New Fire Starter !

Do you know how it makes the spark?
Is it a ferro rod or a small "flint" like the Spark-Light?
I have started fires one handed with the Spark-Light.
 
They have a 1/4" firesteel in them that is struck by a small scraper. The scraper is depressed with your thumb when you hold and squeeze it. UST sent me some samples and I thought they were pretty cool and definitely more useful than the Spark Lite, in my opinion.

The current Sparkie version has the rod epoxied in place, but they have a version coming out at the end of the month with a rod that can rotate so you can maximize its use. I will have them in my store when the new version is available.
 
Looks pretty cool. I've often thought about a spring loaded version. Basically the ferro rod would lock in the outward position. When you pressed in on the striker it would release the rod and a spring would pull it back into the unit throwing the sparks. Makes sense. The idea is that you wouldn't need to press it against something in order to make sparks.

Thanks,

Charlie
 
I have the current sparkie, and wouldn't reccomend it. It is a very limited use item, 150 strikes if I remember correctly, though that will improve with the change Storl mentioned. My big problem though is that it doesn't work when wet. Most ferros I've used have no trouble with water, but the sparkie just starts shaving pieces off without any ignition.
 
I just got some of those 1/2" misch metal rods from storls and those things are FLAMETHROWERS compared to the other ferro rods I've used:thumbup:--KV
 
Too gimmicky for me ... for the price of the Sparkie you can get TWO 3/8" x 3" misch metal rod blanks from goinggear.com
 
I forgot where I first heard about this (prob ETS forum), but apparently there were some issues with the rod getting stuck when it was used too much in a short amount of time or if it got too dirty.

Personally I'd take the regular sized Blastmatch over this. I don't really mind the bulk.
 
JOSH111 said:
Neat idea but would rather stick with good old Gerber strikeforce.
Click to expand...

I tried the Blastmatch first and didn't like it and went to the Strikeorce. I like the Strike Force Better than the Blastmatch and now I like the Swedish Firesteel better than the Strikeforce. However...in the winter months one should probably have one method of firestarting along that can be actuated one with one hand such as this or a sparklite even if it isn't your primary firestarting tool as statistics show that if you are injured there is a good chance it will be a hand that is hurt.

This is a technique I ran across and really need to practice as it could definitely come in handy with an injured hand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0bU0F0hKdI
 
That's a very precise, good technique which I'd not seen before, thanks for posting!
happy0034.gif
 
random question, could it be possible to adapt a strike-force and use a misch-metal rod in it? I'm guessing you'd also need to sharpen the striker....?
 
Mistwalker you do have a point there. I was thinking about the times I have dislocated my shoulder and using the strikeforce,ooff...
Gonna look in to it further:thumbup:
 
JOSH111 said:
Mistwalker you do have a point there. I was thinking about the times I have dislocated my shoulder and using the strikeforce,ooff...
Gonna look in to it further:thumbup:
Click to expand...


Always good to think things through...options are always a good thing.
 
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