This is my basic tinder kit
View attachment 3929View attachment 3930View attachment 3931Consists of a copper tin which contains a piece of flint , steel , char cloth , amadou , and some jute small and lightweight.
That's a nice little kit there Rob. I haven't got any amadou at the moment so I'll have to process the artists conk that I have upstairs. A nice addition to your kit would be a slow match or sulphur matches both of which are easy to make.
If you make a slow match you're better using potassium nitrate rather than sodium nitrate in solution (both are reffered to as salt petre), potassium nitrate is slightly less hygroscopic and as such is better for the job. Cotton, linen or jute cord can then be left in solution for 24 hrs. Once taken out lie the cord on paper and not on metal as the metal will corrode if you do. Whilst drying move the cord so that it never rests on one side this means that you'll get an even distribution of saltpetre in the cord itself.
Sulphur matches are also a doddle, I found that using sulphur powder is better than using sulphur chunks or stars.
Cut the bottom off a coke can or some such, it needs to be high enough that a tea light can fit under it without smothering the flame.
Punch holes around the edge of the can.
Place sulphur powder in the recessed bottom of the can, light a tea light under it and then watch the sulphur melt.
Be aware not to inhale the fumes and that if doing this do either outside or in a very well ventilated area.
You'll need something along the lines of a lollipop stick to dip into the molten sulphur, the ideal are the wooden stirrers that you get from motorway service stations.
Take one and cut the tip to a sloping point do the same in the middle and to the other end. You now have two sticks with pointy ends.
Either dip or roll the ends in the molten sulphur, do not double dip or double coat the ends.
I demonstrated how to do this to some friends at the Cornish RV last year. I was actually taking a leatherwork class at the time
and some friends were on it and they asked how I made sulphur matches.