Making char cloth

For all the things we make ourselves for the outdoor world that are not covered in the other specific DIY area.
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Graps
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Making char cloth

#1 Post by Graps »

This is the instructions that were written in the original Boy Scout Manual. Robert Baden-Powell is the father of the Boy Scouts and keep in mind where he says to use a coffee can, they didn't have plastic lids.
I do this method with a tall tin like some crackers or cookies come in. The ones that have a formed sheet metal lid that presses over the tin.
This is the way char cloth was made before the experts at the black powder rendezvous started teaching to cook it in a metal container.
This method is fast and easy, and you don't have to guess if it is done enough or over cooked.
Like I'm always saying, keep it simple.
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"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

stumper
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Re: Making char cloth

#2 Post by stumper »

Way cool!
Nothing clears a troubled mind like shooting a bow.

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Graps
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Re: Making char cloth

#3 Post by Graps »

After I posted this thread, I decided to make a piece of char cloth and take pictures.
This is the can I'm going to use.
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"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

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Graps
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Re: Making char cloth

#4 Post by Graps »

I tore a strip from an old dish cloth, stuck it on a stick and lit the bottom.
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Graps
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Re: Making char cloth

#5 Post by Graps »

As it burns, I lower it into the can.
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"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

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Graps
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Re: Making char cloth

#6 Post by Graps »

After it is all burning, I slide it on the edge of the can to pull the stick off and close the lid.
The fire will use up all the oxygen in the can so it will go out completely with no smoldering.
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Graps
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Re: Making char cloth

#7 Post by Graps »

Let it sit a few minuets and open the can and there's your char cloth.
And it takes only a couple minuets and you can make as much as you want.
Put it in a zip lock bag and when you need some to put in your fire kit, just pull it apart. It is very tender at this point.
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Graps
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Re: Making char cloth

#8 Post by Graps »

Buy the way, look at the date stamp from my first post to the second one. And that includes desiding to do it and going to the garage, backing the truck out, getting my rag box out, tearing the cloth, finding the tin, and doing the burn. Putting everything away, put the truck back and editing the pictures.
Total time, eleven minutes.
Gives you an idea how simple it is.
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

Captainkirk
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Re: Making char cloth

#9 Post by Captainkirk »

Way cool, Dale! I remember that stuff from my Scouting days. Not even close to the new PC Scouting they are pushing these days...
Aim small, miss small!

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Shadowhntr
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Re: Making char cloth

#10 Post by Shadowhntr »

Yepper....graps taught me this a year or two ago. I got plenty of char cloth!
The element of surprise can never be replaced by persistence.

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