New Fire Starter/Tinder tip

Here is a new tip for those of you that don't like the mess of cotton balls and petroleum jelly.

Take a small ball of cotton about the size of a Lima Bean, mix with bees wax by either working it in by the warmth of your hands or by heating up the bees wax and pouring it on the cotton. massage the cotton well to get a good coverage of the wax.

TO USE: pull apart to expose the cotton fibers light with match, or sparking device.

I have tried 2 or 3 of these and a ball about the size of a large pea will burn well over 5 minutes.
I soaked one in water for 5 minutes to test the waterproofness, it took right off with one strike from my spark rod.
I think it works just as good as the pet. jelly and cotton without the mess.
The bees wax may melt in high temps so you may want to carry them in a container.

NOTE: bees wax has other uses as a lubricant, and I am sure you could find many more.
I use bees wax to treat my strings and cords for them to be somewhat waterproof(home made bow string).
I also use it to lubricate my hand stone on the bow and drill fire making tool.

_________________
SURVIVAL..........it's all in your head

Great idea tfisher Very Happy

I wonder if any wax would work as good?

eric

I bet it would, I just wanted a wax that was softer than parafin wax.

_________________
SURVIVAL..........it's all in your head

Excellent idea! Very Happy

I'll have to try it. Very Happy

_________________
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. - Psalms 53:1

Good tip, tfisher.
Bees wax is also good for waterproofing and preserving leather boots. Sno-seal is the brand I've been using.

I never used sno seal, but the bees wax I use comes in a semi hard block.

how does Sno Seal come

_________________
SURVIVAL..........it's all in your head

	BushRat wrote:
	Good tip, tfisher. Bees wax is also good for waterproofing and preserving leather boots. Sno-seal is the brand I've been using.

Yep anykind of wax is great for waterproofing things like matches too

_________________
"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

	tfisher wrote:
	I never used sno seal, but the bees wax I use comes in a semi hard block. how does Sno Seal come

In a little metal canister with a screw-on lid. Very Happy

_________________
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. - Psalms 53:1

I use aqua-seal. Same brand, and it works the same, but this is a liquid. I dont really preferone over the other.

Each to his own, dan. Cool

_________________
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. - Psalms 53:1