Around here the Tinder fungus from Birch trees is unavailable, even though I have enough to last many years, I want to explore a few other tinders.

The maker advises that the Mullein pith works and of course char cloth...both I have yet to try.

In many ways this firepiston is just a fun device and I cannot see it becoming a first line firemaking tool for me. However, it certainly is working reliabily and I may change my opinion after more experience. Over the last few years I have wanted to master traditional flint and steel and the bow or hand drill. I have the flint and steel down and now this device opens up incentive for the hand drill.

Fire making tools are just good fun, and the additional style added to the process with sparks or friction or compression just adds to the enjoyment. The other advantage of these methods is a natural inclination to watch the environment for things like natural tinder fluff, fat wood, cedar bark etc. This both makes a walk more enjoyable and more interactive even if I am not planning on making a fire. I have incentive now to identify mullein a plant that I must have encountered and ignored.