Fire starting

R

rogerman

Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
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Hey guys I'm back. I have a question a couple of off topic questions. How do you guys usually make your fires? If you had to pick between the sweedish firesteel(light my fire) or the Blastmatch(ultimate survival) which one would you pick and why?
 
I'd take the LMF. The "one-handed" operation of the Blastmatch is kind of negated by the fact that there are ways of doing the same thing with a standard firesteel without taking up as much space.
 
I've been using the Light my fire brand for a long time and as long as you have good tinder, your good to go.

The Blastmatch style work really well also and require less skill to use and is slightly less dependant on the dryness and quality of the tinder, but their alot bigger, heavier and more expensive.

Really, I find the new Misch Metal versions to be superior to either. Shooting a longer burning chip or ball of molten material beats a shower of sparks in my book.
 
The Blastmatch has a history of breaking. Check out the WSS forum. there have been several threads on this subject
 
I have alot of LMF firesteels from the Mini,scout & Army model and I just prefer the LMF brand over the blast match... If you have a back up fire method then the blast match is ok due to they can break but why risk it... Since the RC fire kit was not an option the LMF is the Standard for me but my back up to the LMF is a RC fire kit...that thing is Awesome !!!!!
 
I have been using the Ultimate Survival Technologies Strike Force for years and would highly recommend it. I've never used their Blastmatch or any LMF products.
StrikeForce_big.jpg
 
I use LMF and have never had any trouble with it. It throw alot of hot sparks off it and most of the time starts a fire with good tinder in about 2-3 strikes.
 
I have LMF's stashed through out my gear. on most my knife sheaths either in a leather loop or ranger bands on the kydex ones. match that with a tampon and a lipbalm and getting flame becomes very easy.
I find the Mish metal a little less reliable ( yes it is a biger hotter spark but not as easy to use.)
I have a doan blocks
I find the best combination is the LMF and a pencil sharpener. Heaps of perfect paper thin, torn edge shavings in seconds. In bigger kits ( too big to go in a shirt pocket) I have a Bic adjustable lighter with a zip tie tied under the release shelf to save the gas being released accidentaly.
The main thing I learnt out of making fire with a fire drill was never ever get caught with out means of not have to do that for real.
Carl
P.S.First time I used a blast match It broke in my hand. Admitadly that was 7yrs ago and I understand the company has addressed that weakness but....
 
RAT Firekit!!

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I've used this a few times and I really like it. I also have a few LMF firesteels that I like as well. I think the LMF ones are a little easier to get sparks from but the RAT kit produces hotter sparks that burn a little longer. I've never had a chance to use a blast match before.
 
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I'm a LMF guy myself; cheap and easy just how I like em:D

The RAT firestarter looks like a really nice package, but is it nessessary to strike it with the edge of a blade?
 
thanks for the imput guys! I was considering the rat fire kit but they are all sold out! I have a LMF scout but that's back home. I think i'll just pick up an army model.
 
A cool trick that TexasTony came up with was to use a Buck Hartsook as an attached striker for the RAT kit. :thumbup:
 
I have and use both and have never personally suffered a broken BlastMatch but have seen a few break. You'll end up with a useable firesteel still but the one-handed benefit is lost.

I am a big fan of the tip strike on the firesteel so I tend to go with the LMF Army or customized Army blank for use.

The Ultimate Survival Sparkie is another option if you like the one-handed operation and want a smaller package. They've reduced the overall size of the package and the rod is a smaller diameter but they've reinforced it with a piece of plastic to prevent the breakage that was happening in the Blastmatch.

Sparkie_02.jpg


The other big difference between the BlastMatch and Sparkie is the ability for the firesteel rod to rotate (as it does in the BlastMatch) so wear may be more of a factor with the Sparkie. Mine's still too new to know how much more quickly it'll get used up.

B
 
smcclown05 said:
RAT Firekit!!

DSC01102.jpg
[/IMG]

I've used this a few times and I really like it. I also have a few LMF firesteels that I like as well. I think the LMF ones are a little easier to get sparks from but the RAT kit produces hotter sparks that burn a little longer. I've never had a chance to use a blast match before.
Click to expand...



Do you use the SAK as a striker?
 
I know this little booger was not an option but I really like this as well,I carry one in my pocket Daily...
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