I make char cloth in an old KIWI boot polish can with a small hole in the top, that I thread a small wood screw into, to seal it after the carbon is done.
The can itself is sooty after it comes out of the fire. I use it to store the bulk of my char stash, and keep my fire starter tin and char bag in my leather Black Powder Possibles bag.
I pluck out char cloth from the KIWI can with the sides of my little leather char bag, and tie it shut with a leather thong to keep it secure.
My fire starter tin has old flintlock flints and a steel to make the spark. I can also use the lock on the rifle to start a fire, as well.

Another excellent substitute for char cloth is punky wood from a tree stump. It will mold together to form little embers that will stay lit all night if you cover them with wet grass or greased leather. Just lay a hand full of grass on the embers and blow to start a roaring fire the next morning.
The embers make a dandy little handwarmer without building a fire, if you've got night watch at the rondy camp.