charcloth for dummies

[IUKE12]

I know this subject has been covered ad nauseam, but I don't see much on BULK charcloth production so here goes. Start with 100 percent cotton

No need to cut the cloth into small patches, here I used the entire back of an old polo shirt, rolled up in a loose bundle.

Wrapped in foil, find a heat source outside, there will be abundant smoke

When the bundle stops smoking, it's done. Let it cool before opening.

Simply pull off small pieces from the bulk charcloth as needed. Always test the lot to be sure it will hold an ember.

 

[hikeeba]

Thanks IUKE12! I never have really tried the char cloth thing. Now I think I will.

 

[hushnel]

I like your technique.

I use a 1 quart can with a hole in the lid, it was the way I learned plus I can use it at rendezvous with out the stitch counters getting all huffy. One of the indicators that it’s done is when it stops smoking or when the smoke coming out of the hole does not support combustion.

Your technique will work much better when knocking around, a bit of foil is easier to carry than a 1 quart can and not nearly as dirty.

The underlying idea is burning the cloth in the absence of oxygen. A traditional way was to put the material to be rendered into char cloth under a thin layer of soil then start a fire on top of it.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Here is my how to:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=564013&highlight=charcloth

It is like hushnel's Both seem to work well.

TF