Author Topic: Source for tinder boxes  (Read 613 times)

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Offline don heath

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Source for tinder boxes
« on: August 17, 2011, 11:58:23 PM »
As I have posted before, the old fashioned brass tinder boxes with a magnyfying glass in the top and a flint and steel inside are prised items amongst the San (bushmen) in the kalahari desert. We have always stocked these (along with other stuff nomadic hunter gather people want...like light weight aluminium cooking pots and good (yet easy to sharpen) knives).
 
we have just run out and cannot source any more in Africa...anybody know of a good mail order source where I can dial up some?

Offline Victor3

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Re: Source for tinder boxes
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2011, 03:44:30 AM »
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."

Sherlock Holmes

Offline don heath

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Re: Source for tinder boxes
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2011, 04:27:41 AM »
Perfect! Thanks

Offline Hooker

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Re: Source for tinder boxes
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2011, 06:33:48 AM »
I take old Altoids tins burn off the paint then using a small ball peen hammer I hammer out the the embossed lettering.
This rounds out the top of the lid a bit, generally I leave the embossed border. Then I give the box a lite coat of Oxpho Blue then buff it off with 0000 steel wool. They look antique and weathered. They are cheap, they work very well and you get make it yourself, and it doesn't get any cooler than that. ;D

Pat 
" In the beginning of change, the patriot is a brave and scarce man,hated and scorned. when the cause succeeds however,the timid join him...for then it cost nothing to be a patriot. "
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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Source for tinder boxes
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2011, 06:52:17 AM »
I take old Altoids tins burn off the paint then using a small ball peen hammer I hammer out the the embossed lettering.
This rounds out the top of the lid a bit, generally I leave the embossed border. Then I give the box a lite coat of Oxpho Blue then buff it off with 0000 steel wool. They look antique and weathered. They are cheap, they work very well and you get make it yourself, and it doesn't get any cooler than that. ;D

Pat
I just use the small cigar tins.  I keep tinder and other items in them as well as my hunitng license, tags, a roll of  electrical tape, and a small pen. 
I don't go so far as to alter the cheap tins.  Just use the different sizes for different things. of course they do not seal like the ones in the website to keep mositure out or in. 

Offline Pat/Rick

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Re: Source for tinder boxes
« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2011, 08:55:40 AM »
Also try Dixie Gun Works or The Log Cabin Shop, both are good to deal with.
 
The candy or confection tins are very good multi use containers, I find them doing double duty from small parts to containers for minimal fishing gear and other 'kits'. Limited only by imagination and size.