Fire starters?

edctac

edctac

Joined
May 7, 2011
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I was thinking of making some little bundles tonight, and not sure what to use. I always carry PJCB's but I was thinking some fatwood wrapped in jute. I have never used jute and was thinking of soaking it in PJ first, or maybe parafin wax(not sure on spelling). Any ideas or recomendations? Or maybe the jute is just fine on its own and doesn't need anything. This is mostly just for fun, and I will make a few to for me and my roommate and give some to friends. Thanks for any info :)
 
I have had good success lightly coating a paper towel or even a thin cloth rag in oil(I used autom oil). I just rub some oil into the paper towel and tightly roll it up. It acts like a wick and can be use several times.
 
try messing around with dryer lint, you'd be surprised. ;) plus it almost a free by product of a routinely used household item.
 
Here is one way you can make up some little firestarters. Take some jute or cotton ball and then mix in the vaseline. then take the cotton ball and wrap it in a little tin foil and press it down like a inch by inch. Then when you want to use one just make a x cut in the tin foil and pull out a little of the firestarter and then light it. One guy over at the United States Rescue and Special Operation Group forum had one burn nearly 30 minutes. It really depends on howmuch vaseline you mix in with the cotton though.

Just another way of making some firestarters for you pack and for fun.

Bryan
 
Thanks guys for the info. I have had great luck with the cotton balls, but I kinda thought it would be a nice thing to have a piece of fatwood wrapped in jute to throw in the trunk or pack. I wouldn't be using it still wrapped up, but just for ease of packing. I will let you know how they turn out :D
 
Like Bryan suggested with cottom balls and PJ also McDonalds straws work well. Take a new dry McDonalds straw (McDs straws work better- size) cut into 3 or 4 sections melt 1 end shut (lighter and pliers) stuff with cotton ball w/ PJ melt 2nd end shut = waterproof. They can be lit with a lighter or cut open pull some out to take a spark.
I'll have to try the folded foil to see how it compares to the straws.
 
very easy to to do eh?

I guess the only thing to look for, and try a section of every batch, there is an amazing amount of fire-retardants in fabrics now, it can be a nuisance.
 
Well this is what I made :) I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out. Just to clarify, this is just how I made them for ease of storage and packing I obviously won't be attempting to light them like this. The jute is soaked in PJ.

2011-12-28195215.jpg
 
sicily02 said:
Here is one way you can make up some little firestarters. Take some jute or cotton ball and then mix in the vaseline. then take the cotton ball and wrap it in a little tin foil and press it down like a inch by inch. Then when you want to use one just make a x cut in the tin foil and pull out a little of the firestarter and then light it. One guy over at the United States Rescue and Special Operation Group forum had one burn nearly 30 minutes. It really depends on howmuch vaseline you mix in with the cotton though. Just another way of making some firestarters for you pack and for fun.Bryan
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Improvement: In a bit of folded duct tape, ravioli style. Waterproof, and the whole lot will burn eventually.
 
+1 on the dryer lint.

Also a little trick I learned in the scouts. Try finding the old egg crates that are made a paper/cardboard. Fill them with sawdust and small wood chips. Cove it with candle wax and Vaseline. They take a spark well and work like small little candles.

On another note making waterproofs matches is easily done by dipping them in candle wax.
 
pitdog said:
How about switching the Duct tape for inner tube and glueing the ends shut ?
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I've not tried that but I can't see why it wouldn't work. I might knock one up just for fun. I wouldn't bother to actually use them for two reasons: The duct tape version packs light and small and is sufficient for me. And tube would just add redundant bulk. Also, I have bands distributed across my gear for other reasons, but with a vigilance that they could be pressed into service... .
 
I have used jute and just dipped it in tea candle wax. Fray the jute and voila! Catches and lights easily, extending the burn time.
 
I buy tiny little baggies in the craft department at Wal-Mart ($1 for a bag of 100) and put a PJCB in it. My son used to wear braces and he has hundreds of tiny rubber bands left over. I use those to tie up the baggies in a small package. I havent tried jute twine but I'll get some and experiment with it. What you did with the twine and pitchwood looks good.
 
Just for conversation , try some Manila rope. Fuzz it up good(bird nest) and throw some sparks in to it.
It's got oils already on it and goes FAST:thumbup:
 
I have recently become very frustrated with trying to light feather sticks and have started simply collecting the saw dust from cutting wood.
 
cotton ball and petroliumgelly works perfect for me it weight nothing, water and wind proof. in my fire kit I carry 3 or 4 per day in the wood. FOr me it works 99%.

tHANKX

WH
 
I just use lint when out on the trail or even at home. Ive been meaning to get out and look for fatwood, havnt found any yet. I like your idea on wrapping the fat wood with string and having a bunch of pre wrapped fire starters ready to go!!

I didnt even know bladeforums had this whole outdoors forum, HELL YA! lol
 
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