Newbie

Supplejack as tinder?

Hi all, I have heard recently of the use of supplejack as a tinder. It seems to me like the tougher, dried parts of the plant can be pounded to produce a mass of fibres that light well when dry with a friction ember. Has anyone used this tinder before, does anyone know how to prepare it?

Tags: Tinder

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ShrafterPermalink Reply by Scott Hamilton on October 5, 2010 at 17:20
Have not heard this before will try some tomorrow, if I remember. Does it need to be dried or do you think hanging vines may be ok? I found fatwood to be really good, if you can get your hands on some. If you can't I can send you some.

NewbiePermalink Reply by Martin Hunter on October 6, 2010 at 8:28
Hi Scott, I believe it does need to be the dry sections of the vine. I had though I would try the woody ends of broken and/or dead vines rather than cutting something alive at first, there are plenty around like this usually. I'll be interested to see how you get on if you do remember, keep me posted! Thanks, Martin.

TohungaPermalink Reply by Ray Saunders on April 21, 2012 at 0:52

Hey Scott where do you get fatwood and what does it look like, I don't think I have heard of it before. Any info about it would be very welcome. Thanks in advance,

Ray


ShrafterPermalink Reply by Joe on April 21, 2012 at 10:03

Hi Ray,

from pine trees you get it either from stumps or dead branches. if you go into a pine forest try and find an aged pine stump, grab your ax and hack out a piece. it should feel waxy and smell really strong of pine resin. you can also get it from the base of dead pine branches. just cut the branch at the base as close to the trunk as possible with a saw. once again it should smell really strong of pine resin. only near the base of the branch holds the resin. use the rest of the branch as firewood.

when a pine tree is damaged etc is sends masses of pine resin to the effected area, it acts as a seal to stop water from entering into the tree thus stopping rot from setting in.

Its good stuff, i have a shoe box full that i have collected overtime.

You can also get pine resin by bleeding the tree and boiling down unopened pine cones.


TohungaPermalink Reply by Ray Saunders on April 21, 2012 at 23:51

Hi Joe thanks for the information, I should have known what it is as I live not to far from the Blue Mountains in Otago but have done most of my hunting in native bush. Thanks again Joe this is what makes this forum a great one. I hope I am able to help others on here as well.


AdminPermalink Reply by Ryan Hunt on April 21, 2012 at 10:54

TohungaPermalink Reply by Ray Saunders on April 21, 2012 at 23:42

Hi Ryan , wow thats a fast reply, thanks a heap.


ShrafterPermalink Reply by Scott Hamilton on April 24, 2012 at 20:32

Fatwood is pine that has a massive amount of pine resin in it, I have found the best supply to be rotting pine stumps. If you go into a pine forest that has been maintained go and kick the stumps, if you find a stump that is rotten with a hard section in it, this will be fatwood. When they cut down the tree, it tries to repair itself and then this resin settles in the stump and will not rot. When you cut it, it will stink of resin and have a glassy look, you can get really big veins of it. And it is very flammable, and burns when the rest of the forest is wet.


ShrafterPermalink Reply by Scott Hamilton on October 7, 2010 at 17:31
Hi Martin, tried with hanging dry vine, I found it no good for taking a spark from firesteel, but went up like a rocket with a lighter. Thought maybe the bark may work, but once again no good with a firesteel and I did not try a lighter. Others may have better luck than me.

NewbiePermalink Reply by Martin Hunter on October 8, 2010 at 19:55
Great, thanks for letting me know Scott! I will be heading bush next Friday for the weekend so will give it a try then and keep you posted...

NewbiePermalink Reply by Martin Hunter on October 25, 2010 at 19:16
Hi Scott, I've found some time to have a go and can say it does work! The dead but dry twining stems of supplejack can be pounded to get a dry, fibrous material that goes up like a treat. I took a photo today of some supplejack that I collected from the bush at the back of our house, this time green rather than dead, and have managed to pound out the fibres to the same effect (these would have to be dried to be used as tinder, but they are still very strong so might work as a cordage).


ShrafterPermalink Reply by Scott Hamilton on October 29, 2010 at 21:16
Did you use a firesteel, lighter or matches etc?

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