Feathers to catch a spark?

[Aquabilly]

I was standing in my garden earlier and I saw lots of feathers on the ground, which got me thinking. Could you use Feathers to catch a spark from a fire steel? Considering I could see at least 5 in my garden alone, its not like they are hard to find, and fluffy ones would be even better, right? If anyone has experimented this before, what feathers would be best to catch a spark, fluffy ones, or maybe some have a coating of waterproof oil or something? any ides?

Thanks
Billy

 

[ReamviThantos]

Have a go Billy and let us know how you get on.

 

[Mesquite]

Nope... can't say I've heard of feathers being used with a firesteel.

Why not go grab the ones you can see and try, then report back to us if it was a success or not

How was vietnam, have a good time?

 

[Harvestman]

Not something that I have tried. However, years ago I worked in a vets on work experience, and we had to cauterise an open wound on a budgie. The budgie was anaethsetised by sticking its head into a jar of ether, and I was given a wet towel to hold.

"What's the towel for?" I asked
"Hot cauterising tool, and ether is flammable", came the answer, "and so are budgies!"

 

[Bushwhacker]

You can use them as incense sticks in your house. Try lighting one just before the missus gets in and I guarantee she'll be incensed.

 

[Niels]

When you throw feathers onto the fire they don't burn, rather melt into a black gue.

 

[Harvestman]

You can use them as incense sticks in your house. Try lighting one just before the missus gets in and I guarantee she'll be incensed.

<groan>

I hope you're not here all week...

 

[Elen Sentier]

Not something that I have tried. However, years ago I worked in a vets on work experience, and we had to cauterise an open wound on a budgie. The budgie was anaethsetised by sticking its head into a jar of ether, and I was given a wet towel to hold.

"What's the towel for?" I asked
"Hot cauterising tool, and ether is flammable", came the answer, "and so are budgies!"

Hubby and I ROFLMAO (I really do like budgies!). Back to the OP, despite budgies being flamable I've not found feathers work well with a firesteel but that could just be my technique - or lack of it! Let us know if it works for you.

 

[Bushwhacker]

<groan>

I hope you're not here all week...

I'll be handing the cap 'round on Friday.

 

[Stringmaker]

My guess is that they won't take a spark very well; I may be wrong.

Either way, they will probably smell awful!

 

[Aquabilly]

Ok everyone i'll report back in a minute! and yes mesquite i did have a good time in vietnam, such a beautiful country. thanks for asking! There was something i saw in a museum there that said "vietnam is a country not a war"... so true!

 

[knifefan]

I think feathers tend to "smoulder" rather than "burn" but let us know how you get on!!

 

[Harvestman]

Obviously you need a budgie and an accelerant such as ether for it to work properly.

 

[Elen Sentier]

Obviously you need a budgie and an accelerant such as ether for it to work properly.

Arrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh !!! Now we know what vets' assistants do in their spare time !!!

 

[Harvestman]

Arrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh !!! Now we know what vets' assistants do in their spare time !!!

Oh the stories I could tell...

 

[knifefan]

Oh!! and I forgot!!! It's supposed to be unlucky to burn feathers!!!!!! According to my granny

 

[Aquabilly]

Ok, the results are in!

The first feather was a small white fluffy one (not sure what bird it's from :/, I'm new to this ) with my index finger for size comparison.

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It caught the spark first time, but didn't really burn just sort of melted. Sorry for terrible picture, couldnt see the screen from the sun glare.

[/IMG]

Then I found a pigeon feather

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This one was very different, it didn't really melt, but, well i dont really know how to explain this one so here's a picture

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then I tried to fray it a bit like so,

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Which did catch the spark eventually, but only burned for a second or so.

Now what I think is because the difference between how the 2 feathers burnt was very big so I'm thinking that maybe other feathers will have different results? Perhaps you people could give it a go on your next outing if you spot any feathers lying around? Would be interesting to see what happens...

Thanks
Billy

 

[Aquabilly]

Oh!! and I forgot!!! It's supposed to be unlucky to burn feathers!!!!!! According to my granny

Now you tell me...

Oh well I'm not superstitious

 

[Goatboy]

Hair, wool, feathers, claws and nails are all made of keratin and it don't really burn. Hence why you put a wool rug in fornt of the fire so that sparks and coals that fall out don't catch.

PS A budgie with ether and a match do a lovely dog impersonation......................WOOF!

 

[Red Fox]

A few years back i was on a camp wear it was very damp. All the wood was damp and there was not much dry tinder so after pluking a duck and a pheasant we used the feathers to get the fire going. The feathers kind of melted together and helped get the fire going. I dont think we could of lit the feathers with a spark, but the duck feathers seemed to burn better than the pheastain feathers. Maybe it was just to do with the oil in duck feathers. I think feathers are good to mix with other tinders but on there own will burn out fast.I have an orsterrich feather and its fluffy. I bet that might take a spark if it was screwed up in a little ball, who nows. It could work i dont want to ruin it as it is a quill. I think if you was to mix feathers with vasaline you would have a deffant chance. That or you will be pulling feathers off your fingers all day.