camping season

[Midwest Firecraft]

Bag Balm soaked cotton ball. Only takes part of one. Many more uses the PJCB ones. Keep a small bag attached to your sheath with a ranger band and you’re GTG.

No doubt. I almost always have cotton balls for tinder if I am not in the northern forest with plentiful birch. What is the advantage to bag balm? You can use both to moisturize or light fires. I am pretty sure bag balm has petroleum jelly in it. I am always impressed when someone can light natural tinder with a 2.5 inch firesteel. I have to use a 6 inch. I know you can't just attach it to a lanyard, but it is worth the extra weight to me to be able to light a fire in any condition right away.

 

[Aias]

While I've done it w/o little cheats a couple of time, I'll typically keep some cotton pads with a little accelerant of some sort in a waterproof container to catch sparks off a rod without fail. Then the 2.5" rod is fine. I've yet to perfect making a fire with a ferro rod under any/all conditions.

 

[cut it out]

Thanks man. I enjoy taking user pics. They are so much easier to appreciate when tou actually use them. I also think they look better with character marks too

 

[Midwest Firecraft]

I think you would be really impressed with a 6 inch ferro rod. You won't hit the tinder with your hand and it throws a ton of sparks. I have never failed to light birch bark or pine sap on feather sticks.

 

[Sethrotull]

No doubt. I almost always have cotton balls for tinder if I am not in the northern forest with plentiful birch. What is the advantage to bag balm? You can use both to moisturize or light fires. I am pretty sure bag balm has petroleum jelly in it. I am always impressed when someone can light natural tinder with a 2.5 inch firesteel. I have to use a 6 inch. I know you can't just attach it to a lanyard, but it is worth the extra weight to me to be able to light a fire in any condition right away.
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Bag balm is petroleum based but has an antiseptic in it also. Better for lips and chaffed skin.

 

[ManRay]

Going camping wednesday. No busse or kin though. I have other stuff I need to test. Pics from last camping trip though.

Ashbm on part of the Appalachian trail.