my firemaking kit, comments

psy-ops

psy-ops

Joined
Sep 27, 1999
Messages
3,164
It is in a small case about 4"x4"

8 cotton/parafin balls
6 parafin/woodchip balls

magnesium bar and striker

SAK ambassador with file
 
I just picked up a Brunton Helios. It is pretty cool and if you have a little extra money buring a hole in your pocket I suggest picking one up. My friend has the Windmill Delta which is also nice. I think they are somewhat excessive but I don't mind carrying around something the size of a Zippo that can melt through a soda can.
Matthew
 
I can't see what you are using for a striker in the pic, but if you don't want to damage your SAK, I use a sawzall blade for a striker. You may have to square up the back edge to get a decent edge for sparking, but mine worked fine as is. This also gives you a small saw for notching trap components, etc. I put a split ring in the mounting hole as a mini pull handle. Put a piece of tape over the teeth for storage so it doesn't cut a hole in your fire kit bag.
(For those of you who don't know, a sawzall blade is like a sabersaw blade, about 3"-5" long in various widths and tooth constructions- lots of options)
 
Personally I'd get as many different fire starters as I possibly can and instead of putting them all in one bag I'd keep some in my pockets some in a pouch on my belt a and some in my backpack. But than the part of Australia I go camping is subjected to folding so in my case I might have to start a fire when Everything around is wet so my situation is somewhat different. I'd suggest to get some fuel that can stay alight for 2-3 min it will rely help in wet environment.
 
That kit shud work well. For practise though it's worthwhile getting a big ferro rod and using natural tinders. I'll try to get pics and specs of some more 1/2" rods on the page this weekend to add to the other firestarters.
 
chris, if you're using the file on the SAK as a striker for the ferro rod, put a decent edge on it. I used a file and put a real basic edge on the bottom of the file. That way I can scrape my rod without worrying about the file folding closed. You don't need to put a cutting edge on it, just enough to get a good "bite" on the rod. You could also use that edge to scrape the magnesium bar and save your knife. I carry the Wenger SAK that's the same size in my multi-tool pouch; it's handy having the small blade and scissors, plus the toothpick and tweezers. That tiny knife covers the few tools my Gerber multi-tool doesn't have.

And the idea of a saw blade is a good one, too. I use a piece of hacksaw blade broken to whatever length is most convinient for the kit in question, and cover one end with a few wraps of duct tape for a "handle". As was pointed out, it's handy for trap parts and the like as well as for striking your ferro rod.

One of these days I need to buy some Sawz-all blades. I've never ried them but everybody seems to like them. I keep extra jigsaw blades in my Gerber pouch, to replace the one in the tool. It's handy having a saw that can cut such a wide variety or materials simply by changing the blade.
 
Hey Chris...

Your missing one of these...:)

tinderflash2.jpg



You may also want to add a few more of the basics..
OOO Steel Wool,Char Cloth, flint/steel, Boy Scout hot Spark or better yet a Large Swedish Firesteel from Bagerra..A couple Triox bars, Fatwood,dryer lint

I carry All of this stuff in my fire kit..Yes it can be bulky,,but it gives you a Ton of ways to start a fire...

Fire Making should be a fun activity...


ttyle

Eric....
 
Another helpful idea is to take a hacksaw blade about 3 inches long and modify the edge to fit into a shortened aluminum exacto knife handle.
This gives a little mechanical advantage for a larger spark, is easier to hold with gloved hands, and is more comfortable to hold than the blade by itself.
The aluminum handle is also very light weight.
 
Roger that on all of the above.

Bic lighters are surprisingly reliable for the price, but bring your back-up.
 
After a couple recent experiences, I decided to go with a few items that were capable of use with one hand:

Sparklite Kit from Four Seasons Survival (purchased through Brigade Quartermasters) comes with Sparklite device and tinder. Tinder burns approx 2.5 to 3 min each and is super simple to use one handed.

Gillette "Cricket" Electronic Ignition butane lighter - worked well after drop tests, immersion in cold water for 6 hours, and after 1 hour in my freezer.

Fresnel lens.

USGI Doan Tool MFS with a 2.5" hacksaw blade striker.

My fixed blade knife has a Swedish fireSteel attached to the On-Scene Tactical sheath, and I carry a film canister or two of vaseline impregnated cotton balls.

Fire Good, cold not. Unless talking beer or margueritas.

Mike
 
I got to get busy.

always looking. normark was that pic a version of the bamboo firestarter in the tropics. I have a picture of one in a book.

though I didn't want to be bulky, I could put that in my pocket while I am in the woods so I can never get separated.

remember the guy in mchigan who went for an overnighter and a week later............

well he panicked and left his gear somewhere far far away.

so after reading that I trimmed my kit so I could always have in on me. I figure a firekit in pocket is worth all the fatwood at home.

but I will explore the variety

thanks

chris
 
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