How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the BBC1
programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden sticks with
fire at one end? )

John wrote:
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the BBC1
programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden sticks with
fire at one end? )


Bamboo with split end full of something like cotton waste dipped in
something waxy or tar like. Could melt some candles and do it that way,

"John" wrote in message
...
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the BBC1
programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden sticks with
fire at one end? )

I haven't seen the programme but they're probably similar to those used for
'Viking' processions and the like. The sticks have fabric wrapped round the
end to be lit but the fabric is made flammable by dipping it into molten
wax. To make sure that burning debris doesn't fall off it's also wound with
wire - it could be chicken wire for ease.

Mary

John wrote:
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the BBC1
programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden sticks with
fire at one end? )


As in real torches like that?

Rushes and animal fat (e.g. suet)
Birch bark

http://forum.rivercottage.net/viewtopic.php?t=34046&sid=e8fe1a60004235cfdcc9fcb9 a34d3ed2

As in the program?

I have always assumed some sort of gas device - for long life, ease of
lighting and control, safety, etc. The flames of these things (and
almost every fire on film or television) always look like gas or
petroleum spirit of some sort.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Rod wrote:
John wrote:
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the
BBC1 programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden
sticks with fire at one end? )


As in real torches like that?

Rushes and animal fat (e.g. suet)
Birch bark

http://forum.rivercottage.net/viewtopic.php?t=34046&sid=e8fe1a60004235cfdcc9fcb9 a34d3ed2

As in the program?

I have always assumed some sort of gas device - for long life, ease of
lighting and control, safety, etc. The flames of these things (and
almost every fire on film or television) always look like gas or
petroleum spirit of some sort.

Thanks guys, all very interesting.

On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:39:08 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:


"John" wrote in message
...
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the BBC1
programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden sticks with
fire at one end? )

I haven't seen the programme but they're probably similar to those used for
'Viking' processions and the like. The sticks have fabric wrapped round the
end to be lit but the fabric is made flammable by dipping it into molten
wax. To make sure that burning debris doesn't fall off it's also wound with
wire - it could be chicken wire for ease.

Mary




As in Up Helly A in Shetlands ?

wrote:
On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:39:08 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:


"John" wrote in message
...
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the
BBC1 programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden
sticks with fire at one end? )

I haven't seen the programme but they're probably similar to those
used for 'Viking' processions and the like. The sticks have fabric
wrapped round the end to be lit but the fabric is made flammable by
dipping it into molten wax. To make sure that burning debris doesn't
fall off it's also wound with wire - it could be chicken wire for
ease.

Mary




As in Up Helly A in Shetlands ?

Presumably - have a look here for the "Merlin" version (one or two of the
images of Nimueh show her holding one)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/merlin/#/images/nimueh/

"John" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:39:08 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:


"John" wrote in message
...
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the
BBC1 programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden
sticks with fire at one end? )

I haven't seen the programme but they're probably similar to those
used for 'Viking' processions and the like. The sticks have fabric
wrapped round the end to be lit but the fabric is made flammable by
dipping it into molten wax. To make sure that burning debris doesn't
fall off it's also wound with wire - it could be chicken wire for
ease.

Mary




As in Up Helly A in Shetlands ?

No. York.

"Rod" wrote in message
...
John wrote:
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the BBC1
programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden sticks
with fire at one end? )
As in real torches like that?

Rushes and animal fat (e.g. suet)
Birch bark

http://forum.rivercottage.net/viewtopic.php?t=34046&sid=e8fe1a60004235cfdcc9fcb9 a34d3ed2

The correspondence in that forum showed the ignorance of people who think
that reed mace is a rush.

Rushlights are made from partially stripped common rushes - juncus sp.

Mutton fat is better than any other because it has a higher melting point
than other fats but you wouldn't get a lot of light from a rush light - they
were used for personal lighting but they couldn't be hand-held and burned
quickly so you had to keep moving them up the nip.

I know because I make them for museums and films.

Mary

On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 20:40:50 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:


"John" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:39:08 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:


"John" wrote in message
...
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the
BBC1 programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those wooden
sticks with fire at one end? )

I haven't seen the programme but they're probably similar to those
used for 'Viking' processions and the like. The sticks have fabric
wrapped round the end to be lit but the fabric is made flammable by
dipping it into molten wax. To make sure that burning debris doesn't
fall off it's also wound with wire - it could be chicken wire for
ease.

Mary




As in Up Helly A in Shetlands ?

No. York.


'Fraid you'll have to explain that joke to me

wrote:
On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 20:40:50 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:


"John" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:39:08 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote:


"John" wrote in message
...
How do you make those "torches" that can currently be seen in the
BBC1 programme "Merlin" on Saturday nights - you know, those
wooden sticks with fire at one end? )

I haven't seen the programme but they're probably similar to those
used for 'Viking' processions and the like. The sticks have fabric
wrapped round the end to be lit but the fabric is made flammable
by dipping it into molten wax. To make sure that burning debris
doesn't fall off it's also wound with wire - it could be chicken
wire for ease.

Mary




As in Up Helly A in Shetlands ?

No. York.


'Fraid you'll have to explain that joke to me

Da da da de da, da da da de da - No York no York....


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk