"Strike Force" Fire Starter

This is my new toy:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...trikeforce.gif


I really like to do a lot of survival camping. I like to use flint and steel instead of matches, and I have found this to be the best product yet for creating a spark.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...iver/spark.gif


The two ends come together and when it is stored it looks like a travel toothbrush holder, but when you open it, the one end has steel and the other end is a magnesium stick. The cap actually opens up and it stores a 1 time use fire starter for wet conditions. This product really is just wonderful and I wanted to share it with you guys.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...trikeForce.gif

I forgot to mention that this really does work like any flint and steel. You'll need to shave off a little of the flint/magnesium and then spark it to have a fire.

Just curious, how many people here regularly carry some sort of fire starter with their gear? I've always just kept a small Bic lighter in my pack, but I suppose the one major drawback to that is that if it cracks and leaks all the butane, it's worthless. I've carried the same lighter for years and it still works, though.

Are the magnesium fire starters really worth it?

It is not easy, but it is possible to start a fire with a lighter that does not have fuel, but I obviously do think the magnesium sticks are worth it. Once you learn how to work it, the stick is really simple and it lasts forever (unless you lose it).

I have had my new "Strike Force" Fire Starter for about 2 weeks. I have started about 10 practice fires, and just sparked it for fun about a thousand times. The magnesium stick has not reduced in size yet.

The shell is hard, so it's not going to break and even if I get wet, it still works. I think it is a great product to have.

My friend just paid 60 bucks for this lighter:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ver/warren.jpg
http://www.ccoutdoorstore.com/helios...f-lighter.html

I just can not see paying more than 20 dollars for a lighter (especially since you can get the bic lighters for a dollar) but he swears by his new lighter. The truth is both of us will probably lose our fire starting devices before they go bad, but I guess in the end it is a matter of preference.

(I prefer not to waste my money).

I carry one of these. It has a one handed striker.
http://www.equipped.com/GRAPHICS/psp...ll_250w_ds.jpg

Waterproof Matches :nod:

I usually carry a few of these. The large ones are around a dollar, and you can even get smaller ones for even less.
They also come in a variety of colors.
If they get wet, they will work again when dried out.

They also work great for lighting cigarettes.