fire starter for my EDC bag

[rg02]

I am looking for a dependable and affordable alternative method to start a fire besides waterproof matches and a lighter. There are so many fire starters available I dont even know where to begin. Does anyone have one they recommend that they know is dependable to start a fire with? thanks for the help!

[sir_mike]

I would look at the NanoStryker ones, they are very nice and avalable in different colors.

[rg02]

awesome. nice looking and functional it sounds. thanks for the recommendations :D

[NYRich]

I'm using the fire starter that came with my ESEE Izula kit. Not the fanciest thing around, but it seems to work just fine. It on the smallish side, but serves its purpose.

[rodloos]

While I have a couple of the ESEE firekits (which come with a compass and a storage area suitable for keeping tinder etc) they are a little on the pricey side.

I have been *very* happy with the misch metal firesteel rods from goinggear.com. They have a range of different sizes/prices, but a basic 3- or 4-inch 3/8 diameter rod wasn't much money, and works very well for me, and they have strikers for around $1.50 or so if I recall. I have intentions to put a handle on mine but for now have just been holding the firesteel itself. The misch metal puts out hot enough sparks that I can light very thin shavings of pine or cedar directly most of the time, but it helps to have cotton balls or dryer lint or other tinder to catch the sparks if it is real humid or even raining.

For extra fun I also bought the 6" and 12" versions with 1/2" diameter, pricey and impractical for survival, but loads of fun! :D

[phillipsted]

I'd also recommend the same thing except I personally like the xl version.

http://www.uniquetitanium.com/Exotac-na ... p_423.html

+1. I really like the Exotak nanostriker XL. Compact and you can carry it on your keyring or attached to your pack.

TedP

[SMI]

Nanostriker is just ok, kinda weak in my opinion. Go get yourself some firesteels from firesteel.com (not affiliated). I've tried a lot of different brands and these work the best (for me). I've used them in all four seasons here in the mitten camping and they are great.

[w3tnz]

Sorry but nano strikers suck, they are overpriced tacti-cool junk, the rods snap off the holders way too easy with normal use. I have a "light my fire" Swedish fire steel, the army models are good for 12,000 strikes @ 5,400°F. The 2.0 models come with a whistle on the strikers too.

http://www.lightmyfire.com/products/spa ... el-20.aspx

[rg02]

Sorry but nano strikers suck, they are overpriced tacti-cool junk, the rods snap off the holders way too easy with normal use. I have a "light my fire" Swedish fire steel, the army models are good for 12,000 strikes @ 5,400°F. The 2.0 models come with a whistle on the strikers too.

http://www.lightmyfire.com/products/spa ... el-20.aspx

This is the feedback I like to hear. I don't care about tacticool, I want quality and functiOnality :D

This has been moved to the top of my list :D

[Enkidude]

I would go with a Swedish Fire Steel or a Strike Force Fire Starter. The Strike Force is a little big for EDC maybe, depends on how you EDC. However, Ultimate Survival Technologies makes some other smaller starters that are nice too.

[OBJ Viking]

Having available tinder as mentioned is important. Carrying some cotton balls soaked in alcohol or lighter fluid in a small pill bottle can help out when conditions are wet.

[SMI]

This is the feedback I like to hear. I don't care about tacticool, I want quality and functiOnality :D

This has been moved to the top of my list :D

Honestly, I think most people who get the nano strikers don't even use them. They just pop them on their keychain. Pick yourself up a Swedish Fire Steel and then compare it to the ones at firesteel.com. Ha, I'm telling you they are great. I used to use the Swedish before I got the others.

[phillipsted]

Sorry but nano strikers suck, they are overpriced tacti-cool junk, the rods snap off the holders way too easy with normal use. I have a "light my fire" Swedish fire steel, the army models are good for 12,000 strikes @ 5,400°F. The 2.0 models come with a whistle on the strikers too.

This hasn't been my experience at all... as a last-resort backup, they are quite reliable and easy to stow - definitely not "junk". And the hi-vis orange one does not qualify it as "tacticool".

I also have a FireSteel GobSpark Armageddon. It comes out when we are at base camp. It does create showers of sparks, which amuse the kids and start fires quickly. Good quality stuff - I'd also recommend it.

TedP

[Zencowboy]

Darn, reading this post, I have an order with Firesteel.com for the Gobspark / Ranger / Whistle / Magnesium rod / some paracord. Cheaper prices on there site and shipping is only $5. So $45.00 for all that survival stuff to upgrade mine.

[tonydahose]

i have some fire starters but right next to it is a lighter in my bug out bag. i think fire starters are cool but for 3 or 4 bucks you can get a pack of lighters and they are pretty **** dependable as long as you dont whip it on the ground. it is cool to get sparks flying and get tinder smoldering and than blowing the fire into life so to speak but after doing that once or twice i doubt i would do it again unless i was trying to teach someone. am i in minority with this. no offense to the OP, the thread just got me thinking about it.

[w3tnz]

Lighters work fine under normal circumstances, but generally wont work when wet, or in any kind of wind, and require fuel of some sort. By no means a silly idea to keep a couple of disposables on hand as well but I wouldn't substitute a firesteel for a cheap lighter, I dont use my fire steel to light my smokes, nor anything else where I could simply use a lighter, but I know that if I had to, it would work no matter what.

[MachSchnell]

FireSteel.com The Gobspark with striker works pretty well!

[rg02]

i have some fire starters but right next to it is a lighter in my bug out bag. i think fire starters are cool but for 3 or 4 bucks you can get a pack of lighters and they are pretty **** dependable as long as you dont whip it on the ground. it is cool to get sparks flying and get tinder smoldering and than blowing the fire into life so to speak but after doing that once or twice i doubt i would do it again unless i was trying to teach someone. am i in minority with this. no offense to the OP, the thread just got me thinking about it.

I am not wanting a firestarter in place of matches and a lighter. Just want a third option after lighter and matches :D