Charcloth lessons learned

Couple of weeks ago I was teaching my hiking buddy how to strike sparks using quartz and the back of a knife blade. On he first try he already better than I am. Some practice and he was a master. This led to a discussion of charcloth. We had planned to do some up this weekend but he got impatient and just decided to experiment. At first he tried hangng some blue jean on the grill over the fire but too much was consumed. Then he used a tin can and put some in and charred it black. Then he did up some more but he thought he overdid it: too fragile. When he showed me the results of the two it was the second batch, the fragile batch that took a spark best. While I was there he was doing a third batch. Unfortunately he opened the can before it was fully cooled and as soon as it was exposed to the air the whole lump glowed up brightly. We stuffed it back in the can to see if we could save some. Much later we took what survived and it was extremely fragile. We had to handle it incredibly gently or it would disintigrate like dust. Catch was, barely visible sparks would catch it.

Long story short if making charcloth: Place the sealed can near, not quite in the fire. When the white smoke stops coming out the whole remove it from the fire carefully and plug the whole. When you think the can is cool enough to open, DON'T. Wait far longer than you think necessary.

Yeah, charcloth can be some tricky stuff to make. You have to do it a certain way, or else you end up with dust or a fireball. Laughing

I've made some myself, but I don't use it that much. I find myself using PJ-cotton for lighting most of my fires. But I still like charcloth. Cool

Thanks for posting, Yeoman. Cool

Ive yet to make some myself, now winter is here, i have extra time. I should get on it ! .. right guys !! Surprised

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A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	now winter is here

You rang?

Haha, clever. Wink

haven't made any yet either.

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I'm kinda set for life with char cloth. Laughing

I have 4 small coffee cans full of it.

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Yeah, you could start your own charcloth business! Surprised

Winter wrote:

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	now winter is here

You rang?

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

no doubt

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