Waxed cotton ball as tinder

[jzmtl]

Just want to share something I've been trying, and quite happy with.

Compare to PJ cotton balls, they are not messy, completely waterproof and even floats. You can throw a couple in your pocket directly, pull apart and they are ready to light with one or two strikes from firesteel.

Obviously if you use straight paraffin wax, it will be too hard to manipulate, so add some oil to the mix to make it softer.

Today's outside temperature is a balmy -13°, I've placed the two balls outside for sometime to let them cool down and harden.

One pulled in half ready to light



Catches fire easily from firesteel



The other one ready to go



Going, going



Gone

[PyroJames]

Neat, thanks for the tip. I'll have to try this. 

[Sparky415]

How do you make them waxy? Dip them in hot oil/wax? 

I'm a bit confused again 

[rp252]

Those look good mate.  I've always read about them, though of making my own but never quite got around to it.  Cotton makes great tinder untreated, wax looks like it helps.  I'll give making my own a try.

This pic would make an awesome wallpaper.

(Image removed from quote.)

[Sparky415]

+1 for the wallpaper

I found that PJ / Vaseline cotton balls work very well for me with a ferro rod
but these sound less messy 

[jzmtl]

How do you make them waxy? Dip them in hot oil/wax? 

I'm a bit confused again 

Yep melt paraffin wax and vegetable oil in a small container, dip cotton to fully absorb mixture and let cool.

[Gareth]

That's a good idea.   I've carried a small tin of Vaseline and cotton balls separately and mixed them as needed, saves on the mess.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I usually use Vaseline on my balls too......

[Gareth]

I usually use Vaseline on my balls too......

Ah, but do you then set them on fire?

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I usually use Vaseline on my balls too......

Ah, but do you then set them on fire?

Cheeky Scot Moderator  

[Gareth]

I usually use Vaseline on my balls too......

Ah, but do you then set them on fire?

Cheeky Scot Moderator  

Who, me?

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I usually use Vaseline on my balls too......

Ah, but do you then set them on fire?

Cheeky Scot Moderator  

Who, me?

...and the answer is yes 

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I usually use Vaseline on my balls too......

Ah, but do you then set them on fire?

I think they only do that in the new "gonzo" p0rno-movies... LOL!

[MultiMat]

I usually use Vaseline on my balls too......

Ah, but do you then set them on fire?

Sporky + G string + Lard = spontaneous combustion 

[scrappy]

Just want to share something I've been trying, and quite happy with.

Compare to PJ cotton balls, they are not messy, completely waterproof and even floats. You can throw a couple in your pocket directly, pull apart and they are ready to light with one or two strikes from firesteel.

Obviously if you use straight paraffin wax, it will be too hard to manipulate, so add some oil to the mix to make it softer.

Today's outside temperature is a balmy -13°, I've placed the two balls outside for sometime to let them cool down and harden.

One pulled in half ready to light

(Image removed from quote.)

Catches fire easily from firesteel

(Image removed from quote.)

The other one ready to go

(Image removed from quote.)

Going, going

(Image removed from quote.)

Gone

(Image removed from quote.)

Thanks for this thread. I made a handful of wax cotton balls because of this thread

[stressmaster5000]

I do the same thing for emergency fire tinder but I use the old red wax from cheese discs and melt it with some oil and then place the cotton I have saved from medicine jars in it.