True tinder fungus

[kolgrimr]

I was out in the woods yesterday, enjoying the fist snow, and managed to get me a nice chunk of tinder fungus. It was frozen almost solid, so once I got home, I left it over a heater vent to thaw out. After looking at it today, I'm beginning to suspect that this forced drying was not the smartest idea. The fungus ended up being dry and fairly hard, except for the area that used to be nearest to the tree trunk - it's softer and less dense.

To all the fungus experts out there - what should properly dried true tinder fungus be like? If I did dry mine out too much, is there a way to revive it? I've never used true tinder fungus before, so I expected it to be similar to false tinder fungus in consistency - softish and velvety.

P.S. Oh yes, obligatory knife content. I used a RAT Izula to cut down the fungus and a Julius Pettersson blade (with my own handle) to dissect it.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Mine is pretty brittle too. But it works great.

I have heard letting it dry SLOWLY is a good thing.

Mine is more like styrofoam in feel - I hear that is about right.

TF

 

[DWK2]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

I'd like to find some tinder fungus but this isn't the area...

DancesWithKnives

 

[Rat 1]

You joined almost 5 years ago and you only have one post? weird

 

[DOC-CANADA]

I was out in the woods yesterday, enjoying the fist snow, and managed to get me a nice chunk of tinder fungus. It was frozen almost solid, so once I got home, I left it over a heater vent to thaw out. After looking at it today, I'm beginning to suspect that this forced drying was not the smartest idea. The fungus ended up being dry and fairly hard, except for the area that used to be nearest to the tree trunk - it's softer and less dense.

To all the fungus experts out there - what should properly dried true tinder fungus be like? If I did dry mine out too much, is there a way to revive it? I've never used true tinder fungus before, so I expected it to be similar to false tinder fungus in consistency - softish and velvety.

P.S. Oh yes, obligatory knife content. I used a RAT Izula to cut down the fungus and a Julius Pettersson blade (with my own handle) to dissect it.

Are you talking about True Tinder Fungus (Inonotus obliquus) or False Tinder Fungus (Fomes fomentarius)?

And where abouts in Ontario, are you? Obviously not in Hamilton, because we still don't have any snow.

Doc

 

[kolgrimr]

Thanks for the welcome, folks. I guess I'm a classical forum "lurker" - browsing and searching for information, but not posting much.

Are you talking about True Tinder Fungus (Inonotus obliquus) or False Tinder Fungus (Fomes fomentarius)?

And where abouts in Ontario, are you? Obviously not in Hamilton, because we still don't have any snow.

Doc

I was talking about the True Tinder Fungus (Inonotus obliquus).

I've tried using it with a fire steel. The harder stuff in the middle of the lump does catch a spark, though it takes a bit of huffing and puffing to maintain. The more styrofoam-like layer holds an ember much better.

As for the snow - I'm in Guelph and we just got about 6-7 inches of it. I went to Glen Haffy (between Orangeville and Caledon), and a couple of times almost regretted not bringing snowshoes - some of the snowdrifts were quite deep.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

The outer layer is to be discarded - you may have simply gotten some stuff that is unusable - too old or something.


TF

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey kolgrimr,

It's the bright orange part that you use. If this is what you're using, I don't know why you're having a problem keeping it going - usually the problem is putting it out.

Here's a smaller piece I'm lighting with the magnifying glass of a Vic Swiss Champ:

Doc

 

[11x11x]

Mors Kochanski says the smoke of true tinder fungus offers relief for headaches, etc. Opinions on its medinical purpose?

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Mors Kochanski says the smoke of true tinder fungus offers relief for headaches, etc. Opinions on its medinical purpose?

Not from experience, but I know it's used in Russia for things like stomach cancer - they call it Chaga, IIRC.

Doc

 

[Joezilla]

Chaga, like the incense?

 

[kolgrimr]

I've had a chance to play with the fungus a bit more, trying to light different chunks of it, and it looks like my earlier problems were in part due to user error.

What I've found is that the inner layers catch and hold a spark well, while the chocolate-coloured layer closer to the outside requires more effort. The black outermost "skin" is completely useless. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it...this is fun!

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Chaga, like the incense?

I didn't know there was an incense called Chaga (I don't smoke weed )

Anyway, it very well might be because True Tinder fungus has a very nice aromatic smell when burning.

I've had a chance to play with the fungus a bit more, trying to light different chunks of it, and it looks like my earlier problems were in part due to user error.

What I've found is that the inner layers catch and hold a spark well, while the chocolate-coloured layer closer to the outside requires more effort. The black outermost "skin" is completely useless. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it...this is fun!

Wow, looks like a nice hunk, although I don't see anything for size reference.

Doc

 

[kolgrimr]

It's about 2.5" thick - I think it will last me for a while.

In fact, I think I'll burn some right now - I kinda like this "woods incense" idea.