Charred Cloth
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jakunen said:
Interesting idea but surely it would make it more of an effort to light as you get instant flames from normal cotton wool.
Not from the stuff I got from Asda's. It doesn't seem to want to catch from sparks so I ended up using my permanent match... :-?
Yeah I did fluff it. Will have to check the bag when I get home but think it is pure cotton. They were doing a deal on it in the babycare section...
I had similar problem with poorly combusting cotton wool, It was the coloured balls, did burn when fluffed up, but it was harder to light than the usual white stuff. That'll teach me not to raid my daughters cosmetic bag! 
HAH! All that glitters is not gold and all cotton wools are not cotton!
Yep believe it or not some cotton wools are synthetic (not sure what they are made of mind you) - especially cosmetic ones which are designed not to PILE when used to put on/take off make up ect.
Your best bet is to stick with Tampons - after all millions have been spent designing and researching these and thus far cotton is still the best absorbsion material available so they are good for first aid as well as fire lighting.
Just remember to remove them from your nose once the bleeding stops or when your in public!
Yep believe it or not some cotton wools are synthetic (not sure what they are made of mind you) - especially cosmetic ones which are designed not to PILE when used to put on/take off make up ect.
Your best bet is to stick with Tampons - after all millions have been spent designing and researching these and thus far cotton is still the best absorbsion material available so they are good for first aid as well as fire lighting.
Just remember to remove them from your nose once the bleeding stops or when your in public!
I ended up with some charred cloth setting fire whilst I was making it, not quite sure what happened but i got a very long jet of flame (2.5 ft), has anyone else had this happen. I tried with a bit of cottn wool but it just broke up and didn't work at all.
what happens if you put PP on cotton wool the ste fire to it?
what happens if you put PP on cotton wool the ste fire to it?
Same here. 3ft flamer.
PP on cotton wool give a great firestarter. Nice hot flame that burns well and lights kindling very well.
Smoke is a bit unpleasant hto...
PP on cotton wool give a great firestarter. Nice hot flame that burns well and lights kindling very well.
Smoke is a bit unpleasant hto...
Cotton Wool is good in fairly calm conditions as it gives a big flame quickly, to make it last longer apply a bit of vaseline (petroleum jelly) as this gives a considerably longer burn time. For charcloth I use old gash canvas (retired 1950's army tents who have finally died...) which I have access to a near endless supply. This I prepare in an upturned A10 size tin with a marlin spike hole punched in the base, an a saturday nights camping I put it upside down next to the growing fire and build up around it. This I leave overnight- in the morning it's cooled down an is great stuff- as its so thich and tough to start with it is still stong enough to fold and carry in a plastic bag for weeks at a time.
If you allow any oxygen (air) into the can before it is fully cooled the charcloth will instantly burn (as some of you found out!). With lighter cloths you will probably need to remove the can sooner(make sure no air gets in though!) and always pack the cloth tightly (again to minimize air available for combustion). Charcoal can also be made in the same manner, but the bigger tins are better as you will of course need larger quantities.
Hope this helps, Blue Sky!
Jim. :bu:
If you allow any oxygen (air) into the can before it is fully cooled the charcloth will instantly burn (as some of you found out!). With lighter cloths you will probably need to remove the can sooner(make sure no air gets in though!) and always pack the cloth tightly (again to minimize air available for combustion). Charcoal can also be made in the same manner, but the bigger tins are better as you will of course need larger quantities.
Hope this helps, Blue Sky!
Jim. :bu:
Just got a pressie from our roller towel supplier, two old roller towels, 100% cotton, must be 20-30 yards worth in each towel. I asked him last week if they had any old ones they would no longer use and he said no problem we only chuck them away.Any one who needs material for making char cloth and you have a rollertowel supplier at work, just ask.
Just browsing this forum and had a thought, I use thick canvas to make my char cloth- it takes a spark extremely well and and I can light a fire very quickly in all weathers with this stuff. If anone fancies giving it a go I'm off to a work camp on friday and can pick up a load of the raw canvas there should be a large quantity available (but limited as I'm travelling to and from by foot, boat and train). I'll pick up as much as I can and will happily send quantities if people will pay for p+p (depending on quantity obviously!). Please let me know if this interests anyone. :feedback:
Blue Sky, Jim.
Blue Sky, Jim.
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