There are very few things I dislike about the UST Sparkforce, Bear Grylls, and Light My Fire fire starters. They just didn’t match up to the competition. That being said, the problems I have with the nanoSTRIKER, Sparkie, and Coghlan’s are definite dealbreakers. UST Sparkforce

Starting the fire is easy, but you need to know the right way to do it. So, we’ll discuss the appropriate way to start the fire. The Survival Spark is a small, multi-tool of a fire starter with some extra handy gadgets to go along with it. Methodology: We tested each lighting implement in three scenarios: Dry and no wind, wetted and allowed to partially dry to simulate dew or rain, and in high wind (from a fan) with tough-to-light damp paper. Spraying down fire starters with water What We Learned: Best Fire Starter Or Camp Match

If emergency situations, rather than weight, are your primary concern, get something that will really perform during panic mode. That 0.8 oz striker sounds nice for now, but won’t be as easy to handle under pressure. Under these circumstances, prescribe to ‘ better safe than sorry‘ and go for the reliability. Magnesium vs. Flint vs. Ferrocerium At the end of a long day of hiking, the last thing you want is to fight with your firestarter to get warm. The easier the firestarter is to use, the better.

Ferro rods/strikers are leaps and bounds more reliable than lighters, as they are less affected by cold or moisture, and don’t run out as fast. They are also a much better choice than matches, which can also fail if damaged by moisture/rain, even if they are waterproof. The sparks created by a ferro rod are extremely hot compared to those of flint & steel, which makes it easier to light a dry tinder bundle. Some of the starters in this guide, such as the Wolf and Grizzly, and the Zippo Fire Starter Kituse a ferro rod as part of their set. The sides have been painted with helpful distress graphics in case of emergency and the rubber handle makes it easy to hold in your hand — an ideal feature for the practicing survivalist. The rod is made offerrocerium and produces a hearty dose of sparks when used correctly. Still, the FireSteel, with its ferrocerium rod and steel striker, is in the mid-quality range.Though I can’t attest to it, the FireSteel claims to last through 12,000 strikes. That’s 4,000 more than the Bear Grylls fire starter, which may be plausible given its longer rod. While magnesium fire starters are waterproof, it’s still a good idea to keep them dry when not in use. This can prevent corrosion and prolong the life of the tool. Store it SafelyWe all know the importance of fire when camping or in a survival situation. It keeps us warm and can cook food, so it’s vital to know many ways to start one. You just learned an easy and popular one to make sure you got it; here is an overview of the entire process. While the basic technique for using a magnesium fire starter is straightforward, there are advanced techniques that can enhance its effectiveness. Here are a few: Using a Windbreak Always follow fire safety rules. Never leave your fire unattended and always fully extinguish it when you’re done. Essential Survival Tools Fire is such a basic, fundamental element to human existence, but can be surprisingly hard to make, particularly if the weather is against you. It’s important to practice using any firestarter that you plan on having in your emergency kit beforehand, as matches and lighters can fail on adventures.

Know your local fire restrictions and think carefully about whether you actually need a fire. Never leave your fire unattended and be prepared to completely saturate your fire until the ground beneath it is wet and cold. Unattended campfires are the cause of some of the largest, most costly natural disasters in the U.S., consuming millions of acres of forest and destroying entire communities. A fire can save your life in cold, wet conditions, but we must be responsible outdoors people.Against wind and damp paper: Titan for the win! This thing burns long enough to dry out the damp paper, leaving you with a hot fire that will continue to burn long after the match is out. Wind didn’t have a chance. The benefit to this setup is that you’ll get a larger flame, which holds up better against the wind than matches. You can refill the permanent match and use it again – which is why most brands advertise they can get 15,000+ lights. Different fire starters use different mechanisms to ignite the fire. Let us discuss some of the popular fire starters. Ferro rod fire starter It comes with several useful survival tools, including a whistle and compass. It sparks nicely, meaning that it works well when you need it to. The lanyard’s length is perfect for striking – a major plus. Soak-and-dry-test After being sprayed down with water and let sit for a half hour to mostly dry, the paper matches failed to light, although the sulfur head did fizzle.