Charcoal Hand Warmer

“When you need to take your shot, the first thing you need to feel is your finger. Your eyes, breathing, and trigger will follow.” -Mr. Dyer

The first patent on a charcoal hand warmer that I could find which is a close design to what is commonly found was actually patented by a man from Japan who was a subject of Great Britain, Henry E. Amoore. A key difference in his design from what one can easily purchase today is the way the warmer was opened. The artifact I have and demonstrate in my Youtube video opens as a simple hinged box that is insulated with a fire retardant material, Mr. Amoore’s had a slide opening at the top and an open space for the charcoal to be dropped and was covered with a fabric to prevent charcoal dust and ash from escaping. The fire retardant material inside the newer cases is certainly an important improvement but the idea of a small portable device to carry around a slow burning ember was indeed a great starting point and should not be overlooked because of it’s limitations. I must make note that using lit charcoal and carrying it around in a portable container is far from new, it is a very ancient idea and practice.

In writing this article I was unable to recall the outdoor recreation source that put me on the path to obtain one of these warmers for my historical living history purposes. I neglected to make note of it and have come up empty handed in trying to track it down but where there is a will there is a way, I have been able to find many other early 20th century sources that point out the availability of the device and as I find more or even rediscover my original source I will update this article. A book I was able to find, Growing Up Different by Bonjenji, about the author’s life living in Africa in the early 1900’s mentions the use of a “Japanese hand warmer” and using carbon cartridges in 1915. Another source without a picture was an advertisement from 1921 that mentions a “charcoal handwarmer made of tin to be carried in the coat pocket on a cold day” and it was even marketed specifically to motorists. The U.S. History Museum (Smithsonian) even has a collection catalogue published in 1928 that has an original example of the patented Japanese Hand Warmer which can be seen in the gallery at the top of the article. Based on these sources I believe it is safe to say that such conveniences would have been easily available and used by early 20th century sportsmen in the bush while they attempted to hunt their game or pursue their desire to go camping and other recreations in the cooler months.

Why is this important? Spending a long time in the cold even when properly dressed can lead to situations where you are suddenly in need of heat to prevent hypothermia or frostbite setting in. Often when we are enjoying time in the outdoors during the colder months we need to remove our gloves to use our fingers for finer motor skills. Our bodies are designed to pull circulation closer to the heart when we get cold and our digits are the first areas for blood to be pulled from to stay alive. Much like our feet, when our hands get cold it can be difficult or slow to warm them up again, this is especially the case for those who have circulation issues already. Having a method, even if only for emergencies, to warm up your hands or other areas of your body quickly could save your life. Even for comfort, having a warmer that lasts for hours at a time can help you make the decision to stay out longer, which is important if you are a hunter or other outdoor sports person.

My experience using my vintage hand warmer was positive and surprising. It was much simpler that I thought and my fears of it being too hot was quickly eliminated. Having a burning ember in my pocket was a mental hurdle to get over but it was easily done after a few moments. The charcoal warmer heated up much faster than the oxygen activated handwarmers I am accustomed to and as the hours went by the device seemed to get gradually warmer, but at no point was it ever an uncomfortable temperature. The total heat time lasted over nine hours which was pleasing to see, and in the end all that was left was fine ash to dump out. It will certainly follow me to all my winter and cool weather activities in the future. for your own device I suggest the one in the image below and get the extra charcoal sticks. These are the ones I have and am VERY pleased with them. Any charcoal stick will work but quality certainly plays in with the length of time that they will stay lit.