How do you use the RAT fire tool???

[Dizwolf]

Exactly! In the video I posted above you'll notice it only took one strike to light the tinder, but if you look at the knife it's obvious I struck the firesteel previously. That's because the tinder I was using (seemingly dry sage bark) was not lighting at all! I switched to dry grass and... that's all she wrote!

Correct preparation and the right materials are key. :thumbup:

Pssst. there's a secret compartment on the firekit, you can cheat and hide some vasoline soaked cotton in there!!!

 

[BackwoodsBummin']

I still prefer the awl on my SAK Farmer. :thumbup

+1:thumbup:

Of course, that means that I have to have my SAK on me also, which I usually do.

You can use anything that has a sharp edge and is harder than the firesteel. I've used a sharp rock before. I routinely use a Gerber Shard to strike my 1/8" firesteels. ESEE AH-1 works well, also. And you look cool using it.

 

[Joe Fowler]

Pssst. there's a secret compartment on the firekit, you can cheat and hide some vasoline soaked cotton in there!!!

Doh!