Tinder boxes

[Rotte]

I was wondering what you guys use to carry tinder. I haven't found a perfect solution yet.

I'm looking for several features:

1) small and lightweight -- I don't need to carry a year's supply of tinder and char cloth

2) waterproof -- seems self-evident

3) Easy to fill and retrieve tinder -- has to be useful.

I was using a small gum container, but it turns out it will leak (a little) if submerged:

What are you guys using? What works for you?

 

[go2ndAmend]

I made one last week out of an old Nestle nesquick container which is very similar to yours. It is a little larger, and also would leak if submerged but it was free and thus far has worked well.

 

[TreeChopper]

I am in the process of making a fire kit for my kayak. I was thinking about using an Altoid tin and sealing the seam with silicone caulking then covering it again in a plastic bag or something. I don't intend to open it unless I'm in trouble though. I have another I am constructing for woods bumming and practice.

 

[mtwarden]

would a aloksak work? they come in several different sizes-including some pretty small ones

http://www.loksak.com/products/aloksak

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

Film canister containers have always performed well for tinder, meds, spices, potassium permanganate, what have you?

 

[cmdionne]

I've got a few plastic tubes that were "travel" size tylenol containers. About the size of a tube of chapstick with a tight screw on lid. Don't know if they use them anymore.

Also match safes work quite well, goingear has some nice cheap metal ones, or there's the ubiquitous orange plastic coughlins ones.

 

[August West]

I would go to the store and look for any container of about the right size that holds liquids. If it is designed to hold liquid in it will hold it out as well. I do a lot of canoing and use an altoids tin wrapped with electrical tape. Insid e the can is a layer of PJ coated cottonballs with a layer of fatwood on top and I keep it in a heavy duty ziplock.

Couple of years ago my son got caught in a strainer and ended up capsizing his kayak, he was holding on to the tree in midstream and things were pretty hairy, I ended up getting soaked too getting him off the tree and recovering his half submerged kayak. It was in march, cloudy and about 40 degrees, on that day I lit the whole can and just piled wood on top, had a roaring fire in no time. Chris

 

[Rockywolf]

I use an Altoids tin. Damp, sometimes but throw it in a Ziploc and good to go.

 

[Rotte]

I've used ziplock bags, but of course they puncture when banging around in a pack. I'm thinking about the canoe going over in fall/winter and really needing some dry tinder to get a fire going. Worst case scenario kind of thing. Alooksaks are great, but I've managed to puncture a couple of them with long use.


Film canister might work--funny since going digital, I don't see those anymore.

 

[paleojoe]

I am in the process of making a fire kit for my kayak. I was thinking about using an Altoid tin and sealing the seam with silicone caulking then covering it again in a plastic bag or something. I don't intend to open it unless I'm in trouble though. I have another I am constructing for woods bumming and practice.

I've heard of waterproof fire straws, whereby you place dry, fine tinder in a normal plastic straw, melt/seal each end. When you need it, crack it open like a pill... Apparently stays completely dry, although I have no firsthand experience....

 

[DWK2]

About half way down page 4 there's a thread on fire pistons from EB Primitives. I just purchased one and it comes with an extremely cool looking tinder box, which I plan to try in the next few days. I believe Mtnfolk Mike remarked on how much he likes this tinder box and might be able to elaborate more than I presently can.

It's not waterproof and would have to be contained in a ziploc or the like.

DancesWithKnives

[The Canoeist fire piston I ordered has a small waterproof tinder box built into one end.]

 

[dawsonbob]

+1 for old 35mm film canisters. I've been using them for years for all kinds of things. I'm looking for a better solution, too.

 

[XMP]

I use two different containers. Nalgene makes small round containers with screw off tops that work really well and are totally water proof. The other thing I use is the circular plastic container from shredded beef jerky (same size as a chew container). Its probably not completely waterproof, but it is very water resistant, and works very well.

The miracle container -- ziploc freezer bags -- probably wood (oops ... would) work well too.

 

[Ramm9]

anyone try one of these?

 

[Mistwalker]

My "fire kit" is for the most part dispersed....a mag block and pocket knife in a pocket of my shoulder bag, a bic and some tinder in a film canister all in a zip lock in my pack, my knife and firesteel on my belt and a hunk of fatwood in my pocket. I have thought about putting a more extensive kit in a pelican case or otter box if I get more into flint and steel...but for the most part it's just something I play with now and then when I have nothing else to do...which is rare.

 

[TreeChopper]

+1 for old 35mm film canisters. I've been using them for years for all kinds of things. I'm looking for a better solution, too.

I have a bazzillion diabetic test strip canisters and have pondered possible uses... need to see if they are waterproof. The lid snaps down very tightly and is hinged to the canister. No lost cap.

I made my first tinder cotton balls except I soaked flat cosmetic pads in paraffin which caused the top layer to detach. I placed some teased jute on the pad and put the top layer back on letting some jute hang out for catching a spark, and let it harden. I did it this way because when I placed the jute on top of the whole pad and let it cool the jute broke away from the pad.. not good for an organized tinder box. I like these things because they are flat (good for tin carry anyway) and easy to cut. I got 1/2 to burn for 8 minutes in a wind. Will this be waterproof as is or will the jute get wet and be a problem? *going to test wet jute in a few minutes*
I did the same with a jumbo cotton ball + teased jute... it burned for 14 minutes in the wind. They are fat tho... might fit a couple in a film can?

 

[KuRUpTD]

I've found that that old shoe polish tins work perfectly as tinder boxes.
They aren't 100% waterproof but I've dunked them and the contents stayed dry.

 

[dawsonbob]

I have a bazzillion diabetic test strip canisters and have pondered possible uses... need to see if they are waterproof. The lid snaps down very tightly and is hinged to the canister. No lost cap.

I made my first tinder cotton balls except I soaked flat cosmetic pads in paraffin which caused the top layer to detach. I placed some teased jute on the pad and put the top layer back on letting some jute hang out for catching a spark, and let it harden. I did it this way because when I placed the jute on top of the whole pad and let it cool the jute broke away from the pad.. not good for an organized tinder box. I like these things because they are flat (good for tin carry anyway) and easy to cut. I got 1/2 to burn for 8 minutes in a wind. Will this be waterproof as is or will the jute get wet and be a problem? *going to test wet jute in a few minutes*
I did the same with a jumbo cotton ball + teased jute... it burned for 14 minutes in the wind. They are fat tho... might fit a couple in a film can?

It would be worth a try. It sounds like you're making some good tinder, and if a couple will fit in a film canister, I'd go for it.

 

[333rm]

I just started using Aloksak bags. They come in every different size you can think of, they're light, and totally waterproof. I have my jute twine, fatwood, and all other fire material in there and they work great!

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

At the Gun counter at Wally-world, You'l find ziplock hunting license holders made out of some tough flexible clear plastic. I use these for FAKs but could be used for tinder as well.