Thank you for these information I have a question: Should I take the can out of the fire as the flame burn out of it And keeping the can over the coal or fire after the flame burn out could affect the reactivating of the char cloth?
Yes when the smoke and flames stop coming out of the vent hole, take it out. It will not hurt the reactivity if you leave it in the fire until the fire burns all the way out. What hurts reactivity the most is inconsistent heat. If the gases start streaming out well, but you didn't start with enough fuel, while your trying to restoke the fire, those gases are now condensing on the char cloth. When the heat picks back up, it'll make brittle char cloth that will be from slightly less reactive to nonignitable.
I agree with a buffer and larger hole diameter. A buffer definitely helps with the brittle issues and you don't need an air tight container. As you said, you want the gas and resisins to burn off and not make everything gooey. I've had that with moist material. Great tips! I swear I'm the only one who gives you likes. I've learned a lot from you and it directed me to experiment on my own to find better ways. Keep it up!
I've used a Kiwi shoe polish tin for a little more than 35 years. I have two spares, but I'm still on my original tin. I've never tried lining the bottom, since the tin is so shallow. The hole in the lid is somewhere around a 1/16th inch, the size of the tip of the vent pick I use for my musket. I usually make char at the edge my fire more on the coals than in the flame. I light the jet of gas coming from the hole. It's like a little blow torch. When the flame goes out, the char is done. I've never had a problem. The char always comes out fine. I use my worn out cotton shirts for rags, gun patches and char cloth. My credo is, keep it simple.
I like putting the hole down into the fire. To hear and watch the gas burn..... Just remember Do Not open can until it is cool. Thanks... Great video.!!
thanks, David - I am learning things I didn't even know I needed to know 😁🤔🔥 but I get more and more inquisitive about fire making - that I had never thought about or tried before - the more I watch your videos. This char cloth stuff is really fascinating. I love the info you teach and love trying to duplicate it. I had always used just two or three traditional methods to start fires, now I am trying to find at least 5 or 6 additional methods that I can master and your channel is really giving me a boost in doing that. I also had never heard of fire roll boarding until I started watching you about 7 or 8 months ago.
Great video. I have a similar setup for making char cloth. I have an old musket cap tin that I used for my makings. The only difference is I didn't punch a hole in the lid. When "cooking" the char cloth the gases will vent from under the edge of the cap, and smoke then ignite. Once the flame died, I pull the can from the fire using 2 sticks and set it on a nearby rock. Once cold, the char cloth comes out perfectly supple and catches a spark quickly. Works every time. I use 100% cotton gun-cleaning patches that I bought at local gun stores. They cost about $0.50 for 500 patches in a bag. They are old-style military cleaning patches and have the same texture as denim. Never used punk wood as a liner on the bottom of the tin but I'll have to give that a try. About 40-45 years ago, I was into the Mountain Man Rendezvous meets in New Mexico. Still have my Plains Rifle and fire-making kit. Used to show students how to light a campfire with flint, steel, char cloth, and a big wad of dry grass while on field trips. Lit the fire faster than they did with their matches (the wind kept blowing the matches out 😂😂😂). The professor on one particular trip who was a former Marine thought I was lying. He was shocked when I lit that fire. I showed him how it worked and he was very grateful. He said he had tried and tried in Marines and could never get it to work. Useful skills in a pinch.
Just goes to show you that even an old hiveranno like me can learn something new. I’ve been making fire with flint and steel since I was 8 years old (that was 1968). It’s my go-to fire making source no matter we’re I am or what the weather is. It has never failed me. I have never heard of using punk wood to buffer the cloth in the tin. But I will say this, I’m gonna do it from now on. Thanks for this. It’s rare that something comes up that I haven’t heard of, or tried. I’ve subscribed to your channel for a long time and don’t know why it took so long for this video to come up in my feed. 👍🏼👍🏼
I watch your videos. Every chance I get in I will be honest with you. I learn something new every time. So the best thing I can say to you, sir, is just keep doing what you’re doing. You were teaching a very valuable skill.
Thank You! SUPER GREAT VIDEO-Tutorial!... I'm a Democrat that lives and "works" in Washington. I found this big glass box in the basement at work filled with a bunch of torn-up hemp-cloth/paper sheets inside. I figured since it was sitting by the Diesel-powered Ultra-shredder dumpster, it was garbage. So I grabbed a bunch of pieces out and took it home to try and make some char-cloth out of it. Well, after my Bi-weekly "LQBTQI+/BIPOC Diversi-Couragement & Equality-Equalization dinner-meeting" I finally got to work on my super-cool project. Though I must say it wasn't easy! For one thing lighting such a small fire isn't nearly as easy as really large ones that aren't controlled!... Anyways, after a couple seconds I noticed it didn't smell very good while I was baking it in my cute little bedazzled tin-can I found in my girlfriend's boyfriend's bedroom while collecting their laundry upstairs here at my mom's house. But like usual, I didn't have allot of choice!... Though It seemed emmotionally-offensive to ruin it because it was originally an empty can of imported "Creme de' Soy" Brand: 'Succulent-Cucumber&Marshmallow' Nipple-Butter&Bottom-Balm" from the pre -Franceganistan city of Paris.( Though, PERSONALLY I prefer the ambrosial-sophistication of their "Ger'Bil-Varian Gooseberry Stuffed-Fudge-frappe"-flavor!) So, I didn't feel nearly as devastatingly-depressed as I thought I would otherwise.... So, Considering what was in the can originally I do believe the putrid smell was likely just some sticky bottom residue left in the bottom that smelled like burning plastic and really old ink... REEgardless, the Hemp Char-cloth likely would have worked really well but I couldn't get the can open because the bedazzled-beads melted and glued it shut before I could grab it with my other mom's rechargeable salad-tong!.. So maybe next time. Well, That is IF I can find any more of that hemp cloth!... Everyone of my fellow Democrats, and a few of the "GOOD" Republicans, were all grabbing pieces of it as well! Besides thoese that were obviously taking it into one of the 72-bathrooms at work for personal-hygiene reasons to reduce the use of pre-rolled paper products and reduce their carbon foolprint! Well, maybe some were also using it to make char-cloth!... I don't know, If any of them get a chance to talk about anything outside of our extremely-packed, mandated 168hr/wk-minimum TDS-oppositional-REEEsearch, I'll ask!
