Do crampballs have a shelf life?

[Stringmaker]

I have noticed that some of the ones in my collection (well dried in my garage) take a spark a lot easier than others.

The way I always use/show them use is to break one open to reveal a fresh surface and then either drop a spark onto it from a modern steel or use it on a piece of flint with my older steel.

Sometimes I get a spark to take first time, sometimes I need a blowtorch to get the thing to take.

Any comments?

 

[dwardo]

I think they are very moisture sensitive. Any kind of damp atmosphere and they just soak it up making it near impossible to take a spark.

 

[Stringmaker]

Yes I thought that might well be the case; I did an experiment with one sitting on a storage heater for a day and it improved no end.

I sometimes use them as an extender for a bow drill ember and that works well due to the larger and hotter heat source.

 

[Toddy]

The only thing I have to watch for with them are those miniscule wee maggots that eat them and leave dust and crispy shells

Even if it's only the very surface that's dry, I find they take alright.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[The Big Lebowski]

I have some in the cupboard that have been there tree years, if that answers anything.