Artists Conk... I stand corrected!

[The Big Lebowski]

Been using artists conk as an ember extender, which it does a great job of. I could just never get it to take a spark for more than a few seconds...
So I took a gamble the other day and soaked some sections in oak ash and water.

I let the water evaporate over a few days, ending up with black 'sludge' and the Conk. Drying a section out and fluffing some up with a sharp seen it take a spark first time!

It burned really slowly, building up like a bowdrill ember and I was most pleased the gamble paid off

I've never used Amadou, as Horse Hoof fungus is not native to the area, but I know where some clonking Conk is.

This one's staying put though, we've kind-of become friends over the past year, and its just a few yards away from my fave lunch/brew spot.

al.

Not the best pic...

 

[Samon]

very smart! mushrooms are special and I like how you spared that big one.

do you just firesteel it? or is it like the king alfreds cakes where you carry the ember with you?

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Just firesteel as required... I will venture into flint and steel when I get the chance to have a play!

I read recently that Horsehoof can live as-long as 30 years, If Artists Conk is roughly the same, I doubt I will ever use more than the one taken last year.

Its a little window into how things where done hundreds/thousands of years ago, I have plenty of other tinders for day to day stuff.

atb, al.

 

[sasquatch]

You're the tinder god innit! Nice one mate...

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Out of all the stuff I have, the firestick (ferro) is the thing that keep's me most amused That and tinder...

Best £10 I ever spent!

al.

 

[dave53]

hi al you and your fire /al the fire god lol regards dave

 

[The Big Lebowski]

What can I say...



Apart from 'will it burn'?

al.