Another great video. I live in a place called 'Chislehurst' which in Anglo Saxon means 'Flint Wood' so I got flint in the woods, just got to make my steel and char cloth. Everyday is a school day and I've learnt so much from you, many thanks.
I drilled my hole with a 1/4" drill bit, used enough punk wood to keep the cloth off the bottom. I used around 1.5-2 inches thick of 1.5-2 inch denim squares. I should have paid attention to the advice to just do about 10 squares. It took about an hour on my isobutane burner to fully char. The top and bottom squares were a little brittle and sooty, but the rest was awesome. Nice and supple, yet fully charred. I am completely new to flint and steel and got fire on the first strike. The punk wood lit up nicely as well. I've sealed the rest of my material in an airtight ziplock in hopes of preserving its life through the summer, but we'll see how long it lasts. Still got the rest of that old pair of jeans in any case! Thanks for the tips!
Very interesting find you made for charred material making with both materials. Great info. I’ll have to try making a hole bigger on my tin can. Thanks.
Thanks for the video! Yes, you are right! I have ever tested to make the char cloth without the hole in the tin can after I got such idea from a video in the youtube. The char cloth can be made in such way, however there was much residue in the can. In addition, I also tested the char making by putting the punk wood at the bottom and cloth on the punk wood, and they were charred excellently!
I accidentally made a great batch of char cloth. A cotton hand towel apparently got buried in wood chips and bark by our wood splitter, we moved the splitter for the winter and burned the chip pile. When I raked the ash pile out the next day there was the charred towel. We tried striking with flint and steel and it works great!
1-23-2023. David, great stuff as always! I like fire and I play around with it a lot. I would like to share a few things if I may. I think you can get the instutional size empty food cans for hobo stoves for free from restaurants and schools. I like the Dollar Tree Crocs handy lighter long reach, 2” for my work bench and backpack. My best fire starter is fat wood, my second choice is a thimble full of K-1 kerosene on a cotton ball. I keep K-1 in an empty Nasal spray bottle relabeled of course. Last thing is I used to burn the twigs and fallen branches in my yard in the can stoves and hobo stoves , now I use the charcoal lighter stove. It has big air holes, and a handle, and if I need to cook on it I have a salvage cook top pan grate from a gas range I can throw on top. I’ m kind of proud of that find, and had them for 6 or 7 years and never saw that on RUclips until recently. I still have trouble with fire rolls, you make everything look so easy. Thanks for all the good information! DC STL MO 1-23-2023
Just stumbled onto your channel recently and I am obsessed with it. Nothing fancy, just a ton of great info. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, David.
Good demonstration! I learned a method from Muzzle Loader magazine many years ago. It is very similar to yours. I used a Minwax tin and after burning it clean, put 2 small holes in it (cut two small sticks to put into those holes later). One hole in the lid and one in the bottom of the can. I wrapped a wire around the top so as to grip it with pliers. Put small, white, undyed cotton strips into the can, close it and place in the fire. Then you constantly turn it to prevent igniting the cloth. Smoke will come out of the 2 vent holes. When that stops remove it from the fire and put the 2 sticks you cut into the holes. Let it cool for a few minutes and open to check the char cloth. It should be all black and slightly resistant when pulled apart. Check its ignitibility. It should be good. Just a minor difference from your method.
Made a batch using your punk wood bottom method. Compared vs a batch made in coals with direct contact on the bottom of the can. Outstanding results, soft supple and takes a spark. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have & continue to learn new things from your videos daily. Thank you Brother! GOD BLESS!!
Great tips! I charred and tried some punk wood a few days ago and it really did well. Now I need to check if my char cloth is supple or brittle. Didn't know 'bout that one. Thanks! That Pomade really burns well too!
Thank you thank you thank you. You are answering many of my questions and doubt, I am learning a lot. Can't wait to try again making some char cloth. It is important to SEE how to do stuff like this.
