I make "survival" candles out of my used Percussion cap tins. Here's how:
I melt some parafin wax over the stove, then take a piece of old T-shirt, twist it into a cord, and dip the fabric into the molten wax. The Wax cools very quickly and will hold the twisted form to form a wick.
Then,I pour wax into the bottom of the tin, stick the "wick" into the wax, and hold the top end above the molten wax with a set of needle nose pliers, leaning against the tin, while the wax in the tin cools. The pliers act like a Heat Sink, causing the tin and wax to cool faster. The wax will shrink back a bit, but I don't fill it to the top. Its not necessary. The bit of wax in the candle will give you a candle that will burn for many hours.
What I want is a bit of wax, and that wick, folded over into the tin, then a couple of wooden matches broken off so they will fit in the tin. I put the lid on the tin, then use tape- electricians, masking, duct tape, etc. all work. to seal the "candle" from moisture. WaLAH! I have my "Candle in a Can!"
The candle in a can goes into my day pack, or into a pocket when hunting without the day pack. They easily fit in the watch pocket that used to be a standard accessory to all blue jeans.
If I need a fire, its easy to get the wick lit with the stick matches, and you can build your fire by making a Tipi over the can and candle flame, out of any wood- even wet wood--- as long as you don't get stupid and douse the flame. Start with small diameter twigs, and slowly build up in thickness until you have a core fire burning that will easily start larger logs.
Let the flame and the wax provide the Hot flame to get the wood burning, and leave it in the fire.
When the weather clears, or the daylight appears, so you can find your way back to safety, pick the tin out of the ashes, and take it with you. It makes a great conversation piece, BTW. :hatsoff: :hatsoff: