Use a fire piston

Step-by-step

1. 1

   Place a tiny piece of char cloth, true punkwood, or very fine tinder into the notch at the end of the piston rod.

2. 2

   Drop the rod into the cylinder so the tinder sits just inside the mouth.

3. 3

   Hold the cylinder steady and slam the rod down in one fast, firm stroke.

4. 4

   Pull the rod out quickly; the char should be glowing red.

5. 5

   Transfer the ember into a tinder nest and blow it into flame.

Tip: A dry, well-polished bore and a tight leather gasket are what make compression work. If it gets sluggish, rub a little beeswax or fat on the gasket.