What to use as tinder in different parts of Europe

TLM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Nov 16, 2019
3,234
1,711
Vantaa, Finland
Here in Finland my first and second choices would be birch bark, third could be debated. But what is the standard in others parts? I actually have no idea as I have never had to light a fire anywhere else.
 

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
2,172
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Devon
When I saw the title I was going to ask if their were any Finnish dating sites...

As for fire lighting stuff, I like using cramp ball fungi (Daldinia concentrica) to catch a spark and then anything dry as tinder. As it grows on ash it's far more common round here than birch.
 
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Pattree

Full Member
Jul 19, 2023
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UK
Collect ragwort seeds for the spark then dry wood shavings. Don’t do fuzz sticks.
When I run out of the ragwort hoard I just use cotton wool balls or shredded paper handkerchiefs
 
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Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
39,133
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S. Lanarkshire
I make tinder bundles. They're basically whatever I have to hand that I know will catch and then make a flame and hold it until the timber catches alight.
I wrap them in birch bark :) and I use the birch bark under the hearth board to catch and hold the ember to blow up into flame.
I like chagga, fomes, and mugwort for preference.

Edit,
Old thread, not going to copy the photos across.
 
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Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
39,133
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S. Lanarkshire
Mugwort? I didn’t know about that. How is that used?
Mugwort's an old hearth herb.
If you dry it, or just pick dry leaves, there are always some hanging on the stalks, and rub them up into a kind of fluffy clump. It'll take a spark, but more it will help heat up and then burst into flame when it's blown on. Try it through a tube of birchbark for instance.
The dried flower bud clusters are better yet.
It's called Moxa in the far east.

It burns with a beautifully scented very white smoke. Indeed blowing it you can make billows of smoke :)
 
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R_Fonseca

Tenderfoot
Jul 6, 2021
84
65
38
Dublin
www.fonseca.ie
Following this with interest.

Very difficult to find anything dry here, especially in winter. Unless planned ahead I think often the only option would be to split a piece of dry wood and make a fine feather stick. Or birch bark if there is any.

I'll look out from cramp balls to give that try also. Never actually tried it, so gives me something to look for.
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
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Exmoor
Birch bark is my favourite tinder for all forms of fire lighting, whether it be a lighter to ferro rod. Waxed card or home made cotton wool pads are my next go to,s for a quick foolproof ignition. I also like fatwood shavings. I keep a little tin full ready made , plus a couple of fatwood sticks in the pouch
I can get a fire going within seconds once I have my sticks sorted and graded, ready to go.
It's all in the preparation.

I think Nice 65 is set for tinder for life with all those cramp balls!!!! :)
 
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demented dale

Full Member
Dec 16, 2021
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hell
This is nettles as a tinder using a fire steel. It can be processed down further into a powder which will take a spark from a flint. Below is a link to a fantastic video.xxx
 
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Megatramp

Full Member
Feb 16, 2024
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Ashfield
Gorse works well, always loads of dry, dead stuff about. It's good practice to gather potential combustibles and try them out, fun too.
 

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