Homemade tinder for survival kit

[AR7]

Hi.

I make tinder with coton, vaseline and duct tape. It's easy and cheap, waterproof, unbreakable, soft, and fit everywhere:

Just make a ball with the coton (with some vaseline) and make a "pilow" with the duct tape.

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To use it with a firesteel, just cut the duct tape, rip out some coton, put your firesteel in it, and scratch it...

http://imageshack.us/clip/my-videos/141/ahi.mp4/

[Sarge47]

You realize that your "preaching to the choir, right?

[AR7]

No, I don't. I'm sorry. I just wanted to share an idea

[Rick]

That's one more method of carrying it. Crash has posted using aluminum foil. Do you have any trouble with the adhesive on the tape sticking because of the petroleum jelly? I use a .35mm fim canister but aluminum foil or duct tape is a lot more compact.

[AR7]

Do you have any trouble with the adhesive on the tape sticking because of the petroleum jelly? I use a .35mm fim canister but aluminum foil or duct tape is a lot more compact.

No, I don't. It last months, maybe years...

The problem with the film canister (IMO) is that it don't fit anywhere, and the aluminium foil is weak and not waterproof. I seek a long time a good solution, and the duct tape is the best idea I had.

[tipacanoe]

Well now, how about taking the petroleum jelly saturated cotton ball, wrapped in aluminum foil and wrap it in the duct tape. That way it's water proof, won't stick to the tape, and you have a base that is dry to light the fire on.

[crashdive123]

I've thrown the pj soaked cotton balls wrapped in foil in a bucket of water for a couple of hours - removed them - used them - no problems.

Duct tape sounds like a good idea too.

[Rick]

Yeah once the cotton balls are soaked in PJ there should be no issue with water proofing regardless of what you use.

[natertot]

The picture of the completed ones look like something you can even keep in yout wallet! Okay, I'll stop there.

[crashdive123]

The picture of the completed ones look like something you can even keep in yout wallet! Okay, I'll stop there.

Yeah, but these won't dry rot after years of non-use and still in your wallet.

[Rick]

Are we talkin' handkerchiefs?

[natertot]

Are we talkin' handkerchiefs?

Yes, Rick. (Plastic Russling) Here have a Twinkie!

[Zen buds]

I use firestarters for a fireplace. You can buy a big pack of them at most any store. They only cost a couple bucks. I cut them into sticks that are 2"x1/2"x1/4". They take a spark pretty easy and burn for about 15 minutes. They are especially nice to have if all the wood is wet.

[Rick]

Do you get any smoke from the duct tape when it burns. I would think that it might be foul smelling but maybe not.

[AR7]

Yes! Little smoke and smells bad, but just a small time

[Willie]

I use vaccume Sealed bags, the ones for food. Works great!

[gryffynklm]

I though the tape is a good idea. I agree with rick, the burning tape will stink until it is consumed by the fire. If I try the duct tape tinder pack I will choose to use the back of the knife to run down the ferorod instead of chopping with the cutting edge.

[Winter]

Good idea with the tape AR7.

[SARKY]

If you use the duct tape, can you still compress the PJ cotton? Cause I can stuff a lot of PJ cotton in a film canister.

[AR7]

Thanks, Winters.

If you use the duct tape, can you still compress the PJ cotton? Cause I can stuff a lot of PJ cotton in a film canister.

Yes, of course. The best part of using duct tape is is that you can put your tinder in a very small space, in any survival kit. In mi fire kit I store a lot of vaselined coton in a small ziplock. But it's not the same: My firekit is too big to fit in a survival kit, and I think your film canister too.

My firekit:

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