USING "Dryer Lint" as a "Starter" { Flint & Steel }

[Puffer]

Is  "Dryer Lint" (as is ) as a "Starter" { Flint & Steel } good ??

[Bigsmoke]

Well, yes, kinda.
You don't want synthetic fabrics in the dryer.  Wool isn't all that great either, IIRC.
Do a load or two of pure cotton, and I think you will have something going.
Been too long since I have experimented with any of that to say for sure.

John (Bigsmoke)

[Spotted Bull]

pure cotton lint will work REALLY well!

[BEAVERMAN]

pure cotton lint will work REALLY well!

 

[Winter Hawk]

I guess it depends on what you were doing!  If you were trying to be as authentic to the original time period you wouldn't use it.  If you just want to use flint & steel to be like those people from back when, you could certainly use it.  It becomes that "PC" thing and how close to authentic you want to be.

Me?  I carry a zipper bag of dryer lint in my LL Bean day pack, along with matches, flint & steel and a fire piston.  Hmm, might need to throw in a butane lighter also.... 

~Kees~

[Spotted Bull]

Butane lighters are a form of flint and steel!!

[SharpStick]

Why bother picking lint from the dryer? Just collect the cotton they pack in all those pill bottles I know all of us old geezers get on a regular basis.
Add a little vaseline and they work wonderfully. I suppose to be historically correct vaseline is out. But I'd bet there were plenty of similar substances that were available.

Here in AZ pitch from the prevalent pitch pine trees was used.  Take a piece of wood from a pitchy knot, soak in it in water for a week or two and it will still light at the smallest touch of flame.  For years I've kept a few pieces of pitch pine in my emergency kit along with my flint & steel, fire piston, bow drill rock and string, and, of course, my bag of cotton lint.

Speaking of butane lighters, I wonder what kind of fancy flint & steel gadgets were in use back in the day.  Surely, someone decided it was easier to use something like a flintlock to start their fires.

[BEAVERMAN]

Here ya go! Sharpstick!
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[Puffer]

 

Here ya go! Sharpstick!
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[Puffer]

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/english-tiny-flint-lock-fire-starter-1919261375

[Spotted Bull]

In my survival kit I always keep two small bags of Fritos. They make really great fuel, because of the oil in them.

[Bigsmoke]

Speaking of butane lighters, I wonder what kind of fancy flint & steel gadgets were in use back in the day.  Surely, someone decided it was easier to use something like a flintlock to start their fires.

I had forgotten all about those fancy little flint lighters.  Cute.  When we used to re-enact Spokane House in eastern Washington, we put on several demonstrations of fire starting.  One of the methods we used was plugging the vent of a rifle or pistol and putting a piece of char cloth and using the lock to shower down some sparks onto the cloth.  Worked great every time.

John (Bigsmoke)

[SharpStick]

Here ya go! Sharpstick!
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Is that dryer lint I see in there?   

[Spotted Bull]

Once took a primitive survival class, during the winter. We were allowed to bring one weapon, but it couldn't be a long arm. I was the only one, for some reason, that brought a flintlock pistol. The last day was cold and wet, and part of the scenario that day was the loss of flint and steel. Needless to say, I was the only one with a fire that day. Took the lock out of the pistol and used it to get my spark.

The instructor called me a smarta&☆ and said he should have known I'd do that.

[Oldetexian]

 
Great thread...Not period correct, bu tin my edc pouch I already have dryer lint saturated with vasolene. I also use it to start my fires in my fireplace. works great with bot F&S and ferro rods.

Never heard of the Frito angle...but since I am currently half way through a bag...guess what I am going to be playing with this evening...