Flint and Steel

About

Starting a fire is one of the most prime examples of human evolution, and all of it is thanks to the early humans’ hand tools. Homo habilis, the people of the Early Stone Age, first utilized hand tools to keep warm in cold climates, keep predators at bay, and cook food. Historians theorize that they either used flintstones, a type of sedimentary rock that they banged together to create sparks, or rubbed two sticks together to generate enough heat to create sparks. Whichever they used, this method still survives today. In fact, knowing how to start a fire with these simple tools is often considered a right of passage when entering the field as an outdoorsman. Today, the method of using flintstones and steel continues to be a simple yet effective way to start a fire. But to truly understand and use flint and steel appropriately, you need to know the chemical balance that occurs behind the scenes and how to use it to your advantage, no matter the weather conditions.