Proper preparations is vital when lighting a fire, dont cut corners

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. The 5 P´s are a good reminder when it comes to making a fire. I can´t stress enough the importance of proper preparations, especially in bad weather conditions. The worse the conditions, the less the margins. In good conditions you might get a way by cutting some corners, but that´s about it.
I started by collecting and shaping the hearth board and spindle. The idea behind this is to let them dry out in my pants pocket while I prepare everything else. Because of the very humid and wet conditions we have been having here for weeks now I made the whole fire out of one dead, standing pine tree (Pinus sylvestris). I made the hearth board and spindle from the driest core wood. The same goes for feather sticks, shaving clusters (by the way a very underestimated method), split splints from pencil thick to wrist thick, everything from one tree. I even made the platform for the fire from the same tree.
The exception was the tinder bundle where I used fatwood scrapings. I could have made them from the pine tree as well but I chose fatwood because it was readily available. To getup off the moist ground I made a platform from dry wood. All the sizes of fuel from tinder bundle to wrist thick wood was placed within reach from the platform. All this took me about 2 hours. It might seem like a long time but that´s what it takes sometimes. Don´t stress it, take your time!
When everything was done I started drilling for an ember. I used light pressure on the spindle the whole time. First to dry the wood out a little and later to get a dry, fluffy friction dust that ignites easily. In my experience many people use way too much pressure than needed on the spindle. This can actually be counterproductive causing a coarser and charred friction dust. I usually let the ember sit in the tinder bundle for a while to warm up it´s surroundings. I found this to be an easier way of getting it to burst into flames. When it´s on flames take it easy with the fuel so you don´t smother the fire.
The chicken tasted good by the way:)
Hope you enjoy

[@umollerstrom]

Master class! 👍

[@mattiasnorberg]

Thanks😊👍

[@ChrisHunt-hg3kn]

Greetings from BC Canada Mattias. You have very good skills and have clearly practiced a lot...this is the key to success in surviving in unpredictable situations. I think it is particularly important that we pay attention to species of trees, shrubs and other plants that are utilized in our outdoor skills, you have achieved this...I have subscribed!

[@mattiasnorberg]

Thank you very much for those kind words😊 I agree, it's important to learn about plants and trees and there use if you want to become skilled at survival and bushcraft.

[@swedish_woodsman7153]

Ojoj..så jäkla najs med kycklingen ❄️🌲🤜🤛💚

[@mattiasnorberg]

Ja det blev bra😋👊💚

[@marcopersson4244]

Snyggt jobbat. Får bli en sån middag snart med kidsen.

[@mattiasnorberg]

👍😋🍗

[@hackneeey]

Winner winner chicken dinner!
A masterclass as always & strangely we have more snow at the moment in south London than you do there !
All the best Mick

[@mattiasnorberg]

Thanks Mick and yes a tasty chicken😋

[@Robert32571]

Hello, your pants seem very warm, very functional and very sturdy. Could you tell me where I can buy the same one? MERCI BEAUCOUP

[@KettleCamping]

It can’t be done any better! Thank you for sharing your knowledge! 👍👍
I like your axe, is it a mini hatchet from Gransfors Bruks with a longer handle? Thanks again! Cheers from Canada!

[@mattiasnorberg]

Thanks a lot mate😊 Yes it's the Gränsfors outdoor axe. Cheers from Sweden.

[@Norsology]

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance💥

[@mattiasnorberg]

👍😊

[@simonlindholm5732]

I only use the hand drill and in Västerbotten we have some poor spices of wood to choose from, so i was wondering what would you suggest for trees. Also i have being seeing in your videos that you only use the top of dead standing spruce trees for your material, why is that? Gillar också videon då du använder gran root som "Hearth" :)

[@mattiasnorberg]

Hej Simon. Jag antar att första frågan gäller bågdrill? I så fall funkar gran och tall utmärkt men även sälg, asp och al. Det är för att döda, stående träd ofta har torrt trä. Du kan kolla in min bok Konsten att Elda där finns mycket info.

[@simonlindholm5732]

​@@mattiasnorberg Nä första frågan gäller handdrill, som är när man snurrar en pinne mellan händerna istället för en båge. Jag har provat sälg och asp och har lyckats med båda. Men med sälg så behöver man ha ett bra tryck ner för att få ett bra grepp mellan "spindle" och "hearth" men då blir jag för tröt för att forsätta få det till glöd, och asp är svår att hitta och fungerar såsom sälg gör.
För ett par dagar sedan så såg jag dinna videos då du andvänder gran och tall. Jag hade alltid hört att de är för mycket kåda i trädet för att få det att fungera?

[@mattiasnorberg]

@@simonlindholm5732 Handdrill håller jag inte på med så mycket eftersom det är svårt att hitta bra material för direkt användning året runt. Då fungerar bågdrill betydligt bättre. Där finns ingen kåda i veden förutom i tjärved från tall.

[@simonlindholm5732]

@@mattiasnorberg Ok tack så mycket för din hjälp, väldigt informativt :)