Charred cloth

[spartan00117]

I remember reading a post a while ago from one of you guys about making charred cloth.  So being a man who admits to eating his toast with his bare hands I thought I can do that.  So I hunted around my work and came across some black tat which we use quite often for draping and thought that would do.  So my experiment was to make my mini oven from a biscuit tin to put the cloth into and use me gas BBQ as an oven to bake the cloth in.  I proceeded to cut and roll my rags as instructed, drill a few holes in the lid off the tin and bake until crisp and dry.  Have to say the gas BBQ done the trick BUT.  After removing the charred cloth and letting it cool I cut a small piece to try with my fire steel.  I was reluctant to share this story with you but sometimes it's good to have a good laugh at yourself and share with others.  It wasn't until I had frantically tried lighting the charred cloth (about 40 strikes) when I suddenly realised I had brought home material that is inherently fire retardant during manufacture.
Once I had realised what a complete muppet I was I swore to tell no one about my foolishness but thought to good not to share.

I shall now go look for proper material and try again.

[MG1]

 

[RedLeader]

Lol. Nothing wrong here - mistakes are how you learn. Reward success and failure, only punish inactivity!!!

[Eamonn]

Try using 100% cotton. Like old t-shirts or dish towels. You can get the dish towels in any supermarket for next to nothing.

[RedLeader]

Big E is obviously being coy. He made charcloth in the field when we were in Donard Wood last.
It worked really well as judged by Suspectmonkey who couldn't wait to have a go with his firesteel

Try using 100% cotton. Like old t-shirts or dish towels. You can get the dish towels in any supermarket for next to nothing.

[spartan00117]

LOL

[spartan00117]

I now feel like a real man again, I now possess the skill of making charred cloth by BBQ.  I will sleep easy onc more. 

[Eamonn]

I managed after a while to get my charcloth to light with a traditional Flint and steel striker! I'll bring it along to the next meet up incase anyone wants a go.

[spartan00117]

Yep same with mine, I had a nice healthy and very hot glow off mine.  According to the wife