Fire ?'s

[Don Rearic]

I just threw some out because they don't work any more. They are about 6 years old. I didn't realize these things have a shelf life, but they definitely don't work now--hard to light even when holding in a match. But, when they were new, they caught a spark the first time every time. I lit one in the pouring rain one time (with a lighter) and it continued to burn.

Good, that means I was remembering correctly.

 

[canadiantrailman]

registered user

 

[Don Rearic]

I picked up small firestarter packs similar to the attached link (different brand) as they are very convenient to carry in a pack. Lightweight, sealed, and there is no messy preparation required like PJCBs.

Just a note... You don't have to work the Vaseline into cottonballs to get incredible results. All you have to do is have one of the small travel size containers and take a cottonball and scoop it in there or, have one of the little tubes I was talking about earlier. Just getting Vaseline on the cottonball works very well. You don't have to wallow in it.

 

[Spenceds]

It's not that messy either if you just use some tweezers or something, melt the vaseline in the microwave and dip the cotton balls in, I hear they get more on them like this. Let them cool on waxpaper or tin foil then transfer to container with tweezrs. No big deal.

 

[ss2211]

I saw a video and report about the below beeswax and PJ mix with cotton balls. The video showed that a string or cotton ball dipped in it would burn for 15 or 20 minutes just by itself. I have not tried it myself but have ordered some to try. This person stated that they also found it in their dollar store. Seems like it would be a good combination for burning.

http://www.amazon.com/Murrays-Beeswax-3-5-oz-Jar/dp/B000EGOEXE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1266363642&sr=8-3

 

[Col. Cornelius]

All I have ever carried for tinder is a small chunk of pine pitchwood. I never needed anything more, and I have started many camp/warming fires in wet, snowy, and windy conditions.

For the past year, all I've used to start the camp fires is a firesteel.

Practice is the key.

For a day hike, I feel real comfortable being out in the woods with only a large caliber pistol, a knife and a firesteel. Everything else I need I can find in the woods.

 

[Diverliam]

For tinder I keep an old photo film canister full of Jarrah sawdust soaked in citronella lamp oil in my e&e kit. works fine, smells nice, and keps the mozzies away.

As for lighting; swedish firesteel for backup, primary is a small jet burner.

Everything works wet, dry, hot or cold. Might not have time to wait around in the rain trying to dry the Bic out. Had that problem whilst trying to burn out some UXO in Lao a couple of years ago. Didn't have time to wait around, luckily my interpreter was a smoker and had a spare dry lighter.