Anybody used or make char cloth???
I've read about and knew about char cloth for fire starting, but have never used it. I came across this article the other evening and wondered if any of you have ever tried it for firestarting. Dave, I know your a re-enactor. Any experience with it??? Also, read the posting on this page made by "Diecastoms". Make char cloth Sounds like a pretty simple process.
I just looked at the "Make Char Cloth" thread and that's the way to do it alright. Be sure to read the directions over well and follow them exactly. A few practice runs and you'll have the process down pat.
The stuff really does work. It is a part of every Buckskinner's flint and steel kit and is authentic old time tinder. When you strike a spark to it you will get a small glow on the cloth. Blowing on the glow will bring on a flame, which begins your fire.
The char cloth is, however, fairly fragile and crumbles easily. It needs to be kept in a small tin or other container to keep it from breaking up. Still, it is quite stable if protected a bit this way. An Altoids box works well, but if you're a real Buckskinner you have to throw the box in the fire first to burn off the paint, then buff the box with steel wool and give it a coat of clear finish for an "authentic" look.
Char cloth is not hard to make and it does work. Just another option to put into your fire making bag of tricks!
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I should probably add that, when using your char cloth, a "nest" of dry grass is usually used in which to place the cloth after an ember is produced. Blowing on the combined cloth and grass "nest" produces the flame. Which is then added to your fuzz sticks and small kindling.
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Gotta give it a try. I had some old round 2 piece tin containers in the garage that would work perfect for a char cooker. All I have to do is find them!!!
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Yep. Don't fergit to poke a little smoke hole in the top.....
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Good morning
You might find this video interesting.
I "borrowed" it from another site
Your mention of char cloth reminded me
of it.
http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/847310/tp/1/
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Yikes, I'm not enough of a traditionalist to use flint and steel but sure respect the guys that do!! I found some great videos on Youtube showing how to make and use the char cloth and find them interesting. Gotta find the time to try it.
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TwinBlade did a nice job on that video and a fine job making fire on a rather windy day!
No way am I being critical, but a lot of us re-enactors who cannot, by tradition, use anything BUT flint and steel, have found that we can strike the spark easier by holding the steel with the fingers rather than with the fist. It's all a matter of personal technique and preference, and one can get good enough to make one-strike-fires with flint and steel. I never could.....until Greg introduced me to the Light My Fire, Fire Steel. Now, for the first time I get one-strike-fires quite regularily.
Can't use one as a period correct re-enactor...........unless one gets really sneaky, or it's real dark out!!
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I think that's where I differ in that I like exploring different fire making methods, but my primary objective is to have a sure fire (pardon the pun) method of building a fire in the most adverse conditions. I've got a video up on youtube where I pour a bucket of water over a book of matches, butane lighter and a FireSteel. It was a cold miserable day out that day and the FireSteel threw sparks like a cutting torch.
I always figure no matter how well prepared I am, sure as shootin' the day I need a fire my handy little 'kit' is gonna be back in camp or in the Jeep which is 8 miles away across the lake an through the woods. At that point, I'll hopefully have the FireSteel in my pocket, around my neck or in my knife sheath. I can figure out kindling but without sparks, you got no flame (according to my wife anyway).
I like the idea of using the char cloth and absolutely have to give it a try.
I'll bet the re-enactors would be really impressed if they saw the sparks you could get off that funny little stick of 'flint' you mounted on a plastic handle. Bet the voyageurs would have given a days pay for one!!
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Those old Voyaguers would LOVE the Firesteel! And you're right, they work where other "standby" methods fail.
I guess that's why I now always have my Firesteel with me. Like my pocket knife, it goes with me everywhere.
My good friend and camping partner who is in charge of Search & Rescue for the county sheriff's department here always carries his as well.
Light, practical, dependable.
What's not to like?
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