Author: Martyn Halman

Orders of the day, Volume 34, Issue 3, 2002

One of the best opportunities to demonstrate this 17 Century method of making fire is during Living History events. The potential for an unusual demonstration to the public, more used to instant ignition, is endless: the soldier lighting his match, the goodwife tending the lanterns, or the regimental cook struggling to light the campfire. All these situations offer the public an insight into the period’s most basic requirements: defence, light and warmth. In certain circumstances I as a corporal will light the regimental match when in view of the public, prior to advancing to contact.

To ensure instant success in creating healthy sparks, you need a flint with lots of sharp edges and a piece of tinder (specially prepared cloth – see below for method of preparation). Hold the tinder on the top of the flint with your thumb (see illustration 1), then sharply bring the steel down against the edge of the flint. You will know if you have done this correctly as a shower of sparks will spray all over the tinder. Make sure you have the lid on the tinder box, otherwise the rest of your material will be lost.

Without much more effort a small red glow will appear on your tinder. If the demonstration is taking place outside, the breeze will keep it burning without much effort. Small amounts of gentle blowing should encourage the tinder to remain alight if you are indoors.

Keep the burning material on top of the flint and apply your match to the glow. It will soon catch and your initial demonstration will be complete.

To light a candle, you can make a sulphur stick to roll in the burning tinder. These are made by melting a small amount of flowers of sulphur in a teaspoon over a gentle flame. (During the production process, wear eye protectors and a mask). The sulphur will turn molten in the heat. Remove from the flame and roll some rough cut pieces of match-sized wood in the liquefied chemical. This will stick to the matchwood and solidify.

The sulphur readily ignites on the tinder and will burn with a pungent blue flame. Guard this from too strong breezes and light the candle. Try not to drop molten sulphur onto your skin – it hurts! While demonstrating this technique, be absolutely sure you are nowhere near any black powder storage or other inflammables!

Making tinder is easy. Place a quantity of pure untreated linen into an old biscuit tin. Replace the lid after making a small hole in the centre. Place the tin on top of your camping stove, preferably outside - it does give off quite a bit of smoke. Leave to cook for about ten minutes. Leave to cool with the lid on.

If the contents have gone black and the threads are easily pulled apart the tinder is ready for use. If there is still some residual strength in the material, place it back on the flame for a further five minutes.