Rethinking the Blastmatch

[CSG]

I recently bought two of these and ended up returning one as it seemed to have some issues with opening and closing. The other one was fine. I also had mixed feelings about their usefulness compared to a Light My Fire ferro rod or those from GoingGear. Anyway, I've been playing around with the one I kept and have decided that it's a worthy enough addition to my kit. It does indeed generate a lot of sparks and can be easily used one handed. However, I'm not sure I'd get one again *instead* of the more conventional ferro rod. Those can be used one handed too as demonstrated on a few YT vids, notably by hobbexp.

If it breaks, you retain an excellent firesteel rod and as long as you have a knife or some other scraper (or the carbide blade included) it will still function.

 

[KuRUpTD]

I haven't played with a blastmatch but the goinggear rods are kicka$$ :thumbup:

 

[batosai117]

I'd like to get one mearly for the name, "Blastmatch!!!" It just has a nice ring to it

And as you said, as long as you have something to scrape it with, you still retain a descent ferro rod if it breaks.

 

[j_d]

I had one break, I think after being stepped on. The rod was out and snapped off at the plastic back in the housing leaving me with as you said a still good rod. I bought another one but continue using the rod from the first one and just strike it with the back of my leatherman file. In some ways the broken rod is easier to use but I still like the blast match as its a one handed tool and has its own striker built in.
Josh

 

[ROCK6]

I think the concept is great, but from my experience, the plastic just doesn't hold up. I have a few and they are excellent for my wife and kids...much easier to manipulate and work effectively. A couple don't stay closed (easy fix with a piece of inner-tubing) and I've had one complete break...still use the rod.

Despite the size, my favorite is still the Strike Force, but now that RAT Cutlery and Goinggear both have great fire steels with a capsule at the end, it makes it a better overall system since you can store a few cottonballs with Vaseline as emergency tinder.

I think as my kids get a little more coordination and training, they won't need the Blastmatch down the road...until then they'll continue to use them until they graduate to a regular rod or they break.

ROCK6