Saw this on Ebay:

Slow-Match-Tinder-Starter

Kind if neat. Not sure using nylon rope is good idea, unless it was just to show how it worked.

Pete

Bottom line, they work and work well...



You need to use cotton rope - not nylon. Roughing up the tinder a little better than I did in the pic is a good idea, too...

M

That was me the winner <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> - did I pay way too much?? <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

This is one ofonly few low tech gadgets that I own, and very handy.

I tried it out for the first time only two days ago and it beats the old flint and charcoal cloth. There is a whole thread about making your own slow match (however still using real flint and steel to spark the end of this sow match) on the BritishBlades Forums. I love this piece of equipment and goes into my pouch made for me by Karin Shook, Partner of the famous knife maker Daniel Winkler(best known for making Tomahawks for the movie Last of the Mohicans). Now a brain tanned deer hide jacket and racoon cap.

Congratulations on a fine purchase. I am glad that another forum member out bid me; at least we were able to obtain a report on how well it works.

Are you using the cordage that appeared in the EBAY photo? It appeared to be nylon, something I would not have believed to have worked for the intended function.

I have been playing (when I get some free time) of constructing one. I would think it would be fairly easy using some brass (or other metal) tubing and the spark wheel from an old lighter.

Pete

It's what we call "un briquet à amadou".
Want one ? Mine must be somewhere around here... in my unused gear box or not far away ....

Frenchy,
I am looking for another for a friend if you get a chance.
Thanks
Oliver

i have one of those things. Nice as a gadget, but not really much use. Have yet o find a source for the wicks locally.

replacing the flint was a serious pain. It launched to the otherside of the room and ended up underneed my bed, behind all the junk i store underneed my bed.

Aren't those soaked in urine to make them burn slower?

I checked the auvieuxcamper.fr web site : they no longer seem to sell this product.
Sorry !

Actually the rope is soaked in potassium-nitrate (salt peter) in which urine is used in the process of making the salt peter. The salt peter doesn't make it burn slower, but hotter and more tenaciously. It can be made using 100% cotton clothesline rope that has been washed first. Washing removes the sizing (starch) and allows better absorbtion of the nitre solution.

The slow match catches fire best when the end is already charred. Once glowing, it's hard to put out.

I used to see similar slow match lighters sold as "WWI Trench Lighters"

Cheers,

Tom