Thoughts on Blast Match & Strike Force Fire Starters

CSG said:
I talked to UST shortly after posting to this thread. The gal I spoke to has worked there for a couple years and said she'd only seen one or two Blatst Matches returned for lack of satisfaction or breakage. We discussed technique a bit but she was more than willing to exchange it for a Strike Force. I think I'll play around with it a bit more. I don't really need a Strike Force as I've got a number of other firesteels so maybe I can find some value to the Blast Match if I use it some more.

She suggested watching their vid again as they demonstrate using it on a non-firm surface...

OK, watched their vid again and to use it on a non-firm surface they suggest you hold it using your index finger to plunge it over the tinder. It works but not very well if your fingers are cold and stiff or you have arthritis or other joint issues.
Click to expand...

I think a lot of the breakage comes from improper use... I can see if you jammed it down at an angle enough times... you could break the handle... In playing with mine I found it the most easy on soft ground to get a stick, place the tip of the stick near my tender... and then push it off the end of the stick... I'm sure this would work in all but the wetest and sloppiest of ground... in which case you might want to find a better spot to build a fire anyway. If you don't have a stick handy... you surely can't be building a fire LOL.
 
Danny, I think UST told me they consider the Sparkie an emergence use sparker unlike the the Blast Match or Strike Force.
 
I have a strike force and liked it in its org. set up, but now I pulled the fire steel out of it and just carry it with out a handle now.
 
Well, I think I'll keep the Blast Match I still have, mostly as it's something different from the rest of the firesteels I own and certainly works OK. The Strike Force is too similar to everything else on the market (and in my kits) although it does have a handy container for a little tinder built into the handle.

These things are $18-20 but GoingGear has a 4"x3/8" rod (same diameter as the UST stuff) for about $8 and they work really well.

Hey storl, how about some free stuff for that plug?? :D
 
I have both, and like them both. Push come to shove, I'd take the strike force, I like the design better, as well as the ability to store a little tinder in it.

Both of the firesteels in each is absolutely top notch. They both throw impressive sparks, especially with the carbide striker.
 
I don't know about costume service but dang, those are some great prices if those ferro rods are comparable to the other stuff out there.
 
I have both, but rarely use either due to the weight an bulk. They stay in my car or are used during demo's to ooh and aah the crowd.

The Blast Match has always seemed flimsy to me, but I have yet to break it. Definitely does not inspire confidence, but the rod will still be useable.

The Strike Force rod splintered the first time I used it, breaking off a decent size chunk of ferro rod. Still very useable, but again, not inspring. I've heard of this happening to several people's Strike Forces. I also bought a Spark-lite with the flint piece turned to dust, so maybe I just don't have good luck with these things.

I use the BSA Hot Spark the most, followed by the Light My Fire Scout rods. I'm going to get a Going Gear rod in 3/8" and 1/2" soon.
 
i like the large handles on the strike force, i carry it when it is cold it is easier to use with gloves on, the tinder works as advetized.

alex
 
You don't have to use your finger to plunge the rod on the blastmatch. Just grab a small branch or similar hard object and use the blastmatch on that.
 
UST will replace a broken Blast Match or Strike Force at no cost so complaining that they're crap doesn't wash. I simply find the Blast Match doesn't work quite as easily as I'd hoped for. I'll keep the one I have left and used it yesterday to ignite some fatwood shavings. Using a piece of wood to brace it on soft ground is a good idea. I should have thought of that one myself! :D
 
i bought a strike force when they first came out in the early nighties or late eighties. either way it's been quite awhile and still love it. mine is currently stuffed with char cloth. i also use swedish fire steels and such but the strike force is hard to beat!! IMO
 
I have the Gerber Strike Force that I bought in the early 90's. It still works well, and I've lit hundreds of fires with it. I'ts pretty tough. Those white tinder cubes also work real well when it's wet out.:thumbup:
 
I own both the blast match and strike force.

I like the strike force and have used it many (about 10) times without problems .

I have owned the blast match for a while but never really used it. I tried to make a fire in 20 degree F weather in my backyard. The plastic that held the striker broke so I could no longer get sparks. I could have used a knife but I was in my backyard so I switched to the mini bic (I started getting cold). I did not return it because I got it in a kit and liked everything else in the kit.

Rob
 
I've had both. I like the strikeforce ok it has a great ferro rod. As does the blast match which is great for one handed use with chemical firestarters such as hexamine, trioxane, or the "wet fire" stuff which may be nothing more than hexamine I don't know for sure. However when trying to light a fire under damp conditions with natural materials with the blast match it sometimes takes multiple sparks. After three fires under these conditions the litttle piece of plastic that holds the striker in place melted and the striker came out. True this left me with a more than useable ferro rod I much prefer the strike force for the money as it has less moving parts and a storage compartment for the tinder.
 
Received the Strike Force. I thought the size/bulk wouldn't bother me, but this thing is huge. Seems well made. Throws good sparks. Might be difficult to rotate and strike the firesteel on all sides due to it being mounted off center.

Conclusion: It's hard to beat the good ole' Swedish FireSteel. Lightweight, compact, and easy to rotate for even wear.
 
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