Q-Tip Trick

Pritch

Pritch

Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
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Okay, I'll admit that I spend way too much time farting around with firestarting ideas. I decided to merge the TP trick from the YouTube video with the popular tinder of cotton. Initially, I held a small piece of cotton against my striker. Upon hitting my ferro rod, it lit okay, but it burned fast and wanted to stick to my finger! :eek:

It occurred to me that if the "cotton" on a Q-Tip would burn, it could serve as a pretty handy "match" to introduce fire to a tinder bundle/fire lay.

I fluffed up a Q-Tip, laid it along the back of my striker, and struck my ferro rod. in one strike I had flame, and was able to handle it safely until introducing it to my 2nd stage tinder. (In this case, shredded birch bark) It could burn even longer if a little pJ was added toward the back of the cotton.

Certainly not a life changing discovery, but there may be times where you have Q-Tips handy and need to introduce flame into a narrow opening. It may also come in handy if you are having trouble directing sparks from your rod onto your tinder pile.

Cheers!

-- FLIX
 
Gotta go try that. Playing with fire is so much fun :), and I always carry Qtips anyway for cleaning out my ears and now I have another use for em. :)
 
Interesting idea, so now I guess I need to start saving up my ear wax for tinder... :D
 
Hey Guys...

If I happen to be low on PJ soaked cotton balls, I'll sharpen a small stick and spear the cotton ball,, ignite it and transfer it to the fire site.
Once the fire is lit, I put the cotton ball out and reuse it the next time.

You can get several fires going like this if need be.

The Q-tip trick is interesting...
I would soak it in PJ though, just for the added measure of being waterproof...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
i cut off the q-tip ends(the ones with plastic rods) and stick them in the hollow pins of my knife handles(the ones that have them). little extra way to carry fire starting stuff, especially if your sheath has a place for a ferro rod.
 
I have 6" wooden Q-tips which work better at many cleaning operations and certainly would work better for fire starting.
 
Thanks everybody.

I tried Q-Tips soaked in PJ, but since the cotton is actually in contact with the striker, and sometimes the firesteel, the ointment inhibited sparking. If PJ (or ear wax :D) is used, it should only be applied to portions of the cotton that won't be in contact with the striker or firesteel.

I don't carry Q-Tips as part of my Mini Kit, but I often have them with me when traveling. I there may be some in my FAK.

-- FLIX
 
I was reading the recent thread on fire prep and Bryan's post about lighting a little "homemade match" with a PCB on a stick reminded me of this thread.

Bump for posterity.
 
A trick I do is to hold my firesteel parallel to the Q-tip (half-way back), and spark it.
 
Hi all,
Flix, when you get a chance try the long wooden handle Q-tips. that wooded handle really burns for a long time. My mom is a retired Nurse and use to get them type of wooden Q tips. That after I tred them that is what gave me the idea to use a cotton and pj mix on a stick or even the steel wool on the end of a stick. That steel wool really works great lol. Put a little breath of air on it and wow it burns so freaking hot.

IMG_0181.jpg

I got a pic I will post.

Bryan
 
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When I teach people the Vaseline and cotton technique I make it up out of the first aid kit, usually with cotton gauze and triple anti-biotic ointment. Of course you can carry tinder prepared with cotton balls and I do, but I think these sorts of techniques have more impact if you demonstrate alternate uses of things they very well might have on hand. I will use the Q-tip thing in the future. Q-tips and chapstick? The idea has merit. Mac
 
I was gonna do a video, but I'll spare you the earwax! LOL! I've also thought about injecting some PJ into the hollow tube.

Bryan, I've tried the longer medical swabs, the ones with wooden handles and cotton on just one end. They make for a nice long match, but can be cumbersome to pack. On the plus side, they are often found in waterproof packages, two to a pack.

Mac, Yeahm the idea was using materials already in the First Aid kit. I've used triple antibiotic and the Vaseline lip balm (ointment) but I haven't tried Chapstick or Burt's Bees. I bet it will work fine.
 
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