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View more Gear » _DISCONTINUED » Firestarting Supplies | Other products by Light My Fire
Weighed On Our Scales » 0.72 oz (sparker), 0.32 oz (striker)
Catalog No. LMF60042
How to choose between Firesteel and a Spark-Lite? Firesteel is more reliable, easier to use, and delivers a larger volume of sparks that are hotter. Use a Spark-Lite for your emergency kit, and a Firesteel for when you absolutely have to have fire in any condition, or when you regularly cook over bush fires.
Ryan Jordan uses a Firesteel starter in his bush fire kit. Ryan used the Firesteel Scout during winter and spring trips and used a similar, smaller version of it for bush fire cooking on his June 2006 Arctic trek in combination with Tinder Quik. This combination reliably lights wet tinder.
Curious about a lighter and smaller Firesteel? The FireLite Mini that Ryan tested during the Arctic 1000 is available for purchase as part of the Backpacking Light FireLite Mini Firestarting Kit.
Originally developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, Swedish FireSteel is a flash of genius. Its 3,000°C spark makes fire building easy in any weather, at any altitude. Used by a number of armies around the world, Swedish FireSteel’s dependability has already made it a favorite of survival experts, hunters, fishermen and campers. It has also found its way into cabins and backyards as a fool-proof way to light stoves and gas-barbecues.
Starting a fire with a firesteel is an excellent, low-impact, sustainable method which can easily replace a lighter and matches with practice. The key word in that statement however is practice. Much like many techniques applied in the backcountry fire starting is a skill that should be honed to ones desired comfort level before being relied on solely. Many experienced backcountry campers carry a firesteel for primary use but keep a lighter or matches sealed in a waterproof bag as a backup should they find they aren't having luck with the firesteel. Other hikers do it the other way around. They use a lighter or matches primarily but carry a firesteel should an emergency arise and the firesteel is their only option.
The important lesson to learn is how to properly use a firesteel in combination with cotton tinder, followed by effective fire building skills at home or in a controlled camping environment before you embark on a backcountry journey in which a lack of these skills could inhibit your safety.
There is a theme that seems to be occurring here - practice, practice, practice. Use the following informative photos as a starting point. Keep in mind that the striker has an 'up' and 'down' side. The method by which the metal is pressed creates a sharp edge and a dull edge. The side marked 'up' should be facing you when you strike so that the sharp edge causes sparks.
View More Gear » _DISCONTINUED » Firestarting Supplies | Other Products By Light My Fire
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