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Tow
May 1, 2022 13:15:19 GMT -7
Post by armando on May 1, 2022 13:15:19 GMT -7
Can you guys recommend a good source for some quality HC tow? Tow I could use for firestarting kit and/or my flintlock?
My supply of tow has disappeared in my house and I'm thinking "someone" (not blaming my wife) threw it away thinking it was trash.
I'm needing to find some quick for upcoming event.
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Tow
May 1, 2022 16:39:17 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by brokennock on May 1, 2022 16:39:17 GMT -7
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Post by Black Hand on May 1, 2022 18:11:04 GMT -7
Can you guys recommend a good source for some quality HC tow? Tow I could use for firestarting kit... Tow sucks for fire starting. Take a walk by the river, find a downed Cottonwood and strip the inner bark. Around here, you can collect a lifetime supply in 5 minutes. I keep a bag in my garage and it is all I use for firelighting. Shredded inner bark from a Cedar will also work quite well.
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Post by armando on May 2, 2022 3:37:35 GMT -7
True, about hemp tow not being very good at catching and holding a spark.
I carry a small linen market wallet that I fill with cedar bark, cattail, etc while I'm walking through the woods (the other side of the wallet holds my flint and steel and char cloth).
I use the tow for wadding and wiping and then use that same tow for making my "bird's nest" for my fire starting to hold together all the tinder, etc I've collected.
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Post by Sicilianhunter on May 2, 2022 5:30:17 GMT -7
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Post by brokennock on May 2, 2022 6:49:49 GMT -7
For what it is worth, I haven't been using linen flax tow. I've been using what I call faux-tow. I pick apart sisal rope and use that. If it is to be used for loading my gun I cut it to a predetermined length that I know gives me the size wad I need, before I pick it apart. I do have lengths of it tied outside and left there for long periods of time to weather and relax. This also rinses out any possible commercial fire retardants.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Tow
May 2, 2022 7:15:35 GMT -7
via mobile
armando likes this
Post by RyanAK on May 2, 2022 7:15:35 GMT -7
The best part of this topic is the thoughts on finding alternatives. Being self reliant is HC/PC.
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Post by Sicilianhunter on May 3, 2022 5:34:40 GMT -7
I learned from a friend that shredded jute is EXCELLENT inner nest material. Whenever I run out of it in my fire kit(s) I regret it... Haven't tried sisal yet though, I'll have to give it a go, thanks Nock! How long do you weather it?
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Post by Black Hand on May 3, 2022 6:53:20 GMT -7
I learned from a friend that shredded jute is EXCELLENT inner nest material. Whenever I run out of it in my fire kit(s) I regret it... Haven't tried sisal yet though, I'll have to give it a go, thanks Nock! How long do you weather it? Here's the problem - can you historically justify the use of jute?
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Post by brokennock on May 3, 2022 14:15:30 GMT -7
I learned from a friend that shredded jute is EXCELLENT inner nest material. Whenever I run out of it in my fire kit(s) I regret it... Haven't tried sisal yet though, I'll have to give it a go, thanks Nock! How long do you weather it? Can't say how long. I've usually forgotten when I put it out by the time I start using it. Probably 6 to 9 months. I often just use new stuff when heading to the range, reserving the weathered stuff for field use. I mostly use it in the gun as wadding, but figure if what I have in my shot pouch is weathered it can be a back up if needed to light a fire. I don't look at it as a primary fire lighting material. Plenty of grape vine bark, birch bark, and other finer bird's nest material around.
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Tow
May 3, 2022 14:18:13 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by brokennock on May 3, 2022 14:18:13 GMT -7
I learned from a friend that shredded jute is EXCELLENT inner nest material. Whenever I run out of it in my fire kit(s) I regret it... Haven't tried sisal yet though, I'll have to give it a go, thanks Nock! How long do you weather it? Here's the problem - can you historically justify the use of jute? Depends on what history your looking at 😉😁 Jute cordage has been around a long, long, time. Which means the fibers have been known to be useful for a long, long, time. Yes, I know that doesn't mean it was used in this capacity in Colonial America,,,, I'm just having fun with ya.
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Post by Sicilianhunter on May 4, 2022 5:48:01 GMT -7
Here's the problem - can you historically justify the use of jute?- BH
No, I can't but may worth trip down the rabbit hole of the interwebs. It would more likely be a thing that produced the existence of jute of jute products like burlap sacks but not the use of it as tinder. Out of curiosity: can the use of char cloth be documented? I've heard this debate before but never hung around for the results...
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Post by Black Hand on May 4, 2022 5:55:43 GMT -7
Out of curiosity: can the use of char cloth be documented? I've heard this debate before but never hung around for the results... In a certain way - yes, charred cloth has been documented. I don't use charcloth either as charred punkwood & fungus work well and can be replenished easily.
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Post by brokennock on May 4, 2022 6:53:32 GMT -7
Here's the problem - can you historically justify the use of jute?- BH No, I can't but may worth trip down the rabbit hole of the interwebs. It would more likely be a thing that produced the existence of jute of jute products like burlap sacks but not the use of it as tinder. Out of curiosity: can the use of char cloth be documented? I've heard this debate before but never hung around for the results... Given that you are in Texas now, you should take a trip down that rabbit hole. While I have my doubts about its use back east, maybe Texas/Mexico is different as I believe jute is from a type of agave plant.
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Tow
May 4, 2022 10:21:50 GMT -7
Post by Black Hand on May 4, 2022 10:21:50 GMT -7
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