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- Mar 19, 2007
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- 7,440
I ordered (ebay) a Fire Piston from EBPrimitives a few weeks ago. I have had a chance to make many fires with this little beast and feel a full review is in order.
Customer Service:
I originally ordered the smaller piston (EB Primitives makes multiple kinds of fire pistons - Basic, Deluxe, and a shorty 'necker' version) and paid via paypal. I paid for this on Saturday morning and a few hours later I had an e-mail stating that it would ship that day because he was heading off to the post office.
I changed my mind and decided I wanted the deluxe version - I asked if I could send him the send the difference (about 10 bucks). I got an e-mail back from the seller saying that he missed the post offices closing time - would be happy to send me a deluxe version and because I had to wait - he would not charge me the extra. I was ecstatic.
Sure enough - Wednesday I got my fire piston in a HUGE envelope. It had a ton of stuff inside - I really didn't read the post and didn't realize how much stuff came in this kit. I was really excited.
Opening the package:
1) Deluxe Fire Piston - with small leather lanyard and open cap to store tinder.
2) A Fire Piston Companion - a specially modified tin container with a matching wooden bottom - packed full with cedar bark.
3) Over 25 seals for the fire piston. (This seems like a lot - I don't think the seal will wear that fast - but the maker makes them himself and intends a lifetime supply).
4) A matching wood cleaning rod that is used for cleaning the piston and adjusting the seal.
5) A LARGE package of nice thick firecloth and a set of instructions.
6) A large baggie of cedar bark.
7) A small plastic container of grease for the fire piston (butter flavored Crisco). No - I didn't taste it.
8) A VERY complete set of instructions and a warning sheet - showing you how NOT to use the fire piston.
Craftsmanship: I was very happy with the over all appearance of this kit. In fact, I kept saying to myself 'Man - this guy has thought of everything'.
He includes little touches that are VERY well done for instance: he sets a string in the handle that allows you to close the piston when not in use and store it. This string allows air to slip past the seal and close the piston. He also included a little cut portion at the base of the piston that helps stop any lubrication from getting to the base of the fire piston.
The kit matches, is well thought out and executed - I really liked the quality of the unit.
The Fire Piston:
The exterior is made from a hard wood and stained dark. The cylinder is made from polished brass that is epoxied into the body of the fire piston. The piston itself seems to be made of oak and is drilled and tapped at the end to accept a specially modified screw that holds the charcloth.
The top of the fire piston is bored out to accept charcloth and tinder and has a rubber cap that has a lanyard. This is well executed as well and allows for the piston to be slammed and not marr the surface you are slamming it on.
Dimensions:
The whole piston is 6.25 inches long by and inch wide.
The piston itself is: 5 inches long by .295 diameter and very smooth.
The brass insert is 3.5 inches deep and .303 diameter and very polished.
The cap has a 1 inch deep hole to hold tinder.
The use of the kit:
Prepare the Fire Piston Companion. Put a little charcloth in the X of the companion and take off the cap of the companion. Fluff up a little of the tinder in the companion and set it close to you.
Use a little of lubricant and lube the piston. Be sure not to use anything highly flammable and do not get the lube on the end of the piston.
Put a little tinder in the tip insert it into the piston and slam it. Quickly pull out the piston and see if you have a little smoke in the charcloth. If so - give it a little blow and make an ember.
Insert the piston into the companion and set the charge cloth alight. A few light blows get the tinder companion a blaze - use this to light your fire. When you get your fire going. Put the cap on your companion to smother the flame and keep the rest of the tinder in good shape.
If the piston does not fire - use the cleaner to clean the piston and insert fresh air to the base of the piston. Replace the charcloth and try again. Speed and quickness are the key.
I have had little problem getting this to light every time with a little practice and can get a good flame out of basic paper tinder.
Cost:
40 dollars shipped via paypal. The lesser versions are a bit cheaper - but come with less stuff.
