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Video: How to Make a Sawdust Firestarter
This video shows how to make a sawdust firestarter. If sawdust isn't readily available, substitute another combustible material. A common choice is dryer lint. The process is the same. Put the material into the egg carton sections. Dump wax into the sections. Let cool. Break off the sections and use as needed.
But even if egg cartons and paraffin wax aren't available, dryer lint on its own is one of the best firestarters out there. Considering that most clothes are made of polyester or cotton blends, this off flow of lint particles is a great fire ignition source (when not contained to the catch screen, of course). Best of all, there isn't any prep work.
Simply pull out the catch screen on your dryer machine after running a few loads. Shake the lint into a sealable, waterproof bag. So long as it stays dry, it's ready to go as part of a survival kit or bug-out bag.
Add a few strike-anywhere matches, and you have a ready-made tinder and firestarter kit. This is lightweight and easy to carry with you at all times. Because of lint's abundance, there's no need to worry about running out of the material. At least until things really go south, anyway.
You can increase the volatility of the firestarter lint by packing a 35mm film canister tightly, then carefully saturating it with some white gas or kerosene. Close the container securely, wipe off all spillage and then tightly seal the canister around the cap with duct tape.
Be very careful when you use this method of fire starting in the field. Stay back from the source, as it will flash up quickly.
Another option is to carry a commercial firestarter. You don't need to spend a ton of money for a high-quality one. GunDigestStore.com offers the Swedish Firesteel 2.0 firestarter tool for just $12.99. Click here to watch a video review of this excellent firestarter.
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