I decided to "mess around" with making my own Slow-match because I have Terminal Boredom and here is what went on.
I found some very pure potassium nitrate and then started looking for rope. (Not easy: MOST makers now put a synthetic core, which drips burning dross {Really upsetting barefoot pirates & firemen!} and stinks like ---!) So my first slow match is made from 3/8" twisted hemp rope (Probably much more accurate historically)
I soaked it for ten minutes and piled it on my smoker grill to dry , It was too stiff to lay out neatly.
After it was dry I put it in the dryer to soften it some (On air only)
It burns slow,About 8 minutes an inch. forms a nice cone shaped ember. Does not unlay, Does NOT smell like pot as I remember. (Darn, I'm burnin' hemp again!)
It was really quite easy!
Now I gotta build either a match-case (Like a grenadier) or a linstock (or both)
I now have a source for pure 100% woven solid core cotton rope, but this works so well---
Dave
Wear RED on Fridays to show support for our troops! EVEN if you don't support the war!