The Spill Plane.

I have read that the purpose of the spill plane was primarily to produce kindling in a home where sticks and twigs were not available for making fire. I have no doubt that wood produced by this plane could be used for such a purpose, but it seems to me that it was infact designed to produce "spills". A spill was used to transfere flame from a fire to a candle, lamp or pipe for smoking. A spill was also used for making spunks by dipping one end of the spill in moulten sulphur. This spunk would then take fire from smouldering tinder in a tinderbox and could be used to light a fire, a candle or a lamp.

 Spills made into spunks which I made by hand.

Two spill planes. Note the hole in the side of the plane just below the cutting blade in the top. This is where the made spills come out.

You and your readers can save by going to Lulu.com

You and your readers can save by going to Lulu.com, between now and Friday, July 13th. Use this opportunity to promote your book or buy more copies for yourself.  The cost of this promotion is on us, but only for a limited time, so hurry for your chance to save big! Just go to Lulu.com to see your savings. Visit Lulu.com to find your store-specific coupon code.
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If anyone is interested, the original price on this book was only $11.00 hard copy, & $7.00 for an e-copy. It is less than that at present with this promotion.
Regards, Keith. 

The Way I Lay My Fire. A Video.

My wife is away in Narrabri for a few days, so with no special times to keep I was able to get out in the forest again. Yes I know, I live in the forest, but you know what I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8BicvgUMuI

This camp was in Henry's Wood, a part of Wychwood Forest but more open woodland here than higher up.

Flint, Steel, and Tinderbox Fire Lighting. My First you tube Skills Video.

Many times over the past few years I have been asked to produce some skills videos. Well now I actually have a video camera, so here is my first skills video.
Not only is the tinderbox used for making fire, but it is also used for preparing charred tinder. The tinder is simply charred directly in the fire; I stuck a piece of punk wood on the end of a two tine fork and held it in the fire until the surface was charred. I used this same piece of charred punk wood in the following fire lighting demonstration. After the tinder is charred, simply place it in the tinderbox and close the lid. This will smother the smouldering embers.