Hi There,
I'm interested in various forms of bushcraft, particularly traditional fire-lighting skills. Some of you may have encountered me on a few other bushcraft and survival related forums.
I recently ordered some sulphur matches from Shark Tinderbox to try out. I wanted to add them to my tinderbox and firepiston kits. I really liked the concept, and the principle that it could make fire-lighting easier without "cheating". However I found the Shark Tinderbox people to have been a little stingy with the sulphur and they would not catch reliably. Consequently I wanted to make my own.
In principle it doesn't sound complicated. Sulphur melts at a modest 115 degrees C or so. Melt it down and coat your whatever you're using for matches.
However my research showed that melting sulphur produces Sulphur Dioxide, which is really nasty stuff. Those who work with it professionally need respirators.
I only need to melt a small amount, and there is no reason I have to do this indoors. I was thinking of conducting this operation in my garden over a camp stove and remaining upwind.
Is that sufficient for safety, or will I need some sort of mask as well?
I'd appreciate insights from those who have already tried making Sulphur matches.
Thanks
I'm interested in various forms of bushcraft, particularly traditional fire-lighting skills. Some of you may have encountered me on a few other bushcraft and survival related forums.
I recently ordered some sulphur matches from Shark Tinderbox to try out. I wanted to add them to my tinderbox and firepiston kits. I really liked the concept, and the principle that it could make fire-lighting easier without "cheating". However I found the Shark Tinderbox people to have been a little stingy with the sulphur and they would not catch reliably. Consequently I wanted to make my own.
In principle it doesn't sound complicated. Sulphur melts at a modest 115 degrees C or so. Melt it down and coat your whatever you're using for matches.
However my research showed that melting sulphur produces Sulphur Dioxide, which is really nasty stuff. Those who work with it professionally need respirators.
I only need to melt a small amount, and there is no reason I have to do this indoors. I was thinking of conducting this operation in my garden over a camp stove and remaining upwind.
Is that sufficient for safety, or will I need some sort of mask as well?
I'd appreciate insights from those who have already tried making Sulphur matches.
Thanks
and welcome to the forum 
