Natural tinders

[pauljm116]

Ive been looking in my local woods for some natural tinders to try (eg birch bark, cramp balls, horses hoof etc) but not had any joy at all. Just wondered if anyone had any natural tinders that they could spare me some of to try, will pay postage etc. Fingers crossed.

[Elines]

Spooky - I have just posted someting on my visit to a wood today:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81089&p=982537#post982537

(post 14)

and I ended with:

"Previously I had thought that the wood I go to was poor in resources for firelighting eg no birch, conifers, clematis or honey suckle but it was amazing how improved knowledge and skills (for which especial thanks to the Paul Kirtley weekend at Rough Close) changed my view of what was available"

In my case the 'natural tinder' is feather sticks.

I specifically wanted to be good at these because where there are trees there is always wood - but may not be all the other more esoteric stuff. I am still getting there with feather sticks but I had a good day today so I feel able to comment.

Some of the things I have picked up in trying to do good feather sticks - which can be used to take a spark - are:

use dead standing timber
pieces about 12"+ long with no knots
batton down to inner core if necessary to get to dry wood
use (a) 'knife held against knee and pull the wood approach' or (b) the more usual 'piece of wood vertical and push down with knife approach', whichever suits you
in method (b) be sure to push the knife against the wood when you push down (supposed to make better curls and this seems to work)
make thin curls - do this by adjusting the angle of the blade
even if the 'curl' breaks off keep going to the bottom - you are trying to achieve a plane face against which to make the curl
at the bottom tilt your wrist away from the stick to move the curl away from the stick
don't bother if the stick snaps - the curls are still ok for fire lighting
make about 6 feather sticks
pile them on top of a wooden base
use a good quality ferro rod and 'striker' to create good sparks
give spark making a good go but if it really isn't working start again
I think the above accurately reflects what I am doing/have heard/learned but no problem if anyone wants to add/amend/disagree

As regards your request for stuff I think that people could send you stuff that is difficult to find in your general area so that you can practice with it but, depending on your objectives, you may still need to develop firelighting skills using material that you can find when you are out and about in your own location (says he who has been using petroleum soaked cotton wool for the past few years).

[pauljm116]

Thanks for the advice elines, I really should start practising making feathersticks. As for using petrol soaked cotton wool, I think we've all been there, hexamine blocks are a favourite of mine. I do tend to use plain cotton wool most of the time.

The reason I'm looking for natural tinders is I've just got a flint and steel and been using charcloth and wanted to try other tinders just for a bit of an experiment really.

[jackcbr]

PM me your address, I've got a bit of cramp ball and birch bark you are welcome to.

[pauljm116]

PM me your address, I've got a bit of cramp ball and birch bark you are welcome to.

Pm sent, cheers.

[Rod Paradise]

I've been having a hunt around, found a good supply of Razor Strop Fungus, you're welcome to some (I'll need to go harvest one).

I know there's other fungi about which will be good - but can't remember where I'd seen them before deciding to give firelighting a try..... will keep looking (the dog's loving the extra walks she's getting).

[pauljm116]

I've been having a hunt around, found a good supply of Razor Strop Fungus, you're welcome to some (I'll need to go harvest one).

I know there's other fungi about which will be good - but can't remember where I'd seen them before deciding to give firelighting a try..... will keep looking (the dog's loving the extra walks she's getting).

That would be great, if you dont mind grabbing me one. Pm me when youve got one and we'll sort the rest out then. Thank you.

[Rod Paradise]

That would be great, if you dont mind grabbing me one. Pm me when youve got one and we'll sort the rest out then. Thank you.

No bother - will pm.

[Survival Bill]

I picked a good handful + of thistle fluff then wetted it and compressed the wet fluff it worked much better did get some of the flash burning but since it was compressed it held an ember and was no problem blowing it to get flames and made lighting bark tinder's much easier...

I will use this wetting and compressing of flash tinders in the future it worked out very well for me...

[Ex-member PaganBushcraft]

Last winter I walked up to Howel wood near my home about half way there it started to rain by the time I got to the wood it had turned in to a full on thunder and lightening storm the sky as black as pitch the rain was coming down hard. I had a hard time seeing my way in the wood. So I set up my tarp to keep dry. everything was soaking wet through. I found some standing dead wood sitting under my tarp and set about making a bow drill fire setwith my home made knife stacked leather handle bone and brass ferrule with a raindeer antler pomel with a swedish puuka knife blank.I always carry dry natural tinder in my tinderbox. I could not beleve it I got the fire going in no time 5 min from finding the dead wood to flame. I have tryed in the dry and it took my five times as long. I was like Tom Hanks in the film castaway danceing round the fire doing the walter huston dance with joy. If you can light a fire in a thunder storm in a wood. In my book you are doing some thing right.

