How to make a traditional torch?

Question

How would you go about preparing an old fashioned torch for use in survival situations where an electrical torch has failed?

Answer 1

Stick

• hardwood
• 2 to 3ft long

Wick (I guess that's suitable terminology)

• cotton rags

Fuel

• lamp oil
• or in the context of a survival situation, animal fat.†

Misc

• nails
• or fence staples

Directions

1. Soak the rags in the fuel
2. Wrap the rags around the stick
3. Fasten the rags to the stick with the nails, staples, or something similar.
4. Apply fire from an open campfire or use a blow torch.

Avoid

1. Kerosene, gas, alcohol, etc.. they don't burn long enough when exposed. Plus they're unpredictable.
2. Nylon, polyester, etc.. they fall apart in clumps of melting goo and smells worse than burning hair.
3. Do not use indoors. :P

Update

†Basically when fat is rendered it's very flammable, once it's congealed then it's properties are more akin to wax candles. Tallow fat (from beef) burns steady and slow. See this article

Here is another article on the previously mentioned site that addresses the topic of primitive torches.

Answer 2

I've helped a few friends make torches for medieval events they were hosting. As I was the only one who managed to burn themselves during assembly and testing, I feel somewhat informed, if a bit clumsy.

Your choice of materials will depend on how long you want your torch to burn for, as well as how brightly. Specifically, your wick material and your fuel.

Handle: Ordinarily, you can bet on using a fire-hardened hardwood. Fresh greenwood will crack from rapid heating. Avoid anything too rotted (e.g.: average stick laying on the forest floor), or anything that has the remotest chance that it was painted or chemically treated (Fun Fact: Some chemicals, as well as the fumes they give off, make for quite the brow-remover if/when ignited by the unwary.).

The diameter and length are whatever you deem acceptable, but I would caution against going less than about 2 ft/~61 cm in length and 1.5 in/~38 mm in width (these dimensions are from a dicey memory). If doing this at home, I suggest looking up the dimensions of a juggler's torch and working from there.

Wick: Natural fibers are the way to go here. Many synthetics will melt when exposed to flame and high-heat. We went with a large amount of jute twine, but I have successfully used burlap and hemp rope. Some careful knotwork and a few well-placed nails will keep it securely bound to the handle throughout the majority of the burn.

Fuel: Avoid fuels used in cooking, as they often burn too quickly or too hot. I have used tar, pitch, pine resin, lard, and bear fat. I favor a pine resin/lard mix (mostly because it's readily available and doesn't smell as bad as tar or resin).

Directions:

1. If the fuel is not viscous: Submerge the wick in the for soaking and leave it for a few hours, depending on the thickness of the wick. If the fuel is viscous, don some gloves and coat your wick in the fuel.
2. Fire-harden your handle (see YouTube for how-to guides).
3. Once your wick is done soaking/coated, put on gloves (Unless you like your hands igniting. Each to their own).
4. Wrap and fasten, via knots and/or fasteners/nails/screws/wire, your wick to the fired end of the handle.
5. When ready, hold the torch away from your body and ignite.

On safety and legality: Check your local fire codes. There's a solid chance that a "torch" will be specifically mentioned somewhere. We've had specific permission and supervision by a couple of on-duty firemen during a ceremony where the torches were handled and moved.

Do yourself a favor and keep the torch tilted away from yourself and others at a 45-60 degree angle. This reduces the odd fuel "leak" from dripping down on your hand. I advise thick gloves, usually of animal hide, when handling a lit torch.