Not sure, exactly where I heard that one, but it’s a universal truth in my experience. This is a little way to be thrifty, kill down time on laundry day, and help ensure smooth operation next time you start a fire. It really does feel like cheating, although it’s just hedging your bets.
Lots of guys I know chew tobacco- I personally chew Copenhagen (yes, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, I would like free product thank you very much!). Most folks know what a snuff tin looks like, but just in case:
Those that know me have seen this… A portion of the shelving in my “man cave”/armorer’s room. I save damn near everything that might be useful someday.
As one can pretty easily observe, these containers are made of plastic, with a tin lid. They’re watertight enough, generally, to retain the moisture in the tobacco until it’s consumed, and certainly enough for our purposes. Any container that is essentially water tight will work as well- I know folks used old film containers as well, when there was such a thing still.
Note: This won’t work on the “old” Copenhagen tins, which are made of cardboard, coated with a wax. These will essentially “melt” when they get wet, and the bottom will fall off. Again, chewers will already know this.I figured that I usually have room, or make room, for a few of these cans in my kit no matter where, or why I’m heading afield. It’s just a comfort item that I am accustomed to, and really enjoy. I also consider tobacco to be a valuable commodity, for what I should think are obvious reasons. Suffice to say, I’m already packing one or two, what’s another? It’s compact, light, and just plain works- plus I don’t have to pay for a special piece of kit. Works for me, anyway.
Everybody has dryer lint, right? I know we do- especially in the winter months when it’s not so easy to line-dry your laundry outdoors. Instead of forgetting to empty your dryer and burning out your dryer, or worse- starting a fire in the wrong spot (your dryer), why not put that fiber to good use as a form of tinder/accelerant for fire starting?
All it takes, essentially, is the lint, some vaseline or petroleum jelly of some sort . I used the medical grade because it was on hand, and free. Petroleum jelly or something similar is most likely in your IFAK, or med kit too, so no worries if you don’t want to prep this ahead of time. I just squeeze a little on bottom, smear it around with the lint, and squeeze a little on top before closing the lid. That simple. I usually date and mark with an “F” for “fire” with a sharpie.
White Petrolatum Jelly, squeezed into the bottom of an empty Copenhagen can, about to have itself smeared about using the lint.
Stuff that lint in, and for good measure, put a little more of the flamable stuff on top.
If you don’t have a Sharpie and lots of Ziplocs, you need them.
I just mark them to maintain inventory, and FIFO (First In, First Out).
I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves, and the reader to try it independently. If you’re still worried, the ever present ziplock bag is always an option on top of the waterproof container.
I think you’ll find this is an easy way to get a fire going, even with a simple magnesium block, or flintsteel, and especially even in wet weather. Use it under your tinder and kindling to really get things going.
Just a little trick for your rucks, BOB’s, or survival kit. Hope it works for you!
FM
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