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Bow's Char
by
Allan "Bow" Beauchamp
Text & Photos by
Allan "Bow" Beauchamp |
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Seen here are some 100% cotton face cleaning pads. I use these and they
work very well and hold a spark a long time. I use in the course I teach
and it is a great "option"! |
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These are the face cleaning pads when there completed (charred). They are
large and they hold together very well. I find these are more durable
for catching spark with knife and stone, than cotton sheets that will
break apart a lot easier in your hands. When you use them you will find
they last a good while and aren't as prone to crumbling!
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These pads are what I consider an excellent spark catcher for most
systems. I use them lots and I have experimented with many things to
make char and work with my knife and stone system. When I did my "two
stone" fire starting I needed a very good spark catcher to make this
fine spark generator work. I used fungus, however, this is also a great
"companion". |
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Seen in this picture is some broken Mullen pith I also use. I have found
this to be a great tool for myself in the bush and I use this in many
ways.
Seen here I have prepared it for charring! |
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In this photo I have mixed some of my punk wood from a poplar tree as well
as my Mullen fragments. These two materials are great for charring and I
can find them readily in the bush when I'm out.
So when your cotton runs low, look around the bush, and see if you
can find any of these two materials and try them. I think you will find,
as I have, that they are a great " option".
I have some other systems for char in the bush, and when you scout
around I'm certain you will come across these as well. |
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These are the two materials in the completed stage and now have been lit.
They catch and hold a spark well. I would personally prefer these two
over my cotton char.
If you need something to catch a spark quickly, is long lasting, and
readily available, try this combination. And best of all, it's from the
bush! |
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This picture shows the lit char after a couple of minutes, and the pieces
are still lit and giving off some good heat! Try them, and experiment,
and I'm certain like myself you will find many bush charring materials! |
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