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Absolutely. I've used the front element of an old telephoto less for years and pulled out countless thorns easily because of this most essential piece of kit.
Also, if you are like me, that i always find bugs and dirt jumping into my eyes, a signal mirror plus any small lens lets you poke those nasty bits out. Self watching eye but magnified
When I was in the scouts, we were taught that magnification lenses are exactly for when the weather is good; that way you don't use up firestarting consumables for fires that are going to be easy to start anyway. You can keep the lighter, ferro rod, etc. for fires that actually need them.
I agree with you. This guy is amazing at both content and explanation - an excellent teacher/instructor! I'm mid-60s, have been involved in the outdoors all my life, and thought I knew quite a lot, but I'm been pleasantly surprised at what additional things and insights I've obtained here.
it hangs around my neck and one in my map case because.....People like me who wear glasses if we lose them we have it as a back-up. if you have perfect eye sight you would not even think of this but needing glasses worst case I can use a magnifying glass to read the map.
@@sinisterthoughts2896 Same here. Before my cataract replacement I was in the range of 20/350, am sure that's why the US Army switched me from Armor School to Armor Reconnaissance Specialist.
I was always wondering why on alone, noone ever tried to use a steel knife with flint (assuming they could find it). Your remark, that there's a third element which is often overlooked, which is charcloth, is very clarifying mate.
The nice thing about the magnifying lens is that you can carry one that will do the trick in your wallet. Also, people with reading glasses already have a lens that will work but even regular prescription lenses, if you put a drop of water on the lens, that will work as well. It's something you can just keep on you at all times.
A different perspective, thank you for pointing out the obvious situations where a lens is not effective. That is something that was not on my list for consideration. Excellent video.
Good points. I like my small fresnel lens in my wallet, because if I find an old campfire, i can bring it back to life. Weather permitting. I am a new subscriber, loving the unique perspectives on our craft
On point. I've had the exact same thoughts on the magnification lens and have left it out of my kit for years. The rolling of the inner bark technique is new to me. . .thanks for the tip!
I have a small magnifying glass on my victorinox, it does work just about and will get used if everything is lined up nicely, but like you say, weather is never on our side and it's wet more than sunny here. More often than not I have plenty of birch bark knocking about and can get a fire in just over a minute like that with a ferro rod. Good shout using it to make char though, never really considered that.
So good to bring up. Throw in kit and do not count on. Also thank you for the bullet. Mag glass can be brought, but where I ”operate” there is often just a few ours of light (if weather allow even that) beacause of high latitude. Also to add to the list of typical situations you gave a few examples of -it may actually be nighttime. It will also easy crack. And not all tinder works with it. The mag glass - it is a joker to bring - but never to be counted on.
I pulled a fresnel lens off of giant projection TV and it will melt glass. I keep one at the outdoor class to make camp fires with the kiddos. It's like a starting fire with a death ray.
I learned this back in the spring and have been practicing it. I usually carry a magnifying lense because it's not that inconvenient for me but good old flint and steel is my go to. Everyone should use what works best for them though
I always use a Fresnel lens as my first choice, ie if its sunny when I start setting camp and i'm not in an emergency situation. That saves my other options for when SHTF.
Living in the UK, we cannot be certain of having sunny skies. A lens is handy to have, but really only of use here in June, July and maybe some of August and September. That being said, last week here in Manchester we only had sun on Saturday.
I just like to keep one in my pack as a backup. I try to think of everything I can, as a newbie to Bush craft: plus, I'm still growing into my bag, and a magnifier is cheap, small and lightweight. Thanks for the Great video as always, and stay safe out there!
I think if you use it on the days you do have sunlight. It would make your ferro rod last longer....and on a sunny day it can light a piece of char just as fast as flint and steel...and saves your flint for when you need it. To me it seems handy for making hard to find resources last a little longer. ..jmo
Solar fire starting is about gathering sunlight (not magnifying power.) Cracker's acrylic/glass magnifying lens may (generously) be 2" diameter and gathers a little over 3 sq in of sunlight. A Dollar Tree page magnifier is a flat, flexible Fresnel lens that weighs a tiny fraction of your lens and gathers 20 x more sunlight. Completely unprocessed tinder will burst into an immediate flame in moderate sunlight, and damp tinder may be dried using it. At negligible cost ($1.00 and almost zero weight or pack space) it's value is primarily to save wear and tear on your ferro-rod ... although it doesn't suck that, in good sunlight, it is superior to any other fire starting method short of a match and accelerant.
