Polypore and Fire

[IntrepidStu]

I always thought that the birch polypore was just used as a strop of a field dressing. How is it processed to be used to catch and hold a spark???

TIA Stu.

PS, Has anyone got any cramp balls I can have; I cant find any in my local woods.

 

[bushcraftbob]

I have loads of em - pm your address and ill send some

 

[Matt Weir]

Stu,

I've never seen it take a spark but it is great to build a good hot ember using it to wrap around a lit bit of charcloth.

The fungi that catches a spark is the horses hoof or tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius) or rather there is a layer of it that when prepped in a certain way will catch a spark but I've not had any experience as yet of this.

 

[John Fenna]

I regularly use Birch Polypore Fungus as a fire starter.
I even include it in my "Dragons Breath " flint and steel sets as it is so easy to get a flame from.
The secret is to keep the fungus in your spare bedroom until it is realy dry then cut it into slices (I cut it from rim to tree attachment point with vertical cuts).
When you want to use it, take a slice out and shave ultra thin slices from it (if you carry it cut too thin the slices break up too easily). Hold your ember/glowing charcloth/cramp ball between two slices or in a tube of fungus and blow on it.
Result a hot strong flame that will not blow out or died too easily.
Works for me every time!
Rough up a thin slice and give it a good shower of ferro sparks and it will, 7 out of 10 times, catch the spark and burn.....all depends on how dry, thin and rough the fungus is ....

 

[IntrepidStu]

I regularly use Birch Polypore Fungus as a fire starter.
I even include it in my "Dragons Breath " flint and steel sets as it is so easy to get a flame from.
The secret is to keep the fungus in your spare bedroom until it is realy dry then cut it into slices (I cut it from rim to tree attachment point with vertical cuts).
When you want to use it, take a slice out and shave ultra thin slices from it (if you carry it cut too thin the slices break up too easily). Hold your ember/glowing charcloth/cramp ball between two slices or in a tube of fungus and blow on it.
Result a hot strong flame that will not blow out or died too easily.
Works for me every time!
Rough up a thin slice and give it a good shower of ferro sparks and it will, 7 out of 10 times, catch the spark and burn.....all depends on how dry, thin and rough the fungus is ....

Cheers John. It was your kit that made me wonder in the first place. Before I saw that thread id never heard of it being used for fire. I'll have to go and collect some (I used mine when I sliced my finger whilst knife sharpening; It realy does make a brilliant dressing!!!).

 

[John Fenna]

My hints are now added to the info on the Dragons breath on my Welsh Bushcrafter Leather pouches thread to avoid future uncertainty!