Firestarters

[hip55]

This Aurora Magnesium Fire Starter looks pretty good -



http://www.campingsurvival.com/aufistflstan.html

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCAdffOuVm0

Anyone try one of these?

Other recommendations?

[KevDen2005]

I have gotten a fire going using a Light My Fire. Of course the stuff you are trying to catch on fire has to be dry....heavy rains will prevent the use of it...I have also lit a fire with this using the dry shavings of the inside of bark off a tree (during the rain storm)

http://www.rei.com/product/737335

[pickenup]

9 volt battery and steel wool.

[KevDen2005]

9 volt battery and steel wool.

Make sure it is 0000 Steel Wool, I haven't tried anything else but was told it wont work, so I never risked it

[jerrymrc]

Make sure it is 0000 Steel Wool, I haven't tried anything else but was told it wont work, so I never risked it

Ya put enough voltage to any steel wool and it WILL become a giant flashbulb. I have first hand knowledge of this.

[StagLefty]

RAT(ESEE now) fire kit-Misch metal flint,storage for tinder,button compass,and survival tips on cylinder. Good item with some practice striking.

[KevDen2005]

Ya put enough voltage to any steel wool and it WILL become a giant flashbulb. I have first hand knowledge of this.

Although I probably shouldn't...I would like to know how much voltage we are talking about here...

[Colorado Scott]

That Aurora looks nice! I have a few mag starters but not that nice. A couple of mine have wooden handles and are crudely made but they work great. I have used steel wool and a battery but never in the field, only practicing at home.

Overkill but I always carry three or more methods of starting a fire including one of my several Colibri windproof lighters and a fire piston. Fire is life, right?

I also keep an emergency fire starter kit (that I made) in every vehicle, hunting pack and bug out pack we own. The fire starter kit is made up of a mag starter, a few boxes of strike anywhere matches, strips of news paper, a mini fire starter log and a 35mm film case filled with cotton balls soaked in Vaseline. Everything is enclosed in a vacuum sealed food saver bag to keep moisture out; each method of starting fire is kitted in it's own seperate bag and everything together weighs a little over a pound.

Whatever method anybody chooses to carry and use they should be sure to practice at home and when sitting around in camp at your favorite campsite. If you can't start a fire at home there's no way you'll get one going under duress in an emergency situation.

[Troublco]

RAT(ESEE now) fire kit-Misch metal flint,storage for tinder,button compass,and survival tips on cylinder. Good item with some practice striking.

I was looking at these too. Might be a nice addition to the BOB. When it comes to making fire, I figure more is always better!

[Irving]

Whatever method anybody chooses to carry and use they should be sure to practice at home and when sitting around in camp at your favorite campsite. If you can't start a fire at home there's no way you'll get one going under duress in an emergency situation.

I've mentioned it before, but I've had some road flares riding around in my trunk for over a year and have still never used one because I live in an apartment. I almost lit one Friday and just hung out on my porch with it, but I realize I don't know if the flares are water proof or not.

Anyone have any experience with a road flare? How can I put it out in a hurry if I need to? Cut it? Water? Mud? Dry leaves and a bird's nest?