Worst Fire Starting Method Ever!!! 

Here in southern Arizona, we just hold something up towards the sun and it bursts into flame. No lens needed. :)

When I lived in NM for a year, a lens was a great fire starter. Back here in MN, not nearly as useful year round--and a forest canopy ruins sun access on even cloudless days. However, it's still important to practice with a lens so you know how to use it effectively if you ever need to rely on it.

Us old people need the lense so we can see what we are doing. 😂

That's a great tip- everyone should learn different methods to use. Circumstances such as weather, available fuels can point to the right method.

😆 you can use the lense to aid picking out splinters 😆 Just as any knife that you have with you, is better than any knife that is at home. If you need a lense, a rock won't work... Thanks and keep up the good work. ..

I agree with you on this 100%. I think it's fun to do but I wouldn't really on it.

Same with Michigan, winter not much sunshine.

Great points! 👍 There have been a few times in my life that I needed a fire in a hurry, and the sun wasn't shining during any of them. Like you, I see magnification as a fair weather backup, and a fun exercise, but anyone that relies too heavily on solar is likely to get a wake up call at some point.

Thanks for the tip Dan!

Thanks for your opinion on the magnifying lens. I somewhat disagree as I think that it depends largely on where you are in the world. As in all things survival related, planning ahead is an important part of staying alive and healthy. I would use the lens when there was daylight, then carry that ember until nightfall whereupon I would then blow it into flame. Obviously the ferro rod and flint and steel are more reliable across a wider range of conditions, but as you basically stated, you aren't going to wear out a magnifying lens. It is also helpful in getting out small splinters etc. Anyway, good title as it made me want to click on it and watch it!

I still keep one in my kit, I want any and all options when it comes to ignition. A lens doesn’t weigh anything, has multi-purpose applications, and I have no issue with solar whatsoever! Long live the magnifying glass! -Stephen, Ohio

Desert and savannah are the best areas for solar ignition. Reliability.... just like skydiving its weather dependant. So it's one of those good to know and maybe practice a couple of times and fun for the kids but definitely not a primary method.

Magnifying glass / lens is the easiest way to start a fire in nature. Can also use a rain drop. Keep a magnifying card the size of a credit card in your wallet. It's so easy to start fire with that. You have to have experience. You can also use two at the same time and layer the heat on for overcast days.

Good video Dan

Great points!

I consider solar ignition as " just another arrow in my quiver, " as it were. Its next to useless without char or charcloth. The only ignition system I would consider a candidate for the title "worst" would have to be one of the friction methods: the fire plow method, that spinning a stick between your hands method, or the bow drill method. To me, at my age, those methods are a heart attack on a stick!😆

Certainly not the worst method ever, it's very reliable if you own the knowledge of how to use it correctly. As with all methods.

I agree with a few others. I usually love your videos, BUT I can remember firing up my best friend on many occasions before I went in the scouts. I have ordered a 4 inch convex glass that I made a felt lined leather pouch for. Old school they used to carry the ember with em. Have a great 4th and enjoy your time in the woods as well Dan.

Thank for yet another informative (and brief!) video. FYI This may have been said alreadt, so sorry if I pile on. Two factors determine how effective your lens is for this. (1) Diameter of the lens. Bigger allows you to concentrate more sunlight into the focal point. 50mm isn't wonderful. Go for largest diameter you can. (2) Amount of sunlight coming through the lens (what's falling on it, how clear the lens is). What doesn't matter as much: scratches, glass vs plastic, magnification. All affect it, but not as much as the first two numbered items.

I am from New Jersey, and hike in the Adirondacks. Your point is well taken. I have also hiked in the Southwestern States, where solar ignition is a much more viable option. Thank you very much

Hi just subscribed as I think your views are both intelligent and informative ,and I must say though as many others here have said before me, the tools we carry must suit the environment we are in ,eg here in Australia that lens is a very reliable system and suits the climate .Thanks for a different perspective though and I appreciate the way you give me cause to examine my own kit before loading myself up ,it never hurts to ask yourself , do I really need this item ,before carting it around for maybe years. All the best from Adelaide Australia ,regards Tom Adair.

