ESEE Advanced Modular Fire Kit

mildot326

mildot326

Joined
Jan 2, 2007
Messages
374
Well I just read a good view of this in SWAT magazine and picked one for a really good price. Just curious if there are any owners out there that care to comment. I don't own any ESEE knives but they have a pretty good reputation. The product is well made and solid. I'll try to do a review later?




3 5/8" closed. 5 3/8" overall with fire starter assembled. Black anodized aluminum construction with survival tips printed on the outside of capsule. Waterproof. Features a 20mm Grade A button compass on one end with holes for a lanyard and IR (Infrared) reflective tape (Glint Tape) on the other. The compass can also be unscrewed to be stored inside the capsule with the Visible Light Reflective Tape showing on the outside. To assemble the 1 1/2" ferro rod attachment, unscrew one of the extra thread protector rings and then the ferro rod (that is tucked inside capsule). Assemble back together to expose the ferro rod. Capsule can also be used to store small survival items. Modular Design: Additional capsules can be screwed together (extra modules not included). Also includes an ESEE survival card, extra thread protectors rings and a OD green nylon lanyard. Bulk packed. Made in the USA.
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I personally like the older styles better. They fit in the fire steel holders on most sheaths and provided plenty of storage. These are just a bit to big and cumbersome. For pocket or sheath carry.

In a bag system it's a very cool little fire starter kit! However they are stupid expensive IMO!
 
Yea the MSRP is a bit "over the top" however I paid half of that, so I'm OK with that. I really like the quality, and that it's made in the USA.
 
the quality is very nice and it's a very solid product. i paid right at 55 bucks for mine and thought it was a bit to much. However it is very versatile and useful. i just don't see a ton of advantage over the older one to warrant such a price increase.
 
I have the first old model, added a button compass and has been great, glad I ordered a replacement rod at the same time........last me a couple decades.
 
I have it in hand now and it's a solid piece of kit, the compass is high quality IMO, and that's one of the things that attracted me. If you run it with the steel out you can add a small "survival" kit inside. With the steel concealed there's not much room in there, maybe for some cotton balls and a few matches. The steel is very thick and solid as well. This replaced my Exotac match carrier and striker.If you added another separate tube, you could add more items for survival.More to follow.
 
I dunno... looks a bit gimmicky. I could just as easily take a full size compass that pairs with a map easily and a longer fire steel. The two combined would probably cost and weigh less. They'd probably also do a better job of their intended tasks.
 
Sure, at the end of the day, what you decide to carry and are comfortable with, is personal preference.This unit is about the size of a roll of lifesavers, you could easily carry it along with a folder if you were out for a walk. This would give you a quality compass and at least 2 ways to start a fire,all fitting in your pocket. If you decided to keep the steel in the open position, then you could carry some more "survival" items.
But again to each his own. The cost is about $60, and for an item made in the US, and with this high quality, I think it's priced modestly. Sure anyone can make a "home made" kit but's that's up to the individual, and the level of preparedness they are comfortable with. YMMV
 
mildot326 said:
If you run it with the steel out you can add a small "survival" kit inside. With the steel concealed there's not much room in there, maybe for some cotton balls and a few matches.
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What diameter is the steel ? Could you replace after its worn out ?
 
Given there "warranty" I'm sure that you could contact them for a replacement?
The rod dia is 3/8's
 
I ordered a replacement rod at the same time.
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Can you expand on this and pass along the cost?
I contacted them reference that question and I was told this;
There are many places online to by 3/8" ferro rod. You can heat the old one with a hair dryer enough to loosen the old one and glue a new piece in.
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mildot326 said:
If you run it with the steel out you can add a small "survival" kit inside. With the steel concealed there's not much room in there, maybe for some cotton balls and a few matches.
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I've had one since they first came out. The main benefit is that the rod is protected from corrosion when stored in the handle. Not an issue for everyone, but it was the main draw for me. Actually I have some tinder-quick, a couple of life boat matches, two packs of katadyn water purification tabs, a needle, some benadryl, and some sudaphed in mine. I get some major sinus headaches in the field sometimes...

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ThriftyJoe said:
Just got one of these out of my desk drawer to look at: http://www.rei.com/product/402055/nalgene-polyethylene-bottle-4-fl-oz

For $1.70 this 4 oz bottle has enough room for several windproof matches, a mini Bic or small fire steel, tinder, water tabs, a Buck 503 (or similar), my Suunto watchband compass, a Maglite Solitaire, and maybe a few more very small items.
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Well, at least you are living up to your forum handle :) . Yes the ESEE advanced fire kit is pricey, there is no denying that and I get that is an issue for the average day hiker. I don't go "play" in the woods, I make my living there. There is, to me anyway, a huge difference between prepping for surviving an incident on a recreational day hike in state parks on managed trails, and traveling cross country to the most remote locations you can find and seeking the least peopled areas you can find, from the swamps of the everglades, remote areas in various mountains ranges, and hopefully very soon remote regions of the western high-deserts. I don't just go out and hope no-one comes along the trail and interrupts my work and research. I do everything I can to ensure it by getting as far away from trails as I can manage. I approach this career in much the same way as I approached my construction career years ago, and invest in high quality equipment. I used to laugh and shake my head every time some idiot, who was too darn cheap to invest in decent tools, wanted to borrow my personal industrial grade saws and drills in order to avoid climbing back down a hundred feet of scaffolding to get another when their POS Ryobi drill crapped out. I'd tell them, maybe if you have to make that climb a time or two instead of skating by on someone else's hard earned expenses, then just maybe you'll learn to invest some of your money into making money...or you'll get in better shape. I happen to like me, I like remaining alive to support my family so I invest in high quality equipment. But it probably helps that I don't go out to movies or bars every weekend. I don't do sporting events, or play the lottery. I don't do TV so I don't have an expensive premium channel bill. I'm not a bass fisherman so no big boat to maintain. I don't do golf or bowling. I like the deep remote woods, and so there is where I invest my money.
 
I thinks it a cool set up. I own the old model so I'm not ready to upgrade yet. I too would rather spend my hard earned for tough gear (recently an RMJ Tomahawk) than movies,sporting events, jewelry, expensive vehicles etc.
We all blow money on something. Whats your money pit Joe?;)
 
Didnt know sleeping bags went that high. I have some hideously bulky old military bags.
 
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