Smallest multi-use tinder

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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I need to get some tinder into a small spy capsule and am thinking of going the vaseline cotton ball trick but I can only get half a ball in there.;) I was wondering if any of you guys have some small tinder ideas that I can put in such a thing that would give me fire for 72 hours. Say 3-5 fire starts in wet weather.
 
I'd stick with cotton balls moistened with Vaseline and just hunt for a slightly larger container to put some in. My mother is diabetic and she has these little black plastic "bottles" with good snap-on lids that her glucose test strips come in. They are about 2/3 or 3/4 the size of a 35 mm film can and will hold several greased cotton balls if you pack them in tightly.
 
Hi Chris,

You could probably get 3-4 "Tinder Quick" tinders in a small capsule. (Just don't use the little plastic bottle! ;) )

-- FLIX
 
I thought of a couple more small tinder containers for you to consider. How about one of the little containers that are used to hold a premeasured load for a muzzleloading gun? They come with good lids on them. Another possibility might be an empty large caliber rifle cartridge case, say a .45-70 or larger. If you know somebody with a good collection of fired cases of all calibers I'll bet you can find a small case to use for a cap on the larger rifle case. A strip of 3M electrical tape will secure the cap until your tinder is needed.
 
I'll second the blood glucose test strip containers. My son is diabetic, and I have them laying all over the place. I can cram five or six vaseline/cottonballs in one. They are very handy. Come to my house and I will give you a bunch of them.
 
Well, if multipurpose and compact is what you're looking for, how about jute twine? It's good tinder, great small cordage, compact, light and available anywhere for two bucks.
 
Dr. Mudd said:
I thought of a couple more small tinder containers for you to consider. How about one of the little containers that are used to hold a premeasured load for a muzzleloading gun? They come with good lids on them. Another possibility might be an empty large caliber rifle cartridge case, say a .45-70 or larger. If you know somebody with a good collection of fired cases of all calibers I'll bet you can find a small case to use for a cap on the larger rifle case. A strip of 3M electrical tape will secure the cap until your tinder is needed.
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LOL...how did you know my dad had a guide gun?:D The reason I'm going for the spy capsule is because of limited volume, which is also my problem.:o I tried the altoids tin and found that I'm just about to the point where I've found that it's too big and I'm not going to carry it so I'm scaling down. So I have a whistle, mini mag/flint stick, scraper, leatherman P4, and spy capsule. Through trial and error this is the most convenient way for me to carry survival gear 24/7, at the moment.:(

Hi Chris,
You could probably get 3-4 "Tinder Quick" tinders in a small capsule. (Just don't use the little plastic bottle! )
-- FLIX
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How did you know I had plastic vials?:p Can you really get 3 tinder-quicks in there?
michaelmcgo sent me a link to some really geat tinder you can make for yourself: char cloth.

http://www.rogueturtle.com/articles/charcloth.php
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I am intrigued about char cloth and have read about it but I'm concerned about the smoke flaming up on my stove and I don't really have good access to campfires especially now that it's summer. Can I make it with tinfoil and can it be done on a BBQ? Gas BBQ that is.
 
Shotgun said:
How did you know I had plastic vials?:p Can you really get 3 tinder-quicks in there?
Click to expand...

Uh, 'cause I sent the to you? ;)

I'm not sure you can get three in there. I've got some around here somewhere. If I can find them I'll see how many I can get in there.


-- FLIX
 
Shotgun said:
LOL...how did you know my dad had a guide gun?:D The reason I'm going for the spy capsule is because of limited volume, which is also my problem.:o I tried the altoids tin and found that I'm just about to the point where I've found that it's too big and I'm not going to carry it so I'm scaling down. So I have a whistle, mini mag/flint stick, scraper, leatherman P4, and spy capsule. Through trial and error this is the most convenient way for me to carry survival gear 24/7, at the moment.:(


How did you know I had plastic vials?:p Can you really get 3 tinder-quicks in there?

