Cramp Ball

[roger-uk]

Hi
Looking for some cramp balls to show Cubs /Scouts their use.

Have black bear tinder and char cloth to swap

Thanks

Roger

 

[Shewie]

I've just checked my stash and they've turned to dust again, must remember to stick them in the freezer for a night next time.

 

[roger-uk]

I've just checked my stash and they've turned to dust again, must remember to stick them in the freezer for a night next time.

Do you normally keep them in the freezer? Any tips or signs to look out for them. I keep looking but never seen one mind you its on Scout Campsites so someone may be there before me .

 

[Shewie]

Not so much storing them in the freezer but just putting them in for a night or two to kill any bugs that are living inside them. I've forgotten to do it the last two years now and after a few months the little bugs turn the fungi into a fine black dust.

Tip for finding them, well they only grow on Ash trees for a start so that helps to narrow down the search. They grow on dead limbs or complete fallen trees and the ones I find are usually hiding on the underside.

 

[roger-uk]

OOPs I thought it was Silver Birch. Most of the campsites I got to have silver birch.

Hence the 2 carrier bags full of silver birch bark. [Taken of dead or pruned branches - I don't like the habit of stripping the bark off living trees.]

 

[redandshane]

Had quick look in my room and found a couple; bone dry and ready for a spark PM me your address No need to reciprocate as there are only two. If you want more I can harvest them easy they are abundant in my neck of the woods

 

[Kepis]

When do you need them for, one of the woods i have use of is a mix of Sycamore and Ash and i can normally fill a good sized bag with them in minutes, reason i ask for a time frame is im not sure when i shall be back up there at present.

 

[IBrown]

When do you need them for? I have an Ash outside my house with them on. I live in Bucks if your close enough you are welcome to them.

 

[roger-uk]

Hi

I'm a Cub Scout Leader and I want ti use them in teaching fire lighting. We use Flint an dsteel wuth Cotton wool balls [+vaseline] - birch bark shavings etc.

I want some cramp balls to show them that.

Unfortunately I'm in Nottingham but I am happy to repay postage an dpackagng if you can help out.

Thanks


Roger

 

[Tilia]

Tip for finding them, well they only grow on Ash trees for a start so that helps to narrow down the search. They grow on dead limbs or complete fallen trees and the ones I find are usually hiding on the underside.

i found a small one on a birch once

 

[hiho]

the only few i've found was on a dead standing birch, there's a picture on here somewhere

 

[chris_irwin]

Not so much storing them in the freezer but just putting them in for a night or two to kill any bugs that are living inside them. I've forgotten to do it the last two years now and after a few months the little bugs turn the fungi into a fine black dust.

Tip for finding them, well they only grow on Ash trees for a start so that helps to narrow down the search. They grow on dead limbs or complete fallen trees and the ones I find are usually hiding on the underside.

I know that they primarily grow on Ash, but I've found them on Silver birch also. So I wouldn't necessarily limit yourself to only looking for Ash.

 

[Kepis]

I know that they primarily grow on Ash, but I've found them on Silver birch also. So I wouldn't necessarily limit yourself to only looking for Ash.

Also found on Cherry as well, got some right here in the garden, but im growing these on to see how big they will go

 

[roger-uk]

Hi All,

Thnak you for your help particularly redandshane who sent me some and refused any reimbursement.
You guys are great
Thanks again

 

[Shewie]

i found a small one on a birch once

the only few i've found was on a dead standing birch, there's a picture on here somewhere

Also found on Cherry as well, got some right here in the garden, but im growing these on to see how big they will go

I know that they primarily grow on Ash, but I've found them on Silver birch also. So I wouldn't necessarily limit yourself to only looking for Ash.

Well I never knew that, the only fungi I see on birch round here are the polypores, maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.

 

[hiho]

other thread is HERE

 

[Shewie]

other thread is HERE

Nice one, never seen them on birch like that before

 

[roger-uk]

Sorry to be a pain but one more question. Whats the best way of slicing them.

Tried my Mora which is sharp but it just seemed to break it not slice

 

[redandshane]

It doesn't really matter as long as you have an open faced bit/chunk and the spark lands on it it will smolder giving you a glowing red ember

 

[Kepis]

as above really, just crack them open so you can see the internal structure of the ball