Just got my new primitive fire kit I ordered...very nice

[brewcitymike]

During my search for primitive(colonial era really) flint & striker kits I went to a site called At History's Door trading Co. They had several really good looking kits that had many if not all the things I could have asked for but I settled on the Colonial kit which came with a ton of frayed jute, a 100% cotton wick, several pieces of char cloth, a small bundle of fatwood sticks, some tinder fungus and of course a piece of flint(which had sharp edges almost all around it), and a carbon 'C' style striker which is a bit small for my gorilla mits but it still works well. It all comes in a hammered tin which is the only part I wasn't totally satisfied with since the lid doesn't close tightly so if I were to carry it I will either have to transfer containers or use rubber bands or something to hold it closed. For the price tag of $25+$5 S&H, I am happy with it. There were less expensive kits readily available but of course they all had less items in them. So here's a few pics of the tin and the items.

 

[sicily02]

That is a nice looking fire kit, Mike. I like it.

Bryan

 

[kellom]

I purchased two of those kits, they are very nice for what they are. I picked out the colonial and the delux. I put them both in a belt pouch. The colonial I carry everyday when I'm not at work, I replaced a few things to make it a little more modern because my skills are not that great yet. The delux kit I put in a bigger belt pouch and have left traditional, I carry that one when I'm woods duffing so I can practice my skills at my leasure but I always have my primary fire kit in my pack if I get into trouble and really need a fire. You are correct on the lid, both my kits are the same way. I use 1 " innertube strips to keep mine closed. I have used both tins to make char cloth so when the metal color changes I think it makes them look a little more rustic. I have also added a Fresnal lense to both kits. I you are interested Skystorm leather makes a leather belt pouch for the small ones, bit pricey but made well. Thats what I am using for my EDC, the hammered tins are thicker because this pouch designed for your standard altoids but it will stretch after a while, but there other suitable belt pouches out there if you chosse to carry it that way. I think the kits are awswome, enjoy.

 

[brewcitymike]

Hey Kellom, its kinda funny cuz if I had a bit more money at the time I was also gonna add a deluxe kit to my order, but that I'll order in the near future. I am similar to you in the way that my skills aren't that superb yet so I will keep a mini ferro rod most likely. Though I did bust it out the day after I got it and was able to catch a spark with the char cloth after only about a half dozen strikes and transfer it to a small jute nest. However since I was in my bedroom I chose let it fizzle out instead of making flame I have yet to buy a fresnel lens but I definitely want one in my main kit. I do have a large fire kit I keep in a waterproof case roughly 4"x 6" and about 1.25" deep, and it contains a lot of items:mini ferro, mini bic, tinder cube, birch bark, jute, cattail, palm tree fibers, a fire starter packet, fatwood stick and shavings, a tampon, alcohol pads(2) and even some pencil shavings,lol. I know the tampon sounds goofy but if you partially spread it apart and expose some lose fibers, you'll be left with a nice little groove to rest a ferro rod in and one good strike turns it into a ball of flame that burns well for a decent amount of time, and even after its burnt, another strike lights it up again with ease.
I know about sky's leather work and its pricey but I would buy it in a heartbeat if I had the money to spare. His stuff is top notch quality without a doubt and I really hope to be able to buy one of his bk9 sheaths with the large pouch attached to keep the kit in.