Natural FLASH Tinder - Dandilions!? (PICS)

FWIW, the fluff from milkweed or musk thistle takes a spark easier than dandelion, and burns up dang near as fast as gunpowder. A true "flash tinder".
 
I thought you guys might enjoy a few more "survival" pictures.

First, we secured shelter . . .
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Next, we secured a fresh supply of water . . .
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Then we found a good source of dry wood . . .
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Then we found some food!
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-- FLIX
http://pritch.smugmug.com/photos/157678648-M.jpg
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Phragmites flower heads also work as tinder for bow drill coals.

Doc
Click to expand...

Phragmites (common reed) stems also make great torches when bundled up. They give off a surprisingly bright flame. They must have some kind of pitch in them as well; if you burn a whole patch of them they give off more black smoke than a burning pile of old tires.
 
More great pics :)
The first puppy bear pic ,( looks like a 1 1/2 yr old ) I thought " that looks like a color phase black bear "
2nd pic " hmmmm, those nails look a little long ;) " Was momma around ?
Brown , Cin. , Grizz , ??? We just get the little black ones here , back east :confused:

Phil
 
Nice thread. I've burned dandelion heads just to get rid of them, but haven't used them for tinder. I'm curious to see if you can wad up a whole handful and extend the burn time.

Flix, slightly off topic, I'd love to hear your impressions of the RAT-7 for batoning [even if it is different thread], especially if you can compare it to anything with a thicker spine (Ranger RD, Bussses, etc.).

BTW there doesn't look to be enough meat on that bear to eat. You'd have to fatten him up first.
 
1894 said:
More great pics :)
The first puppy bear pic ,( looks like a 1 1/2 yr old ) I thought " that looks like a color phase black bear "
2nd pic " hmmmm, those nails look a little long ;) " Was momma around ?
Brown , Cin. , Grizz , ??? We just get the little black ones here , back east :confused:

Phil
Click to expand...


Phil,

They are both yearling black bears. I'm guestimating that they each weighed about 65-70 lbs. I don't know if they are twins or if this is just a partnership against that big, mean world now that momma is gone. (Given that their color phase is so similar, I would guess that they are twins.) They were up high, where there was still a thick layer of crusty snow on the ground. I hope they wise up and head down where there is more food.

-- FLIX
 
Troop said:
I've never heard of a Laika. Where is the breed from?
- Thanks.
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Hey FLIX the second set of pics are even better than you first...awesome, thanks for sharing !!!


Troop,
Laika are a hunting breed used for many generations by Siberian trappers for chasing Wolverine,Sable and Bear through the snow.

I have a book called ' Otchum a companion in a world of ice ' about Nicolas Vanier and his Laika written by Nicolas Vanier. It is a true story and a top book for anybody into survival, the outdoors or just dogs !!!!:thumbup:
 
the possum said:
Phragmites (common reed) stems also make great torches when bundled up. They give off a surprisingly bright flame. They must have some kind of pitch in them as well; if you burn a whole patch of them they give off more black smoke than a burning pile of old tires.
Click to expand...
Hey Possum,
What kind of burn time, for what size bundle?

Doc
 
Sorry, Doc, haven't experimented with them enough myself to give you firm anwsers. Just played around with small bundles as a kid. But I have read in several different sources the Native Americans used them for this purpose- remnants of the torches are often found in caves. Dad has a big patch of 'em choking up one of his waterways, which the deer enjoy, but we've tried burning unsuccessfully to get rid of it. I think about it every time I'm out there, but haven't taken time to go cut some. Maybe one of these days.

As to size, I'm picturing something about the thickness of a ball bat or a little smaller, and whatever length you want. They certainly get tall enough.
 
Two more fluffy natural tinders I just got to light: Cottonwood fluff and (I think) Scotch Broom flowers. They both lit readily, flared up and were done in just a second, so secondary tinder would have to be pre-placed.

My wife gave me one of those looks as I came back from walking the dog with these tinders in my hand!

-- FLIX
 
Thank God Scotch Broom has at least one useful purpose!
 
OT - but I just can't help myself!:)
Troop - Barney was my partner for more than 13 years. A male black faced Akita. He was the best , I never worried about the 2 legged snakes when walking with him in the city or country.
The Akita was bred in the north of Japan for bear hunting. The Japanese usually hunted with a brace(2) of dogs. They used spears. Winter time was Barney's favorite. He would lay outside upstate with the Bernards and when we called him in he would have a thin layer of ice on top of his coat. Their:thumbup: coat is very heavy and insulates them extremely well. Their curly tail is used to keep their nose warm while sleeping outdoors.

I don't think that you would go wrong having an Akita in the north country. :thumbup:

http://www.moellgaard.dk/English/dogs/akitas/akitas_and_gjds.htm#The legend of Hachiko
 
Sorry but your not the first to use them as natural tinder. The Europeans have used dandelions as natural tinder/medicinal/food plants for hundreds of years. I believe the Romans introduced Europeans to dandelions during their European conquest, don't know if the Romans used dandelions as natural tinder though. Its likely though as they were a fairly smart bunch :P. I know the American pilgrims brought dandelions to the US as medicinal plants for use as a diuretic and as food.
 
Hello Flix,

I as you may have seen, I'm building a database of all things wilderness/survival related. You can check it out here: http://klippe.funditor.org/. The pictures the dandilions being used as tinder are excellent. I'd like to ask your permission to use them in an article on "Dandilions as Tinder" and possibly also on starting a fire. I can credit you with your name and/or website if you like.

Best Regards,

CanDo
 
Dandelion has to be one of the most versatile of plants. For one thing the entire plant is edible, and certain parts taste very good, those being the younger leaves and the flowers. Try some flowers in your salad, they are good with any kind of dressing or without. We put them in our salad whenever they are present. The roots are supposed to be good, but I found them bitter like the larger older leaves are.

Now for the fire starter aspect of flower heads gone to seed, it goes to show that this plant has many uses. When they come out this summer I will have to try the fire starting technique.
 
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