A survival kit for emergencies should contain multiple ways to start a fire. I like adding a small container of carbide in mine. A lighter, wax coated strike anywhere matches, flint and steal, lighter fluid infused cotton balls in an air tight non reactive container, rubbing alcohol in a small container. I wear glasses so I don't carry a magnifying lens. The items that are liquid are made before I go out camping and are never stored long term. When camping it's best to bring things that are useful, and remember you can never be too prepared. And no matter how skilled you are, sometimes the environment is against you. Thank you for the video and the time you take to make them.
Agree completely with your thoughts on overall utility of the mag/frensel lens. Fun and viable but better options. But my big takeaway from this vid was how tight you wind in your last few videos about bird nests, technique and then this little bird ball variant. Well done, very valuable stuff.
I've had problems with the mag glass too, and for the same reasons. My solution is telling people to use the mag lens for the good days and save the strike rod or matches/lighter for emergency needs while not neglecting the skills used for them. Great video! Thanks again! 👍
Great info, Dan. I view the magnifying glass along the same plane as you, sans the use for char prep. I've always scratched my head on it's use and reckoned I'll just carry a couple of lighters instead of one lighter and a magnifying glass. And, on that note, if I've already had a campfire from using a lighter, I'll just use some of the charred leftover wood to catch a spark.... Hmmm "To catch a spark"... should be the title of a book
I keep a small one around my neck as EDC. I also keep a jeweler's glass because it can be used to wash an eye should you get something in it. Neither one would be a primary fire source generally but it is a backup and helps these old eyes see better. Thanks for your videos.
Thanks for the vid. I agree with you, the magnifying glass should never be your first go to fire starter...at least in the Eastern woodlands. However, I can see its usefulness in less "traditional" bushcraft locations...say the Southwest. I know in my native Texas the sun is out a great deal of the time...and it's HOT! I'm not saying the magnifying glass should replace a ferro rod or lighter, but in the southwest it would be really useful. Sadly most bushcraft channels are understandably centered around the Eastern woodlands, but there are quite a few people watching from all around the world and in many different environments. As I always say, any bushcraft skills or gear should be built around what you can afford, are comfortable using and fit your environment.
AGREED! With everything he said about using a magnifying glass. It needs VERY particular circumstances to work. But it is a neat thing to try and a viable tool to keep on hand or to scavenge in a survival/post-apocalyptic/SHTF sort of scenario.
If you carry a magnification lens, the better options would be Fresnel lenses or the ones that hinge into a leather cover. You can also create a nice ember on receipt paper, if you first draw a black spot on it to minimize reflection. Still, making fire with a magnifiyng lens is more of a second use for something you carry for other reasons.
My way of thinking is always have a plan Z. I use a large Fresnel lens 8-1/2"x11", cost around 2$ on Amazon. I don't count how many fire I've started with that. Great video! Thank you!
Other pros of magnification lenses: --You can use it to melt ice, for water. --You can use it with one hand if your other hand is injured. --You can use it if you're really fatigued and starving, to save your physical energy.
Nice vid. When I was 8 y/o, a magnifying glass (MG) was the only fire making source I was allowed to carry. Now I must mindfully think about when a glass might be used. But regardless, it's fun to experiment and practice. I carry some lamp wick in my F&S kit - use the charred edge to catch the spark. The MG works well to char the edge on a sunny day.
Solar Ignition is just another tool for your toolbox!! You can start a fire with a bottle of water. It is the knowledge of turning ember to flame that matters. Primary source of flame is always going to be, lighter/match. Unfortunately, there is trash in the woods. Knowing how to use that trash for fire, cordage, water purification, etc. might save you one day?
You might want to try carrying a fresnel lens. They are made of plastic are completely flat and are inexpensive. You can carry 3 of them 2*5 inches for 1/5 the weight. They work very well for me.