I am intrigued about char cloth and have read about it but I'm concerned about the smoke flaming up on my stove and I don't really have good access to campfires especially now that it's summer. Can I make it with tinfoil and can it be done on a BBQ? Gas BBQ that is.
Click to expand...

-I like the way you are thinking, you have recognized it needs to be small enough that you will carry it.

-TinderQuicks are probably the densest material, giving the most "lights" as you can peel and fluff a little of it at a time.

-You CAN make charcloth on a Gas Grill.
Here is how I would do it: Take an aluminum soda can, STUFF some 100% cotton inside (Blue jeans material is real good, nice and thick). Cover the can top with aluminum foil, but, make a small hole in the foil, so that it can "OutGas".
Cook the Can, you may have to do trial and error hear, Low enough so you don't melt the can, but High enough that you scorch the cloth inside. Make it as hot as possible without melting the can. Of course, when you think you are done, you may have to cool the soda can and cut it open.

You could also use a soup can (tin can) which may hold up to the heat a little better and allow for "peeking" since the entire top is typcially removed, but, you'll still have to cover with aluminum foil, don't forget the small hole for outgassing.

The object is to burn the cloth inside the can, so it doesn't catch flame, but, you allow all of the gasses produced to leave the container. You are left with Charcloth, which is basically/mostly carbon. Will catch a spark easily.

Downside to charcloth is that it is fragile and not waterproof.
Upside is that it really really can catch spark with the weakest of flint output.
It is flat, so can be stored in a flat container very well, even in a wallet, inside a plastic sleeve, baggie.

Good Luck.
 
tinder quicks are awesome.. i have used them for years....:thumbup: they're very small and compact..... vaseline soaked cotton balls are a good route too...:D
 
Three things:

They make a slightly larger spy capsule that will take at least one whole cotton ball - and you don't need much to get a fire going.

My favorite way to make charcloth (from old denim or jean material) is in an Altoids tin. I roll a good length of denim up, put it in the tin, set the tin on coals or a lowish gas fire, and when the smoke stops coming out, it's done. Remove with tongs!

Charcloth will catch a spark and hold it; vaseline-soaked cotton will catch a spark and instantly flare into flame.
 
For a water proof container for your tinder try the old Boy Scout, poor mans match safe, a trimmed 16 ga. shotgun shell inside a 12guage hull Trim longer for matche's or shorter for PJ ball's or other tinder
 
I have made some cotton ball wax cubes that will pack down to less than 1/2" cube, and will burn in a pretty stiff wind for about 6-7 minutes. Just smack 'em, or otherwise rough them up with your knife, or a rock, stick or whatever to get a fuzzy spot, and they will light with a spark, and take off. My nephew makes 'em into skinny sticks, with about 1/4" unwaxed to catch the spark better, they light a little easier, but don't burn quite as long. I carry both the vaseline cotton inside sealed straws about 2 " long, and a couple of wax cubes at the bottom of my match holder.
 
this stuff is pretty easy to make, as I made a few firestraws and some char cloth in just a few minutes. I seald the straws by pinching the ends with a leatherman and holding over the stove, and I did the char cloth from a cut up old t-shirt in a tin can w/foil top on a hot plate.

the pj cotton burns nicely and the char cloth catches pretty much instantly, and I literally just started playing with the ferro rod. This stuff works better than the magnesium for me :p
 
I have some stored in old contact cases with a hole drilled in the middle for a short length of nylon cord. It packs flat and each side holds a couple of cotton balls.
Jim
 
The contact lens cases are great for many things. They float, and are water proof as well. I cut them into and make two containers great for cotton balls, meds, lip balm, mag. shavings, or whatever else you can think of. Best of all, any store you can buy lens cleaner will have them. The most I ever paid for one was $5.00 and it was a much needed container at the time.
 
I have been thinking along these lines as well. I am thinking of a soft cloth case, like a change purse. I find soft cases are more comfortable while carrying day in and day out.

Also, thinking aloud, could one just have lip balm or burt's bees hand salve? You could rub it on a fuzz stick or something.
 
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