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Question: How to make primitive torches

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stickbender:

     All the above, and you can use Birch Bark oil.  You just take a can, and put a wad of Birch Bark in it, and set it by the fire, or in some coals, and after awhile, you will have a black oil in the bottom of the can.  You can also just use the birch bark.  The oil in it is what makes it so useful in fire starting, and why it burns so long. ;)

                                    Wayne

TacticalFate:
For pine pitch, I've found that if you use it by itself, it'll drip flaming bits all over the place. My preferred method for containing burning pine pitch is a clay bowl or a thick seashell(lined with clay, shell is decomposed by heat), that way it can't drip out unless you tip it over. Split a branch, wedge in the shell/bowl and you've got your torch! be sure to add some plant fluff to act as a wick. 

Buck67:
Depending on how primitive you want to get.  A roll of toilet paper in a large tin can that has been soaked in kerosene will burn for a long time.

JackCrafty:
Primitive torches only burn for short periods...  less than 5 minutes in most cases.  Torches that burn for a longer time are more like lamps:  there is a wick and a liquid that is flammable  (as already mentioned).  Placing and actual lamp on a stick is also a solution.

Torches blow out easy.  They are very smoky and they will catch your hair (or fur coat) on fire if you're not careful.  You will need several tucked into your belt of you want to light your way for any length of time.  I've made many different types (mostly bundles of stuff that looked like upside-down brooms).  They are all a pain in the butt.  It's no wonder that ancient man preferred the light from the moon when moving at night.   ;)

That said, a large fatwood stick makes the best torch in my opinion.

swamp monkey:
If you have river cane in your area, you can bundle the stalks tie them off and use that as a torch.  They burn reasonably well.  Prehistoric Mammoth Cave explores used torches like this to get around inside.  I am not use I would be brave enough to do that.  I would want several spares and the thought of starting a fresh fire in the dark would give me some anxious feelings.   :( :(

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