Make Better Char Cloth: Twist Before Charring

An easy trick to help you make better char cloth. One of the many reasons that I prefer charring natural materials instead of cloth is that while it is easy to light, the thin sheets don’t have a lot of burn time or heat to them, where a smoldering piece of punk wood packs a more energy. Charred cotton catches a spark better than almost anything else, but can be a challenge to use with less than ideal tinder bundle materials.
You can get the best of both worlds by twisting the material in a quick reverse-wrap before charring. This gives you a much thicker ember to work with, and you can break off as much as you think you will need to ignite your bundle and snuff out the rest in your tin.
I used a black t-shirt for this demonstration, which isn’t ideal as it doesn’t look all that different before and after charring but it is what I had available.
As with anything, there are some downsides to this method. On advantage to using flat sheets of cloth is that they sit so nicely on a flat stone, where these pieces of char require a bit more finesse to hold in place without crumbling them. The final product is a bit brittle, so you may find conventional char cloth easier to use during the sparking stage.
This method also uses quite a bit of material, although I only twisted one of the strands that I cut; but if you were in a situation where you were cutting your only t-shirt; it might make more sense to be more efficient and use small squares to conserve the material.
So far I have only tried this with t-shirt material, but I expect it should work equally well with denim. I may also try braiding some cloth before charring it just for fun, but I’m not sure I there would be any advantage.
I have honestly only made a few batches of char cloth in my life, so I am no expert on the cooking process, but I like to remove it before the smoke stops coming from the hole in the tin and have always had good results with that approach.
As with all things bushcraft, there really is nothing new under the sun. I thought this was an original idea but after trying it I did some searching online and found an old post on the BCUSA forums by my buddy Coryphene where he recommended this same thing. I'm sure others have tried this as well, but I still wanted to share it in case it is helpful.
Materials Used
100% Cotton T-Shirt
Metal Charring Tin
Pocket Cooker Stove
Mora Clipper Stainless
Red Alder Curls Tinder Bundle
Carbon Steel Striker
Quartz
Music
Take Me to the Depths - Midnight North
• Video
Luca Stricagnoli - The Last of the Mohicans (Guitar)
• Luca Stricagnoli - The...

[@aktrapper6126]

What an excellent notion to reverse wrap your cloth to make it more durable, I'll give it a try. Your dog is quite the character.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Charlie. It is still pretty delicate and brittle, so it takes a bit of focus to avoid crushing it, but once you get it going it burns smolders nicely.

[@bobradar]

Last of the Mohicans music!! Loved it!

[@waveman0]

another "trick" is to use the seams of your old jeans, process them as you would any other denim and it is a more robust char cloth. I cut up all my old jeans and now use all of them including the seams and process it all into char cloth.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

interesting technique.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Lonnie. Let me know how it works for you if you get a chance to try it.

[@martinfriel1288]

You know what I love about far north is that they watch other video to make them better

[@liamchristian2661]

You all prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know of a method to get back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the login password. I would love any help you can offer me

[@quentinquinn8205]

@Liam Christian instablaster =)

[@emilja.4205]

Found your channel and this video searching for "how to make char cloth". Very cool. Thank you my dude. Hope all's well.

[@starlingblack814]

Your fire tin is also interesting; two holes lined up for venting and then not lined up for transporting! This is new to me, but makes perfect sense. Thanks.

[@wildnwwoodward3756]

Answering my questions before I ask, without speaking. Your a badass fire starter.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks WNW! 🙂

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

Hope you both have a great holiday season and excellent 2024.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thank you sir!

[@boonedog1457]

I've never thought about brading the material first! It looks like it burns nicely, but slower. Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@ladeda7033]

I like to just roll it up into 2 1/2" roles. It works excellent in a jack pikes hand warmer too! Love the background and the music. Easy to enjoy and see how others do it. Good job!

[@shahriariran44]

Some of your techniques are unique and I haven't seen anyone else do it like you on utube.

[@garoglen]

ALWAYS well made videos, cool music, great colors, glad I have a 20" monitor !

