|
|
Post by armando on Feb 28, 2021 6:13:39 GMT -7
I think I remember a thread with this topic but heading into the woods after a lot of rain and wanted to refresh my HC period starting kit but wondered any extra HC items that would help when there is not much dry tinder or fuel (I do a lot of NON HISTORICAL camping, etc so I have modern gear but let's discuss what "they had" then)
- fire steel
- flint
- two
- charcloth and/or punk
- tin box with "fire glass"
What else do you guys put in your pouch? How much dry tinder or small fire fuel did the average longhunter or woodsman carry with him.
|
|
|
|
Post by spence on Feb 28, 2021 11:48:26 GMT -7
I'm no expert on HC fire kits and can't swear mine is all legit. The extras I carry beyond what you listed are charwood, fat wood and a candle. I use red cedar bark as my go-to tinder because it is commonly found everywhere east of the Mississippi. Fat wood is dead cedar or pine wood which is saturated with resin so that it catches fire easily and burns hot for a long time. I find that charred wood works better than charcloth for me. It catches a spark easily and keeps an ember a lot longer than cloth. A candle will usually start your fire on the wettest days. I've never been interested in competitive shooting, but I did get into a contest one time long ago. I used my smoothbore and came in only #8 against 40 rifles, but still got to choose a prize off the blanket. I chose this neat burning glass made by one of the members of the sponsoring club, and it has been a very good addition to my fire kit.  Spence |
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Mar 1, 2021 6:52:50 GMT -7
I'm rather partial to fire for numerous reasons and give it a high priority. As with my 18th century kit I've settled on a limited variety of things I've been able to source. Most importantly a good steel and flint that is carried in a belt pouch along with a tin, charred wood and fungus. Those items along with naturally sourced tinder materials create 99% of my fires. However... I have on occasion experienced certain situations were I either got wet or my tin and it's contents did and the need for dry materials was of importance. Therefore I resorted to carrying a small bag of materials at the ready. Contents are stored in a waxed bag.  A greased poke of cattail fluff. Excellent for adding to the tinder bundle and a sure bet you'll get a good flame.  Greased poke containing birch bark and eastern cedar bark. Both are a phenomenal material for tinder given the natural oils.  Lastly a small gourd container that houses fat wood. Not necessarily needed but an excellent item to have, especially for very wet environments or days.  That is it, for my personal needs that is all I carry and rely upon solely. Worth noting, definitely experiment with local natural materials available to you. Even when wet and rainy you should be able to find a supply of dry materials. For me the extra little space my spare kit takes up is worth having the access to dry materials no matter what the weather. |
|
Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
|
Post by Keith on Mar 2, 2021 20:43:19 GMT -7
The tobacco container with a burning glass is not suitable for use as a tinderbox if you intend to prepare/char plant/fungi material for tinder, as the smouldering tinder will foul the glass & may even damage it.  Plant, fungi, & cloth materiel was originally charred directly in the fire & then placed in the tinderbox to smother the smouldering material.   The only items in my tinderbox are the fungi & plant tinder & a musket flint. The fire steel is tied off to the buckle on my belt pouch.  The tinderbox is contained/carried in my waterproof fire bag along with a small beeswax candle (the candle can be used to create flame directly from the tinderbox, or it can be used placed beneath damp kindling to help make fire), which in turn is carried in my belt pouch. I do not carry kindling of any sort, as I know where to find it even in wet weather. Keith. |
|