Your char cloth has to be clean and supple to be the most reactive to a flint and steel. All char cloth comes out of our char tins with a certain amount of smoke residue on it. That residue will make it slightly less reactive. The real culprit, though, is char cloth that comes out brittle. That will make it from... only slightly less reactive to completely unignitable. I know the big controversy over having a hole vs having no hole in your char tin. Let me just say this. It is a REALLY bad idea to not have a big hole in your char tin. I use a 1/4". A big vent hole allows gases, deposits, and smoke residue to easily exit the tin... not allowing them more time to linger and coat the char materials. The best way to keep the batch of char cloth from becoming brittle is to protect the hottest part of the char tin from contacting the fabric. While I was experimenting with ways to keep the red hot metal of a char tin from the fabric (see my double walled char tin video below) a subscriber, Richard Solomon, recommended using punk wood on the bottom as a buffer. He was right. That simple fix, for me, made brittle batches of char cloth a rarity. Come see this very easy technique, see me make a new char tin from a hair products can, and see me build a grease lamp to use that hair product in. Please follow the LINKS below and SUBSCRIBE. Thank you! A Double Wall Char Tin Might Make A Cleaner More Supple Batch Of Char Cloth. Let's See! ruclips.net/video/bqFHgL4WmP8/видео.html A Double Wall Char Tin Tweak Made Very Clean Char Cloth But 10% Of It Was Crispy Again. LOL! ruclips.net/video/MFx4nRqqkp8/видео.html Cha Cloth, Charred Punk Wood Playlist ruclips.net/p/PLkoXX8XsMW3nfHvlf-YghwFdkUBYRIIMy Grease Lamps and Fat Lamps Playlist ruclips.net/p/PLkoXX8XsMW3k7cP1F4wShxqd_J0Uv_prf Flint And Steel Playlist ruclips.net/p/PLkoXX8XsMW3mFf5FgLtam1aDmXmqQQice
While science (and history) backs you up on the need for ventilation, just be aware that its not one-size-fits-all; you happened to stumble on a ratio that works, but its not universally applicable; even someone using the same setup as you might not have the same results. The carbonization process is dependant on quite a few variables, and calculating the proper ventilation requires consideration of container volume, surface area, external temperature and thermal transfee coefficients, burn temp, fuel, moisture content, etc etc etc... you can get really technical with it! What you summarize as "smoke" actually has two stages. At first, it's steam evaporating out of your material. Once that excess moisture is removed, the higher temperatures result in the vaporization of the more volatile non-carbon components of your to-be-charred material - it's these particulates that make up smoke and ash. Those airborne particulates and vapors themselves are flammable, and with a well-balanced system, the charring process is self-sustaining once it's up to temperature. Properly calibrated, there will be NO smoke because all of the particulate matter that makes up smoke will have been burnt as fuel... to heat your char material... which releases more particulate as more fuel! Which is why you'll see so many references to "when the flame goes out, it's done" - all of the non-carbon material has been released, and there's no more easily accessible fuel. University of Vermont, Virginia Tech, and Cornell are good resources; look up 'agricultural extension biochar production' and you'll be eyebrows deep in more research backed and peer reviewed evidence than you can swing a dead cat at! -Your Friendly Neighborhood Farm Nerd
Long story short: good video, great work, keep it up, and if you ever feel the need to rain down some knowledge on doubters, just know there's evidence out there and plenty of rugged farm types weilding pitchforks who can back you up!
Cheers for the mention in the description David 👍 it's a great way to do it, love the wick support and cotton ball wick I'll definitely have a play with that, summer is just a month or 2 away for us. Stay safe n keep well.
Nice demo! Good for Scouts. I always carried flint and steel when I went camping and hiking. I was going to ask if the charred punkwood would take a spark. I learned something new.
I love using denim for charcloth. Never knew about this punkwood trick tho!! I find an old shoe polish tin is perfect for me. Thanks for the tip, I always learn from your channel! ✌️
I've always used a big metal container(packaging from whisky bottle) punched a hole in it with a nail and have put half the jeans in it straight away and not bothered at all. Tossed in the fire and let it smoke. Nex day opening. Use the stuff to Light my forge, easiest and fastest way to light coal! Some fabrics contain synthetic fibers: those i find to get crunchy. Cotton towels work the best of all!
Interesting, I use an altoids tin without any holes in it, and my char cloth always seems to work pretty well. My main reason for not using a hole (aside from it hasn't seemed necessary) is the risk of the hot char cloth spontaneously re-igniting as soon as I pull it from the fire and oxygen enters the tin through that hole. Usually I'm using a campfire so the box is very hot when I remove it. I suppose I could cover the hole with a rock or a stick.. I might just have to make a second charcloth tin with a hole in it, so I can try a side-by-side comparison to see if it makes a difference.
With no big hole for gases to EASILY escape they can absorb back into the cloth making it brittle and much harder to ignite. Even if it is supple it can still be covered in smoke residue which makes the char harder to ignite. Your char cloth is most reactive when there's a slight sheen on it and supple. I'll be happy to talk to you about the subject more, but won't debate these truths.
I bought some cotton rope to make some char for an empty bic lighter project, ot turned out so crunchy it wouldn't hold an ember. Ill try your punk wood trick and see how i go. Cheers David.
Buffering the bottom sounds like a great idea.. going to try it today.. Been here a few times.. finally remembered to sub.. A lot easier than searching for ya all the time... lol
That's pretty smart of you. You make a video, make charcloth, and get rid of your leaves at the same time. 😀 Seriously though I have enjoyed your videos.
