Firesteel Sizes - Ideal functionality vs. weight?

[Sesoku]

I am getting ready for a weekend backpacking trip in a month or so and like always I was sorting through my survival bin looking at my stuff and thinking about what I will take. I already have an Altoid kit with a small firesteel (made from the Scout model Bagheera sells) in it, along with the rest of the typical mini-kit ingredients. However where I always have a hard time deciding what to take is for my two or three primary fire sources that I will carry on my person. I usually take a bic, I will probably take a matchsafe, and a firesteel. The question is what size firesteel? I have found that using a scraper made from a reciprocating saw blade, a tiny BSA hotsparks firesteel will produce a great spark. Granted that it will wear down much faster than the huge swedish military model, but with three other flame sources, is that huge heavy chunk really necessary? I guess the only time bigger would be a big advantage would be in winter when your fingers are cold, or for extended outings when you may actaully wear down the firesteel from prolonged use. The larger one would probably be less prone to breaking also.

 

[AUSSIE]

Three Mini Bics in pockets and pouches and three small flints / rods (always with one on a paracord lanyard around your neck) will always beat singular reliance on the one and only big heavy firesteel everytime!! After the Bic the Rod comes next!! The firesteel(s) are your back up after the Mini Bics are gone, lost or expired!!

 

[grommit]

The knife in your pocket is infinitely more useful than the perfect ccutting tool back at your bedside table. The fire source that is with you is likewise more useful than anything you will not carry, or you are waiting for, or put off putting in your pocket until you had to run out, or for whatever reason.

Carrying multiple sources is better than the one perfect one, but that was not your question either. Bigger is easier to use, but I have never seen one too small to be useful. Anything smaller than the hotspark will obviously take up so little room that it can always be carried, but is also easier to lose and hang onto. Anything that has a good hanger-onner will work fine as long as it is not so skinny that it snaps with use.

 

[Griffon]

The larger ones also: Give more sparks and are less likely to break.
I've never used the smallest ones after I broke one which was almost new. In your situation, perhaps medium is the best choice.

 

[Sesoku]

Thank you all for the replies, I think this is my plan: I will carry a Swedish Scout light-my-fire firesteel as my primary (it is medium sized between the military and the hotspark), and attach a couple of hotsparks to various pieces of my gear as zipper pulls. I was thinking of heat shrink tubing them for protection until I need them, as long as the temps needed to do it won't adversly affect them. I would also have the same size (scout) firesteel in my mini kit, plus a few bics. Criticisms?