Fomes Fomentarius

[Scotty]

Does anybody know how to prepare the Amadou of Fomes Fomentarius for use as traditional flint and steel tinder? I've used charcloth up until now but would like to try out other alternatives.

[TheViking]

I presume you mean tinder fungus? I found a big one half a year ago when taking a walk in the woods and let it dry for some months, then it was ready to ctach a light. But i found it hard to do with sparks.

[Scotty]

Fomes Fomentarius is the scientific name for Horse hoof fungus, and I think that true tinder fungus is a seperate species that can be used for firelighting in the same way.

[Chip]

Try this.....
This polypore was widely used by Neolithic Europeans and Native Americans as a means of starting a fire. The basic method was to take a scrap of tinder fungus and hold it on a flint, which, when struck, would readily ignite the fungus.
The traditional method to prepare Formes Formentarius as tinder is to fill a pot with the fungus and to add enough strong urine to cover it. This concoction is then boiled gently for several days (adding urine as needed) at which time the tinder is drained and dried. The tinder then becomes extremely reactive to the low temperatures created from a spark from natural flint and steel. Saltpeter (potassium nitrate) can be used as a substitute for urine.

The 5000 year old Neolithic "Iceman" named Oetzi (for the region of Italy where he lived) who was discovered in the Alps in 1991 had a pouch containing Amadou along with several small sharpened flint stones.

Chip.

[Scotty]

Boiling it in urine for several days ey, lol. Thank's for your help.

[spiritofold]

Another tutorial i had in the planning that went to pot...

I harvested half a carrier bag full of amadou last week. Last night i sliced it up and today half of it got boiled with some potassium nitrate
(off ebay)

Its sat in a messtin at the moment drying off. Much darker than the natural stuff.

Andy

[Bernie Garland]

Another tutorial i had in the planning that went to pot...

I harvested half a carrier bag full of amadou last week. Last night i sliced it up and today half of it got boiled with some potassium nitrate
(off ebay)

Its sat in a messtin at the moment drying off. Much darker than the natural stuff.

Andy

You'll have to do us a tutoriol Andy :) With some pics :biggrin:

Bernie

[spiritofold]

You'll have to do us a tutoriol Andy :) With some pics :biggrin:

Bernie

Yeah, amongst looking after the five kids and running a business.
Then theres the allotment and moving to a new house in a week :o

At the moment i feel a little bit put out with doing tutorials. Spent ages doing pix and i get :censored: on from a great height. My goodwill got kicked in the teeth...

When im settled/calmed down i will be collating what i have for putting online :)

I reckon you could do a great knife sharpening tutorial Bernie! :biggrin:

Andy >>>>>---------------------<>

[Aaron]

Where did you harvest the fomes fungus from Andy? I thought that it only grew in Scotland and the north of England.

[spiritofold]

Theres loads of old beech and oak trees in the woodland near me.
Plenty of the fungus growing. I've seen loads in Savernake forest as well (wilts)

[Aaron]

Would you fancy collecting a bit for me next time you're out? I have a few bits and bobs I could trade trade you in return - we dont get it round here and I have always fancied making some up for my fire demo stuff.

[spiritofold]

No problem mate :) Pm me your address and i'll send you some of both types. I have more than i need. I saw some on ebay recently, 3 strips for 12 quid!!!! Bloody ripoff!!!

That dont mean im looking for 12 quids worth of trade btw!

Let me have your addy and it'll be in the post asap...

Andy >>>>>---------------------<>