Using Birch Polypore to Make Primitive Fire!

In this video we talk about birch polypore w fungus often overlooked for primitive fire.

[@marjiecleveland]

It is really good to know a variety of ways to start primitive fires. You are so good at explaining and showing how to make primitive fires. Your creativity is wonderful!

[@paulsmithprimitivebushcraft]

Ah thanks Marjie I appreciate the kind words and support I've got a few different videos in the pipeline to try and change things up a bit. 🙂

[@3AlarmBushcraft]

Great info. Also what brand are those bushcraft pants you have in this video?

[@jinxjones5497]

_maybe if you prepare it as amadeu often is by boiling it in ashen water. Ash is a good thing if you think about ashen Cotton Wool with a couple of flat surfaces as another friction fire method. The David West channel uses this method often but yes, boil your birch polypore in ashen water_

[@snipeweedan]

What is ashen cotton wool? Thank you

[@paulsmithprimitivebushcraft]

Hey Angela! I believe he is referring to a fire lighting technique called the rudiger roll, which involves rolling cotton wool and ash between two flat boards to Create an ember. 😁

[@daveshirley]

I've actually got a piece of polypore that was about ( I guess) 1 year old when I found it. I've shaped and dried it. It's gone a milk chocolate colour all the way through. It's been a very good strop, but I'm now wondering if it's any good for an ember. I will try it out and let you know.

[@countsmyth]

Great video lad, straight to the point and informative. Where did you acquire iron pyrite?

[@paulsmithprimitivebushcraft]

Ah thanks buddy I appreciate you taking the time to watch! The iron pyrite came from Lyme Regis in the south of England, if it's something you'd like to try you'll find it on eBay too, the stuff you want are raw chunks, it may also be called fool's gold on there. 😁🤜🏻

[@countsmyth]

@@paulsmithprimitivebushcraft Thanks lad. Keep up the vids!

[@alisdar1234]

Hi. What processing did you do to the polypore? Dry it? Remove layer/s. Thanks 👍

[@AntSurviveTheNight]

Hi Paul, great that, there’s plenty in my woodland so I’ll give this a try. The ones I’ve seen are quite hard now, would that make a difference? Also, do you just scrap it off. Cheers pal, Ant 👍

[@paulsmithprimitivebushcraft]

It shouldn't make a much of a difference, cut the spore tubes off and go in from the underneath it tends to softer there 🙂

[@villtussa]

I didn't quite catch the last name of the polypores that you use for tinder but have you used Phellinus species? They might be more for transporting fire... Thats what I've been taught here in Norway anyway, cant say I've tried it...

[@paulsmithprimitivebushcraft]

The mushroom used in this video was Fomitopsis betulina, the birch polypore, I've not had any experience with Phellinus but I expect they would work great I'll have to try them ! 😁🍄

[@jungleebushcraft]

Yeah....just keep on talking....