Reader Reviews

Rating: 3 / 5

I am pretty under-whelmed by this fire starter. I have been using the Strike Master K1 Magnesium Mini Survival Fire Starter (http://www.campingsurvival.com/stmak1misufi.html) for several years, and compared to it, the FireLite is no lighter to carry, the striker is no where near as good, and it doesn't even have the bonus of a magnesium block for emergency tinder. The FireSteel itself works OK with the striker from the Strike Master, but it still is not a piece of gear I would ever carry as long as I had access to the Strike Master. I gave the FireSteel a 3 because you COULD light a fire with it, just not the best option IMHO.

Rating: 3 / 5

I have big hands and just can't seem to get the Mini to work consistently. However, the regular size works much better for me (4/5).

I give it a 3 because it is a great concept even though it is incompatible with me.

Rating: 3 / 5

I keep this around my neck with some other "just in case" items. I too have a little bit of a hard time getting it to work consistently and use matches as my primary means of fire starting. However, with some effort, I can get a fire lit with it, so I keep it around in case the matches get wet.

I probably won't be buying another though. I agree its a good concept but I'm not able to execute it well enough to make it work my while. YMMV

Adam

Rating: 5 / 5

I have no troubles getting this to spray a shower of sparks, and within 1-2 tries I have my choice of tinder (dry grass, tinderquik, esbit, etc.) up and going. I have discarded the striker in favor of one edge of the scissors on my swiss army classic, which I find has far less of an effect on its function than using the knife blade which dulls from use as a striker. Overall a perfect product that has now replaced my matches and lighter.

Edited by stilldtc on 09/05/2008 15:11:12 MDT.