- 1). Gather a handful of tinder. Tinder can be anything small and easily ignited, such as dry grass, bark shavings or small twigs.
- 2). Shape the tinder into a tight, dense bundle that resembles a bird's nest.
- 3). Use a knife or rock surface to shape the end of the plow so that the last inch measures from 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. This will be the tip of the plow.
- 4). Use the narrow tip of the plow to gouge out a groove in the fireboard some 6 inches long.
- 5). Kneel at one end of the fireboard. Depending on the shape and thickness of the fireboard, use your knees or the inner part of your thighs to keep the fireboard from moving.
- 6). Place the nest of tinder close by for easy reach.
- 7). Place one hand 1 inch from the tip of the plow while using the other hand to cover the end of the plow. Insert the butt end of the plow into the groove in the fireboard.
- 8). Rub the plow vigorously back and forth against the groove in the fireboard, using a combination of forward motion and downward pressure to generate a lighted coal.
- 9). Use the plow to scrape the coal carefully into the middle of the bundle of tinder. Immediately wrap the tinder around the coal while blowing softly on it.
- 10
Transfer the bundle of tinder to the kindling. Continue to blow gently on the bundle until the kindling is ignited.
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