No Charcloth Flint & Steel Fire Lighting..wmv

The author explains about the original period process of preparing cloth tinder, and demonstrates how to make fire with plant tinder and dried grass kindling using a tinderbox.
If you are interested in joining the New England Colonial Living History Group 1680-1760, you will find their forum at: eighteenthcentu...
The author's blog is at: woodsrunnersdia....
If you have any questions regarding these skills or our group please feel free to contact the author.

[@vimanapilot6170]

Some people don't appreciate the old ways of fire making, I'm glad there are still people like you around to show us. Charcloth is for beginners, LOL.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thanks VP. I would like to see the Scouts getting back into primitive skills. Regards, Keith.

[@esben181]

@@historicaltrekking I recently read this comment on a video: 'Trying to teach first year scouts how to set up and light a cooking fire in a freshly made fire pit and one of them says, "we just use camping stoves with propane and a torch lighter.".. and I'm thinking to myself that these kids today would not have made it back when I was growing up... I asked, "and what are you gonna do if you get lost and run out of propane and dont have any matches or a lighter? Pay attention child! Kid shrugs their shoulders and says, "we only go camping in pre- approved camp grounds. No chance of getting lost..."'

[@historicaltrekking]

@@esben181 Esben I think it is a crime what children are NOT taught these days. There are some very hard times coming, & these kids are going to be in the thick of it. They need all the skills they can get. A local Scout leader here got sacked because he invited me to teach the group fire lighting with flint & steel. I made a whole heap of fire steels from old chainsaw files. I can only assume this was jealousy, internal politics. Keith.

[@bonkant6584]

Hello Keith, hope you’re able to see this. I saw some of your comments saying you’re not doing well but I just wanted to say that I’ve been watching your videos for over 10 years now, since I was a young boy. I’m in my 20’s now and wanted to thank you for what you’ve taught me about bushcraft. You inspired me to follow this hobby as a young boy and I still practice some of this as an adult. Thank you very much for teaching me over the years. Best regards

[@WorldOfWonder66]

I enjoy your videos. Don't listen to negative people. You are an amazing person. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us

[@historicaltrekking]

Hannah, you have made my day, thank you, much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@chimpchowder5774]

Don't worry ... He doesn't seem to be a Snowflake. Most aren't.✌️

[@user-mq9co4tl1w]

Thank You Sir! This is the BEST method I've seen in my opinion...common sense and true history by those that were there and lived that life. God bless!

[@historicaltrekking]

Many thanks W. much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@garnettsean]

I realize I'm acting as if this is a great revelation, but I am impressed with the concept of adding to your fire kit as you go by using renewable resources vs. char cloth. Each time you create fire, you are adding back to what you have used. Very well done and thanks for sharing!

[@historicaltrekking]

Cloth is not available in a wilderness situation. Once the piece of charred cloth is used, it is gone. Using plant tinder in a tinderbox you can re-use the tinder, & you can produce more tinder by adding the right plant material to the tinderbox. Also you use the tinderbox to smother tinder charred in the fire. Plant tinder is sustainable in a wilderness survival/living situation, charred cloth is not. Keith.

[@davidsnow9453]

Good point's brought to light. We certainly want to have multiple ways of achieving fire in survival situations and if you run out of char cloth in the woods or haven't brought any then you have to get the first fire going before you can char anything to use later anyway. Tin's are not neccesary for charing materials as you mentioned as you can achieve charing by igniteing the material in a fire and quickly smothering it out. Aswell cloth materials aren't necessary for making char. You can char natural plant materials and they work as well as char cloth to catch a spark. You can even make shift a charcoal kiln out of mud and rocks and make charcoal out of tree limbs and small logs if you are in a set location for any length of time. Then flake off thin bits of charcoal and they will catch a spark aswell. But the best way of achieving that first fire so you can char or even future fire's with out char is with a bow drill as they make their own char dust that catches and holds the spark they also produce. So there's multiple natural ways of repetitively achieving fire with or with out flint or steal with out even cloth entering into the equation of any of them. Or carrying with you a tin of anything brought from home. You can even find flint or chert in most areas of the woods along stream's, creek's and river bank's, or lake shore line's. If not those then quartz will throw a spark also. I haven't gone into any woods or mountains and failed to find quartz some where. And both flint and quartz are easily obtainable in the deserts of the western U.S by walking the dry washes. Aswell any iron bareing rock can serve as a steel in a pinch. But hatchets, axe's, and knife's will do also. All these many ways are viable legitimate and unstaged ways of achieving fire.

[@historicaltrekking]

@@davidsnow9453 I do not recall ever having had any luck catching a spark on a piece of charred wood David, other than punkwood. Perhaps your timbers in America are better suited to this. If you can catch a spark on a piece of charred wood with a flint & steel, well done. Regards, Keith.