Hey David, nice work there! I just wondered, have you ever tried soaking your denim cloth in wood ashes before charring it? Do you think it would make a good comparison video? "Normal char cloth vs ashed char cloth"
@@DavidWestBgood2ppl that's fair enough. I just thought that maybe if the ashes were incorporated into the cloth before it was charred it would become a more integral part of the material. I may try it myself when I get an opportunity.
Mr. West, would you recommend the use of a dowel for use as a spindle? Maybe for practice? I know horseweed grows here where I live (upper peninsula, Michigan), but I can't seem to find any.
Hi David! Would you consider the Lamp Wick as a better material for char cloth compared to denim? I used to char towels and tightly sealed it in a plastic. But after a few months it became less reactive, I don't know why. So I switched to lamp wick and I liked it cause it lights longer and hotter. I'm not quite sure why denim is much better? Hoping for your expert opinion... Tnx much!
Lots of people use lamp wick. I've never tried it... Normally char loses its reactivity over time because of moisture. If you had it sealed well then it received to much rough treatment. Crushing, pressure, etc will greatly reduce reactivity. The worse thing you can do to char is grind it into a powder, also for the same reason.
@@DavidWestBgood2ppl Thank you for the knowledge. Yup, I must have crushed those char cloth since I place it in my survival kit. Hope you could make a review about lamp wicks as well. Cheers!
To make char cloth I just cut 100% cotton or linen cloth to size, place it (full, not PACKED) in a metal ban-aid box with a hole punched in the lid and drop it on a fire. When the fire stops shooting out of the hole it's done. Pull it out of the fire and let it cool. Test. Makes great char cloth and I've never had any problems with it.
I have never used a buffer when making char cloth and I use a very small hole in my retort, I don't get any smoke residue that you speak of and my char cloth is never brittle. I have made char cloth over an open flame and also setting in the coals of my camp fire and have gotten the same results both ways. Ideally I prefer charred wood over cloth.
Thank you for these information
I have a question:
Should I take the can out of the fire as the flame burn out of it
And keeping the can over the coal or fire after the flame burn out could affect the reactivating of the char cloth?
Yes when the smoke and flames stop coming out of the vent hole, take it out. It will not hurt the reactivity if you leave it in the fire until the fire burns all the way out. What hurts reactivity the most is inconsistent heat. If the gases start streaming out well, but you didn't start with enough fuel, while your trying to restoke the fire, those gases are now condensing on the char cloth. When the heat picks back up, it'll make brittle char cloth that will be from slightly less reactive to nonignitable.
@@DavidWestBgood2ppl thanks for all these advices ,you are the best
Thanks very much
Thanks for good question.
@@DavidWestBgood2ppl
I agree with a buffer and larger hole diameter. A buffer definitely helps with the brittle issues and you don't need an air tight container. As you said, you want the gas and resisins to burn off and not make everything gooey. I've had that with moist material. Great tips! I swear I'm the only one who gives you likes. I've learned a lot from you and it directed me to experiment on my own to find better ways. Keep it up!
You're not the only one who gives likes, it somehow does not show here how many likes the video gets.
I've used a Kiwi shoe polish tin for a little more than 35 years. I have two spares, but I'm still on my original tin. I've never tried lining the bottom, since the tin is so shallow. The hole in the lid is somewhere around a 1/16th inch, the size of the tip of the vent pick I use for my musket. I usually make char at the edge my fire more on the coals than in the flame. I light the jet of gas coming from the hole. It's like a little blow torch. When the flame goes out, the char is done. I've never had a problem. The char always comes out fine. I use my worn out cotton shirts for rags, gun patches and char cloth.
My credo is, keep it simple.
Making good char cloth and punk wood is easy in all the variety of ways that it's made.
I like putting the hole down into the fire. To hear and watch the gas burn..... Just remember Do Not open can until it is cool. Thanks... Great video.!!
thanks, David - I am learning things I didn't even know I needed to know 😁🤔🔥 but I get more and more inquisitive about fire making - that I had never thought about or tried before - the more I watch your videos. This char cloth stuff is really fascinating. I love the info you teach and love trying to duplicate it. I had always used just two or three traditional methods to start fires, now I am trying to find at least 5 or 6 additional methods that I can master and your channel is really giving me a boost in doing that. I also had never heard of fire roll boarding until I started watching you about 7 or 8 months ago.
I like many techniques, but the big 6 for me are Hand and Bow Drill, Fire Roll, Bamboo Fire Saw, Flint and Steel, and ferro rod.
Mr. David , I never thought of reverse wrapping cotton balls...Sir you are a genius....Thank you!
I won't be worried till you can't make fire David! Thanks for the pointers and another delightful video!
Thanks Thorn!