Been watching your channel the past couple days! You’ve rekindled my love of bushcraft - something which is hard to do in the uk due to knife laws and pretty much 100% of the land being owned :P

Agreed. I've only ever had success with solar ignition on a bright day with a good bit of charcloth. Still took a while too.

I consider my eyeglasses as a last-ditch-effort fire starter that I always have with me. But I always carry a Swedish fire steel in my pocket, too... and would always reach for the fire steel first.

You are absolutely right bro! I've used magnifying glass for Starting Fire and it works great if the conditions are suitable. And that sometimes can be a big if. Like you said, you're not going to be able to use it at night or on a cloudy day.

Ha! I KNEW there must be an advantage to living on the Great Plains. Works a treat out here in Kansas.

Just subbed. You are correct. I love my magnesium bar and ferrocerium rod. But, I use the liquid butane jet when it's wet.

Where I live it seems we don't get as much sun - but we do get to hike in heavily wooded areas and in the rain quite a bit. Carrying a lens for solar ignition isn't something I usually do, unless I'm out in Central Oregon where all of our sunshine and open skies can be found. Great points made, thanks.

They are good out here in the south west,

Huh ya never really thought about it I haven't use mine in 6 years forgot it was in there really and yup here in pa. Its not really a great resource except like you said to get char if you can get to an opening great vid take care brother

Good perspective. I usually carry one because it is good to have to start a fire and save my ferro rod, matches and stuff for when I really need it. The sun is usually VERY intense down here, especially in the mornings so ignition is fairly easy for me....

I do keep an old lens from a broken pair of binoculars in my kit. However, I usually pull a piece of char-cloth out of my Kiwi boot polish can, and strike a spark onto that.

Good discussion

I live in the PNW. Solar ignition works maybe 3 months of the year. I only take one into the field to magnify objects. Most handy in 1st aid kit.

I like solar ignition but most times that I use solar I'm lighting charcloth. Sometimes I light punk wood instead.

Impeccable logic with proof

The algorithm decided I needed to see this today so here's a response. Here in Sunny Florida we get many days of sun throughout the year. It doesn't mean solar would be my go-to in every scenario though. Solar ignition is indeed renewable and effectively free... but it can be time consuming without pre-charred material and you need to calmly hold the lens still to keep you focus point tight. These factors of solar ignition automatically rule it out for making a fire under emergency conditions for me... as I'd want flame fast... and would likely be shaking under emergency conditions either from cold (fairly limited in Florida) or adrenaline (Most likely). That being said... I'll always have a magnifier in my kit for several reasons: I'm horribly nearsighted... and my vision is only getting worse as I get older. Having a magnifier both in my kit and on my swiss army knives gives me a backup vision enhancer. From small print on individual med packets to pulling splinters a magnifier is a handy thing in its intended purpose. A magnifier can help speed drying of marginal wet tinder for later fires. Even if you can't get enough light for ignition... focused sunlight is still hoter than non-focused light. A magnifier can be used with a flashlight with a broader throw to focus the beam somewhat. Not claiming any particular effectiveness... but it's fun to play around with... and some flashlights use a similar feature. Happy New Year from January 2023.

Yes it’s fun try all of the different methods of Fire starting and we need that knowledge but I usually just use a lighter or match.

This other misconception which is a fave = Solar stills , which do not work worth a damn in the best of conditions. Thanks for your video telling the truth about starting fires with lenses.

You should tuck it in your eye socket like Mr Howell to light a fire with flint and steel. That would look elegant 👍

With 264 days of sun on average. 162 blue bird days 102 partly sunny days it a good light weight option to have. If I ever broke down and bought one of the tobacco tins for my kit it would already be there. But I do have one of those cards in my wallet cause why not. Definitely one of those options that very on location. Thanks for the videos Dan. Have a good one.

I agree it's fun to play with and I usually just use it on char anyway but I would never depend on it up north where I am it's days without usable sun sometimes.

