I Can Start a Fire With That?

     I thought my first article for Boar Valley would be about something that has just begun to bother me. Just like most of us all , I was gung ho about making and using charcloth in my fire kit. There are any number of videos on YouTube that can teach you how to make it. Although, it was a bit of a pain , I was sure this was the best and most accurate way to practice my primitive fire skills. I made every effort to ensure that I had a tinder box full of charred cloth and spare cotton sheets to replenish my supply. As my research continued, I started to realize that the common belief that everyone used charcloth in their fire kits is a common misconception.
     The fact that it is possible to make and char many things such as certain plant fibers is often mentioned by survival and bushcraft YouTubers. However, as soon as it's mentioned it is forgotten. I'm not sure the reason behind this. That may be the reasoning behind my writing this article. I have recently been lucky enough to come across a couple of videos that explain the truth behind the historical use of charcloth and the actual ingredients of an old woodsman's tinder box. The fact that most people did'nt have the time to char cloth or have any to waste on a fire seemed logical to me but left me wondering why this has become forgotten. I want to take this opportunity to say that I'm not bagging on anyone who has posted charcloth videos or written about making it. It does have it's value and I still use it from time to time. Many of those that have posted such videos on YouTube are great teachers and have made me a better human being. I also want to thank Steve "Critter" Davis of Dave Cantebury's fantastic wildernessoutfitters channel and Keith Burgess of the historicaltrekking channel for posting videos pertaining to and showing how to using charred plant fibers. I'm sure there are more, but those spring to mind. Hopefully, many more will post videos like these and let others know that there are easier ways to get char for their kits.
     I hope ya'll realize my true intent behind this article. I bear no one any ill will. I had simply noticed certain comments in some videos that motivated me to bring this topic up. I got the impression that many out there are unaware of the ability to char plant fibers or even that dead coals from a past fire can be used to start a new one. My greatest hope is that those like Critter will make more videos that make those who enjoy the outdoors as mush as I do open to more possibilities.
     That being said, I hope to make this blog into something that I can be proud of and that we all can use as a forum to pass information back and forth between all of us that love the wildernesses as much as we do. Thank you all and don't hesitate to comment or ask questions. Just don't be a dick!
Jerry