Wayland
17-10-2006, 11:57
http://www.ravenlore.co.uk/assets/images/Bushcraft800.jpg
Having just got back from the Loch Achray meet I thought I would post something about Blow Pokers.
Some of you may have noticed the picture above on the site home page and possibly wondered what it was about.
Being involved in living history (http://www.lore-and-saga.co.uk/) for some years I suppose I have got used to many conveniences that would be difficult to justify in my Bushcraft pack. One of these conveniences is a pair of bellows for the fire.
Having long hair I am usually cautious about getting too close to the fire to blow it and wafting with my hat seems to blow ashes just about everywhere. The simple solution I have found is a light tube which can be used to blow air into the fire precisely where it is needed. In effect the tube makes the nozzle while my lungs become the bellows.
Having tried various tubes, the best combination for weight against strength I have found so far is the alloys that are used for making arrows. I suppose it is fortunate that I had a few broken or bent arrows lying around waiting to become something else.
Next best could be a toss up between an aluminium tube from a hardware shop or an Elder wand with the pith pushed through.
As for length it is up to you to decide how long a tube you can easily carry in your luggage I guess, but mine is sized to carry a couple of skewers in it while in my pack which serves the dual purpose of reinforcing the tube and stopping the skewers from causing any damage to the pack material.
I have since found references in various Bushcraft books to flexible tubing with a metal nozzle at the end, used for the same purpose, that can be rolled up and put in a billy can when not in use. I can see the value of this idea but I find the arrow shaft also useful for use as a fire poker too.
I was prompted to post this by “Doc” at the meet saying something to the effect that it was the most useful one ounce accessory he had ever seen.
I’m not sure I would go quite so overboard myself but it certainly has been handy at times.
Having just got back from the Loch Achray meet I thought I would post something about Blow Pokers.
Some of you may have noticed the picture above on the site home page and possibly wondered what it was about.
Being involved in living history (http://www.lore-and-saga.co.uk/) for some years I suppose I have got used to many conveniences that would be difficult to justify in my Bushcraft pack. One of these conveniences is a pair of bellows for the fire.
Having long hair I am usually cautious about getting too close to the fire to blow it and wafting with my hat seems to blow ashes just about everywhere. The simple solution I have found is a light tube which can be used to blow air into the fire precisely where it is needed. In effect the tube makes the nozzle while my lungs become the bellows.
Having tried various tubes, the best combination for weight against strength I have found so far is the alloys that are used for making arrows. I suppose it is fortunate that I had a few broken or bent arrows lying around waiting to become something else.
Next best could be a toss up between an aluminium tube from a hardware shop or an Elder wand with the pith pushed through.
As for length it is up to you to decide how long a tube you can easily carry in your luggage I guess, but mine is sized to carry a couple of skewers in it while in my pack which serves the dual purpose of reinforcing the tube and stopping the skewers from causing any damage to the pack material.
I have since found references in various Bushcraft books to flexible tubing with a metal nozzle at the end, used for the same purpose, that can be rolled up and put in a billy can when not in use. I can see the value of this idea but I find the arrow shaft also useful for use as a fire poker too.
I was prompted to post this by “Doc” at the meet saying something to the effect that it was the most useful one ounce accessory he had ever seen.
I’m not sure I would go quite so overboard myself but it certainly has been handy at times.