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.
What to use as tinder in different parts of Europe
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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.
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.
Finns always do fuzz sticks. Seems to be included in our genes.
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.
bushcraftuk.com
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.
Tinder bundles
We've had a few threads recently on tinder, and I mentioned in one that I make tinder bundles from the assortment of 'stuff' that I find, forage or have lying around. I've worked the past two weekends demonstrating both natural dyes and firelighting, with a bronze and iron age basis. I cleared...
bushcraftuk.com
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
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.
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.
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!!!!
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!!!!
Not even on ash trees? I think there will be millions of them this year, looking at all the ash die back :-/
Drop me a PM if you want any, you can have that huge one too. They work well, ideally need to sit indoors and get properly dry, but take a spark easily.
i didn't learn about them until after leaving europe.... either the same species or a close relative exists here in tropical central america, too -- i've found it on various trees incl. a dead lemon tree...
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