[@davidsnow9453]

@@historicaltrekking not charred wood Keith, charcoaled wood.

[@JAD77755]

first of your vids I've seen, but it won't be the last. rare to find this stuff from a traditional perspective, which is what I've been looking for. thank you.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you jack, much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@MrRoman-lo6ih]

Those were my feelings exactly

[@machinerlee383]

One of the best demonstrations I have seen. Practical information in a historical and correct fashion. From this hillbilly in Missouri, thank you for sharing.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank-You machiner lee for the feedback, appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@markhopkins7920]

Keith, Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with us ! The first thing I did was go out in the woods and by luck found a huge chunk of perfect, spongy punk wood, chared it a bit and filled my tinder box. Boy does that work GREAT! I hit the striker twice with the flint and had an ember going like no tomorrow in seconds!! I was afraid just closing the metal box wasnt going to put it out! Again, THANK YOU as the gift of knowledge is precious and I in turn will show my kids how this is all done. Take care, Mark

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you Mark, you made my day. Your comment is very much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@jabohabo3821]

Sir, your knowledge is something that most people should know. I have never used charred cloth myself. My first fire will usually be a friction fire and I'll simply collect charred wood for the next fire with my chirt and iron pyrite. Well done sir. Truly amazing to see.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you, much appreciated. Sounds like you are pretty good at this stuff yourself J. Regards, Keith.

[@peterkinberger9741]

Mr. Burgess, I sincerely want to thank you for all of your many contributions to my knowledge and the knowledge of others. Here in the USA, the quality of character is missing amongst many who teach. I would love to learn under you in person. Please keep up your good work and know that I have respect and admiration of your knowledge and skills. God bless you and your family, sir! The best of health to you!

[@historicaltrekking]

You made my day Peter, thank you, very much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@virginiacopeland108]

Well, Keith, thanks for the excellent demo that sets a smart-alec straight. Too many people set in their idiot standards which are not relevant to the situation: however, you have straighten out the point with integrity and knowledge of the history of your subject. Thumbs up!!! Clark

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you Clark, much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@mdouble100]

Very nice demonstration. Thanks as well for the practical historical overview of flint and steel firemaking. It's always nice to have a proper and accurate understanding of the traditional methods used, especially in bushcraft. It makes sense that those traveling in wild areas, away from cities would need to make tinder from locally sourced natural materials.

[@historicaltrekking]

+Marvin Double Thank you Marvin, your comment is very much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@ozdavemcgee2079]

Keith H. Burgess this charcloth concept amazes me. As you pounted out its a finite recourse and as you demonstrate uts not hard to use natural on hand recourses that continually renew themselves. Pine or eucalypt leaves work easily with some grass

[@chimpchowder5774]

I had my memory jarred after watching your video. I like to watch the old movies when I was a kid. Yes Sir you are right about keeping charcoal in a box! 1. It lites easy! 2. It's kept dry. 3. It's reusable!!!!. I remember as a small child some 50 years ago I saw an old country grandma use a char tinder box. Wow that was a long time ago! Thanks for your time. I spent a good part of the winter learning how to make fire after nearly freezing in Mongolia last fall. Thanks again for this nice nugget of information.👍

[@historicaltrekking]

Good to hear from you CC, & thank you for commenting. Much appreciated. You take care out there CC. Keith.

[@legbaelegua9809]

Mr Burgess, I learned how to use flint and steel, and how to reliably build a fire, from your videos. Makes woodsrunning that much more fun. Thanks!

[@historicaltrekking]

Great to hear from you Legba, many thanks for your comment. Appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@stoots1000]

Excellent! it is good to see someone with not only skill, but practical knowledge on the subject at hand.. will be enjoying more of your videos.

[@historicaltrekking]

Good to hear from you A.L., appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@752brickie]

Keith thank you for your demonstration. When I was a scout I could not start a fire with flint and steel to save my life. I could doing fire by friction. Lately I have been starting to look back close to 60 years and start to work on my old skills. Been using the ferro rods which even a moron like me can start a fire with. But you are showing us how they did it a long long time ago. What you are showing us is how to survive in today's world if things run out and you cannot buy a Bic lighter. Thank you !

[@historicaltrekking]

Very good to hear from you Thom. Never too late to learn, in fact I don't think we ever stop learning. Take care Thom & stay safe. Regards, Keith.

[@rythymroach]

Mr. Burgess, I could listen to you speak for hours sir! You have a great soft spoken and eloquent phrasing! No doubt you are from over the pond! :)

[@historicaltrekking]

Very kind of you to say so Sir, & yes, I am indeed from over the pond. Good to hear from you. Regards, Keith.

