What is the best material to make charcloth with?

I cut up an old white t-shirt and made char cloth using an old coffee can. Worked very well.
 
Cloth diapers. Well-used but clean.

I don't even know if you can still buy them actually but, when my girls were using them a "few" years ago, my wife gave me the ones that started to develop holes or got thin.

I have heard blue jean material works well but have not tried it.
 
Jeff,

You are AWESOME! I have about 200 of those things. Okay - not that many - but a BUNCH.

And yes you can still buy them.

TF
 
Just about anything that is 100% cotton. I use old dress shirts, and T-Shirts like Rockywolf.
 
Ive used the cleaning patches for my M1 garand 30-06. Put them in a beer can over the bbq and presto char cloth:D
 
I've used denim but I prefer thinner, lighter cotton. A thought occurred to me while reading this thread is that cotton cosmetic pads that women use for makeup applications might be perfect. Nice size, right material. So you might want to try it. I don't play around with flint and steel anymore so I won't be but let me know what happens if you do.

Doc
 
I use (new) painter's drop cloths for a lot of projects, so charcloth is the best way I've found to use up the scraps. It's strong enough to handle getting twisted up in a tinder bundle.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
A thought occurred to me while reading this thread is that cotton cosmetic pads that women use for makeup applications might be perfect. Nice size, right material. So you might want to try it.
Doc
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I was actually thinking that putting some vasaline on one of those and 'battering it' with fat wood shavings would be a good packable fire starter :D
 
Yeah, any throwaway shirt or clothing item that is pure cotton works wonders, however, I would get in the habit of learning what nature can provide. Learn what is in your region like cattails or what have you and and what they look like concerning the seasons while getting in the habit of always tucking some away in your bag along the trail just for giggles. Can't hurt and one day it might just help.
 
rt014 said:
I was actually thinking that putting some vasaline on one of those and 'battering it' with fat wood shavings would be a good packable fire starter :D
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Just don't get caught with that vaseline while out and about in the bush. Don't want any misunderstandings amongst comrades... :eek:
 
cybrok said:
I've got a pair of socks with holes on the heel. I'll try that.
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I've tried that once, with poor results, all the elastic in socks pretty much ruins the char cloth in my experience. I use old blue jeans, thicker material burns longer and is less fragile.
 
i used cotton long johns before and they worked great, the thicker 100% cotton army issue ones worked the best, should be able to find those at any surplus store due to the fact we dont wear them anymore.
 
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