Conkers!
 

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[Closed] Conkers!

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It is the Scouts’ annual conker tournament next week and I want to know the best way to prepare my gladiators.

Rules state that they can’t be chemically tampered with, but there is nothing about moisture content. Will microwaving them or leaving them on a radiator for 3 days give me an unfair advantage?

Asking for a friend.


 
Posted : 29/10/2021 11:53 am
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We used to leave them in the airing cupboard to dry out. Not sure if it actually worked but it sort of makes sense; dried timber is tougher than wet.


 
Posted : 29/10/2021 11:55 am
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Conkers were like currency when I was at school. I've seen actual fights and conker muggings take place. All the prime spots used to be raided by squads of expert tree climbers. Now they're just lying all over the place in big piles like people aren't bothered anymore.

To be fair though, teenagers have all got Pornhub on their phones which somewhat overshadows the appeal of trying to thread a shoe lace through a horse chestnut.


 
Posted : 29/10/2021 12:07 pm
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My best conker was one I left hung up in the shed for a year.

After one year the centre had dried out / shrivelled up a bit and was rock hard. A couple of rounds of conkers the old skin had been completely beaten off to reveal the rock hard (and invincible) centre. Then a few of my fellow competitors decided it didn't really look like a conker and banned it from further competition.


 
Posted : 29/10/2021 12:17 pm
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Pretty sure we used to soak them in vinegar (presumably that's chemical?) and then bake at a low temperature.


 
Posted : 29/10/2021 12:47 pm
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it sort of makes sense; dried timber is tougher than wet.

But on the other hand wet timber is more flexible. Anyway conkers don't last long in their soft fresh state.


 
Posted : 29/10/2021 12:57 pm
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Bit worried about this Harry, I just finished the Chestnut Man last night 👀🤣


 
Posted : 29/10/2021 1:04 pm
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Now they’re just lying all over the place in big piles like people aren’t bothered anymore.

Am I the only one who finds this really sad.


 
Posted : 29/10/2021 1:25 pm

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