In lieu of matches, flint and steel were used to start a fire by rubbing together for sparks.

Starting a fire with flint and steel requires practice and skill.

The flint and steel were held over a small bundle of kindling (such as dry leaves or a bit of rag) and struck together in order to create a spark that would fall down into the kindling.

Once a spark had begun to smolder in the kindling, the person attempting to start a fire would gently blow on the embers and add bits of larger kindling in order to create a flame.

The photo at the left shows flint (the stone) and steel (a "C" shaped piece of metal) along side a bit of rag and the oval shaped box it was stored in .