The other day I was checking out our local army surplus store . I have been going to this place on and off for 30 years. They have a strang asortment of stuff. So I found there new fire striker EXOTAC nano striker this is the smallest I have ever seen. Has any one used one before ? I am looking for one the one I have I don't like . Its going to be a toss between the blast match I like the one hand operation or the nano for being so small . So just putting it out what dose every one like.

Your kidding, right?
Get a BSA striker for $3.95.

Right. The EXOTAC line of gear is remarkable for being incredibly high priced - it is basically outdoor bling. I just carry a BIC.

Pricey, heavy, no need for a waterproof case. I've pretty much resigned the use of ferro rods to lighting stoves. A match gives instant fire, with tinder included in the stick.
A bic too. I used a swedish fire steel most of last year and found myself striking a match and lighting the dang fire, instead of dealing with lint, starters, etc. They do work well for stoves at the car.

There are a lot of similar products that cost a tenth of the exotac.

Bic for me. One in the pot/stove, a spare one somewhere at the bottom of my pack. Still enough sparkling power even when empty.

The REI emergency matches are amazing! They light easily, aren't blown out by wind and keep burning and burning. Unless conditions are really soggy, they eliminate the need for fire starter.

I take 6 of the REI matches, a mini-Bic and a couple of paper match books as backup for the mini-Bic.

OM, you and I have exactly the same setup except I carry my REI matches and striking patch with a couple of birthday candles in a vacuum-sealed "open only in dire straits" pouch. My spare Bic Mini rides in my "junk" ditty bag.

Pretty much what I do. A waterproof cylinder with REI matches, a striker strip, and a mini bic. Another bic goes in the kitchen kit.

I have a striker somewhere in a box. Bics and matches are my preference.

I always have a baggie for kitchen stuff with the matches and a Bic that I did not always carry. Out of curiosity more than anything else, I bought one of the flint steel things with the rod. I have not viewed the about item, I'm thinking anything mini has got to be too small when you want a shower of sparks to start a fire. I have successfully started alcohol as the priming fuel for one of my old kerosene stoves. Extra weight, but a good item for wet conditions, just need to use it more to gain experience like anything else. I've seen a young buck have trouble starting a properly set wood fire with three of those REI storm matches. I took them away from him and started it myself. They are too expensive to practice with.:)

I have used those REI matches before for winter camping. They work great. I also bought a "Sparkie" fire starter made by UST. It weighs less than 1 oz. and puts out a pretty good shower of sparks. I bought if after watching a few firestarter videos on YouTube. Got it at REI. Kind of pricey ($15) but I don't buy a lot of this kind of stuff.

I haven't carried matches for a very long time...
A BIC lighter without fuel will generally still spark. Fire strikers are a contemporary thingy to play with but they are neither light nor easy to use. Its fun to try a lot of fire starting thingys though so go for it if this is your thing. Hi Tom.
Jim

Hey Jim, Is winter finally over in Oregon?

I'd say the first day of Spring was the solstice! It may hit 80 Monday - for maybe the second time this year. It has quit freezing at night but it gets to 34-36. Summer arrives mid July and lasts till middle september. Well thats high mountain desert weather.

Oh so a friend was over today and put out a cigarette out back. Half an hour later we're smelling smoke and the ground was on fire - smouldering. The soil is very dry and has a lot of organic material in it. People who live up here know that even one spark can start a fire. When we cut wood the law says we must hang for an hour after turning off the saws in case a spark landed somewhere. Speaking of fire strikers - probably most of us do not use chain saws to start fires on purpose.
Jim

Interesting law. I've not seen a modern saw throw a spark, other than getting into a nail or embedded fence.

Sounds awfully familiar - I have a sealed book of paper matches and an ikea tea light (yes it's more than a birthday candle, but if I have to use this it's *really* nasty) - and my spare bic rides in my ditty bag - and the primary in my pocket (to keep it warm enough to work)

In the winter I *do* carry a firesteel, because winter here is *dry* but obnoxiously cold - and I can in fact start a fire with firesteel and lint/cattail and gloves on. which I can not do with a bic or matches - the steel and lint are also impervious (or close to it) to the outside temp which the bic is not.

Hey phat. I'll have to keep that in mind when we move to Saskatchewan. Plenty cold there in the winter.

Howie

In winter with cold fingers or gloves the Bic/mini Bic can be a bit of a challenge and I find that at around 25f it needs to spend some time in the pocket to work.
So I use a Firesteel. For a while I have used one from Going Gear ( http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4) cheap and produces much bigger blobs than the Light My Fire version.
In my last trip I could not find the GG version so I had the Light My Fire and managed to brake that (the rod broke from the orange holder)
Then I could not start the BIc so I borrowed the Light My Fire from my mate making sure to be a bit more gentle with it..
Franco

Well Jim, as they say, it is very easy to start a fire, unless you are trying to.


I generally use a firesteel. Mostly because it is fun, and to show scouts how to. Of course, practicing with a match is also important. You don't realize how hard a match is until you give one to someone who doesn't have the skill level. It is amazing what boy scouts will teach you. Shoot, we spent a good hour or two showing boys how to light a lighter. A lot of parents shelter their kids a little too much, I think, sometimes.

Love it! In tight spots, matches have come through for me. They are very effective in all kinds of cold situations.

Oh I have - just watch a tyro use one to buck up or cut wood lying on the ground and have a few rocks in the dirt. they saw right through the wood into the dirt and hit a few rocks and it sparks nice.. dulls the chain to bits too.. (as I recall catching H E double toothpicks from my father while learning to clear trail with a saw and letting the bar get in the dirt)

Do that with a little bit of foxtail barley fluff on the ground when it's dry - you'll have a fire.

A friend of the family started a fire mowing her field (ironically, to reduce fuel). The fire spread and triggered an allout fight, as it was in a horse-ranchy-type suburb with a lot of seven-figure homes and outbuildings. They were presented with a nearly six-figure bill and she was cited for mowing during the wrong time of day.

I can easily envision a 2-stroke saw doing the same.

Frankly if was out somewhere and really needed a fire striker I'd prefer a chainsaw, so's I could also have fuel...
Jim

I want one of theses just because they make it look so darn cool

Zippos Emergecy Firestarter!



Rugged metal construction
Reliable flint-wheel ignition
Includes rayon-made waxed tinder sticks to quickly and easily light a fire
Waxed tinder sticks are water-resistant
Water-resistant o-ring seal on lid protects tinder sticks
Available in 1 color: Safety Orange Matte
Made in USA
Ideal for camping, hiking, extreme altitudes, hunting, and emergency situations