Substitutes For Char Cloth

[pcbrewer]

I have made char cloth, char cattail, and char rope. Are there other thing you can use to start a fire with flint and steel?

[tuxdad]

Punk wood, pine slivers, Just about any natural material can be used as char material.. The charring process is pretty much the same .. You just have to experiment with what you have to find what works for you in your area..

Best of Luck !!

[Rick]

And it doesn't have to be charred. Jute string, petroleum soaked cotton balls, dryer lint as long as it's from cotton clothing. Just experiment a bit. There's lot's of stuff that will catch a spark.

[crashdive123]

I have made char cloth, char cattail, and char rope. Are there other thing you can use to start a fire with flint and steel?

I'm curious about your char cattail.
1. Why - since a spark lights it up pretty good as is.
2. How - it doesn't seem like something that would "char".
3. Got any pictures - I am interested in your technique and results.

[tuxdad]

Crashdive, are you confusing the ferro rods with flint and steel ?? The reason I ask, is because ferro's make a lot hotter sparks, while the flint and steels are not as hot, and won't light(atleast in my experience) CBPJ, jute or dryer lint...

Just curious...

[kyratshooter]

I have used a simple strip of cotton cloth that had been burned on one end, not completely charred, to catch spark.

I also keep a piece of kerosene lamp wicking in my F&S kit. The burned end of lamp wick holds the glowing ember until you FORCE it to go out.

[hunter63]

A lot of people swear by fire fungus, and i have tried locating some and have drawn a blank so far, but if it will catch a spark from a piece of iron pyrite and steel,Ii'll keep looking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaHNWaBmNJU

[pcbrewer]

Crashdive, here is where I learned it...

http://www.youtube.com/user/wilderne...94/LhiUxa_WYLc

[hunter63]

Looks like it works pretty well.
Thanks.
I would guess you could use just about any fiberious material you can pick up, and a lot of plants have "fluff" on the seeds.

[crashdive123]

Crashdive, are you confusing the ferro rods with flint and steel ?? The reason I ask, is because ferro's make a lot hotter sparks, while the flint and steels are not as hot, and won't light(atleast in my experience) CBPJ, jute or dryer lint...

Just curious...

That's possible.

[crashdive123]

Crashdive, here is where I learned it...

http://www.youtube.com/user/wilderne...94/LhiUxa_WYLc

Thanks for the vid. When you have used yours - did you use the entire piece like was done in the vid or just a portion of it. I suppose if you use the entire piece you would need to make some every time you started a fire (with your cattail char).

[hunter63]

Well if you use a bigger can, you can make a lot at a time.....Then you have to carry it.....

Problem with this is to have the can, I like using one that is large enough (shoe polish or snuff can) to keep my flint (rock) and steel (not ferro rod) in it,, as my fire kit.
Inside the can with the flint and steel is char cloth and a small candle end.

Wax from the candle is used to seal up the smoke hole, when done using it, to keep it water proof.

Can in bottom left had corner with file piece and flint point as the flint and steel.
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This is in my possibles bag.
I do have a commercial made brass plated with a burning glass as well on my belt fire kit, I don't use this to make more char cloth.

[RangerXanatos]

Really thin slivers of mullein pith does not have to be charred for flint and steel, though it can be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_KkhNt8SZg

[socom2173]

Kerosene lamp wicks cut into 1" sections work well and stay together.

[Winter]

Ok, I'm ready for the flak.

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Highly compressed cotton on a string. It can start many fires, used to gather dew for drinking water, and used as a bandage. (do not plug bullet holes with it.)

[tuxdad]

Have a few of them in my kits(FAK and fire ) as well..

No flack given by me... GMTA

[Rick]

There's one in every crowd. I expected more from you but I guess I shoulda known.

[Winter]

I'm very disappointed Richard, LOL


That's all you have? Really...someones sabre is dull.

Sorry, I meant rapier.

[Rick]

It is. I had to track down a really big stone to sharpen it, too. I'll start on that tomorrow. It's a Katana, by the way.

[Winter]

I had no idea you were Japanese.