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Post by offtrail on Nov 14, 2013 23:57:05 GMT -7
Learned This little trick today, we know finding natural material to catch and hold a spark is down right hard to do. We also know that some natural material can be charred so it will have the capability to catch and hold a spark. But there is a natural material that needs no charring to hold a spark and it grows all over the place. Were talking bout Mullein and when it's prepared right it will catch and hold a spark. All that is needed is a knife and a spark source. If you have a good steel striker you can use your flint and steel kit, if not just use an empty Bic.
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Post by graf on Nov 15, 2013 3:13:17 GMT -7
Thanks for the info, here in Michigan Mullien is dead for the season but I'll give it a go. Are you using green or dead Mullien?
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Post by angelhelp on Nov 15, 2013 4:03:40 GMT -7
I've seen mullein all over the place except in the park here, probably because "they" keep mowing it. I know I've seen the stalk used in making fire by friction. It's also medicinal in several ways and the leaves make absolutely outstanding tp. Cool video  |
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Post by offtrail on Nov 15, 2013 9:07:28 GMT -7
Thanks for the info, here in Michigan Mullien is dead for the season but I'll give it a go. Are you using green or dead Mullien? I have not tried dried green mullein but what I did use was this years dead mullein. The video I got this from the guy used his flint and steel kit to light the mullein. I tried the same and only had one successful ember with my flint and striker. The difference was his striker was throwing many more sparks then my flint/steel kit. So I decided to try the Bic striker and it worked like a charm. I tell you when the material is held up close to the flint and you fan the striker with the side of your hand it builds heat and in my opinion does a far better job then the fire steel or flint and steel. Make sure you slice it thin and keep me posted on your success. Wait till you see my next video, it's a black out lighter made from natural material, made in the field and activated by flint and steel. All that is needed is a hallow stem,milkweed seed fluff and a flint and steel kit. You know we think every possible way of starting a fire has been invented but I keep seeing new techniques and old ways being reinvented...very exciting  |
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Post by offtrail on Nov 15, 2013 9:19:16 GMT -7
I've seen mullein all over the place except in the park here, probably because "they" keep mowing it. I know I've seen the stalk used in making fire by friction. It's also medicinal in several ways and the leaves make absolutely outstanding tp. Cool video Thanks, this is yet another use for the plant that is mullein. The only other natural material that I know of that will catch and hold a spark from a flint/steel kit,is from the milkweed. Don't know the spelling but you find it inside the milkweed seed pod. Without first charring, finding material that will except a spark from a flint and steel kit is few indeed. |
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Post by angelhelp on Nov 15, 2013 10:21:20 GMT -7
So the milkweed fluff works too... I'll keep that in mind since I already keep it in my pockets. I suppose you've tried this with cattail fluff?
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Post by hunter63 on Nov 15, 2013 11:57:16 GMT -7
Out standing....always on the lookout for natural tinder's....Cool stuff.
Thanks
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Post by Besttracker on Nov 15, 2013 12:25:34 GMT -7
Another great video Offtrail & Thanks again
I have some mullein stalks that are used for handrill fire making and will give it a shot with flint and steel today .
Mullein leaves in olive oil make very good ear drops for earache .
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Post by offtrail on Nov 15, 2013 16:44:41 GMT -7
Another great video Offtrail & Thanks again I have some mullein stalks that are used for handrill fire making and will give it a shot with flint and steel today . Mullein leaves in olive oil make very good ear drops for earache . Ear drops! ill have to remember that...thanks PS, let me know how that worked using the thinly sliced mullein and flint/steel kit. I was able to do it once and it did take a bit of time. |
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Post by offtrail on Nov 15, 2013 16:47:15 GMT -7
Out standing....always on the lookout for natural tinder's....Cool stuff. Thanks Thanks, finding natural tinder that will catch and hold a spark without first being charred is very hard to do. |
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Post by offtrail on Nov 15, 2013 17:00:20 GMT -7
So the milkweed fluff works too... I'll keep that in mind since I already keep it in my pockets. I suppose you've tried this with cattail fluff? No, not the seed fluff but that little thing that holds all the seeds together inside the seed pod. It's called something like ovium it's a very lite weight membrane inside the seed pod. This is what will catch a spark from a flint and steel kit. |
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Post by angelhelp on Nov 15, 2013 17:03:38 GMT -7
Oh, you mean that pod thingie. I know someone with a PhD in plant physiology who would positively cringe at my reference to a "pod thingie". Too bad! That's what it is!   |
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Post by offtrail on Nov 15, 2013 18:36:58 GMT -7
Oh, you mean that pod thingie. I know someone with a PhD in plant physiology who would positively cringe at my reference to a "pod thingie". Too bad! That's what it is! Yes it's inside the seed pod or pod thingie. Ill post a video of it. |
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Post by Besttracker on Nov 15, 2013 19:06:48 GMT -7
Another great video Offtrail & Thanks again I have some mullein stalks that are used for handrill fire making and will give it a shot with flint and steel today . Mullein leaves in olive oil make very good ear drops for earache . Ear drops! ill have to remember that...thanks PS, let me know how that worked using the thinly sliced mullein and flint/steel kit. I was able to do it once and it did take a bit of time. I don't have any mullein LEAVES at the moment , but did remove the inner pith from one of my mullein hand drills . It took awhile with the flint and steel , but did finally get a decent ember . Quite a bit harder method than using char cloth , but it is nice to learn new materials and thanx again . All of this led me to cut up an old bastard mill file and made 3 more strikers . Ear drops - Aprox 1 cup of fresh (chopped up) mullein leaves are added to 1/2 cup of 70% isopropyl alcohol and left to sit in a sealed glass jar for a few days . The liquid is strained off and added to sterile water . This mixture is heated until steam starts to form and then removed from heat .This decoction is stored in the fridge and later mixed with warm olive oil for ear drops . I swear by this mixture to help with the pain and fighting an inner ear infection . |
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Post by offtrail on Nov 15, 2013 19:39:17 GMT -7
Here is the video for the milkweed ovim.
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