[TheForge] Horse hoof fungus

[wmullett at bright.net]

Wikipedia said the iceman was carrying amadou.

What it also said was:
"The amadou layer can be found on top of the fungus just below the outer skin and above the pores. It is used as tinder (especially after being pounded flat, and boiled or soaked in a solution of nitre) and also used when smouldering as a portable firelighter." 

(Well, it would be a great fire starter if nitre was added (Potassium nitrate - saltpeter).

"It is also used in fly fishing for drying out artificial flies. It is sometimes also used to form a felt-like fabric used in the making of hats and other items."

They show a hat made from it.  

Really interesting how many natural materials used to be used - but no longer.

---- Original message ----
>Date: Tue, 22 May 2012 20:25:01 -0400
>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net (on behalf of "Bruce ." <freemab222 at gmail.com>)
>Subject: Re: [TheForge] Horse hoof fungus  
>To: Bob Ehrenberger <eforge at centurytel.net>,Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>
>Rule of thumb - ANY dry bracket fungus makes a good candidate for
>kindling and similar uses.  I can't get more specific than that on my
>own experience, but I've heard that the fungus on birch is a good one.
> Ötzi the Iceman was carrying one, so it's been known for 5000 years
>or so...
>
>On Tue, May 22, 2012 at 7:03 PM, Bob Ehrenberger <eforge at centurytel.net> wrote:
>> The guy I talked to said it grows in the Northern USA, he got his in the
>> Springfield, MO. area which is about 200 miles South of me.  I'll keep it in
>> mind the next time I'm in my woods, I don't have time right now.
>>
>> Robert Ehrenberger
>> Shelbyville, Mo.
>> eforge at centurytel.net
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Saint Phlip" <phlip at 99main.com>
>> To: "Bob Ehrenberger" <eforge at centurytel.net>; "Blacksmithing List Sponsored
>> by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 5:33 PM
>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Horse hoof fungus
>>
>>
>> Apparently it grows in Northern Britain, so you'd need to have your
>> emergency there ;-)
>>
>> However, it does point up the sense of being familiar with your area.
>> There's lots of things in any area that can be used in case of
>> emergency. You just need to be aware of them.
>>
>> On Tue, May 22, 2012 at 10:00 AM, Bob Ehrenberger <eforge at centurytel.net>
>> wrote:
>>> I went to a festival last weekend and there was a guy there selling horse
>>> hoof fungus. He said that it was better for starting fires than char
>>> cloth,
>>> and you don't have to have a fire to make it.
>>>
>>> Have any of you used hoof fungus with flint and steel to start fires? How
>>> well does it work?
>>>
>>> It would be nice to know there is something that could be foraged for in
>>> an
>>> emergency.
>>>
>>> Robert Ehrenberger
>>> Shelbyville, Mo.
>>> eforge at centurytel.net
>>
>>
>> --
>> Saint Phlip
>>
>> So, you think your data is safe?
>> http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/01/23/schneier.google.hacking/index.html?hpt=T2
>>
>> Heat it up
>> Hit it hard
>> Repent as necessary.
>>
>> Priorities:
>>
>> It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools which make the smith.
>>
>> .I never wanted to see anybody die, but there are a few obituary
>> notices I have read with pleasure. -Clarence Darrow
>>
>>
>>
>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
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>>
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>
>
>-- 
>Bruce
>NJ
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