Great video. I have a similar setup for making char cloth. I have an old musket cap tin that I used for my makings. The only difference is I didn't punch a hole in the lid. When "cooking" the char cloth the gases will vent from under the edge of the cap, and smoke then ignite. Once the flame died, I pull the can from the fire using 2 sticks and set it on a nearby rock. Once cold, the char cloth comes out perfectly supple and catches a spark quickly. Works every time. I use 100% cotton gun-cleaning patches that I bought at local gun stores. They cost about $0.50 for 500 patches in a bag. They are old-style military cleaning patches and have the same texture as denim. Never used punk wood as a liner on the bottom of the tin but I'll have to give that a try. About 40-45 years ago, I was into the Mountain Man Rendezvous meets in New Mexico. Still have my Plains Rifle and fire-making kit. Used to show students how to light a campfire with flint, steel, char cloth, and a big wad of dry grass while on field trips. Lit the fire faster than they did with their matches (the wind kept blowing the matches out 😂😂😂). The professor on one particular trip who was a former Marine thought I was lying. He was shocked when I lit that fire. I showed him how it worked and he was very grateful. He said he had tried and tried in Marines and could never get it to work. Useful skills in a pinch.
Just goes to show you that even an old hiveranno like me can learn something new.
I’ve been making fire with flint and steel since I was 8 years old (that was 1968). It’s my go-to fire making source no matter we’re I am or what the weather is. It has never failed me.
I have never heard of using punk wood to buffer the cloth in the tin.
But I will say this, I’m gonna do it from now on.
Thanks for this. It’s rare that something comes up that I haven’t heard of, or tried. I’ve subscribed to your channel for a long time and don’t know why it took so long for this video to come up in my feed.
👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks friend!
Wonderful! After doing flint and steel demonstrations for 10 years I learned something about it.
A great technique. TY!
I watch your videos. Every chance I get in I will be honest with you. I learn something new every time. So the best thing I can say to you, sir, is just keep doing what you’re doing. You were teaching a very valuable skill.
I appreciate that!
Thank You! SUPER GREAT VIDEO-Tutorial!... I'm a Democrat that lives and "works" in Washington. I found this big glass box in the basement at work filled with a bunch of torn-up hemp-cloth/paper sheets inside. I figured since it was sitting by the Diesel-powered Ultra-shredder dumpster, it was garbage. So I grabbed a bunch of pieces out and took it home to try and make some char-cloth out of it.
Well, after my Bi-weekly "LQBTQI+/BIPOC Diversi-Couragement & Equality-Equalization dinner-meeting" I finally got to work on my super-cool project. Though I must say it wasn't easy! For one thing lighting such a small fire isn't nearly as easy as really large ones that aren't controlled!... Anyways, after a couple seconds I noticed it didn't smell very good while I was baking it in my cute little bedazzled tin-can I found in my girlfriend's boyfriend's bedroom while collecting their laundry upstairs here at my mom's house. But like usual, I didn't have allot of choice!... Though It seemed emmotionally-offensive to ruin it because it was originally an empty can of imported "Creme de' Soy" Brand: 'Succulent-Cucumber&Marshmallow' Nipple-Butter&Bottom-Balm" from the pre -Franceganistan city of Paris.( Though, PERSONALLY I prefer the ambrosial-sophistication of their "Ger'Bil-Varian Gooseberry Stuffed-Fudge-frappe"-flavor!) So, I didn't feel nearly as devastatingly-depressed as I thought I would otherwise.... So, Considering what was in the can originally I do believe the putrid smell was likely just some sticky bottom residue left in the bottom that smelled like burning plastic and really old ink... REEgardless, the Hemp Char-cloth likely would have worked really well but I couldn't get the can open because the bedazzled-beads melted and glued it shut before I could grab it with my other mom's rechargeable salad-tong!.. So maybe next time. Well, That is IF I can find any more of that hemp cloth!... Everyone of my fellow Democrats, and a few of the "GOOD" Republicans, were all grabbing pieces of it as well! Besides thoese that were obviously taking it into one of the 72-bathrooms at work for personal-hygiene reasons to reduce the use of pre-rolled paper products and reduce their carbon foolprint! Well, maybe some were also using it to make char-cloth!... I don't know, If any of them get a chance to talk about anything outside of our extremely-packed, mandated 168hr/wk-minimum TDS-oppositional-REEEsearch, I'll ask!
Oh...bless your heart.
🙄
Another great video. I live in a place called 'Chislehurst' which in Anglo Saxon means 'Flint Wood' so I got flint in the woods, just got to make my steel and char cloth. Everyday is a school day and I've learnt so much from you, many thanks.
Thank you Keith!
I drilled my hole with a 1/4" drill bit, used enough punk wood to keep the cloth off the bottom. I used around 1.5-2 inches thick of 1.5-2 inch denim squares. I should have paid attention to the advice to just do about 10 squares. It took about an hour on my isobutane burner to fully char. The top and bottom squares were a little brittle and sooty, but the rest was awesome. Nice and supple, yet fully charred. I am completely new to flint and steel and got fire on the first strike. The punk wood lit up nicely as well. I've sealed the rest of my material in an airtight ziplock in hopes of preserving its life through the summer, but we'll see how long it lasts. Still got the rest of that old pair of jeans in any case! Thanks for the tips!
Sometimes the brittle and smokey ones are still usable.
Seeing is believing. Amazing and convincing demonstration.
Thanks Choim!
Hey Dave, thanks for reaching out to us how to. Great video 😊
Really terrific skills, and very clear explanation / demonstration. A++ !!!
This dude is a total badass. So freaking cool!
Very interesting find you made for charred material making with both materials. Great info. I’ll have to try making a hole bigger on my tin can. Thanks.
.... This is the best technique for making char cloth I've tried .... Much better than my previous attempts .... Thank you ....