Overall feelings:
I have had a lot of fun with this kit and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
TF
Customer Service:
I originally ordered the smaller piston (EB Primitives makes multiple kinds of fire pistons - Basic, Deluxe, and a shorty 'necker' version) and paid via paypal. I paid for this on Saturday morning and a few hours later I had an e-mail stating that it would ship that day because he was heading off to the post office.
I changed my mind and decided I wanted the deluxe version - I asked if I could send him the send the difference (about 10 bucks). I got an e-mail back from the seller saying that he missed the post offices closing time - would be happy to send me a deluxe version and because I had to wait - he would not charge me the extra. I was ecstatic.
Sure enough - Wednesday I got my fire piston in a HUGE envelope. It had a ton of stuff inside - I really didn't read the post and didn't realize how much stuff came in this kit. I was really excited.
Opening the package:
1) Deluxe Fire Piston - with small leather lanyard and open cap to store tinder.
2) A Fire Piston Companion - a specially modified tin container with a matching wooden bottom - packed full with cedar bark.
3) Over 25 seals for the fire piston. (This seems like a lot - I don't think the seal will wear that fast - but the maker makes them himself and intends a lifetime supply).
4) A matching wood cleaning rod that is used for cleaning the piston and adjusting the seal.
5) A LARGE package of nice thick firecloth and a set of instructions.
6) A large baggie of cedar bark.
7) A small plastic container of grease for the fire piston (butter flavored Crisco). No - I didn't taste it.
8) A VERY complete set of instructions and a warning sheet - showing you how NOT to use the fire piston.
Craftsmanship: I was very happy with the over all appearance of this kit. In fact, I kept saying to myself 'Man - this guy has thought of everything'.
He includes little touches that are VERY well done for instance: he sets a string in the handle that allows you to close the piston when not in use and store it. This string allows air to slip past the seal and close the piston. He also included a little cut portion at the base of the piston that helps stop any lubrication from getting to the base of the fire piston.
The kit matches, is well thought out and executed - I really liked the quality of the unit.
The Fire Piston:
The exterior is made from a hard wood and stained dark. The cylinder is made from polished brass that is epoxied into the body of the fire piston. The piston itself seems to be made of oak and is drilled and tapped at the end to accept a specially modified screw that holds the charcloth.
The top of the fire piston is bored out to accept charcloth and tinder and has a rubber cap that has a lanyard. This is well executed as well and allows for the piston to be slammed and not marr the surface you are slamming it on.
Dimensions:
The whole piston is 6.25 inches long by and inch wide.
The piston itself is: 5 inches long by .295 diameter and very smooth.
The brass insert is 3.5 inches deep and .303 diameter and very polished.
The cap has a 1 inch deep hole to hold tinder.
The use of the kit:
Prepare the Fire Piston Companion. Put a little charcloth in the X of the companion and take off the cap of the companion. Fluff up a little of the tinder in the companion and set it close to you.
Use a little of lubricant and lube the piston. Be sure not to use anything highly flammable and do not get the lube on the end of the piston.
Put a little tinder in the tip insert it into the piston and slam it. Quickly pull out the piston and see if you have a little smoke in the charcloth. If so - give it a little blow and make an ember.
Insert the piston into the companion and set the charge cloth alight. A few light blows get the tinder companion a blaze - use this to light your fire. When you get your fire going. Put the cap on your companion to smother the flame and keep the rest of the tinder in good shape.
If the piston does not fire - use the cleaner to clean the piston and insert fresh air to the base of the piston. Replace the charcloth and try again. Speed and quickness are the key.
I have had little problem getting this to light every time with a little practice and can get a good flame out of basic paper tinder.
Cost:
40 dollars shipped via paypal. The lesser versions are a bit cheaper - but come with less stuff.
Overall feelings:
I have had a lot of fun with this kit and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
TF
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But please don't shoot ME with it ...
