with a battery and steel wool	No	Yes	Yes	Partly	Yes	Depends

Legend:● Yes◐ Partly◇ Depends○ No* = note available

Bow drill friction fire

Effort:: High
Needs:: Dry, suitable wood, cord, knife, tinder bundle, practice

Without carried equipmentPartly
A knife and cord are very helpful; a bootlace can serve as cord.
Little practice neededNo
Weeks to months of practice are typical.
Without sunshineYes
Damp surroundingsNo
Damp wood usually prevents success.
Low physical effortNo
Reliable in an emergencyNo
Even practised users fail with poor wood.

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Hand drill friction fire

Effort:: Very high
Needs:: Very dry, light stalks and a soft board, hardened hands

Without carried equipmentYes
Natural material only; a knife makes the notch easier.
Little practice neededNo
Without sunshineYes
Damp surroundingsNo
Low physical effortNo
Very strenuous and hard on the hands.
Reliable in an emergencyNo

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Fire plough

Effort:: Very high
Needs:: Very dry, soft base wood, a hard stick

Without carried equipmentYes
Little practice neededNo
Without sunshineYes
Damp surroundingsNo
Low physical effortNo
Short but extremely exhausting.
Reliable in an emergencyNo

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Bamboo fire saw

Effort:: High
Needs:: Dry bamboo, a knife

Without carried equipmentPartly
A knife is needed for splitting and notching.
Little practice neededNo
Without sunshineYes
Damp surroundingsDepends
Only with dry, dead bamboo.
Low physical effortNo
Reliable in an emergencyNo

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Burning lens, magnifier and reflector – fire from sunlight

Effort:: Low
Needs:: Converging lens, direct sun, dark fine tinder

Without carried equipmentNo
A lens or concave reflector is needed.
Little practice neededYes
Easy in strong sun.
Without sunshineNo
Only in direct sunshine.
Damp surroundingsPartly
Sun required; tinder must be dry.
Low physical effortYes
Reliable in an emergencyDepends
Good in sunshine, otherwise not at all.

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Flint and steel with char cloth

Effort:: Low to moderate
Needs:: Carbon steel, hard stone, char cloth, tinder bundle

Without carried equipmentNo
Striker and char cloth are needed.
Little practice neededPartly
Quite manageable with char cloth after some practice.
Without sunshineYes
Damp surroundingsPartly
Steel and stone can be dried; char cloth must stay dry.
Low physical effortYes
Reliable in an emergencyDepends
Reliable as long as dry char cloth is available.

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Fire with a battery and steel wool

Effort:: Low
Needs:: 9-volt block, finest steel wool, packed separately

Without carried equipmentNo
A battery and finest steel wool are needed.
Little practice neededYes
Without sunshineYes
Damp surroundingsPartly
The tinder bundle must be dry.
Low physical effortYes
Reliable in an emergencyDepends
As long as the battery is charged.

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