Can you really make a compass from a needle and silk ?

Question

Is this really possible, or a wilderness myth ?

Keep in mind, I don't have copper wire, a magnet, grease, or hardware stores out in the wilderness.

Answer 1

Yes, it can be done. the needle is stroked in one direction with a
piece of silk until it becomes magnetized. The really difficult part is setting the needle in the water without breaking the surface tension. you can simplify this step by first coating the needle with
a heavy oil. Next take two pieces of thread and double them so
that when you hold them up between thumb and forefinger (one for each hand.) Set the needle in the slings formed by the thread; one at each end, and use the threads to lower the needle onto the surface of the water. (This may take several attempts depending on how steady your hands are.
Remember that a compass' points to the magnetic north which is several degrees different from the north on a map.

Answer 2

Not heard the silk part, but if you magnetize a needle - either by running a needle along a magnet in the same direction many times (not sure how many) or run the needle on the blade of a knife many times, then you have a magnetized needle.

Now put it on a piece of cork or a piece of rotted wood (small piece or either, just enough to make needle float) and float it in a cup of water, you will have a mainly accurate compass.

Answer 3

Just a magnetized needle and water, as the previous answerer wrote. To magnetize the needle, just leave it attached to a strong magnet for a while (you can find an old loudspeaker magnet in any electronic scrapyard).
You may put some grease on the needle and it will float, provided you place it gently on the water surface.

Answer 4

Yes as long as you magnetize the needle with a piece of lodestone ( magnetite)first.Or wrapping it in copper wire and attaching a battery to the wire will magnetize the needle. Finding which is the north and south end is the next step.

Answer 5

yes u can