LOL! I need to start using up some of that buffer material. I'm getting way too much charred punk wood.
Thanks for the video! Yes, you are right! I have ever tested to make the char cloth without the hole in the tin can after I got such idea from a video in the youtube. The char cloth can be made in such way, however there was much residue in the can. In addition, I also tested the char making by putting the punk wood at the bottom and cloth on the punk wood, and they were charred excellently!
Thank you Can Dou!
I accidentally made a great batch of char cloth. A cotton hand towel apparently got buried in wood chips and bark by our wood splitter, we moved the splitter for the winter and burned the chip pile. When I raked the ash pile out the next day there was the charred towel. We tried striking with flint and steel and it works great!
Terry Cloth makes great char cloth. I never used it much because for Solar Ignitions, it's difficult to see when the focal point is at its tightest.
1-23-2023. David, great stuff as always! I like fire and I play around with it a lot. I would like to share a few things if I may. I think you can get the instutional size empty food cans for hobo stoves for free from restaurants and schools. I like the Dollar Tree Crocs handy lighter long reach, 2” for my work bench and backpack. My best fire starter is fat wood, my second choice is a thimble full of K-1 kerosene on a cotton ball. I keep K-1 in an empty
Nasal spray bottle relabeled of course. Last thing is I used to burn the twigs and fallen branches in my yard in the can stoves and hobo stoves , now I use the charcoal lighter stove. It has big air holes, and a handle, and if I need to cook on it I have a salvage cook top pan grate from a gas range I can throw on top. I’ m kind of proud of that find, and had them for 6 or 7 years and never saw that on RUclips until recently. I still have trouble with fire rolls, you make everything look so easy. Thanks for all the good information! DC STL MO 1-23-2023
Thank you!
Thank you for the great video. I learn something new almost every time I watch one of your videos. Thank you for sharing.
Just stumbled onto your channel recently and I am obsessed with it. Nothing fancy, just a ton of great info. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, David.
My pleasure friend. TY!
Good demonstration! I learned a method from Muzzle Loader magazine many years ago. It is very similar to yours. I used a Minwax tin and after burning it clean, put 2 small holes in it (cut two small sticks to put into those holes later). One hole in the lid and one in the bottom of the can. I wrapped a wire around the top so as to grip it with pliers. Put small, white, undyed cotton strips into the can, close it and place in the fire. Then you constantly turn it to prevent igniting the cloth. Smoke will come out of the 2 vent holes. When that stops remove it from the fire and put the 2 sticks you cut into the holes. Let it cool for a few minutes and open to check the char cloth. It should be all black and slightly resistant when pulled apart. Check its ignitibility. It should be good. Just a minor difference from your method.
Excellent video David. Great tips. Thanks and take care.
I always learn something from your videos! Keep them coming, I love all of them. God Bless!
Made a batch using your punk wood bottom method. Compared vs a batch made in coals with direct contact on the bottom of the can. Outstanding results, soft supple and takes a spark.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have & continue to learn new things from your videos daily. Thank you Brother! GOD BLESS!!
Thanks John. I appreciate the feedback!
Thanks for explaining what char cloth is and how to make it!
Great tips. I over-did my first couple of attempts with char cloth. I'm definitely going to use a buffer next time.
I like the way it makes char cloth come out and also makes great charred punk wood too.
Great video showing many aspects simultaneously. Good job!
Well done
Thanks friend!
Great tips! I charred and tried some punk wood a few days ago and it really did well. Now I need to check if my char cloth is supple or brittle. Didn't know 'bout that one. Thanks!
That Pomade really burns well too!
Makes a good grease lamp. See that playlist too. LOL!
Thank you sir for all the info you have shared. I have never tried making char cloth and char punk wood . I’m going to have a go now .
Good stuff for flint and steel.
I learn something new with every video I watch. Thank you David
Thanks friend!
Thank you thank you thank you. You are answering many of my questions and doubt, I am learning a lot. Can't wait to try again making some char cloth. It is important to SEE how to do stuff like this.
I think so too. Thank you!
Your char cloth has to be clean and supple to be the most reactive to a flint and steel. All char cloth comes out of our char tins with a certain amount of smoke residue on it. That residue will make it slightly less reactive. The real culprit, though, is char cloth that comes out brittle. That will make it from... only slightly less reactive to completely unignitable.
I know the big controversy over having a hole vs having no hole in your char tin. Let me just say this. It is a REALLY bad idea to not have a big hole in your char tin. I use a 1/4". A big vent hole allows gases, deposits, and smoke residue to easily exit the tin... not allowing them more time to linger and coat the char materials.
The best way to keep the batch of char cloth from becoming brittle is to protect the hottest part of the char tin from contacting the fabric. While I was experimenting with ways to keep the red hot metal of a char tin from the fabric (see my double walled char tin video below) a subscriber, Richard Solomon, recommended using punk wood on the bottom as a buffer. He was right. That simple fix, for me, made brittle batches of char cloth a rarity.
Come see this very easy technique, see me make a new char tin from a hair products can, and see me build a grease lamp to use that hair product in.
Please follow the LINKS below and SUBSCRIBE. Thank you!
