How to Start a Fire With Sticks

Even though it looks easy in the movies, you need both knowledge and skill to start a fire with sticks. It's a skill that's sure to impress all of your friends. However, in a survival situation, your new skill will be even more rewarding.

Instructions

1. Choose a thin stick. These sticks spin faster and make it easier to create the friction necessary to light a flame.

2. Prepare your fire pit. You should have sticks and kindling in the area where you plan to start the fire. Small pieces of bark and dried grass make good kindling as well as wood powder that has fallen off the stick because of the friction applied. Good kindling equals a good fire.

3. Place your friction stick in the fire pit. Your stick should sit on top of a piece of wood, and it should be surrounding by kindling. For best results, choose a local wood that is easy to burn. Your wood and kindling should also be completely dry to allow your flame to grow.

4. Roll the friction stick between the palms of your hands. This allows the stick to spin on top of the wood underneath, creating friction and heating up the temperature where the two pieces of wood meet. Watch for smoke, and then you'll likely see a glow before you have a flame.

5. Take turns with other members of your team. It's easy to tire out, but as a team, you can generate enough friction to start a fire with sticks.

6. Tend to your flame once you have it. Take care to shield your small flame from wind and other hazards until you're sure the fire can withstand it.

7. Allow adequate time. Experts can start a fire with sticks very quickly--from twenty seconds up to two minutes. You might be tempted to give up, but keep pressing through to create more friction, and you will start a fire with sticks.