[Thenihilist]

How are you defining tinder? lighting with a ferro rod or flint and steel?

If your using a ferro rod you need to look harder man, if your using flint and steel then i see the problem.

[pauljm116]

How are you defining tinder? lighting with a ferro rod or flint and steel?

If your using a ferro rod you need to look harder man, if your using flint and steel then i see the problem.

Ive been practicing with both, dont have a problem finding tinder to use with a ferro rod and have loads of charcloth for the steel and always carry cotton wool for tinder.

I just want to try as many different natural tinders as I can and havent had any luck finding things like cramp balls, horses hoof etc in my local woods and alas not even a humble birch.

[Elines]

Ive been practicing with both, dont have a problem finding tinder to use with a ferro rod and have loads of charcloth for the steel and always carry cotton wool for tinder.

I just want to try as many different natural tinders as I can and havent had any luck finding things like cramp balls, horses hoof etc in my local woods and alas not even a humble birch.

Sorry - I misunderstood your query and got carried away with feather sticks

[Ogri the trog]

It took me a while to get my eye in to see Cramp Balls,but once you do, you'll see them in many places. I also reckon you'll not be seeing any Horses Hoof as they are unlikely to grow in your area - they are more prevalent further north in the colder regions.

However, there are a few other things to try;
Buffed bark from - Cedar, Box (hedge shrub) Vines etc.
Dried mosses
Empty wasp nests

Lots of work to get to know how each works best, but a worthy winter project.

ATB

Ogri the trog

[Thenihilist]

Ive been practicing with both, dont have a problem finding tinder to use with a ferro rod and have loads of charcloth for the steel and always carry cotton wool for tinder.

I just want to try as many different natural tinders as I can and havent had any luck finding things like cramp balls, horses hoof etc in my local woods and alas not even a humble birch.

Ah cool, my woods are chocked with Fomes fomentarius.

[pauljm116]

Sorry - I misunderstood your query and got carried away with feather sticks

No problem, you did give me loads of info about making feathersticks which will come in very handy. :)

[pauljm116]

Ah cool, my woods are chocked with Fomes fomentarius.

If you dont mind grabbing me some next time you go up there I would be very grateful, no worries if you dont though.

[pauljm116]

It took me a while to get my eye in to see Cramp Balls,but once you do, you'll see them in many places. I also reckon you'll not be seeing any Horses Hoof as they are unlikely to grow in your area - they are more prevalent further north in the colder regions.

However, there are a few other things to try;
Buffed bark from - Cedar, Box (hedge shrub) Vines etc.
Dried mosses
Empty wasp nests

Lots of work to get to know how each works best, but a worthy winter project.

ATB

Ogri the trog

Wheres the best sort of place to find cramp balls? Im sure I remember seeing them loads when I was a kid, long before I found bushcraft but havent seen any since Ive been looking for them.

Wish I could figure out how to do multiple quotes! :o

[Ogri the trog]

Wheres the best sort of place to find cramp balls? Im sure I remember seeing them loads when I was a kid, long before I found bushcraft but havent seen any since Ive been looking for them.

Wish I could figure out how to do multiple quotes! :o

Damaged or diseased Ash trees are your best bet for Cramp Balls - if the woodland is damp, I reckon there'll be more than if its a high copse that is always windblown!

Multiple quotes are done with the "+ symbol lower right of the post you want to quote!

ATB

Ogri the trog

[pauljm116]

Damaged or diseased Ash trees are your best bet for Cramp Balls - if the woodland is damp, I reckon there'll be more than if its a high copse that is always windblown!

Multiple quotes are done with the "+ symbol lower right of the post you want to quote!

ATB

Ogri the trog

Thanks for that, at last I know how to multi quote, the symbol is obvious now youve pointed it out. Will be heading to the woods tonight after work so will keep an eye out for cramp balls. Cheers Ogri.

[ocean1975]

Hi Pauljm116,
I live close to you in rochester.I often walk the north downs in the cuxton and cobham area where i find lots of cramp balls and other tinders.Found this hoof fungus growing on a big old beech tree up there. http://i966.photobucket.com/albums/ae147/ocean1975/smallhoof.jpg

[pauljm116]

Hi Pauljm116,
I live close to you in rochester.I often walk the north downs in the cuxton and cobham area where i find lots of cramp balls and other tinders.Found this hoof fungus growing on a big old beech tree up there. http://i966.photobucket.com/albums/ae147/ocean1975/smallhoof.jpg

Thats a beauty, will have to try to get down there soon, havent seen anything like that in my local woods. Whats it like for parking down there?

[ocean1975]

You can park at ranscome farm nature reserve and walk up into the woods ;)

[pauljm116]

You can park at ranscome farm nature reserve and walk up into the woods ;)

Great news, thanks for that, will try to get there soon. :D