A few weeks back, I cued up a trip to Nightcap National Park, about an hour from home.  I set up a simple shelter and tested out some gear...  Nightcap was a great destination, and camping in the rainforest was a dream come true for a frustrated explorer.  Read more in my main write up... 


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So here's another awesome tinder, this time a natural choice…  Thistle grows wild in the fields and paddocks over here, and as it seeds it produces a fine cotton like fluff that is the bees knees for tinder.  Here's a look at it in the field as it grows:

 

 

Once its picked, its best to loosen the fibres a bit before you try a spark.  Of course a match makes light work of it, but with a good firesteel you get a great result anyway.  You can read about firesteels here.

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There's definitely something satisfying about old tools…I found an old selection of files hiding away and have been keen to use them properly for some time- only none had handles…and no handles for some time it seems:

 

My rehandling efforts  were rough and ready, carved plainly out of some sections of Camphur Laurel.  Some of the file tangs were heated and simply burned into the handles, others were drilled first and then glued.  I like the feel of the rough surface, it adds to the rus...

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Buried in the greenhouse at the bottom of the Garden was treasure.  Real life, buried in a bag, treasure.  The short and somewhat simple treasure hunt had lead me to the muggy, funny smelling greenhouse; promises of a 'really cool' present from my Dad had gotten me this far.  I was twelve years old.  Or eleven.  Young enough to still appreciate hidden presents and prospective treasure.

The hot soil gave way and wrapped tightly in a plastic bag was a small package; it felt like a book, and gr...

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Fire is Important, this we all know, but check this latest discovery for an awesome tinder choice:

   

Its lint from the Tumble dryer.  Empty the catcher and hey presto, dry, ultra flammable tinder.  Drop a few sparks from a firesteel an away it goes.  This stuff really works!  Its not a natural material as such, but its worth it to always have a reliable tinder.  Check out the Gear section of the site for a more in-depth look at the firesteel and this awesome tinder...
 
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