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Gary! 🙂

[@suzz1776]

love the pooch. so cute and full of energy

[@Flashahol]

Your dog reminds me of a female retriever that lived just off my local pebble-and-sand beach. She was so insistent it was impossible to say no, she picked the heaviest friggin rocks and MADE you keep going for hours (and you could never throw far and DEEP enough to rest a minute). Good thing you take your dog out into the woods... these maniacs need it!

[@nwprimate6416]

Labs are so great! 🙂

[@TomHoweBushcraft]

Fantastic Idea will be putting that into practice tomorrow for sure thanks

[@nwprimate6416]

Right on! :)

[@bikemannc]

Thanks for this excellent video snd xtra slow burning idea on Charcloth

[@jacquiblanchard3131]

Very cool! We're going to make a new batch soon and will definitely follow your advice. Thanks, Brian!

[@nwprimate6416]

I'll be watching for your results! 🙂👍

[@aktrapper6126]

That worked really Well. Your dog is quite the companion.....very entertaining. I'll have to give this a try. Thanks for the lesson.

[@nwprimate6416]

Always great hearing from you buddy. 🙂👍

[@WayneTheSeine]

Lupo had me laughing my butt off. Great animal for sure! Awesome video NW and a great idea. Durable and a long lasting ember. Great stuff. I always enjoy reading your in-depth explanations as well.....Thanks!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy. I had to cut out a lot of good Lupo footage from this one. He was being a nut that day.

[@anthonyjacobs6790]

Interesting technique, awesome music.

[@dennisthompson9420]

Just stumbled upon your channel and I find your videos amazing! I recently purchased my first flint and steel kit and find your videos so informative. Thanks so much

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Dennis!

[@JR-zv6qm]

Works for me. I'm sold.

[@nwprimate6416]

I hope it works for you. :)

[@kevinmatthews9207]

I like the promontory soundtrack. Along with the techniques that you're showing in the video

[@nukeacitrus883]

I made some new char cloth today. Wish I saw this video before that! I gotta try this next time :)

[@douglasreed9237]

Awesome thanks for sharing. 👍

[@timothysheetz1235]

Nice, never thought about twisting or braiding. And you can never go wrong with "Promentory" playing in the background!

[@nwprimate6416]

Good ear!

[@shawnkehoe4734]

Very cool video. I learned something, char cloth cord like that makes so much sense. Love the pocket cooker too, I use one as well.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Shawn. It's a little more difficult to use than a flat piece, but it's not bad if you are used to working with natural char.

[@TheTulatokarev]

Excellent video. Thank you for your idea! I will try it. Greetings from Serbia. 😊🌳🌳🌳

[@hikewithmike4673]

Wow!..what a great innovation!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Mike!

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

You know it's a funny thing. Every time I have an idea or thought about doing something, you put up a video about it. 😆 Very cool 👍 I was just looking at some buckskinner literature the other night about braided char rope. Nailed it 👍

[@nwprimate6416]

Great minds and what not! 😆👍 Feel free to put a video up on your channel too. Spread the word buddy.

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

Riverbendlongbows Outdoors - Same here . I had a dream about NW Primate making a long burning hand held torch from green bark and fat wood wrapped in black berry brambles and will be exceedingly disappointed if he doesn't make the video . ATB

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Master Tracker 😆😅😅😅😅

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

NW Primate yes sir 👍

[@usernick8928]

Where do you think he gets his ideas? I'd start sleeping with a foil hat on if I were you...

[@bribrifreedom9317]

Nice job man. I love that you pick up that rock and use it to strike your ember.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks! 🙂

[@bushcraftoregon]

good job; it fits in the tin neater as well

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Ken. 🙂👍

[@thomasgold-1000]

Very interesting, it’s new to me. I’m gonna try it - that’s for sure. Thanks so much fo sharing.... 👍

[@nwprimate6416]

Let me know how it works for you. 👍

[@thomaslester8702]

The idea is good and works well if you you have an old t-shirt out in the wilderness with you or there's a t-shirt tree. I've use square, round, oblong, rolled, twisted, rope style, block folded and a few other styles of char colth. It all works well. But I prefer to use good quality char wood that I make for it's easy to make and wood is usually easier to find when out in the wilderness than finding a cotton t-shirt. They are not usually just laying around in the woods like a piece of dead rotten wood. The t-shirt could be used for many more useful purposes and then if absolutely necessary used as char cloth.