I tried to make fire today with a $1 magnifying glass and it was really hard, it ended up working with an ember from a day before fire, but it was impossible with dried grass, I guess is mandatory to carry a piece of ember as well as you carry charred cloth with your flint and steel

What about coal fungus or left over charcoal from a fire or any other type of fungus

Works pretty good in the southwest. However, anytime I have planned to use one, I dig it out of my pack to find some assembly is required and pitch resin glue is not transparent.

I never carry a glass magnifying lens in the field. I do however, always have a wallet Fresnel magnifier in my wallet. Like a Las lens, it only works in bright sunlight, but I've often used it to start an ember inn dry punkwood - even in our north Idaho winters. It will, of course, also ignite charred material, but I like to practice doing it the hard way. I've actually never tried igniting a "tinder ball" with it since punkwood is so easy to find here. Just remember, grooved side toward the sun and don't stare at the focal point without eye protection. BTW, it also ignites fatwood shavings easily.

I think that redundancy is key. I carry three fire starting items: a lighter, a Ferro rod with tinder, and a magnifying card. Here in Southern Arizona, a magnifying glass or card is a viable option because we get intense sunlight year round.

I always keep a fresnel lense card in my wallet as a multifunctional item. FIRST, it’s an emergency back up if I lose my glasses. SECOND as an aid for charring or fire starting if as you said conditions are nearly perfect. THIRD, I sharpen an edge for POSSIBLY 😂 gutting fish or processing small game. JMHO

Year round dang near here in AZ those lens are 100% viable. Definitely a regional thing that should be looked at carefully. Can't practice with it right now because AZ is like a box of matches left in the sun and found by a 2 year old, but still.

I think it's a good idea to practice with solar ignition. There are a lot of lessons about the right conditions for a fire or how to plan ahead when that's you most reliable source for fire.

Also I have a credit card size lens and it works pretty great. But I see what you mean, it just has to be night time.

If you're going to carry a lens, make it a lighter fresnel in your first aid kit/wallet as a dual use for wound inspection/tweezer/reading aid.

good 1 i agree with that buddy

Where you are at could be a big factor in the usability of this type item. As a desert item I could see it being more useful as well as a sandy sunny beach area. It will always be limited by the time and weather though.

Not my go to, but I carry a small fire glass in my kit and yes in the eastern woodlands there's not as many opportunities to use it but one should be versed in all methods of making fire.

A fresnel lens works well and fits nicely pressed into an Altoids tin. Too light and compact not to have one with you.

The prevailing conditions are certainly a determinative factor in the practicality of attempting solar ignition. That's why we never see NW Primate using it in the temperate rain forest of Wash.

Think it's really a case of know your environment. Open spaces on a sunny day, fine. Tend to think of it as a novelty fun option in the right circumstances but as a viable option for most of the time, nope. Can however also be used to locate fine splinters or fragments of glass in a wound, enlarge a map etc. Not a bad item for your first aid kit or map kit actually. especially when assessing wound types and best method of sealing, options of suturing, direction of steri strips etc. Not heavy or useless enough to leave behind but not the essential tool for all occasions.

Just my opinion, the difference between Bushcraft and a survival situation is preparedness. In a Bushcraft situation, one is most likely to carry a Flint & steel. In a survival situation, one is more likely to have eyeglasses or a book reading magnifying card on them. Use the tools you have. If it's a sunny day in a survival situation, would you use the glass or expend the calories to make a drill kit? None is really the worst, depending on the situation you find yourself.

I have to agree👍🏻

good points. i just use mine for visual magnification lol

Being from WV I can learn a lot because you are closer to me regionally

Thanks Dan. One less piece of gear to carry. Makes sense

sound woods wisdom..

So many more jets flying these day and this contributes to more hazy days, for sure. Those pesky persistent jet trails. And that is a topic I'm sure you don't want to get into, a rabbit hole if there ever was one. I carry a lens but hardly use it.

These work great in the desert I'm in AZ! Its probably 110 today!!

I saw some one use a sandwich bag with water in it as a lens.

This is one of those situations where each individual should choose what works best for them. Agreed, there are serious limitations on solar fire, but for me here in the desert SW, solar is probably #2 after the ferro rod. Advantages include the ability to do it one-handed, it's incredibly quick in my environment (even faster than ferro rod in ideal situations), only one item to dig out of my pack, and the magnification use for that piece of kit is difficult to replace (I would carry the lens even if I never started a fire with it.)

