I have just go a load of cat tail seed(down) what ever out of the pod, what preperation do you have to do to it before it will accept sparks?
cat tail preperation
- Thread starter timtom1
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I believe you need to press it in a heavy book so that it compresses, like felt. Then, char the edge up slightly with a flame, and then it should take a spark.
It should accept a spark as it is, but it will flash burn.
However, if you soak it in water and then dry it under compression, when you spark into it, it should smolder like an ember.
If you use the previous years seedheads, which are now starting to open, a similar effect is produced.
However, if you soak it in water and then dry it under compression, when you spark into it, it should smolder like an ember.
If you use the previous years seedheads, which are now starting to open, a similar effect is produced.
:aargh4: That's what I did wrong. I didn't wet it before I compressed the seeds.
Mine always tended to flash.
Thanks for that.
Mine always tended to flash.
Thanks for that.
wolf
Settler
Ranger Bob said:
That's very interesting
Look for seed heads that look like the one on the right, rather than the one on the left
The one on the right is one year old and so has weathered and will smoulder when sparfed into. It can then be added to other tinder and blown into flame. The one on the left is this years and when pulled open and sparked into, will flash burn.Attachments
soaked in water though now drying under a book
wolf said:
I assume your refering to Clematis/travellers joy.....
Can't say i've heard of it being used and have never tried it......I might just give it a go.....
old mans beard from scotland ive got some of this as well mostly from NZ though i would like to know the best way to use this as well?
wolf
Settler
i tried sparks into a bundle and it goes into flame very quickly,thought there would be a way of making flame last longer...Ranger Bob said:
The way I use cattail fluff is to intersperse it into a tinder cone (a rooll of birch bark) along with shredded birch bark paper, dried grasses, small dried pine twiggs and a second pinch on top of of the tinder cone. Once it is alight place it in the previously prepared tinder pile, on the wind side of my firewood stack. The cattail fluff will ignite the rest of the tinder cone material.
rich59 said:
With flint and steel, you would have to char it in some way, though I've never tried it I suspect you could char it in a similar way to cahr cloth.(i.e the stuff into a tin and place tin in fire method)
Hmmmmm............(runs off to find tin and make fire
)Ranger Bob said:
Scally - I have just returned from a mornings foraging and have a bag full of old man's beard/travellers joy. It takes a fire-steel spark really well, but I use it for taking the first coal from the bow drill. I compress the seed heads in my hands (sometimes just happens naturally in my jacket pocket) so that they are dense but not really tight. This layer then makes an excellent heart to any other rougher tinder ie dried grass, old lichen, dried dead bracken bundle. It blows from coal to flames really easily.
The resulting fire is so welcome this time of year. I never tire of that moment when blowing stops and fire happens...and the warmth of my tea. Aah Winter is great.
