Other than windproof/waterproof matches, what is the most reliable fire starter you can carry in your kit? Not "blow torch", "flame thrower" etc, but really something that is carried by experienced outdoorsmen.
Most Reliable Firestarter
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Depends what yu mean by reliable I guess!
Easiest to use with dodgy tinder? Probably a ferrocium rod.
Easiest to use almost forever? Flint & Steel
A decent storm lighter (butane type) is always worth carrying too.
Red
Easiest to use with dodgy tinder? Probably a ferrocium rod.
Easiest to use almost forever? Flint & Steel
A decent storm lighter (butane type) is always worth carrying too.
Red
A ferro rod mounted in a magnesium bar. If you go in the water on a canoe trip, you can still rely on this to work. The ferro rod will corrode, though, over time but if you put a coat of beeswax on it, you won't have a problem. But save it as your backup ferro rod so you don't remove the wax. A ferro rod and vaseline-impregnated cotton balls work better if the cotton balls are in a solid waterproof container although they are fairly waterproof as is. You can get a fire going very quickly with these and a cotton ball will burn long enough to get damp twigs or woodshavings burning. This could be critical in some circumstances.
ferrocium rod for me too. it's the only thing I carry apart from my Zippo (which is to light cigarettes rather than fires).
Aye, the ferro rod for me too, although I carry extra matches. Wanna get good at the friction techniques too, but at the moment I wouldn't rely on it.
Personally I use a traditional steel, piece of flint, char tube and some hemp string.
One or two strikes onto the charred end of the wick and I get a good ember. Then that is placed into a nest made out of the hemp string. Flames in no time and all fits into a small pouch.
Dead easy for the kids to use as well.
George
One or two strikes onto the charred end of the wick and I get a good ember. Then that is placed into a nest made out of the hemp string. Flames in no time and all fits into a small pouch.
Dead easy for the kids to use as well.
George
From a survival point of view its a ferro rod (it works if im canoeing or walking wet or dry)
For enjoyment it has to be trad flint and steel and cramp ball or char cloth if im in a hurry (only just made a char tube and havnt tried it in anger yet)
Bow drill must be the most rewarding though (for me)
For enjoyment it has to be trad flint and steel and cramp ball or char cloth if im in a hurry (only just made a char tube and havnt tried it in anger yet)
Bow drill must be the most rewarding though (for me)
A ferrocerrium rod plus WetFire tinder: http://www.basegear.com/wetfiretinder.html
This WetFire is incredible - texture like Ivory Soap, crumbles as you scrape it with a blade, you can drop it in water, but it stays flammable - I would use this in a survival/emergency situation. I use birchbark and other tinder - but were it to rain I would use this stuff.
Cheers,
Mungo
This WetFire is incredible - texture like Ivory Soap, crumbles as you scrape it with a blade, you can drop it in water, but it stays flammable - I would use this in a survival/emergency situation. I use birchbark and other tinder - but were it to rain I would use this stuff.
Cheers,
Mungo
E
eros69
Guest
you cant go wrong with a jet flame lighter. I carry a Brunton helios (But also always carry a fire steel just in case)
I also agree with Mungo. I tend to have some wet flame tinder on me as it will light ANY where. Even though it's rarely used, it's comforting to know it's there.
I also agree with Mungo. I tend to have some wet flame tinder on me as it will light ANY where. Even though it's rarely used, it's comforting to know it's there.
For me it is a jet flame lighter for easy fire lighting, fire steel to use when I find good tinder. I also carry matched in the pack, I haven't used them for ages but am reluctant to take them out.
I usually have (in my full kit)
2 x Army firesteels
2 x butane jet type lighters
1 x film tub of strike anywhere matches sealed with electrical tape
Ditch kit has an Ultimate Survival small Peli case which has some wet fire tinder and a fire flash steel.
Might be overkill but I know somewhere in my kit I will have the means of making fire.
Stewey the pyromaniac!
I usually have (in my full kit)
2 x Army firesteels
2 x butane jet type lighters
1 x film tub of strike anywhere matches sealed with electrical tape
Ditch kit has an Ultimate Survival small Peli case which has some wet fire tinder and a fire flash steel.
Might be overkill but I know somewhere in my kit I will have the means of making fire.
Stewey the pyromaniac!
A
appletree_man
Guest
Just bought my first proper ferro rod (used a little BCB Ranger before that). I need a lot of practice with it.
I also have a small survival kit with a Spark-Lite, and their excelent tinder. Haven't used it on natural tinder yet, but with the supplied tinder it always works first time.
I also have a small survival kit with a Spark-Lite, and their excelent tinder. Haven't used it on natural tinder yet, but with the supplied tinder it always works first time.
New fire steel type and a lighter, recently tried strips of innertube for the first time and it was very relible cheap and pretty indestructable. I know its not full of the best stuff but you dont need much to get wet kindling going
for me i carry a swedish fire steel or mag. bar and a trioxane heat tablet.....works all the time even with damp wood...no other gimicks needed.. ..vince g. 11b inf...
..vince g. 11b inf...
Firesteel every time. Get your techniques sorted and they are as easy to use as a lighter, more reliable and last far, far longer. A little practice required, but well worth the effort. You dont even need tinder in the traditional sense...
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=9199114816719434291
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=9199114816719434291
A
appletree_man
Guest
I'm been trying this video technique out tonight, it works brilliantly with any paper.
Newspaper, toilet paper, post-it notes, it all worked within a handful of strikes. Top tip.
Ferro rod and cotton wool/vasaline.
35mm film containers are ideal for storing this tinder.
It's my firelighting method of choice. It works really well.
I can use other methods, but when I reallyneed a cup of tea, that's the method I use to get the fire lit.
35mm film containers are ideal for storing this tinder.
It's my firelighting method of choice. It works really well.
I can use other methods, but when I reallyneed a cup of tea, that's the method I use to get the fire lit.
A
appletree_man
Guest
I made the mistake of trying to saw a little bit off the bottom of a Spark-Lite, then found out the bloody tension spring goes almost all the way to the bottom.
One ruined Spark-Lite :-(
One ruined Spark-Lite :-(