A Double Wall Char Tin Might Make A Cleaner More Supple Batch Of Char Cloth. Let's See!
ruclips.net/video/bqFHgL4WmP8/видео.html
A Double Wall Char Tin Tweak Made Very Clean Char Cloth But 10% Of It Was Crispy Again. LOL!
ruclips.net/video/MFx4nRqqkp8/видео.html
Cha Cloth, Charred Punk Wood Playlist
ruclips.net/p/PLkoXX8XsMW3nfHvlf-YghwFdkUBYRIIMy
Grease Lamps and Fat Lamps Playlist
ruclips.net/p/PLkoXX8XsMW3k7cP1F4wShxqd_J0Uv_prf
Flint And Steel Playlist
ruclips.net/p/PLkoXX8XsMW3mFf5FgLtam1aDmXmqQQice
While science (and history) backs you up on the need for ventilation, just be aware that its not one-size-fits-all; you happened to stumble on a ratio that works, but its not universally applicable; even someone using the same setup as you might not have the same results.
The carbonization process is dependant on quite a few variables, and calculating the proper ventilation requires consideration of container volume, surface area, external temperature and thermal transfee coefficients, burn temp, fuel, moisture content, etc etc etc... you can get really technical with it!
What you summarize as "smoke" actually has two stages. At first, it's steam evaporating out of your material. Once that excess moisture is removed, the higher temperatures result in the vaporization of the more volatile non-carbon components of your to-be-charred material - it's these particulates that make up smoke and ash. Those airborne particulates and vapors themselves are flammable, and with a well-balanced system, the charring process is self-sustaining once it's up to temperature. Properly calibrated, there will be NO smoke because all of the particulate matter that makes up smoke will have been burnt as fuel... to heat your char material... which releases more particulate as more fuel! Which is why you'll see so many references to "when the flame goes out, it's done" - all of the non-carbon material has been released, and there's no more easily accessible fuel.
University of Vermont, Virginia Tech, and Cornell are good resources; look up 'agricultural extension biochar
production' and you'll be eyebrows deep in more research backed and peer reviewed evidence than you can swing a dead cat at!
-Your Friendly Neighborhood Farm Nerd
Long story short: good video, great work, keep it up, and if you ever feel the need to rain down some knowledge on doubters, just know there's evidence out there and plenty of rugged farm types weilding pitchforks who can back you up!
Great job as always. Like those cans. Be great size to have especially making charged punk wood
Sir, you are a fire making genius!!!
Havin' fun, TY!
Very impressive findings and work sir.
Thank you a bunch load for sharing your awesomeness.
Ty friend!
Cheers for the mention in the description David 👍 it's a great way to do it, love the wick support and cotton ball wick I'll definitely have a play with that, summer is just a month or 2 away for us. Stay safe n keep well.
Thank friend!
Thank you so much! ..the punk wood buffer is an awesome tip xxx
Thanks MS!
good video Dave. love your setting!
Thank friend!
Thank you so much the stuff you taught me will help me more than almost any thing i,ve got off the Internet
Thanks Robert!
So much good information in this video!
The fire master! I’m looking forward to making my first char cloth🙂
Great instructions as always.
Thanks!!! Dan
Nice demo! Good for Scouts. I always carried flint and steel when I went camping and hiking. I was going to ask if the charred punkwood would take a spark. I learned something new.
Yes. I demonstrated it twice in this video.
I love using denim for charcloth. Never knew about this punkwood trick tho!! I find an old shoe polish tin is perfect for me. Thanks for the tip, I always learn from your channel! ✌️
I use it as a buffer to keep the Denim from touching the red hot metal and getting hard.
I've always used a big metal container(packaging from whisky bottle) punched a hole in it with a nail and have put half the jeans in it straight away and not bothered at all. Tossed in the fire and let it smoke. Nex day opening. Use the stuff to Light my forge, easiest and fastest way to light coal! Some fabrics contain synthetic fibers: those i find to get crunchy. Cotton towels work the best of all!
Great video again, learned quite a bit from your videos here in London England
Thanks friend!
Matches He don't need no stinking matches ! Great demo .
Thank you David for another amazing video , with all this advices you are the best ...
Thanks Paulo!
I'm looking forward to experimenting with these techniques ... Thanks for sharing, sir! God Bless :)
You are very welcome
Great video as usual David. Very helpful.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very concise detailed video; thanks for posting!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Impressed with all your videos.
I appreciate that!
Love this, excellent video. Looking forward to giving this a try.
Great video with good instructions.
Well, thank you!
I appreciate this knowledge thank you for sharing. Learn something new everyday
My pleasure!
Thankyou, for this info. So very useful, when/if shtf.❤
very cool. any tips for making fire in the rain or with wet material? Thanks!
Use the dry inner wood and extended burn Fire starters like duct tape, Vaseline and cotton, etc.
Not gonna lie that’s pretty slick!
Oh happy day to you my dear friend. Thank you for sharing another outstanding video looking forward to seeing your next video stay safe and burn on
Well done as always, you teach me and I teach my grandson LOL he thinks I'm smart. But I do give you credit! thanks!
Dave ...... You are"" realllllllllly"" good !!!!! Thanks....
Great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
My pleasure!
Thanks I really enjoyed this very informative and easy to understand 😀
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for show us how to do this ,Ant from Wales UK keep em coming . ive subd .keep safe .
Nice tutorial! Thanks,
Thanks Montee!
Thanks David!