Hey Dan, huge fan here! Watch all your videos but dont often comment. Great video as always. I keep a lens in my kit for what I call casual fire starting.. because of the limited utility. I'll use it if I'm out recreating under ideal conditions so as to preserve the life of my other exhaustable resources so they can be there when I need them.. love the birdballs great idea. Thanks for the video have a blessed one. Stay safe
A magnifying glass serves more than one purpose. I keep one about the size of the one in this vid in my IFAK for splinters and stingers. They aren't just for starting fires.
I think for a multiple use tool (fire, but also for splinters etc as others have said) it has worth. Particularly if you were in a situation and had to do a friction fire but the circumstances allowed for using the magnifying lens instead - would be easier and less time consuming.
Definitely dependent on the sun. My flashlights have them built in. Flashlight batteries can also be used to ignite steel wool. I also carry a lighter, a few knives and a ferro rod in the woods. Preparedness is maintaining multiple options for acquiring necessities, is it not?
I watched this video for the bird balls. I ended up seeing just how worthless my monocle really is 😭. Teasin, great video Dan. You always make a good point.
If you have a maganifing glass it is far easier to find a piece of punk wood and make an ember. I'l have to try the inner bark ember. But where I live we don't have all the wonder trees you have back east.
Reminds me of the sunny day I was trout fishing and had my flashlight with me. I took out the convex lens and stuffed dry grass up through it and directed it towards the sun. Makes fire even easier then the magnifying lens. Just another hobby style fire making device. Definitely not for survival, but fun either way.
I agree they shouldn't be your primary fire source but I think they do have a place. I don't carry an old fashioned magnifier, glass can break but there are fresnel lens' you can get that are the same size as a business card that I've got fire with in a few minutes. You can also set a magnifier so that the hot spot is wider to dry out that damp char in a few minutes. A magnifier is also handy for doing small work if your eyes aren't perfect (i.e. reading, getting out splinters and such). There's a large fresnel lens in old LCD TV's that will get a fire going in seconds but, unless you had them at a permanent camp they're just a fun toy because they're too big to carry.
Couldn't agree more, I have found the lens the least useful of all my fire lighting tools and methods. Never had to resort to truly primitive means though- I would assume it beats a fire drill or something like that- in that it probably leads to success more often. Even guys who know the bow drill set well and use it often fail a lot. It's not unusual to see them have to make multiple attempts before they finally get a viable ember. I need to practice these skills more- I know the basics but that's about it. I've successfully started a bow drill fire one time- and that was years ago and someone walked me through every step. If I tried to do it now, I'm sure I would fail. I don't even know what kind of wood to use anymore- seems like we used a hard drill and a soft board- or was it a soft drill and a hard board? Can't remember.
The only way I’ve ever made fire with a lens is on a lump of coal. Ya the stuff we dig out of the ground to power our homes. Just have a little piece in my Tin and it smells bad but makes good heat.
Even if you don't use solar ignition, (which I can't understand why someone would not use it to conserve resources) why not carry a fresnel lens in your fire kit anyways? It takes up less space than a business card, and you can even cut it down to a smaller size
Where I'm at it's mostly worthless short of exactly what you stated... making char. In the PNW where it's rainy most of the time other than summer it's a non-starter, no pun intended.I don't bother carrying one. Ferro rod, lighter, storm matches.
Love your channel. At some point in a future video could you fit in a comment about a good diameter and focal length for a lens as a fire starter? Yours looked about 2" and, because it was fairly flat, seemed to have a longish focal length. Would a smaller, thicker lens work as well? What about the lens on some compasses? I hear people claim that you can start a fire with them, but I doubt that that is the real reason it's on the compass. I suspect that it's for seeing small features on a map and may not be the ideal size and shape for fire starting. I'd like your input, if you know.
BEST USE FOR MAGNIFIER is to extend the life of all other fire starting methods. Use it at every opportunity and save strikes, flicks, rubs, sweat, tools......
We are lucky in Australia with kangaroo's leaving perfect sized pellets behind that work really well with a magnifying lens. Of course any true herbirvore poo will work. I agree that most times you need it the weather will be against you but it is fun to practice.
