How To Make An "Indian Fire"

by Charles
(Suwannee County)

You will need three things; a dry, dead, good sized limb (about as big around as your forearm), two smaller dry, dead sticks, and a knife (preferably fixed blade).

Step 1- With your knife, carve a notch about as big a a half dollar coin and about as deep as your thumbnail is long, into the middle of the larger limb.

Step 2- With your knife and one of your smaller sticks shave small, thin, wood shavings and place them into the notch on your larger limb (thin dead grass works too if you have some handy).

Step 3- Place your final small stick into the notch and place your hands around the top of the stick with your fingertips pointing forward. Now, quickly rub your hands back and forth and pressing downwards, spinning the stick in the notch. When your hands reach the bottom of the stick, place them at the top and repeat until you see smoke and the tinder glowing. Add more tinder and continue spinning stick in notch. When flame appears, add more tinder and small twigs, then progress on to bigger sticks and limbs.