Fire Piston Consists of a hollow cylinder ranging in length from about 3 to 6 inches sealed at one end and open at the other. A piston with an airtight circular seal (o-ring) is fitted into the cylinder. The piston has a handle on the end to allow a firm grip to be applied to it, or a large enough surface area to strike it sharply without causing pain while the cylinder is braced against a hard surface, and it can be completely withdrawn from the cylinder. The piston generally has a notch or recess on or in its face, into which a piece char cloth is placed. The compression of the air when the piston is quickly rammed into the cylinder causes the interior temperature to rise sharply to 500°F This is hot enough for the char cloth in the piston face to ignite. The piston is then quickly withdrawn, before the now-burning tinder depletes the available oxygen inside the cylinder. The smoldering char cloth can then be removed from the face of the piston and transferred to a larger nest of fine kindling material, such as Jute Twine, Paper Towel , birch shavings, etc. The ember is then fanned or blown upon vigorously to create a flame, at which time various stages of larger kindling can be added until built into a proper fire Most Fire Pistons are either a single aluminum rod and tube that causes discomfort and pain to your hand when you try to use it or made with an expensive fancy wood casing, that cost $$ I’ve come up with a solution to both by using a less expensive wood casing, mine works just as well as the $60-$80 fire piston and does not hurt your hand like the other. Who cares if your fire piston cost $80 when your hungry or cold. Scouts love them…and so will YOU! WHAT YOU GET Fire Piston Bag of Char Cloth 2 EXTRA O-RINGS Instructions How to use the Fire Piston Instructions How to make Char Cloth.