My new backup fire starter.

http://gizmodo.com/5835455/exotac-nanostriker-lightning-review-fire-on-demand

There is a nice video at the bottom of the linked page.

Discuss.

Hi Juston,

I get the GearJunkie Newsletter and a week or so ago it had an article on the Exotac- nanostriker. I saw your video and ordered an Orange one. I got it quick and have had a great time playing with it. I replaced the heavy cord with a lighter orange color cord and dropped a few grams.

It is now a part of my gear list.

How is the striker itself? Seems small. Effective at its job? How would you compare it's throw to other brands? Thanks.

The Exotac has gotten good reviews but I can't stand the tiny striker on mine. I find it difficult to get good sparks from it.

Neat design though.

Here is a video review about half way down the page...

http://www.geartalkwithjasonklass.com/search/label/Fire%20Starting

Edited by bradjburr on 08/31/2011 09:46:53 MDT.

I got one for Father's day this year and now it sits on my keychain. It's just fun to play with. I didn't own a firesteel before this one so I don't have anything to compare it to but preparation of the tinder bundle is the key to success, or just carry some pjcb's (petroleum jelly cotton balls). Fine stuff like shredded tree bark isn't that hard to get burning.

It takes a bit of practice, and the tiny striker can be a bit of an issue. On one of my first tries, I pushed really hard and the striker cut in the to rod well, so the next weakest link was my thumb-nail. Now I keep them short, but this didn't prevent the striker from bending it backwards deep into the fleshy part of my finger. It was tender for several days after that. That was the only time that happened.

Either way, I'd recommend it to anyone. It's just a neat little gadget to have- that has the potential to save your life.

BM

Ive had mine for about 6 months and started many fires with it. The spark is smaller than most but the package is as well. The fit and finish is outstanding, great company! Small enough to take with you anywhere, as I do with mine.

Mine is attached to my whistle and goes on every trip I take now.

http://tinyurl.com/2eb7uoq

Definitely looks very ninja and sounds very tactical...

But wait...
Unscrewing the rod, then unscrewing the striker, and then screwing the rod handle on, striking it, and then unscrewing the rod from the handle, and then screwing the striker, rod, and housing back together...

...just to spark a stove?

Did Rube Goldberg build this thing?

It is a slick, clean design. I would relegate this to backup/emergency use only, not everyday stuff. It looks perfect for keychain/pocket carry. The price really puts me off.

Light My Fire has an upgraded version of the Scout, the Scout 2.0, with a better handle and a much improved striker. It is my choice for my pocket survival keychain, along with a whistle, a Leatherman Style CS mini tool, a Bison spy capsule with Tinder Quick tabs and a Fenix E01 AAA LED flashlight.

Deleted, reread it today and seemed pretty harsh, didnt mean to be harsh at all. Sorry guys

Edited by Tshaeffer on 09/01/2011 16:13:50 MDT.

In my opinion it is just a fancy kind of firesteel. A marketing driven kind. Plain firesteel is cheaper, faster and the same weight (LMF mini). I would like to see you trying to fight with these screws in first stage of hypothermia when it is hardly to operate with you hands. Good luck :P

Do anything in the first stage of hypothermia, not to mention think! Thats why I deemed it as a backup...

Options are always good.

I'm with Craig. My firesteel is ready to go without any assembly. And it is my backup.

Too expensive. Cute though.