Dude you are truly a pyro maniac but I luv Yuh and that spoon trick is awesome thanx for the info and your time.
Another amazing video, thanks
My pleasure!
Great video, thank you very much and keep well. Dave & The Girls
Thanks friend!
Thank you. This is a skill I've always wanted to learn.
See my making char playlist.
Fantástico 🥰 vídeo.
Obrigada 🙏🇧🇷🙏
Deus abençoe sua vida.
Thanks for the tips!
Interesting, I use an altoids tin without any holes in it, and my char cloth always seems to work pretty well. My main reason for not using a hole (aside from it hasn't seemed necessary) is the risk of the hot char cloth spontaneously re-igniting as soon as I pull it from the fire and oxygen enters the tin through that hole. Usually I'm using a campfire so the box is very hot when I remove it. I suppose I could cover the hole with a rock or a stick..
I might just have to make a second charcloth tin with a hole in it, so I can try a side-by-side comparison to see if it makes a difference.
With no big hole for gases to EASILY escape they can absorb back into the cloth making it brittle and much harder to ignite. Even if it is supple it can still be covered in smoke residue which makes the char harder to ignite. Your char cloth is most reactive when there's a slight sheen on it and supple. I'll be happy to talk to you about the subject more, but won't debate these truths.
Make a hole the size of a toothpick and plug it up with a toothpick before taking it out of the fire.
I use a short wood screw to plug the hole in my char cloth tin, but the hole isn't 1/4" in diameter.
Thanks, good educational video 😊
Thank you great info. I will be making one or soon.
You make it look so easy Dave. Your a fire bird. 1/4 inch hole in the can and don't put in the coals. Punk wood on the bottom got it.
You got it.
I bought some cotton rope to make some char for an empty bic lighter project, ot turned out so crunchy it wouldn't hold an ember. Ill try your punk wood trick and see how i go. Cheers David.
Yep, that crunchy brittle char is aggravating.
EXCELLENT PRESENTATION.
Thanks Michael!
I'm going to try it !!!
Buffering the bottom sounds like a great idea.. going to try it today.. Been here a few times.. finally remembered to sub.. A lot easier than searching for ya all the time... lol
Thanks! I appreciate it.
That's pretty smart of you. You make a video, make charcloth, and get rid of your leaves at the same time. 😀
Seriously though I have enjoyed your videos.
Thanks friend I'm glad you watch!
Hey David, nice work there! I just wondered, have you ever tried soaking your denim cloth in wood ashes before charring it? Do you think it would make a good comparison video? "Normal char cloth vs ashed char cloth"
No. I've added ashes to char cloth before. Didn't help. I'm not interested in that experiment.
@@DavidWestBgood2ppl that's fair enough. I just thought that maybe if the ashes were incorporated into the cloth before it was charred it would become a more integral part of the material. I may try it myself when I get an opportunity.
Sempre vendo seus videos shou .nota 10 p voce
Thanks friend!
Good video 👍
Nice job!
Thanks for the visit
wonderfull
Mr. West, would you recommend the use of a dowel for use as a spindle? Maybe for practice? I know horseweed grows here where I live (upper peninsula, Michigan), but I can't seem to find any.
A wooden spindle on wood won't work for most people.
Impressed and fascinated! I don't think i need this skill right now, but I'm going to learn it for when i do.
How do you store your char cloth?
In a Planters peanut can.
Amazing!
Thanks!
Hi David! Would you consider the Lamp Wick as a better material for char cloth compared to denim? I used to char towels and tightly sealed it in a plastic. But after a few months it became less reactive, I don't know why. So I switched to lamp wick and I liked it cause it lights longer and hotter. I'm not quite sure why denim is much better? Hoping for your expert opinion... Tnx much!
Lots of people use lamp wick. I've never tried it... Normally char loses its reactivity over time because of moisture. If you had it sealed well then it received to much rough treatment. Crushing, pressure, etc will greatly reduce reactivity. The worse thing you can do to char is grind it into a powder, also for the same reason.
@@DavidWestBgood2ppl Thank you for the knowledge. Yup, I must have crushed those char cloth since I place it in my survival kit. Hope you could make a review about lamp wicks as well. Cheers!
Probably not. Thanks.
To make char cloth I just cut 100% cotton or linen cloth to size, place it (full, not PACKED) in a metal ban-aid box with a hole punched in the lid and drop it on a fire. When the fire stops shooting out of the hole it's done. Pull it out of the fire and let it cool. Test. Makes great char cloth and I've never had any problems with it.
Cool! Over the years have you made dozens of batches that have produced hundreds of pieces from several different kinds of cotton fabrics?
Hello, thank you for your good video, how many minutes should the can be in the heat to prepare the char cloth?
When smoke stops coming out of char tin.
@@DavidWestBgood2ppl
Thanks
I have never used a buffer when making char cloth and I use a very small hole in my retort, I don't get any smoke residue that you speak of and my char cloth is never brittle.
I have made char cloth over an open flame and also setting in the coals of my camp fire and have gotten the same results both ways.
Ideally I prefer charred wood over cloth.
Brilliant thanks 😃
I bet I have too small of a hole in my char tin ! Mine was also too bridle,I will all punk wood to the bottom. Thank you for your great intel Dave.
They make a big difference.