[@mattfreyer7357]

Love this! I really appreciate the straightforward style. I have found myself without charcloth or even good punk wood when on a trip in the woods. Thanks for teaching how to make a fire as long as you have a tinderbox and a striker.

[@historicaltrekking]

Good to hear from you Matt, & thank you for taking the time to comment, much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@leodonkersley9332]

As somebody putting his Swedish fire steel to one side to embrace the more traditional method of flint and steel, this was invaluable. Cheers Keith!

[@historicaltrekking]

You made my day Leo, thank you. I am very pleased that this was of some use to you. Regards, Keith.

[@scottblevins4114]

Thank you sir. Your video instruction was clear, concise, and most of all singularly relevant in terms of it's apparent historical accuracy and perhaps more import, in terms of the method's sustainability. I very much enjoyed your lesson.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you Scott, much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@MrRoman-lo6ih]

The wisdom of the elders. How I embrace thee. Thank you sir.

[@historicaltrekking]

And thank you for your comment Mr Roman Sir, much appreciated. Keith.

[@MrRoman-lo6ih]

@@historicaltrekking the additional knowledge your invested time had given to my 44 year old brain is greatly appreciated. I got my new knowledge for today.

[@MrRudedog1962]

Thank You Keith,thru your instruction I have for the most part changed my way of making char material for my tinder box,,I do still occasionally make char clothe for teaching young ones how to use flint & Steel but my tins are filled with charred punkwood and I find great peace and satisfaction in the ritual of making fire in the traditional way..Thank You for the Vidz you take the time and effort to make.Sincerely,Grant

[@historicaltrekking]

Bushy Folk Bushcraft Thank you Grant, your comment is very much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@kipthecourtjester]

I watched your video this morning sipping my coffee. I have to tell you, i LOVED your vid, and appreciated your wise counsel. Thank You so very much for your wisdom! No more char cloth for me, mate! God Speed!

[@historicaltrekking]

Dan, you made my day, thank you. Regards, Keith.

[@Tomadair1]

Well done sir ,an excellent explanation and demonstration backed up with good down to earth Aussie common sense thoroughly enjoyed watching you.

[@MTNMANTIM]

you sir are right on the money !! many folks learn the quick and easy way usin' "modern" methods and stop there thinkin' they've got it whipped . they use nice dry shredded rope, nice perfect char made at the house under ideal conditions and they have no idea how to use stuff found in the woods or how to use other methods like bow drills etc. .keep it up i love your videos !

[@markstine781]

Thank you for your knowledge sir. You are absolutely correct in saying that one will run out of man made materials at some point and will have to rely on what is readily available in one's present environment. Good educational video.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thanks Mark, much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@JeffGloverArts]

Your memory is doing just fine, Keith. Many thanks!

[@gatitosworld6038]

Again Mr Burgess, I'm learning a lot from you. I've made charcloth, charcord, and even charred an oil lamp wick. I have "tinder fungus" which hasn't taken a spark easily....I'll prepare it in the fire and char it the old way. A piece of an old file which I have, and some quartz which is readily available in my area...and what I've learned here, and I think charcloth might fade away... Thank you for passing your wisdom. Peace, Scott

[@historicaltrekking]

Great to hear from you again Scott, really pleased you are getting something out of my videos. Made my day :) Take care. Regards, Keith.

[@chrism1190]

Your video was fantastic Keith. Thanks for putting it up here. Pay no attention to the naysayers. Wonderful job on this!

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you Chris, appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@arctodussimus6198]

I just subscribed to your channel because of this video. I've been making flint and steel fire with charcloth since 1969. (It is my preferred method)I have lived primitively, camped out, and lived off the land off and on for decades. Learned outdoor skills from my Dad, from old Native Indians, from Marine Corps survival Schools, and many other sources. It is rare that I see something that surprises me. I am fashioning a tinder box right now! It is exciting, to me, to think that I no longer have to make charcloth (at least I can go on a long campout without taking my tin with the tiny hole on top 😉). Btw, my wife lived in South Australia for 30 years and recognized your accent right away. She (and I) look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@historicaltrekking]

Very good to hear from you Arctodus Simus, & many thanks for your message, much appreciated. If I can ever be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. My sincere regards to you & your wife. Keith.

[@Powerkicker]

I used my tin as you do, but with char cloth tonight. It was 45 seconds to light my kindling right out of the tin. I closed the lid afterwards and the char cloth did snuff itself with the closed lid and re struck fine a few hours later. Thanks for your very informative videos, Sir.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you, appreciated. You are right of course, speed when we are only talking seconds is not important, what is important is getting that fire going first time, especially in a survival situation where you need warmth quickly. Take care. Regards, Keith.

