Bamboo Fire Starter

[Mark Meckes]

Bill Koenig, arborist and all-round scoutmaster, was curious to see if bamboo would be sufficient to provide the spark to start the campfire. I was happy to oblige by providing him with the bamboo - Phyllostachys aurea

The kit
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/541/thumbs/FireStrKit.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1464&cat=541&ppuser=809)

He applied some beeswax (though other lubricants will do), to the block of bamboo that is held in the upper hand (which holds the spinning friction stick), to prevent it from overheating.

The motion
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/541/thumbs/FireStrMotion.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1463&cat=541&ppuser=809)

A bed of shredded cedar bark was placed underneath the bamboo ember well, to catch any glowing embers. (Finely shredded bamboo tinder may also work)

Ember well and friction stick
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/541/thumbs/FireStrEmbrWellFrStk.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1462&cat=541&ppuser=809) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/541/thumbs/FireStrNotchWellEmbrs.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1461&cat=541&ppuser=809)
A notch is made in the ember well to catch any carbon powder that
develops from the spinning friction stick.
These carbon particles ignite when the bamboo gets hot enough by the friction caused by the spinning stick, and produce embers which ignite the tinder.

Combustion
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/541/thumbs/FireStrSmokeRising.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1460&cat=541&ppuser=809) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/541/thumbs/FireStrCmbustn.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1459&cat=541&ppuser=809)

[sound world]

As well as being a good starter,dry bamboo is the best kindling I know!!
All my offcuts which I can't find any other use for end up making that kindling that burns with pure flame.In cold damp UK,a real boon.
Still-It's a bit worrying having a workshop full of it,and pyrography too. :-)

[Mark Meckes]

Yes, one needs to be careful handling fire, and a bucket of water should always be around when dealing with flames.
Who knows, this precaution may have been what lead humans to the discovery of tempering and annealing, hardening materials through the process of heating and cooling. ...

Interesting too what friction can do.
The most subtle form of friction is the burnished bamboo handle, which after years of wear develops a hardened, tempered patina.

I've never seen any bamboo fire starter kits for sale.
This could be a hot item at the sporting goods store!
" Double your warmth - get warm starting the fire"
<>Childproof <> Recyclable<>

~ Mark