Maya dust/sticks (some pics)

[mikey.elefant]

Maybe someone can shed some light on the subject, I do not completely understand what maya sticks are. I was taught at a younger age about pine roots dried and then used for fires in the winter and in wet grounds.

The other day i was out and about and found some nice resinous pine root, brought home chopped down to small pieces and placed in front of fire to dry the wood out and bring the resin to equally the whole piece of wood.

Is this how maya sticks are produced, why are they called "Maya",will this work without a match does anyone have experience lighting this with a Magnesium Rod ? Or Flint and steel ? (i was taught that you need to take a match to these sticks and they will light very fast- Today with allot of experience with these i can proudly say they do light quite quickly with a match and you can get an amazing fire going on just one small piece) never succeeded with Magnesium rod or Flint and steel with char cloth.

ATB
Mikey.

 

[John Fenna]

They are known as "Maya" sticks commercially as the brand packages were/are from South American tree stumps - a second harvest after the trees had been logged.
I have found them easy to light with a sparkstick/ferro rod if you fluff up or fine featherstick a bit first.

 

[Ogri the trog]

I find the sticks to be better that the dust on account of remaining viable for longer. I think that the volatile compounds escape too easily from the dust as it is processed into smaller pieces - whereas if you carry a few sticks with you, you can scrape the side to get as much or as little as you need to light your fire (hat tip to John!)

Good tins though!

Ogri the trog

 

[lannyman8]

maya sticks are resin soaked wood, thus takes years to set in the felled trees stump, it is the turpantine that ignights which is why the dust is poor over a long period, as the terpentine evaporates.... for this reason they should be kept in small plastic bags untill ready to use...

its good stuff to get fires going, and as above can be used with a fero rod once fluffed up, or shaved....

hope this helps.

regards.

chris.

 

[indoken]

hi

Maya Sticks made from Pino De Ocote (fatwood pine). the trees contain over 80% resin.
this not only makes them great for fire lighting but if they get wet all you have to do is shave a few slices off and light up. very easy to put a sprk to them as well once they feathered.

ken

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

mix some shavings with some kapok. goes up like inferno at the slightest spark

 

[dave53]

the last time i went to north wood i gave the guys there some to make fine shavings works a treat with a ferro rod regards dave

 

[santaman2000]

...The other day i was out and about and found some nice resinous pine root, brought home chopped down to small pieces and placed in front of fire to dry the wood out and bring the resin to equally the whole piece of wood.
...

As you've seen from the posts so far, what makes them good is the resin, so the LAST THING you want to do is "dry them out."

 

[MJM1]

the last time i went to north wood i gave the guys there some to make fine shavings works a treat with a ferro rod regards dave

I've still got most of the piece you gave me Dave, in fact I came across it yesterday and couldn't resist shaving a bit off and throwing a few sparks at it

How's that balti dish going, you using it much?