Post by elkchsr on Dec 17, 2004 3:26:51 GMT 12.75
I figured this would be the next step to follow along with.
Tinder is one of those things that need to be studied pretty close if you want to learn what really works well, what just passes, and what will not work in any way shape or form.
To start with, the last topic I covered is extremely important in this subject since you are talking about fire in its most infant form.
The utmost care must be made that this part of your fuel doesn't have any moisture in it at all, especially if you are working with more primitive fire methods.
The best way I have found to see what works or not is to give every thing that looks like it might work the once over with a small amount of fire to see how easy it starts.
Plant materials that look as if they should be excellent have turned out to be duds in a big way. Others look like they are 100% dry and when put to the test fail.
I can't even start where and what you can collect, every region or place has different materials that work and they are all very different.
I carry a couple of zip-lock sandwich bags with me and as I am wandering, collect samples of things that look good. I also leave the bags open so that any moisture that may be in what I collect has a chance to dissipate some.
With practice and testing, you will start to see patterns in what and where things can be collected.
I will give some bits of advise on this part to start with.
Materials in gullies and damp areas, even though they look good will probably not readily start because of the inherent moisture that it contains.
If you can find things on south facing slopes, these are usually the driest areas all around. One thing to keep in mind though is these areas the plants by their very nature have a tendency to be able to retain moisture better and you may find good looking stuff that just doesn't seem to want to light very well.
Materials on a North facing slope while at the time they are collected may be damper, are usually thinner and will dry faster and better if given a little fore thought when you are collecting things.
Nests are another good source for materials as the animals have a tendency to collect small debris to make their nests more comfortable.
When testing your materials, the best way I have found is to already have a good fire going, put your test tinder in a little pile and drop a very small coal or spark into it and see how readily it comes to life when you hold it in your hands and blow steadily into it.
If the coal just dies and your tinder won't start, you either have some thing that is fire retardant or has small amounts of moisture in it.
To see which it is, put it by your fire to dry over an extended amount of time.
When it just crumbles, give it another try and see what happens.
These are very easy and basic concepts, but most are not shown or have the time of trial and error to learn these things the hard way.
I sure hope these have helped some and if any one has any thing to add, please feel free to jump on in...
Russ...
Tinder is one of those things that need to be studied pretty close if you want to learn what really works well, what just passes, and what will not work in any way shape or form.
To start with, the last topic I covered is extremely important in this subject since you are talking about fire in its most infant form.
The utmost care must be made that this part of your fuel doesn't have any moisture in it at all, especially if you are working with more primitive fire methods.
The best way I have found to see what works or not is to give every thing that looks like it might work the once over with a small amount of fire to see how easy it starts.
Plant materials that look as if they should be excellent have turned out to be duds in a big way. Others look like they are 100% dry and when put to the test fail.
I can't even start where and what you can collect, every region or place has different materials that work and they are all very different.
I carry a couple of zip-lock sandwich bags with me and as I am wandering, collect samples of things that look good. I also leave the bags open so that any moisture that may be in what I collect has a chance to dissipate some.
With practice and testing, you will start to see patterns in what and where things can be collected.
I will give some bits of advise on this part to start with.
Materials in gullies and damp areas, even though they look good will probably not readily start because of the inherent moisture that it contains.
If you can find things on south facing slopes, these are usually the driest areas all around. One thing to keep in mind though is these areas the plants by their very nature have a tendency to be able to retain moisture better and you may find good looking stuff that just doesn't seem to want to light very well.
Materials on a North facing slope while at the time they are collected may be damper, are usually thinner and will dry faster and better if given a little fore thought when you are collecting things.
Nests are another good source for materials as the animals have a tendency to collect small debris to make their nests more comfortable.
When testing your materials, the best way I have found is to already have a good fire going, put your test tinder in a little pile and drop a very small coal or spark into it and see how readily it comes to life when you hold it in your hands and blow steadily into it.
If the coal just dies and your tinder won't start, you either have some thing that is fire retardant or has small amounts of moisture in it.
To see which it is, put it by your fire to dry over an extended amount of time.
When it just crumbles, give it another try and see what happens.
These are very easy and basic concepts, but most are not shown or have the time of trial and error to learn these things the hard way.
I sure hope these have helped some and if any one has any thing to add, please feel free to jump on in...
Russ...