[@jasejjohnson5386]

Just wanted to say i hear the last of the mohicans sound track playing in your video.(one of my favorite movies!!!!)

[@suzz1776]

same here. I rem the first time I saw it, I was a kid staying in a cabin that we staying in for a few nights, up in the mountains with my parents and there was a blizzard outside. it was magical and made a great ambiance for the movie. I love that movie and that song and have fond memories of watching it that first time. :)

[@kylewilshusen9898]

Once again, very impressive

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@queenanne94101]

Oh my goodness, that dog is hilarious (and adorable!). 😆 Great video, super helpful info. Really really hoping you post more videos soon. 🔥🪓🐇🔪

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks! There are more in the works. :)

[@tarasb.ukrainian1947]

Awesome! Definitely will try it.

[@nwprimate6416]

Let me know how it works for you! 👍

[@bushcraftnorthof6012]

That’s pretty cool! Thanks.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@Flederratte]

Great video, great way to make char cloth even better and great dog in the video :)

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks! 🙂

[@robertgolden1080]

Awesome video.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Robert!

[@palehorsesurvivalandtactic9771]

Awesome idea brother,I'll have to give it a try. Bill

[@nwprimate6416]

Keep me posted!

[@gus1911]

Nice one brother. Thanks for sharing!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Gus!

[@beavisroadhog9629]

Perfect soundtrack

[@davidharvey5672]

What a great method! I'm going right out and make some. Thanks

[@davidharvey5672]

Made some like this and was amazed how easily the cut end took a spark. A really good method for sure!

[@nwprimate6416]

Awesome! I always appreciate updates like this so I know if what I'm sharing is working for others. Thanks for taking the time!

[@2manysigns]

Really cool

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@garrettjohnston5153]

Good video I like char cloth it's like gold to me I've done a lot of it worst days and happy days when u get it right on the money

[@nwprimate6416]

It is frustrating when you end up with a bad batch.

[@HistoryBuff2012]

his dog look's like he's havin a good time good idea too.

[@kylelusk8994]

Very great idea sir!

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Kyle!

[@cait3holtzback788]

Beautiful vid. Love the dog--miss my Black Lab so unbelievably much. Love the music. Love the fire-starting magic. Just wishing for some verbal explanation here and there. Glad I found your site.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks. I usually put a bunch of info in the description if you're interested.

[@jarodmorris4408]

Love the soundtrack. Fantastic flick. I won't say the name to hopefully avoid a copyright claim :)

[@garyminick1050]

Good video, but that green wood bow drill fire was awesome and I loved it. I watched so closely and so many times that I finally did it too. You have a great channel and THE best videos.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Gary! That is really awesome. What species did you use? 🙂

[@garyminick1050]

@@nwprimate6416 I used privet hedge first and it took 2hrs 15 minutes. That wood is really hard. .after I did it with green I couldn't get it when it had a couple of weeks to dry out . It seems as though the wood got to hard . Next I used cotton wood it took 3 hrs and slightly different technique because the wood is so soft ?

[@CPLsaiful]

Really enjoy ur video.. i'll try to do like that.. thanks

[@nwprimate6416]

I hope it helps!

[@daveagar5594]

Amazing

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Dave!

