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Nod
13-12-2004, 16:36
Hello All, not been here for a while....been busy doing outdoors stuff. :-)

And it was while out shooting my bow that I came across an excellent tinder. Cedar. Nothing new there I hear you say, as many of the books show how you can scrape cedar bark to make a good tinder for lighting by sparks.

But, my mate broke an arrow. Mine are made of pine, but his were POC, or Port Orford Cedar. It smelt lovely at the break so he brought it over for me to have a sniff (funny lot these Longbowmen eh?). Anyhow I took it home as he didn't want it, and I could use the pile off the end. I scraped some small strips off the shaft and tried them with a spark and they took really well and I had a fire in no time.

The shaft is easy to carry, easy to keep dry, you can scrape as much or as little off as you want, and if you know any archers, they are always easy to get hold of. I keep the trimmed shaft in the pencil pocket of my coat so it's always handy.

Just thought it might be useful to share it with you.
Cheers
Paul

george
13-12-2004, 18:56
Use it with a pencil sharpener to get really fine shavings. Some pencils are made of cedar too.

George

Rob
13-12-2004, 19:07
Most of my POC shavings get bagged up and then carried as good dry tinder when I go out.

Pencil sharpener is ideal if you arent trying to get the right angle for nocks or piles.

Your friend (unless he is built like an orangutang) will have off-cuts from making his arrows. Best you scrounge some of them ;)

den
24-12-2004, 17:07
I love the smell of POC. One of the best.

Tvividr
25-12-2004, 16:36
I love the smell of POC. One of the best.
:approve: Yup

Rob
26-12-2004, 09:53
:biggthump

alick
29-12-2004, 22:42
The shavings give off a brilliant smell - it seems almost as strong as Olbas eucalyptus oil (used for clearing the sinuses / head when you've a cold) when it's fresh but I notice the shavings soon loose their smell.

Haven't tried it yet but this makes me think it's better carried as whole offcuts rather than shavings.

Once you're recycled the piles, it's also a way to get one last use out of arrow shafts that are broken in use.

Cheers, great tip ! :o):