A lens works very well in many parts of the western North America.

food for thought, but I'm keeping my lens in my Kit... it's true, I use it much less than my Bic Lighter. :)

I like the magnifying glass. It is fast and easy if the sun is shining. Frequently much faster than ferro rod or flint and steel. Put a piece of char cloth in a bird's nest and focus the sun and you have almost instant ignition. I do use the flint and steel more often, but teaching boy scouts is easier if I have a high success rate to start with, hence magnifying glass. Once they learn to get the ember to start a fire their mindset is no longer about starting a fire, but getting an ember.

I like solar but sparks are still more reliable overall. With that said... these lens,glasses or reflectors can do other stuff beyond fire lighting . " flame , spark and heat methods"

Just popped in to hear what I knew. ~ That being said I did just order myself a 2.4" dia. 10 power mag', but it has a ring / removeable handle. My father's 3.4" I played with as a kid is too big, but back in 60s it could bring a newspaper roll to flame. lol, I never ate a cooked bug, have you? (Cicada?) Thanks for the quickie using your small mag'. At least I've an idea what to expect pinpointing a ray if sky hasn't been dimmed by chemtrails. ~ I find interest in textures of this/that, ID of bugs, rock makeup found in a recent washout, fleck of cwap in other's eye, so I figured 10X would be a good place to begin.

I totally disagree. I find that lighting a fire with a magnifying glass one of the easiest methods to light a fire. I understand weather conditions do apply, but when the sun is out and bright I would rather use a magnifying glass then waste my time with flint and still, ferro rod or bow drill.

On the plains we have winter sunlight for days.

I think it depends where you are in the world.. Very good points yes as a extra. No as a reliable fire.

Cree led flashlight with char cloth, you can make fire at 2am in the rain.

Magnifying glass for me is a moral booster. Looking at bugs on the downtime...finding a splinter. Obviously we dont need one...but they dont weigh much and the 12 yr old version of me likes that i can still use it on ants!

I use mine alot in Arizona

Totally agree Dan. I have had one in my "kit" for a few years, but have rarely had the opportunity ti utilize it. Mostly ferro rod and then Flint & Steel. My flint (the dark type) is getting real small and when I order new flint, I keep getting that white colored "flint" that doesn't "appear" to work very well (at least for me).

Will a ferro rod break? Can't find a comment about that.

We should ask Joe Robinette how long a ferro rod last....or wears out. 🤠

IMHO, fire is too important to rely on just one ignition method. I try to carry at least four.

Interesting

Agree but I think I would take a magnifying glass over a combustion Firestarter lol I can't work them to save my life.

One other problem with a lens...it is fragile. If it breaks or gets badly scratched up, you can't use it.

Use it in conjunction with char.

Agree with you BUT it is good for letting the grandkids get rid of the killer ants. I show them how to use it. But they would rather use the Flint an steel. Ive got great firebugs in the making.

I keep a mora light my fire knife on me, but I also keep lighters and fuel cubes in a waterproof tin. I've never done a lens fire, seems unreliable at best.

Use it on char material. No using up your flint, lighter or fero rod.

There's a reason millions of smokers have been lighting up with their Bic instead of their glass, ferro rod, flint and steel or bow drill set.

Do you think that maybe getting a 7 times or more powerful magnifying glass will do you better justice in cloudy days?

It’s a great option in the half of America that is desert or near-desert. And if you need to take out that splinter…

Things that a Magnifying glass will start ....char cloth, steel wool, sparklers , magnesium ,and more. I will leave it to you to find the rest.

Magnifying glass a great but tertiary method in most places

Agree, 100%

The usability of a lense depends on where you live, i live im a very sunny climate that's incredibly dry, a small lense will easily start a fire

Looks like a contact lense in the thumbnail. Now that would be desperate.

Yeah, but can you burn ants with a flint& steel?

Now you tell me after I bought a magnifying lens from your store. (Shaking fist)