[@lisarhall7324]

Really enjoyed your video! Have been looking for alternative methods of starting fire. This is the first video of yours that caught my eye. Looking forward to trying this myself with several typed of cotton fabric weaves and even thought of braiding in small scrap pieces of wire to hold char cloth together. Thank you for sharing.....subbed God Bless 😊💙💚💜🙏🏾

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Lisa! 🙂

[@ladeda7033]

Hmm wire ... Nice! That also helps hold the heat! Try polished soda can bottoms. Try a file ground down on the narrow sides. Files made in Mexico already have one side smooth just for fire sparking. Try an old bottle bottom. That saved me one day hiking in early spring high in the mountains near home. Found an old wine bottle bottom cleaned it up and sure enough was able to light some charred wood and get a small fire going! Practice makes it all the more easy. Try a sattelite dish too! Spray it with adhesive then take a mylar emergency blanket and smooth it on to the dish with a small towel. Mine gets up to 740*F hot enough to cook a chicken in a pot!

[@c0brasss785]

Very nice video👍👍👍

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks!

[@JungleJayAdventures]

Nice! That's a great Idea.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Jay!

[@JungleJayAdventures]

Now I'm humming Last of the Mohicans cuz it's stuck in my head.

[@bushcraftsurvivalslovenia5241]

This is interesting, I'll have to try this out to see how much difference does it make. I use flat square pieces and if the tinder bundle is a bit damp or if I think I need more heat I just take another piece and fold the lit piece in the other one. That way I also get a bigger ember and more heat from charred cloth. Thanks for sharing

[@nwprimate6416]

That makes a lot of sense too. 👍

[@BushCraftBums]

Great vid! Never tried twisting! Maybe I’ll give it a twirl! Blessings

[@nwprimate6416]

Let me know what you think if you get a chance to try it. 👍

[@rexj.weinheimer2279]

Brilliant! (again)

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Rex!

[@arctodussimus6198]

New sub here... Very nice. Twisting the t-shirt strips makes it a bit more robust. 👍🏻👍🏻 I have used old retired mop heads to make my char. I have also used bits of a mop head to make rub-cloth. Wet them down and then rub black powder into them. After they dry, they’re great at catching a spark. ⚡️ And even if they get wet, just dry them out again and they will work like new.

[@nwprimate6416]

Cool idea!

[@Poeponu]

I know that music anywhere! Epic.

[@pacificbushcraftandfirecra6358]

I like the idea of a denser and thicker charred material. I always usedsingle sheets of char cloth, and it always feels so delicate and dainty. Something like you shirt twist rope would make me feel more confident about time length of use, and quality/strength of the burning char. Woof Lupo

[@nwprimate6416]

I know what you mean about a dainty little piece of char cloth. They don't have a lot of burn time compared with a big friction fire ember or smoldering piece of punk wood, so this seems to help narrow that gap a bit.

[@chimpchowder5774]

Triumph Screen Printing hey have you ever made a roll? I prefer the roll way better than the sheets. Terry cloth rolls are the MONSTER of the char cloth family! And if you like you can tare off any size you like to fit your needs. Make mine in a soup can with a tuna can over the top! Cheers!

[@benjamincoetzee1369]

Hey bushcraft brother, you should have shown how you made those cool feathers . Very clever and effective technique 🖒Thank you

[@aieraierduk8623]

Nice idea tanks. Ciao

[@nwprimate6416]

👍

[@linklesstennessee2078]

Good video NWP

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks buddy!

[@terryoneill9163]

ahh never thought of that spot on

[@nwprimate6416]

Let me know if you get a chance to try it out. 👍

[@mariopodskarpie]

Nice dog. Sweet

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@enopio_O]

like that smoke ring at 1:45

[@davidf4958]

Very cool. Been waiting for someone to ask what you use for your tin, but no luck, so I'll ask. Thanks for your videos and the comprehensive descriptions, much appreciated.

[@nwprimate6416]

Don't ever hesitate to ask if you have questions! 🙂 Unfortunately, I don't have a great answer for this one. This is some cheap tin that showed up around Christmas time but I don't remember if it used to hold candy or a toy. Altoids tins work great for me, I've just been using this one because it holds a bit more char and seals it against the elements a little better.

