Elder tinder

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Fallow Way

Nomad
Nov 28, 2003
471
0
Staffordshire, Cannock Chase
Yep thats right, elder tinder. I honestly dont know if this is commonly known or what, i certainly havent seen it mentioned.

Take out the pith (so obviously best to find a thicker peice ie more pith) of dead standing elder.

Lights with a flame (match/lighter) easy as pie, and goes on a firestrike pretty easy also. Discovered it today experimenting.

I`m going to get replies from everyone saying "yeah, we know, where have you been?" lol
 

Gary

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 17, 2003
2,603
2
57
from Essex
Elder pith was used by the romans and alike as wicking for their oil lamps too.

Oh and yea we know where you been? :wink:
 

Adi007

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 3, 2003
4,080
0
Well done Nomad! Just goes to show the power of experimentation! :biggthump :chill:
 

Justin Time

Native
Aug 19, 2003
1,064
2
South Wales
I'm afraid I won't be able to use this tip. You see my family brought me up with good manners and one thing they were very strict on was that I was never to take the pith out of my elders........ :lol: :lol: :lol: :sulk:

I'll get me windshirt......


awww, come on, somebody had to.....
 

Adi007

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 3, 2003
4,080
0
Justin Time said:
I'm afraid I won't be able to use this tip. You see my family brought me up with good manners and one thing they were very strict on was that I was never to take the pith out of my elders........ :lol: :lol: :lol: :sulk:

I'll get me windshirt......


awww, come on, somebody had to.....
:naughty: :rolmao:
 

maddave

Full Member
Jan 2, 2004
4,177
39
Manchester UK
Justin Time said:
I'm afraid I won't be able to use this tip. You see my family brought me up with good manners and one thing they were very strict on was that I was never to take the pith out of my elders........ :lol: :lol: :lol: :sulk:

I'll get me windshirt......


awww, come on, somebody had to.....

*Ouch !!"! hahahah :eek:):
 

bushwacker bob

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 22, 2003
3,824
17
STRANGEUS PLACEUS
The outer wood of elder also makes exellent kindling.The best technique for breaking it is to gently tap it all the way round whilst holding it on something hard. if you try to split it with your blade it throws the blade out and you end up with lots of little bits. If you work out what I'm trying to say you should end up with long bits of kindling and your pith in one piece.
 

sargey

Mod
Mod
Member of Bushcraft UK Academy
Sep 11, 2003
2,695
8
cheltenham, glos
justin time, i thought it was good, mandy thought it was brilliant! :eek:):

plenty of elders on my patch, thanks for the tip!

cheers, and.
 

Gary

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 17, 2003
2,603
2
57
from Essex
Elder is also a traditional Spoon wood especially among Celtic peoples, the natural hollow where the pith was is used to help make the bowl and thus saves that part of the job. Of course you'd need a fairly large piece and so would likely need a big branch or main stem.

Never tried to make one myself though.
 

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