[@evanf1443]

I know I’m late to the party but unlike some of the haters you’ve described I appreciate you sharing what might be considered an unusual method or point of view, because that’s how people learn. Sure there’s always someone better but that’s not really the point here. The point is to practice a useful skill- in this case a method of making fire- from a historical and practical perspective.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you Evan, very much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@victorcastle1840]

Thank you so much for your time making these great historical videos. People don't realize that matches have not been available that long really, safety matches since the early 1900's. Like most people they have been around all my life and was surprised to find that out ..........born 1944 and always loved the woods in South East Central Illinois USA. Not so much in S.E.Asia in war time as I saw how the really poor lived in the mountains.

[@historicaltrekking]

Good to hear from you Victor, thank you for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@victorcastle1840]

Eric Ocasio, No I don't have a website. You could send me your email address, some how, it you like. I was a just a ground pounding infantry, unless they needed us some where fast and we Air Assaulted in to help our commrads. Remember I was military and we recieved C-rations every 3 days with heat tabs, water purification tablets etc. so we didn't have to didn't have to make fire or any of that. All we had to do is dig 2 holes every night , rig up a mosquito net. from what was availiable . Maybe our poncho over head if needed. Sincerely, Vic

[@dead_hidden]

When I first saw this video I got my feelers hurt cause I liked my char cloth and jute twine. Even argued it with you on FB when you didn't like my flint and steel video. But then I thought about it long and good...and you are absolutely right (not that you didn't know that...). Since taking it to heart, I've put plant materials in all my fire kits and practice solely with natural plant materials I gather while I'm out. Not only is it good practice to know how to use whats around you,

[@minstrale]

Thank you on behalf of one Scoutmaster. This is terrific info for the Wilderness Survival merit badge. The boys love this stuff.

[@WatcherintheDark69]

From a real world setting people generally use up their best supplies first, including cloth tinder. So it would make sense anyone that would spend a long time in the wilderness would have ways to start fires with a variety of natural tinders. Thank you for your demonstration and the explanation of the useage of plant tinder.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you for your comment Watcher in The dark, much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

It varies Charles. If you have good dry kindling that ignites quickly, then the tinder will last longer. But you can add unprepared tinder to the tinderbox as you go, & it will char with use. Keith.

[@N200MY]

Thanks for a very educational video, Keith. I am now smarter for spending a few minutes with you and your video. I love it. Thanks again.

[@mikekielczewski3500]

Plant tinder. That's very interesting. I've never heard that term before. I will most certainly have to look into that further. Your tinder box was amazing. Beautiful and well loved I see. Loved your video. Thank you very much.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you for commenting Mike, much appreciated. My tinderbox is loved, true, but probably not pampered. It is a working tool. & it gets used & put back in my belt pouch. It rarely gets cleaned. Keith.

[@Chungustav]

so much wisdom packed into this video. Ive been practicing primitive fire for a few years so I appreciate the important distinction about real field experience and materials versus the backyard/garage

[@historicaltrekking]

Good to hear from you Silkworm & thank you for your comment. Much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@lump88]

many, many videos showing how to take a knife and scrape a firesteel to make fire, but by far the best video on how to make fire i just watched, thanks for passing on your knowledge. i wish more people used this method, i think they wold appericate fire just a lil more...

[@art_jesper_]

finally someone who can make fire with flint and steel without any preparatory material but the real deal

[@historicaltrekking]

Thanks Jesper. Actually since I made this video & posts on my blog, quite a few people are making videos about this. Regards, Keith.

[@davidmorningstar]

I have successfully used this video to make a tinderbox of flame-charred punk wood that takes a spark from a flint and steel. Thank you!

[@AfterlifeUK]

im finally starting to get the hang of this now. it took a little while but its worth it. I feel a lot better knowing I don't need char cloth or mushroom. the important factors I found were obviously having the right wood in the first place. the next was that its charred properly. then a sharp flint. you don't even need lots of sparks, just a few well directed ones. its all here in the videos, I listened to what you said keith and it works seriously well. thanks mate that's awesome

[@Powerkicker]

Will do, Sir. Going out woods running in search of punk wood this weekend. Your videos are very motivational in that regard. Most living history folks I know cannot pull that off like you do. Your videos are a wonderful resource. Thanks!

[@oldguy537]

I keep coming back to your videos, always worth viewing again .. Tony

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

You once again prove the point, that knowledge and skill trump stuff you bring from home, or stuff in general.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you Tom. Regards, Keith.