[@davidf4958]

Thank you for answering. I really like the round tins with a hole in the side for the extra weatherproofness (if that is a word). Keep the videos coming, they are awesome

[@SurvivalSherpa]

We experimented with some charred, reverse wrapped tulip poplar cordage for flint and steel ignition a week or so ago at school. We couldn't get it to take a spark. Punk wood worked better than the natural cordage charred. I have used charred cotton mop head in the tin and it works very well, kinda like your fabric, sturdy stuff. I also use the mop head in my South African Tonteldoos (tinderbox).

[@nwprimate6416]

Charring is not an exact science. You might want to try the tulip poplar again just to see if you can make it work. Make sure to remove the tin from the fire long before the flames and smoke stop coming out of the hole. There is some debate on whether things can be "overcharred" but I think this is likely, especially with fragile materials like bark.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

We'll give a go and remove it sooner.

[@kevinmcdonough9566]

Man, I have the most trouble turning found chert deposits into something I can use. Good video, man.

[@nwprimate6416]

Are you saying that you can find chert, but have trouble breaking it?

[@kevinmcdonough9566]

@@nwprimate6416 No, I can find chert, and can break it, but it always seems to crumble into pieces too small for any use. I guess I have trouble breaking it correctly, if that makes any sense.

[@anjales.4156]

I like your video s

[@nwprimate6416]

:)

[@mrForestBeard]

Like, as always :3

[@nwprimate6416]

🙂

[@johnearhart8811]

Would have never thought of doing that. Its awesome. If i may ask, what would be your 2-3 favorite knives?. You use so many different ones. Makes my day every time you put up a video.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks John. I'm not all that picky when it comes to knives and I rotate them almost every day to avoid getting too reliant on one design or tool type. Three that come to mind that I really enjoy using are the ESEE 6, the Junglas, and the Jääkäripuukko 140 from Varusteleka.

[@johnearhart8811]

Thanks , i as well like the esee6.

[@leiatyndall8648]

Ladt of the Mohicans music in the background. Nice.

[@leiatyndall8648]

Last*

[@BansheeFifteen]

I found it interesting how you cracked a piece of chert to get some sharp edges.

[@Gator-357]

I like to braid it using box knots or a round sinnet using three or four strands.

[@nwprimate6416]

I bet that works great!

[@theheck5176]

Nothing is dry where I live. Char cloth and fat wood shavings is the way to go. Having a Labrador companion myself - they're crazy about sticks and stones, better yet - if it's in the water.

[@nwprimate6416]

I can definitely relate! :)

[@ACrawford36]

Good vid. Music reminds me of Last of the Mohicans haha

[@nwprimate6416]

👍😆

[@chrisv7787]

Reminded me of an old Commodore 64 game ‘Robin of Wood’!

[@imapseudonym1403]

Are you in Michigan? That's one of the few places you can just find flint lying around like that... Good video! Braided works well too!

[@thomassmestead9905]

Ever made charcloth with linen? It was more common in the 1700's and early part of the 19th Century than cotton. There WAS cotton but it was much more expensive before the invention of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, towards the 1840's. Most common folk used linens of various weaves, for clothing, hence work out clothing being used to make charcloth in the backwoods and the frontiers.

[@MrScreaney]

Great video and technique. Do you have any tips on how to create such inspiring tinder bundles from the red alder? Thanks!

[@nwprimate6416]

I'm still working on a long overdue video on making curls and shavings that I hope will help. 🙂

[@FelixImmler]

Thanks a lot for this interesting tipp! Doesn't matter if the exhaust fumes burn out of the can? I have always extinguished the fire... but actually i don't know why.

[@nwprimate6416]

Thanks Felix. I'm not sure. I have always assumed that what is happening outside of the can is irrelevant to the process inside, but I am just speculating. I have always enjoyed watching the tin spit fire, so I usually just let it burn. 😆

[@HalfQ]

Nice. Do you shoot over that Lab? I have kept labs for years, ducks and pheasants mainly.

[@nwprimate6416]

No, he's just a family pet and entertainer, but I love dogs with jobs. A well trained hunting dog is a thing of beauty.

