Amadou

[32t]

The results of my trying to make Amadou are now drying. Where in the heck do they get large enough pieces to make a hat?

I made it for fire tinder. It started easily just in the Horse hoof fungus but this batch I boiled for three hours and then lightly pounded.

This fits in a razor forum because I read that they use to use it as a styptic!

 

[verndahl]

well i learned something new today! Here's a video i found about it . I haven't watched it all yet but it seems like something i'd like to learn about and try. I guess i thought all fungi growing on trees was called shelf fungus. Hmmmmm.

 

[32t]

I am glad that you learned something as I am also!

I haven't needed a styptic recently and I hope I am not jinxing myself......

After this dries I will have to see how this works for a fire starter,

 

[RezDog]

I am not familiar with this type of mushroom used as styptic, but there is a lI hen that grows around here that is often referred to as old mans beard or witches hair, and it is good at stopping bleeding and keeping open cuts clean. It seems counter intuitive to put lichen in a wound to get rid of bad bacteria and promote healing but I have tried it and it’s is pretty amazing. It is great tinder too.

 

[32t]

This stuff is finally getting dry. Will have to try it tomorrow and see how it lights.

Makes me wonder about how our modern life let us take so many things for granted.

 

[verndahl]

is there a advantage of it over using char cloth?

 

[32t]

is there a advantage of it over using char cloth?

No from what I am seeing.

I am having fun looking at old school stuff.

If you didn't have an Altoids tin and cotton cloth what would you do?

 

[verndahl]

True, have you ever had any luck with a bow and stick? All i ever got was some smoke.

 

[32t]

I have made fire with a bow drill but it certainly isn't as easy as they make it look in the movies.

 

[Bruno]

One thing that never ceases to amaze me: people who participate in those tv shows like castaway or special forces training for civilians, but never bother to get experienced at making fire or learning to use a map and compass.

 

[RezDog]

Oh I meet those people at work every year Bruno. People that have spent their lives in the city that go for a wilderness adventure with no skills to back them up. Every year I meet at least one group or couple that have tried. Yes, wilderness adventure guides cost money, but they are worth it.

 

[32t]

Very cruddy weather around here today so I didn't do my test outside. I have lit some in the house but the smoke doesn't have the greatest smell.

 

[32t]

This brings up and interesting point to me. As a general observation to me if I need a fire to survive the weather is not perfect and as a general rule things are bad. Many of the fire starting techniques will work good in good weather and if you have the time and your fingers are not freezing.

I hope you don't laugh to hard at this but one time I was deer hunting with my son. The keys got locked in the truck and we could have broke the window out etc but he walked a mile up the hill to get cell reception and call my other son an hour and a half away to bring the extra keys while I waiting at our campground. It was snowing and sleeting and of course I could have walked to the neighbors if it had been an emergency. My Zippo was in my pocket but out of juice.

What would you have done?

I remembered that there was a couple of Tikki torches to the side that had ran out of juice but there is always a bit in the bottom after the wicks get burned up. The fuel works in a zippo if needed! I gathered some tinder and wood and had a good fire going when he came back down the hill and we had a good talk waiting for our "rescue"!

Sort of silly as I say but that is worst case that I have had to think about lighting a fire.

 

[verndahl]

The only time i light a fire is when i go camping (in a state campground) or in my back yard in the fire pit. Still fun to get the old flint and steel out and do it the "primitive" way.

 

[32t]

I tried my test yesterday and it didn't want light with a ferro rod at least very easily.

I am wondering if I could char this stuff?

 

[verndahl]

Hmmmm. In some of the videos i watched they had to grind it into small pieces for it to work.

 

[32t]

I used the saw on my leatherman to fluff it up and it wanted to blow away in the wind. The only time I remember using that saw.

 

[Bruno]

I used the saw on my leatherman to fluff it up and it wanted to blow away in the wind. The only time I remember using that saw.

Interesting. I never ever used the saw on my leatherman / swiss army knife for anything. This would be one of the only use cases I can see for it.

 

[32t]

Interesting. I never ever used the saw on my leatherman / swiss army knife for anything. This would be one of the only use cases I can see for it.

I have used the file for my fingernails but in general that also is not used.

Now if I could find a junk one to take apart so I could have 4 blades...........