[@Nativesurvival]

Nice points, i couldnt Agree More! that's why i made my Natural Char Vid recently called "CharCattail" thanks for the vid, Nice technique brother, take care and appreciate the vids! -Mitch

[@CristianoNogueiraBushcraft]

Since I first realized that char cloth would run out in the wild I've been practicing with charred plant tinder; Now You've shown me that I was right in my assumption. Thank you, Mr. Burgess!

[@historicaltrekking]

My pleasure Cristiano, & thank you for taking the time to let me know. Appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@ladeda7033]

Sure is a nice video. Since i first watched this video i started searching for tins. When i went to the local garbage dump i found to my surprize a box full of empty Altoids tins! So i went to the thrift store and bought up several old files. And made a bunch of fire kits! I found the pith from the sunflower stalks is easy to remove as well as after charring makes for an excellent tinder! Thanks again for your patience and instruction!

[@historicaltrekking]

Good to hear from you La Deda, your comment is much appreciated. woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2014/06/another-plant-tinder-for-fire-making.html woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2010/07/another-new-plant-tinder-i-have-found.html woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2012/02/part-four-closer-look-at-flint-steel.html woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2017/06/18th-century-period-fire-lighting.html Regards, Keith.

[@ladeda7033]

@@historicaltrekking thank you! That lifted me up to see im on the right track as far as this study goes. One technique i found to work very well in the charring process is to use 2 tin cans. Like a soup can and a tuna can. One tall and the shorter set over the top. Gases of the charring material will always find a way to escape. After the char you simply remove from the fire and maybe sprinkle a few drops of water on the top can and make the ground below a bit damp. This taking the element of heat out of the equation fairly quickly . The dried sunflower pith can range to quite large and is so easily lit. I can lite it with a polished soda can bottom in a split second! Sure it burns up quickly if you blow on it but if left to itself a 3" x 1" piece will burn for a few minutes just sitting unmollested. It is nice to not have to rely on any of societies costly gadgets to make a fire with. It is rewarding to see the and glow of an ember . Like doing a magic trick. I have taught dozens of folks the tricks i have learned this year. And so many are pleasantly pleased to have had the expirence of starting their own fire from scratch. Again thank you for that encouraging confirmation information. And taking the time to respond. Greetings from Nevada, U. S. A

[@ladeda7033]

@@historicaltrekking 😁 a note: i was hiking high up in the mountains just before winter with my metal detector in a suspected gold region near home. And i found old relics like broken wine and whiskey bottles. On my way up the mountain i spotted a light green bottle bottom and wundered.... I picked it up and wiped the dirt of it and it cleaned up nicely. As i was walking i took a small stone and began to gently rub the sharp edges. It smoothed them down rather quickly. Then i decided to giver her a try. Got some dry grass and some sage bark and made a nest and put the lens to the task. After about 3 minutes of fumbling i got smoke! And soon an ember was created by the bottle bottom of that old wine bottle from about the 20's. It wasnt long and i was enjoying the heat of a tiny twig fire.!

[@historicaltrekking]

@@ladeda7033 The way they used to char tinders & the way I do it is to char the tinder directly in the fire, you do not have to carry two cans with you. You smother the smouldering embers in your tinderbox. It was done this way in the homes & in the wild. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWa6eIeuebhkd6c Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

@@ladeda7033 Well done! Keith.

[@machinerlee383]

I have taken to charring punk material both in tin like I made char cloth and by toasting with open fire. This is now my preferred method, and fills in a lot of blanks of questions I had. Punk wood or rotting wood is abundant in our hard wood forests and this whole thing makes perfect sense. Again, thank you. And as for the fellow that seems to think there are faster ways to make a historical correct fire, I just don't see it. Whether I use English flint or common chert I catch a spark every time in my tinder box on first or second strike, rare to strike three.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thanks for the feedback machiner lee, much appreciated. Keith.

[@TomsBackwoods]

This is my favorite vid Keith!! and I reference it all the time! Bare bones this is how it is done...we have the convenience of preparing tinder in our homes but obviously it cant last. So learn it the right way and I give this link out to as many as I can! Thanks Keith!

[@3buffalo13]

Good points Keith. We had a good conversaton about this a weekend ago with our FCF youth. We charred cattail, bear grass leaves and various stems along the creek bank. All worked well. Thanks again!

[@jerrytalley802]

Keith, it’s funny, I grew up plundering in the woods, we camped, etc. after watching your video, when I took my daily walk, I noticed punkwood. I know I’ve seen it all my life just never registered in my brain since I didn’t know it should, lol, thanks

[@historicaltrekking]

Good one Jerry. I keep my eyes open for anything I can use as equipment or food, bones for making things, bird feathers for vent quills for my flintlock, different plant & fungi tinders, rocks to use for flint & steel fire lighting or making gun flints. It makes the walks/treks/camps more interesting & I may get to learn something new. Always more to learn Jerry. Regards, Keith.

