Question: How to make primitive torches

[Ishi1234]

For a while now I have been pondering how to make a torch. Most internet sources require some noctious chemical to be used. But does anyone know of a more primitive style torch? (Probably animal fat or pine pitch as examples.)

[turtle]

I saw a youtube video where a guy soaked cattail in melted fat. Other than that i have seen them made from twig bundles and bark bundles. The bundle torches drop a lot of embers onto the ground.

[Ishi1234]

Does that mean that some cloth can be soaked in fat and be used a a torch?

[JoJoDapyro]

How about pine pitch?

[YosemiteBen]

Hey Paul -
This is Ben from Buckeye.

There are lots of ways to make torches. Denim, cotton, or linen with pine resin and maybe a little bees wax. search the PA site for pitch glue - same mix should work for torches. soak the layers in the mixture and wrap securely around your handle. Pine knots from old logs when the pitch gets into them, "Fat wood" burns long too. I am sure there are other means , but that is what came to my head at the moment.

Good luck.

[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.