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Thread: The lowly candle...

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    Super-duper Moderator Sarge47's Avatar
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    Cool The lowly candle...

    One item that no survival kit should be without and that I feel does not get talked about enough is the candle. Yes, I know that many of you carry them, and some even like the little trick birthday candles that can't be blown out; I have several of those also. But let's look at a regular candle; maybe a "pink lady" or those made by Coleman for emergency's, for example. Look at what you can do with a regular candle:

    1.) Make a candle lantern.

    2.) Dry out wet firewood.

    3.) Make a tent stove by placing one under a tin can with holes poked in it.

    4.) Stop a tent leak.

    5.) Rub it on a zipper to make it zip smoother.

    6.) Replace waterproofing on a boot, etc..

    Any other ideas?
    SARGE
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    Senior Member randyt's Avatar
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    If it's a tallow candle I suppose if times were desperate, it could be eaten. I wonder if a little of the wax could be mixed with spruce gum and a backwoods chewing gum could be made. Usually I use bee's wax for this.

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    wax bow string

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    Hall Monitor Pal334's Avatar
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    in an extreme pinch, lubrcant for weapon bearing surfaces.
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    A candle will keep your car warm if stranded in cold weather. Maybe not sub-zero, but anything helps.

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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    When I used to camp in the snow (honest - I haven't lived in Florida all my life) I used a UCO candle lantern to warm the tent. I did surprisingly well. Of course my UCO lantern had a brandy snifter attachment on top to warm the Courvoisier.
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    Senior Member kyratshooter's Avatar
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    When making fire with primitive gear I usually light the candle first, then light the wood. I do not put the candle out until I know the wood has caught. You will never lose your flame and have to start over that way.

    Candles are also good as a light source, even without the lantern.

    You can also use the hot wax to seal a container or threads on a lid and make it waterproof
    If you didn't bring jerky what did I just eat?

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Drop of wax in a cup of water and a needle, magnetized will make a compass....and a drop of wax on the smoke hole in your char cloth tin will seal it up till needed.

    Always have a couple of candle ends floating around in my gear........handy thing to have.
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    Senior Member Highhawk1948's Avatar
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    Start the small twigs and kindling burning.
    Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth.

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    Good for warming your hands up so you can build a real fire.

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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    Good point, Pete. You lose motor skills as you get cold. You may need a warm up just to function.
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    Senior Member BENESSE's Avatar
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    You can wax poetic whan all else fails.

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BENESSE View Post
    You can wax poetic whan all else fails.
    Around here when all else fails....you just holler "uff da"! run in circles scream and shout........
    http://www.lawzone.com/half-nor/uffda.htm
    Geezer Squad....Charter Member #1
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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Just light it a use it for light?....maybe?
    Geezer Squad....Charter Member #1
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    Resident Wildman Wildthang's Avatar
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    I carry 8 of the small tea candles with the tin bottom cups on them in my BOB. One thing you guys forgot is that a candle warms the heart when the night is cold and dark! I was thinking, if you had a deep bleeding cut, and didn't have anyting to sew it up or bandage it, would hot candle wax seal the wound? Yeah the hot wax would hurt some, but it would beat bleeding to death!

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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    No. Hot wax won't seal a wound. Compression is the answer unless it is arterial or massive. If you don't have a med kit then rip up your shirt or pants to make one.
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    Like jake abraham said, I use those little white unscented candles to wax bowstrings
    "In a jam, the best friend you have is yourself." -Dick Proenneke

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    Senior Member natertot's Avatar
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    They're great to ignite farts with too!

  19. #19
    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    Why would you want to set a highly trained member of the response team on fire? That's just sick.
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  20. #20
    Senior Member natertot's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rick View Post
    Why would you want to set a highly trained member of the response team on fire? That's just sick.
    As I wrote that, I kinda thought you'd say sumthin' along those lines. Don't worry Rick, you are safe. Unless your standing behind me!

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