[@willtry2survive1]

Keith, excellent job! Nice to see that somebody is keeping the old ways alive.

[@Gum05]

Thanks Keith for the help on the plant tinder and the link to another great video! Keep up the great work!

[@kimbullock475]

Hello Keith,once again you have taught me something. I'm so glad that I have found your channel. Cheers....Kim.

[@historicaltrekking]

Good one. Regards, Keith.

[@3buffalo13]

After watching this I stopped by a little swamp and picked out some cattail stems and fluff. Also gathered some bear grass leaves and stems (for the pith). Charred, they all work well! Thanks for your wisdom.

[@leoscheibelhut940]

In addition to all the excellent points you made about cloth becoming rags before it would ever be used for charcloth, there were always ads in the newspapers from printers and papermakers begging for rags and offering money for rags to make paper.

[@historicaltrekking]

Many thanks for this information Leo, I did know about rags being used to make paper, but I did not know about the adds. I must see if I can find some. Regards, Keith. woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-jakes-or-tinder.html

[@leoscheibelhut940]

@@historicaltrekking I'm learning a lot from your posts and remembering more. Glad I could share a bit back.

[@hairyneil]

Hi Keith, thanks so much for pointing me towards your other videos, I feel like my brain is straining to remember all the great information! At the weekend I was out working in a large garden and found what I think is an old apple tree and the whole thing appears to have turned to punkwood so I've got a good store of it now! Many thanks Neil

[@KURGAN44]

@historicaltrekking I want to really thank you for taking the extra time to give me the information that directly pertains to my area. I had not thought about those sources. While trekking a lot as a youth I used dry grass, cattails, and have used punk wood after trips to the mountains. Thank you again.

[@nedeljkomostar]

I was really enjoying watching your video and listening your English English. Your point made in here is 100% ok and many do not understand the real importance of learning to use natural resources in all aspects of bushcraft... or at least tend to use it. Thank you again for sharing it with us. Zoran

[@historicaltrekking]

Yes mate, I have done this before. Just trying to point out that one can use natural tinders & kindling & you don't need to use charred cloth & teased rope. Thank you for your comment. Regards, Keith.

[@IamNemoN01]

I found this video to be very helpful. I carry around a small tin for char-cloth, but frankly, I've never made char-cloth in it. The reason I haven't been carrying char-cloth is, like you said, it's not sustainable in the woods-and I don't like the idea of getting used to relying on something that's not sustainable, it's like a crutch. Lately I've been steering toward bow drills and things of that concept. But I also tend to save char from my fire as well. This video encourages me to continue on the thinking I've been pursuing.

[@historicaltrekking]

IamNemoN01 Good thinking. You should then check out my videos on plant tinders/punk wood & preparing these tinders in the field. Regards, Keith.

[@duxdawg]

+IamNemoN01 Here are some quick thoughts about sustainability and crutches as far as F&S is concerned. Only through lack of knowledge and skill could one ever think of Percussion Fire as not worthy of addition to every outdoorsman's arsenal. For indeed F&S is one of the most robust, reliable and sustainable forms of primitve ignition. For many good reasons Percussion Fire (F&S, Flint & Pyrites) was the dominant form of ignition for many people groups across the globe for the last 3,000 years. The ancient Egytians, Vikings, Romans, Inuit, Fur Traders, etc all relied upon Percussion Fire when ignition was needed. There are dozens of steel tools, plus a few rocks, that work as the striker. There are hundreds of types of rocks, plus carbide steel, that work as the flint. There are hundreds of natural materials from plants and fungi that can be charred, plus at least two dozen that do not need to be charred, that will catch the sparks from F&S yielding an ember. Hundreds of natural materials from plants and fungi that yield flame from an ember. Indeed many chars can produce flame without the introduction of any other materials. Happy Trails!

[@markhopkins7920]

Boy, I just learned a good lesson about my kindling with the chared punkwood in the tinder box! I gathered up a bunch of what I THOUGHT was good kindling, it was a long dried grass...but the stuff was too thick to work right- all I succeded in doing was blowing half of the punkwood out of my tinder box blowing on it and got a face full of ashes !! My kids got a good laugh out of that ! Lessons learned.....

[@historicaltrekking]

We've all been there at sometime Mark. Good that your kids are learning with you. Well done. Regards, Keith.

