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Birch Bark "Cigar" Firelighter Print E-mail
Written by Geoff   
Article Index
Birch Bark "Cigar" Firelighter
Page 2
Page 1 of 2
I saw one of these used on a recent Woodlore course and have been waiting to try it myself - and thought I may as well record the results. Basically, the 'cigar' is a tube of birch bark packed with tinder which is used to turn an ember into a flame.

birchbarkcigar1.jpg
To start with you need a piece of curled birch bark (not the papery bark, a piece of proper bark) cut from a fallen branch or tree. I'm sure I don't need to say this, but don't cut it from a living tree. The bark will usually curl naturally as it dries out after removing it from the dead tree. 
birchbarkcigar2.jpg
Now, this piece isn't really too good as a tube, so if it looks like this, unroll it and then re-roll it so that the end of bark that was in the centre of the tube is now on the outside. It should then take on a proper tubular shape.
birchbarkcigar3.jpg
Next, you need some tinder. I am using the papery birch bark (which can be peeled from a living tree if it is peeling already) and some shredded bark taken from a dead tree.
birchbarkcigar4.jpg
Pack the tube with the tinder, leaving a gap at one end of the tube.
birchbarkcigar5.jpg
The tinder should extend all the way to the other end of the tube.

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