Make your own fire steel!
Fire steel courses 2024
The Traceless fire steel course is a full-day experience, where you get to participate in the making amadou tinder, forging your own fire steel, and then learn how to starta a fire with a technique that is over three thousand years old!
This is a beginner-friendly course, aimed at thoose with an interest in, for example, arts and crafts, history, bushcraft or larping.
Hosting the course: Erik Stormark, a trained blacksmith and cook - and Lovisa Larsson, a certified nature guide who loves to make fires in the forest in different ways.
What's included?
Individual tutoring
All materials for making amadou tinder and forging a fire steel, as well as flint and kindling
Borrowing tools and protective equipment (goggles and hearing protection)
Morning coffee at 10:30 and lunch around 14:00
All equipment is available to borrow - but of course you are welcome to bring your own hearing protection, your knife etc.
You may use the bathroom, or just take a break, in the warmth indoors - we live in the house next door.
At this course we will be using a modern gas forge - for several reasons, such as safety, environment and beginner friendliness.
In addition to the gas forge, we use traditional tools and techniques - we work with our hands, hammers, tongs and anvils.
What do I need to bring?
You need to wear sturdy clothes, preferably in natural materials - you don't want holes from sparks in your expensive down jacket.
We will be outdoors, but under a roof - you must wear warm shoes, and preferably bring some additional warm clothing if the weather is cold.
What's the program? How long is the course?
9:00 - Welcome and introduction
9:30 - Making amadou tinder
10:30 - Morning coffee
11:00 - Introduction and safety briefing in the smithy
11:30 - Forging a fire steel
13:30 - Lunch
14:30 - The art of starting a fire with flint and steel
15:00 - Extra time if needed
15:45 - Summarising the day and thanks
16:00 - Time to go home
How much does it cost?
1500 SEK/participant.
Where's the course and how do I get there?
The course is hosted at the village Stora Ykullen, Tived. You'll get a link and description on how to get here in the confirmation email of your booking. You'll need to drive here though, since there's no public communications to the location.
How many can participate? And are there any age restrictions?
4 participants/ course. Age restriction: 18 years or older are welcome!
When is the course and how do I book?
Dates: First course session Sunday 27 October 2024. Second course session Sunday 3 November 2024. You register for one of these dates through Traceless' booking channel.
Do I need any prior knowledge?
No, this is a course adapted for beginners. Some parts are easy, others a little more difficult. Your own fire steel will be as simple or as complicated as you choose to youself.
Do I need to be strong?
No, it doesn't take raw strength to practice blacksmithing in the dimensions we will work with during this course. Determination and cheerfulness will take you much further than muscles.
What do I bring home with me after the course?
In addition to new knowledge and exciting experiences, each participant gets their fire steel, a piece of flint, a small bag of tinder, and maybe you'll be a little bit sore in one arm.