[@markhopkins7920]

Keith- I vindicated myself! We went out and foraged and found a bunch of Reindeer moss in an area that is slated for a few houses being built.....dried that out by the fire and that stuff is good kindling...I wanted to experiment with different natural stuff and found that to burst into flame pretty well.....just wanted to share that with whoever will read !

[@historicaltrekking]

@@markhopkins7920 Well done mate, very well done. Thank you for the feedback Mark, very much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@markhopkins7920]

Hello - sorry 'bout spamming you on this vid but I'm really pumped about finding out all these techniques you have going here- my son and I watched your vid here again and noticed when you hit your steel with the flint, you hit, then dragged the flint quickly down while holding the flint against the steel rather than hitting it then just bouncing off of it...We tried it like that, and it actually does produce alot more sparks. It kind of simulates the flintlock rifle cock hitting the frizzen how it hits then drags down..anyway your vids are great stuff !!

[@historicaltrekking]

@@markhopkins7920 Well I don't think this comment could be classed as spamming Mark, I am very pleased to receive this comment & it is very much appreciated. Thank you. Regards, Keith.

[@johnscrivy]

Sorry to hear your not so good, I hope things improve, May I say thank you for all your wonderful videos that have inspired my journey with bushcraft survival here in the uk, take care my friend

[@historicaltrekking]

Very much appreciated John. Regards, Keith.

[@johnscrivy]

Have been playing here in the uk with un Charded Natural Tinder , and my research and testing proves that this can be done using flint ant steel no a fero rod. I collected 9 or 10 nettles striped off these nasty leaves, hammered the stalks and peeled the outer skin the same way as making Nettle cordage, now this is allowed the dry, my test was 24 hours ,once dry buff the fibres well to a cotton wool ,it should look quite blonde in colour and very soft, so no charring minimal work, use as you would charred clothe, or charred natural tinder, it works brilliant, Ps hope you are well, all the best my friend, John scrivy

[@historicaltrekking]

@@johnscrivy Great work John, well done! Many thanks for sharing my friend. Regards, Keith.

[@jerrytalley802]

Keith, you popped up again when I opened KZbin. I need to check and make sure I check the bell in case you’re still making videos. Due to hot/humid weather I haven’t been practicing fire making. Now cool weather is here, I need to get back at it. Really enjoy your video, too bad you’re on the other side of the earth, it would be cool to visit

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you Jerry, good to hear from you & good to see you are maintaining an interest. You take care & stay safe Jerry. Regards, Keith.

[@ricklindsey3150]

always love watching you teach, thank you

[@historicaltrekking]

And thank you Rick, appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

Glad you liked it papa. I appreciate your feedback. Thank you. Regards, Keith.

[@jsddf8455]

Wow! You just became my new favorite channel. I have been looking to learn the true ways of the woodsman and you sir are teaching it very well. Thank you!

[@bushcraftsa5927]

Thanks for passing down the knowledge again Keith, very much appreciated

[@willgreen9459]

Thanks Keith!! That cleared a lot of things up for me as well. Look forward to seeing more of your demo's. Hope you are not too cold over there.

[@historicaltrekking]

+Will Green Can't get too cold for me Will, I love winter. Good to hear from you. Regards, Keith.

[@QuandaleDingle656-v7g]

I have learned alot from your blog sir.Due to your videos I started learning to use charred tinders in place of charcloth and have become quite proficient at it.Thank you for taking the time for these videos. regards muskrat

[@bryanr.3241]

School is now in session ! Thank you sir for teaching.

[@historicaltrekking]

Bryan Resch My pleasure Bryan, & Thank-You. Regards, Keith.

[@robertdodd9623]

I don't believe you can start a fire any faster than that using primitive methods. Excellent job Sir !

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you Robert, very much appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@backwoodsblades9280]

True old ways and I'm glad to see it. I use chaga fungus works great. Great job brother. God bless.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you for the comment BB, appreciated. Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

Through experimental archaeology some historical methods must be assumed. We know that charred toe rag was used in homes for making fire, & it is pretty obvious that one could never carry enough cloth into a wilderness situation to be practicle. As far as preparation goes, the "char-tin" did not exist in the mid 18th century. This induced me to resolve not to travel more by land without my gun, powder and shot, steel, spunge and flint, for striking a fire…” ~Patrick Campbell, Canada, 1792

[@historicaltrekking]

@LeftyTracking Thank you, much appreciated. I am still in hospital recovering from surgery, and it is good to receive such messages. Hopefully I move to rehab hospital, still in Sydney, tomorrow, then home in two weeks. I will endeavour to post more videos as soon as I am home. Keith.

