Lighter Test

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
18,423
If this has been done before, pardon the repetition but I wanted to post the results of a test I did on commonly available disposable lighters.

My biggest concern with using them in kits was their failing to function if they got wet, so I took one of all the most commom Bic and Scripto lighters, and placed them in a gallon jug, filled it with cold water, and let it set 24 hours.

On removal, all but the mini-bic were lighting 100% after only a few minutes of blowing into the top to dry them out.

The mini-bic took about 5-6 minutes after letting the lighter blow out about 10 seconds of fuel to clear water from the nozzle.

Makes me trust disposable lighters a little easier.
 
yea disposable lighters are very good and great for a back up fire source. i was deweeding my back yard last year and i found a rusty bic in the dirt and all clogged with it as well.i knocked the dirt out a gave it a few good blasts of air. and lit it on the first try. i still have it and i just lit it(dont use it much) befor posting. i took a pic i hope it shows from the looks of it the lighter could not have been out side for more then a year due to the safty feature on the wheel.
f9b2031a.jpg


still works!!!...justin
 
Thanks for the info. I carry them. The wife picked up a box of 50 with adjustable flame on ebay for 5.00. But like we all should, I also carry alternative fire sources just in case there is a point (cold, wet, wind, etc) that the lighter won't work.
 
I have taken to carring water proof "flame sticks", made from vaseline soaked cotton packed into drinking straws with both ends melted shut as a form of back up. You can make them whatever length you need, and they can be lit with just the sparks off the lighter, even if the lighter is out of fuel.
 
now thats a good idea... raid mcd's for the straws, and pack a few of em.

might not be thinking right at 6am, but would those essentially burn like a candle(albeit a quick burn)?
 
Originally posted by VampyreWolf
now thats a good idea... raid mcd's for the straws, and pack a few of em.

might not be thinking right at 6am, but would those essentially burn like a candle(albeit a quick burn)?
Click to expand...

You can either pull the cotton all the way out and fluff it up for a bigger flame, or I have done it by just pulling out a little bit, fluffy it apart and lighting it. It will then burn the straw like a candle real slowly as the straw melts.

I love these, cause they are practicaly free to make, you can make them any lenght that you need to fit inside a kit of hollow handle, and even the smallest spark will set them off and it's water proof virtually completely.

I can't take credit for the idea though, I saw these about 3 years ago in American Survival Guide before it went under.

p.s. these also have no shelf life, I have cut open some that were 3 years old recently, and they lit just like new ones.

also the best way I have found to melt the ends shut is to pinch the straw in a pair of needle nose pliers, then just melt it flush with the pliers good. No burning the fingers this way!!!!!!
 
I made the cotton swab/vaseline straw things last night....I am sure they will work good, but they were a pain in the A$$ to make....:D I made 25 of them and it took me forever
 
Originally posted by paleo25
I made the cotton swab/vaseline straw things last night....I am sure they will work good, but they were a pain in the A$$ to make....:D I made 25 of them and it took me forever
Click to expand...

You may want to kill me for this, but I forgot to mention that if you use a q-tip as a ramrod to pack the stuff into the straw it goes a lot easier and faster.
 
Originally posted by The Last Confederate
You may want to kill me for this, but I forgot to mention that if you use a q-tip as a ramrod to pack the stuff into the straw it goes a lot easier and faster.
Click to expand...

Ah yes -- use a tool, like the crows and chimps. :)
 
I used a small stick, it helped but it was still kind of a pain....maybe I am just lazy lately :p
 
If you need to start anything any time, a blast match is a great tool. I also carry a zippo because it will run off camp gass.

Another good fier starter can be made by soaking drier lint in para-wax.
 
I made up firestarters using cotton and candle wax. They are cone shaped and burn for 5 minutes or so.
 
Originally posted by longbow50
I made up firestarters using cotton and candle wax. They are cone shaped and burn for 5 minutes or so.
Click to expand...

But LTC's firestarters qualify for the description "Firestarter, Tropical." (no grease spots in warmer weather)

I take it larger bore straws would be easier to "load"?
 
Originally posted by Thomas Linton
But LTC's firestarters qualify for the description "Firestarter, Tropical." (no grease spots in warmer weather)

I take it larger bore straws would be easier to "load"?
Click to expand...

Full size straws...ues a regular q-tip to stuff, if you want to make really small micro kit ones with those little stirring straws, clip the end of a q-tip. One of the reasons I like these firestarters is the ability to make them any length you might need, but I hardly ever make one above 3-4 inches as that does get hard to fill.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top