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Just saw one of these today for the first time. Maybe new or not. I kind of like the idea for an optional fire lighter. You need a Scripto lighter for this to work-Bic won't work. You'd have a disposable lighter and if you needed a hotter flame this would do that. What do you other preppers think or have any of you tried this ?
http://www.rei.com/product/806554
That's pretty cool, and a lot cheaper than the mini torches that CountyComm sells. I wonder how it works.
I've played with them, they have them at lowes (and they use more brands of lighters). Nifty if you need to solder a wire in a survival situation but that scenario is few and far between.
For a couple dollars more one could get this. http://www.amazon.com/Master-Applian.../dp/B000LQJEIC
I have a couple of the butane powered irons and like them allot. Unless you need something very small I would think a small kit would get more use and be way more versatile. I have both a portasol that has been going 19 years now and a master that is kind of put away.
The master has more heat (adjustable) and a large tank along with built in ignition. I keep a small box with a bunch of wire/connectors the iron and a cheap meter. [Coffee]
I wasn't thinking so much about using this for soldering as I was about having a real hot flame available for lighting a fire in adverse conditions. [Beer]
I like it. For $20 I think it's a great item to have in your personal inventory. You can get those bulk packs of lighters for relatively cheap I thought.Quote:
Originally Posted by StagLefty
I bet all the crackheads out there wish somebody would've made something like this years ago. [Tooth]
Nailed it +1 [ROFL1]Quote:
Originally Posted by steveopia
I read a bunch of the reviews from REI customers and it looks like operation is iffy above 5000'
The SOTO website doesn't mention operational specs but there were other products that looked pretty cool.
Check out the "multi-functional BBQ grill"
http://www.sotooutdoors.com/od-dg.html
Norseman
It was called "freebase" back then. Just ask Richard Pryor. [ROFL1]Quote:
Originally Posted by steveopia
Go to any good tabaco shop and look for cheap cigar torch lighters. They will look something like this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/TORCH-CIGAR-LIGH...-/170601938536
They are a few bucks and have a true butane torch flame. They burn just as hot and strong as a $30 Calibri Survival lighter for 10% of the price. Refillable with a butane bottle, so you can test and then fill and pack in your BOB. Every BOB should have one or two of these along with other fire starters.
A few friends that have tried the butanes say they always have problems with the o-rings after a few refills ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by StagLefty
If you spend a couple bucks more and buy the better ones they last a while. I had one that I used for cigars and carried in my pocket for about 5 years. i would probably still have it if I didnt lose it at a baseball game. I like them and I keep 1 in every pack in my vehicles. Its just another option. I try to keep 3 or 4 methods to make fire in my packs. Magnesium block, The lighter, strike anywhere matches, And those really thick marine/windfproof matches. I also keep some tinder for help in wet conditions. All tried in the field and Im sure I would have fire when I need it
That's the key right there "TRIED". Especially before you "HAVE" to [Beer]Quote:
Originally Posted by 2008f450
No point in having a bag full of stuff and trying to read directions in the rain at night in the cold in the middle of nowhere only to find out it doesnt work or you need another piece of the puzzle. I like to know I will be reasonably warm and comfy when I really need it. Thats why I take my bag out into the hills by myself to make sure stuff works before its needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by StagLefty
I have had good luck with the butane lighters - even the cheap ones. That said, I keep several different fire sources in my survival packs and BOBs. But I have a $2 butane torch that we keep in the RV and use for campfires that has been refilled numerous times over 3 or 4 years, and still works like new.
Yes, try things before you rely on them. My butt pack on my web gear has a sealed package of 2 new Bic disposables, a Calibri survival torch, a magnesium fire steel and flint, some 0000 steel wool and 2 new 9 volts, survival matches, and wet fire tender. But I feel pretty confident that my butane lighter would be enough in most situations. They are virtually windproof.
On a side note. I have 2 pre-teen daughters. On every camping trip we take, at least once, I make them start a fire using nothing but their survival bags and stuff they can find on the ground. And in May or October at 9,000 feet, the stuff on the ground is not always easy to light. Now it's become a contest for them. They go out of their way to start a fire using wet kindling and wood that is not great just to prove they can.
At least I know if my kids ever need to, they will know numerous ways to start a fire.