[@MTNMANTIM]

Your absolutely right Keith. It's not about speed in fact none of the "skills" are about speed. The key is effeciency not speed. Speed in the bush kills or injures, plain and simple ! whether it's loading a gun, starting a fire, sharpening a kife , walking etc.doesn't matter...you take your time. Speed is great and fun at rendezvous and such but has no place in the wilds. I didn't know you we're in the hospital,my sincerest wishes for a full,complete,and swift recovery! take good care Tim

[@historicaltrekking]

You are very welcome uddo. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Keith.

[@JoeXTheXJuggalo1]

Thanks for showing another way to start a fire using the flint and steel. It's always good to have the knowledge to do one thing multiple different ways because sometimes you can't depend on one way only. Especially in a survival situation one Wei might not be available. It is always good to have a couple 2-3 or more different ways to make a fire just in case

[@historicaltrekking]

You could be right Joe, though I have never needed anything else but my flint, steel & tinderbox to make fire in all weather conditions over many years. Regards, Keith.

[@JoeXTheXJuggalo1]

Keith H. Burgess true very true. Bit by some odd chance you don't have or you misplaced your flint and steel there is other methods to make a fire. There is some other old fashion and new modern methods for fire. It is always good to have a back up just in case.

[@historicaltrekking]

Agreed Joe, I can make fire with the lock on my flintlock fusil & pistol, & I can make & use a fire-bow. I can also use my reading glasses if the sun is shining. But these are things I carry with me anyway aside from the fire-bow. Regards, Keith.

[@JoeXTheXJuggalo1]

Keith H. Burgess friction fire methods are the only kinds I haven't fully gotten the concept to. I can see how it's done in a video but until I actually do it myself it's still something that seems strange. Best ways for me to learn new things is by doing them myself or being taught face to face.

[@historicaltrekking]

Much the same myself Joe, but I had to experiment & teach myself. Take a look at my blog, it may be of some interest & help. woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/search?q=flint+%26+steel+fire+lighting Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

Very good to hear Zen & I appreciate the feedback. Thank you. Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

@MrDwaynedavis Many thanks for your kind comments Dwayne, appreciated. I have made a video on Field Preparation Of Plant Tinder For Use With Flint & Steel By Charring, but this was done in the old cottage. I will be making Forest Walk 3 as soon as I can get back into the woods with a camera crew, and this will include what you have mentioned. I may make a start on my own later, but right now I am still recovering from a complete hip replacement. Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

Appreciate your comment. Glad you like it. Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

You are very welcome. Thank you for your comment. Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

@Arkolm Thank you for your comment, appreciated. Charred cloth is legitimate tinder, but it was mostly used in town & city homes, not in the woods. There are quite a few plant tinders available, once you know what to look for in your particular area. Most common tinder used was/is punk wood, which can be found in the base of fallen trees. Cattail (dried) seed heads are also good. The inner core of the Century Plant or American Aloe is very good. Keith.

[@outlanderbushcraft3100]

Hello Keith , I do use char cloth , which is very good for starting a fire , after watching your video I have charred some punk wood and your right it lasts a lot longer and works just as good as char cloth , great video thanks for sharing. Atb Martin

[@historicaltrekking]

Thanks for the feedback Martin, appreciated. Keith.

[@lexoutdoors4486]

I have used your videos to build a 18th century style fire kit.using punk wood in a Altoids tin. i sewed together a old piece of scrap leather for a bag and rubbed beeswax for waterproofing.I have now even started a few box's and gave them to friends and showed them how to use it. we are having lots of fun learning these lost arts of the bush. one of the company's i work for is now making strikers in different shapes dragon,Fish,Bear Claw i would love to send you one as token of gratitude.

[@historicaltrekking]

You are very welcome, & thank you for your comment. Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank-you Brad, glad you liked it. Regards, Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you Corin, glad you liked it. Regards, Keith.

[@papa54320]

that was interesting and the background brought back childhood memoriesof wood shed and some old proven ways to do things

[@JeffGloverArts]

A terrific tutorial as always! Thank you! Now I'll check your plant tinder videos and take a walk down in the canyon bottoms.

[@historicaltrekking]

Hi Muskrat, many thanks for taking the time to comment, much appreciated, & you are very welcome. Regards, Keith. PS: If you ever have any questions, just ask.

[@MiWilderness]

You make some excellent points in this video about the practical use of this method. Thank you very much.

[@str8out]

Awesome VID!!! If this was the old youtube, I'd give it 5 stars.

[@historicaltrekking]

Yes. Tinder material, cloth or plant material, was/is charred directly in the fire. Then it is placed in the tinderbox & the lid closed to smother the smouldering material. No, tinderboxes do not have holes in them. Yes, well formed proper punkwood makes a very good tinder once charred. Keith.

[@historicaltrekking]

Thank you for your comment, much appreciated. Regards, Keith.