Understanding char cloth.

[Rocket Jones]

I tested lighting cotton balls with a striker, and didn't have any problem achieving ignition. Not arguing, just a data point.

[Wise Old Owl]

Why bother carrying the less effective (but admittedly cool) char cloth if you've got cotton balls and vaseline?

OK its a toss up - If I have a match a cotton ball is excellent and providing a transition with few twigs . If you don't have a match but a dead lighter a patch will provide a catch and transition to your bird nest. The patches won't add to the UL weight... its good to have both.

If you want to be "COOL" bring a bow-drill and impress all how fast you can start a fire. You might even get cold by the time the fire gets built.

Hey SW why do you post about things that you clearly don't care about? I thought I understood brit sarcasm, but you have a wit about you that I just don't understand. One of the best in your world is Ray Mears - wow what a showman, informative, & genuine... I love his series and you tubes. Just because you think you know it - doesn't mean you can avoid the practice. Shame you won't find this thread for a while...




Ray's Way....

[Terry7]

best fire starter a bic lighter

[Hot Flash]

Hand sanitizer -- which is something that many backpackers carry anyway -- is a great firestarter. That makes it a multi-use item, which in my book is better than carrying a separate firestarter.

[pipsissewa]

I slip a plastic fresnel lens in my backpack and have practiced starting fires with it. It weighs nothing, takes no space and is unbreakable.
Similar to this:

fresnellens.jpg

Plus, I can read maps or adjust my camera with it!!

[Shonryu]

I usually always carry chapstick since is has a million and one uses and my first aid kit has a few pieces of guaze and a cotton. In a pinch its nothing to use my chapstick and cotton to make Vaseline cotton balls. Im all about carrying multi use items

[OCDave]

Thanks Wise Old Owl. Posts like this are why I keep coming back.