[@near--zero]

came for the char cloth, upvoted for the doggo

[@CaptHalcyon]

I was just wondering how brittle it is supposed to be. i’ve been trying to make some and just mad a batch like this and was wondering if it was too brittle. if i squeeze it it breaks apart. is that how it is supposed to be?

[@fire_x_friction8820]

You must have a good amount of quartz in your area. Nice video.

[@nwprimate6416]

It is really easy to find in the riverbeds in my area.

[@squirreltamer2548]

Are we going to ignore the fact that he made a sick smoke ring at 1:44?

[@hermit6208]

Long Rifle, showing off again. 🌲🌲🌲

[@nwprimate6416]

😆👍

[@kongandbasses8732]

A week ago I saw a vid of somebody rolling up denim, then charing it. The big advantage of this method is that the amber is smouldering longer. Also more material equals a stronger, hotter amber. I am thinking your method gives the same advantage. I have to check out all this methods - unless I made a whole bulk of charcloth of denim and cotton shirt plus a big tinderbox full of chared punkwood. This may be enough for this year. But I had to check something out. My neighbour gave me a used gas grill as a present. The gas heats up lava stones you grill your meat above. It has two additional cooking flames. I'll just use it for cooking, don't like grilled meat from a gas grill. I like meat and other food from the charcoal grill. So I tried it out for charing stuff, and all chared material came out fine. Lets see how the denim roll and your twisted cotton comes out on the cooker.

[@nwprimate6416]

How'd it go?

[@kongandbasses8732]

@@nwprimate6416 It came out fine, both methods work great. Until Now, with only a few fires made, it feels like your method, the twisted denim, takes the spark easier, the tight roll needs some more strikes before it catches the spark, but has a stronger, hotter amber. This seems to be quite logic, because the tight roll has more mass to it, the twist is more open, exposes more fibres and gives the air more room to bring oxygen to the amber. To bring it all to one point: The roll behaves more like a massive single piece of chared punkwood, whereas the twist shows more similaritys to charcloth. I have to do more tests. Thank you for beeing interested in my observations. Greetings from Germany!

[@nwprimate6416]

@@kongandbasses8732 Much appreciated buddy. :)

[@kongandbasses8732]

@@nwprimate6416 You are wellcome.

[@DonnaConrady]

Ahh, Little Loopy Lu!! Hi Brian, what is the difference between braiding and twisting material . . . I've seen baskets made both ways. I'm much faster at braiding than I am at twisting. -D

[@nwprimate6416]

Hey Donna! 🙂 I really prefer braiding over twisting too. I don't know how the final products compare in basketry, but for the way I use cordage, it is easier for me to make, more durable, and easier on my fingers. If I try to twist more than ten feet at a time I end up with blistered finger tips, but that has never happened with braiding.

[@garoglen]

Is that a towel ? cordoroy ?

[@duxdawg]

If char is sooty, brittle or has white ash on it, then it has been overcooked. Properly charred cloth tears with an audible ripping sound and leaves very little soot on one's hands.

[@nwprimate6416]

Good info!

[@rouxmaximilien1697]

At 30sec you put the cotton in the water ??

[@joshuaknaus8824]

How do you know if the rock is good?

[@vlad3k]

Is the middle part charcoal too? Also...don't you use more cloth this way?

[@nwprimate6416]

Yes it is, and yes you do, but you end up with a much stronger ember.

[@aurum6527]

thats both the second and the first best pupper mine being first

[@nwprimate6416]

😅👍

[@aieraierduk8623]

The stone you find Quartz? Tanks ciao

[@nwprimate6416]

Yes. It had some other kind of stone mixed in it, and it was not a great piece, but quartz is probably the easiest to find and most reliable rock in my area.

[@jordanh9520]

Is quartz hard enough to spark iron? Nvm just read the description. So cool!

[@nwprimate6416]

:) 👍

[@ladeda7033]

Quartz is just barely hard enough. I have agate and it is a lot harder holds a sharp edge longer and it definately works well for me. It doesn't disintegrate like say Churt.