It just dawned on me that I always have chapstick either in the pack, pocket, or first aid kit. The military version is 44% petroleum (petrolatums). Can this stuff be used to help start a fire? I have been busy enough at work that I have not had time to experiment.
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Chapstick for fire starting?
- Thread starter jw2n
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- May 22, 2010
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hmmm...good idea; dunno if it would work or not.
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- Feb 18, 2009
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An interesting question. I just did a very quick and dirty test, and couldn't get it to light with a firesteel or a lighter. That doesn't mean it won't, just that it didn't work for me . . . yet.
Good idea, though.
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- Oct 8, 1998
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When in doubt, try it out! Where is Hot Lips Hoolihan when you need her? 
I run a Bushcraft/survival course for 15-18yr old Army cadets. They make their own kits and it is suggested they carry a Lip-balm and a tampon. Each has multiple uses but combined. One full tampon and a third of a stick of lipbalm will ignite from a spark and burn for 6+min.
The trick is to work the balm into the split open tampon very well then tease some of the fibers out very finely so they will catch a spark.
The balm is like candle wax, it won't burn easily with out a wick.
While we are on this subject I participated in this conversation a number of years ago on another forum and a new member couldn't get his Vaseline/cotton ball to ignite. It went back and forth for quiet a while and no-one could work out what was wrong until he said it seemed "too wet" and then another member realised he was using Vaseline intensive care hand lotion! That doesn't work.
Alternate uses for Lip-balm
Used to lubricate my LJ42 when I forgot the gun oil.
Made male and female toilet signs on bush toilets. Used a piece of paper bark drew male or female stick figures on the bark then poured crushed charcoal over and the charcoal dust stuck to the balm.
Used a lip-balm squidged onto my hand, then warmed to soften and then rubbed into my face to stop wind burn when I got caught out in a freezing wind. I have had the thought the same thing mixed with the crushed charcoal would make a night cam-cream.
Rubbed it into a kids sock to slow down a blister mid nav-ex on boots he hadn't broken in.
Alternate uses for a Tampon
It is sterile so it can be used for cleaning wounds. Can't think of a better plug for a bullet entry wound.
Opened up as a improved wound dressing (I would wet it first because it could very easily dry into the wound.)
Padding for a blister, tooth or ear ache.
Used the final filter in the improvised water filter I get the kids to make with a discarded soda bottle and charcoal.
I was gunna post a pic of the filter but Photobucket is doing something a bit weird this morning.
Carl
The trick is to work the balm into the split open tampon very well then tease some of the fibers out very finely so they will catch a spark.
The balm is like candle wax, it won't burn easily with out a wick.
While we are on this subject I participated in this conversation a number of years ago on another forum and a new member couldn't get his Vaseline/cotton ball to ignite. It went back and forth for quiet a while and no-one could work out what was wrong until he said it seemed "too wet" and then another member realised he was using Vaseline intensive care hand lotion! That doesn't work.
Alternate uses for Lip-balm
Used to lubricate my LJ42 when I forgot the gun oil.
Made male and female toilet signs on bush toilets. Used a piece of paper bark drew male or female stick figures on the bark then poured crushed charcoal over and the charcoal dust stuck to the balm.
Used a lip-balm squidged onto my hand, then warmed to soften and then rubbed into my face to stop wind burn when I got caught out in a freezing wind. I have had the thought the same thing mixed with the crushed charcoal would make a night cam-cream.
Rubbed it into a kids sock to slow down a blister mid nav-ex on boots he hadn't broken in.
Alternate uses for a Tampon
It is sterile so it can be used for cleaning wounds. Can't think of a better plug for a bullet entry wound.
Opened up as a improved wound dressing (I would wet it first because it could very easily dry into the wound.)
Padding for a blister, tooth or ear ache.
Used the final filter in the improvised water filter I get the kids to make with a discarded soda bottle and charcoal.
I was gunna post a pic of the filter but Photobucket is doing something a bit weird this morning.
Carl
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- Sep 28, 2005
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- 4,527
For about a year now I've been using an empty chapstick container as a PCB straw. I fill it with lint from my massage linens (100% cotton), sometimes mixed with fatwood dust/chunks and birchbark. I scoop out the last of the chapstick and use it to seal the end of the lint (hence the comparison with PCB's). I've put them through the washer multiple times with no negative results. They are unobtrusive, and MUCH easier to operate than PCB straws as you pull off/bite off (in last ditch efforts) the lid and turn out the material and light. In an last ditch effort you can even light it without screwing out the whole core, and it lights like a candle, however this burns the plastic as well. Mine have stayed lit for 3+ minutes, and are very effective at starting fires with moist materials- as my brother and I found out while hunting last fall. I've sent out a few with giveaways here but have not heard back if they were used. You can also use Vics rub instead of chapstick and it can help with congestion/sinus problems along with other uses of chapstick.
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
- Messages
- 369
warrigal,
Great info. Now I wonder if my wife will start to get worried when I raid her personal protection box??????
Yellow Lab
Great info. Now I wonder if my wife will start to get worried when I raid her personal protection box??????
Yellow Lab