Post by Keith on Oct 31, 2013 8:40:58 GMT 10
Before I started writing about primitive fire lighting & making videos, the majority of people everywhere were charring cloth in a 20th century pressure top tin. They were even carrying these tins in their 18th century packs. I will admit now that it took me a while to work it out, I knew that what others were doing was wrong, but I did not know the right way of doing it. The evidence was there to see, but I did not see it until I started experimenting myself. I experimented with different plant materials, & charred them directly in the fire. Then I smothered the smouldering embers under dry earth at first, then I wrapped it in leather, & then I suddenly realised what the tinderbox was actually used for!!! I simply could not see the wood for the trees before, but suddenly everything was clear.
My findings were later backed up by studying domestic wooden tinderboxes which actually have a special wooden lid for smothering the smouldering tinder! Here then is the first video I made on preparing plant tinders in an open fire. This was actually performed in the Elm Cottage 18th century styled open fire place, but of course this method is the same as used in the field.
Charred plant tinder in the tinderbox. New plant material can also be charred in the tinderbox by simply adding it to the box. It will char with use.
My copy of an early 18th century English fire steel.
A selection of different fire steels & different siliceous rocks that can be used to create sparks. These can be found in the bush.
My findings were later backed up by studying domestic wooden tinderboxes which actually have a special wooden lid for smothering the smouldering tinder! Here then is the first video I made on preparing plant tinders in an open fire. This was actually performed in the Elm Cottage 18th century styled open fire place, but of course this method is the same as used in the field.
Charred plant tinder in the tinderbox. New plant material can also be charred in the tinderbox by simply adding it to the box. It will char with use.
My copy of an early 18th century English fire steel.
A selection of different fire steels & different siliceous rocks that can be used to create sparks. These can be found in the bush.
