SparkLite Test

S

SkunkWerX

Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
1,730
I tested a SparkLite over the weekend.
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PROS:
small , compact, lightweight

CONS:
-only a measured amount of spark with each flick.
-It is "Tinder specific" *

* Using the provided "super" tinder, it works flawlessly.

So next I tried a square of TP. I found it needs to held very very close, so close, that it was grabbing the TP in it's striker wheel. I steadied it with my other hand, and in about 4 strikes the TP caught some spark and flamed.
I repeated the TP test a few times, t appeared to work better striking succesively about 4 times until a spark catches.

CONCLUSION:
I wouldn't want this to be my only source, given it's tinder specific nature.
As long as you have the tinder they supply, (wax impregnated cotton) it would be a welcome addition, especially in a small PSK where space is at a premium.

Using the SparkLite with natural tinder?
Perhaps in summer, with cat-tail fuzz or tinderfungus it would probably do fine.
Whatever it was would have to be very very wispy and very dry.
The sparks are adeuqate, but not generous, and they are not "bulky" braod sparks like from a fero-rod.

If I had the choice of a decent sized fero-rod with hacksaw blade, or a SparkLite, and could only choose one, I'd take the fero-rod.
If it was damp and wet out, and the SparkLite came with it's proprietary dry tinder, I'd take the SparkLite and it's dry tinder :)


That's my first hand review.
 
SkunkWerX said:
Using the SparkLite with natural tinder?
Perhaps in summer, with cat-tail fuzz or tinderfungus it would probably do fine.
Click to expand...


In fall and at least part of the winter (at least here in Ontario), the pappus (fluff) of Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) can be used. And make no mistake - these work equally as well as cotton. The pappus from Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannibinum) would probably work too, but I have never tried it.

Doc
 
Umm, where's the cool little box they come in?:D

Another couple of pluses for the little firestarter tool is that when you buy the complete kit, you get 10 pieces of tinder, which when cut into thirds, gives you 30 fires and it's about $7.00. The other plus is that it is a one hand operational tool. Which is the main reason that I have one in every kit, vest and jacket, along with a flame adjustable disposable lighter.:D

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Pit man, you can find them for , like $6.99 or maybe $7.50 USD if you sniff around.

Doc, I'd be more leary walking into the woods with one of these (and no tinder) , than I would my fero-rod. Dunno, just a gut feel.

The SparkLite makes sparks, no doubt, so if you can find cottony, wispy tinder, then it should work.
The one handed part of it's appeal is true, for it's own tinder, remains to be seen for other types.

Also, I think I made it clear, but this tinder that comes with the SparkLite is fantastic. I didn't use a whole one, just pulled off a little from the end and it burned nicely, long enough to get other material to catch, so, safely, each one would yield 2 good firestarts, if you were cautious, maybe 3 firestarts per.

I have seen the tinder sold alone, quite dense and compact, would be good in a PSK, even without the SparkLite. (provided you had a fero-rod/firesteel).
 
i just picked up a 50 pack of the TinderQuiks for use in a PSK with a BSA Hotspark. You only get 4 or 5 with the AMK PSP which doesn't leave any spares to practice with. They seem easier and cleaner than petroleum jelly and cotton balls.
 
i carry the one in the picture there (the issue one) and it does work good with very easily lightable tinder... but like what was stated before, this is a last ditch effort though. its original purpose was for use in military aviators survival kits. its minimalist equipment for sure.
 
Skunk, do you think you...or I and the rest of us...could make that tinder with cotton balls and paraffin? Might be better than petroleum jelly and cotton balls?

I second what Doc said about milkweed fluff, I've been picking some up around my house and that stuff goes up in a flash. The downside is you have to gather it in fall or winter after the pods have split open and start to throw seeds.
 
i love the tinder-quick fire tabs, they work great... :thumbup: :thumbup: i don't care for the spark lite much, i always have a ferro rod handy at all times...
 
I keep a Sparklite and 4 tinder tabs in my PSK, but this is the back-up to my back-up. I normally carry a lighter, ferro rod, and PJ treated cotton in a screw top metal tube. I find the Sparklite will ignite the PJ treated cotton just fine.

I like the one-handed ability of the Sparklite as a PSK method. I figure if I'm down to my PSK I might also be down to one hand. Mac
 
Coldwood said:
Skunk, do you think you...or I and the rest of us...could make that tinder with cotton balls and paraffin? Might be better than petroleum jelly and cotton balls?
Click to expand...

Good question. I don't know how they do it, as it appears to be like fiberous cotton that has been compressed and bound. It is still dry and fluffy, like a cotton ball, but burns longer, due to the parrafin.

I don't know how we would accomplish the parrafin/wax part??
Seems like we would end up with a big old wax covered blob.


Also, in thinknig about it, I don't think that one replaces the other (Tinder Quik vs. PJ cotton ball). I look at this tinderquik more as a super-easy means to catch a spark and bring forth flame, and the PJ cottonball as a more sustained flame, into getting more tinder and kindling lit.
Not a perfect discription or analogy , but I think you get the drift.
 
The Sparklite's major strength is the one-handed operation that it allows. The only other "tool" on the market that I am aware of that permits something similar is the BlastMatch. Although heavier, it throws out a pretty substantial amount of sparks. On the flipside, they are getting harder to find. A rumor I heard was that the company owner has mysteriously disappeared and the authorities are looking into foul play.

If anyone here can start a fire one-handed with a ferro rod, I'd love to see that in action.
 
SparkLite with TinderQuik is great a great, last ditch, fire starter! It truely works one handed. You do not need to fluff up the tinder. Spark the SparkLite on the end of a TinderQuik and it will light. Toss it in your file-lay and you are golden.
 
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