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- Nov 11, 2007
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I posted a thread here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612917 asking for advice on how to start a fire in less than optimal conditions. I received a lot of good feedback, so I decided to spend Saturday testing out some of the techniques and materials described.
Let me preface all this by saying I have no dog in this fight. All I wanted out of this testing was to find the quickest, easiest way for me to start a fire when wet, cold, and injured. If I step on some toes or dont think much of a product, well, this is what I found on this day, in these conditions, and what worked or didnt work for me. I will gladly change my mind on any of my conclusions if I can prove it out in further testing.
I have a bias in this testing towards tinder sources that I can carry and require the addition of no gathered tinder to ignite kindling. My thinking was this: I am cold, it is 20° out, I'm wet, I'm injured and have only the use of my left hand (I'm a righty). I will tell you right off, carving the nice little fuzz sticks we see here all the time is not possible under those conditions. This needs to be done quickly, I figure I have the time to gather some kindling or waste time looking for more tinder, I can't do both.
So the weather today cooperated fairly well in the cold department (20 - 25° at testing time), but not the windy and wet, so I had to simulate those conditions.
My methodology was to test the 2 components that I am carrying, ignition sources and tinder. To test the wind component I placed an oscillating house fan 2 feet from where I was working. I don't know what wind speed this might equate to, but I can say that I have experienced much windier conditions. To simulate wet I used a pail of water that tinder or ignition sources were dunked in very quickly (less than a second submerged) then the water either shaken off or poured out. No attempt was made to thoroughly dry.
Testing area:
Part I: Ignition Source Test, Wind:
This is a list of the ignition sources (clockwise from top left):
Gossman O1 PSK and generic Ferro rod (FR/S)
Blast Match
REI Stormproof Matches
Spark Light Firestarter Flint
Diamond Matches
Mini Bics
Diamond Brand Strike-A-Fire (tested under tinder; it is both tinder and igniter in one package)
So to continue, I tested the ability of the ignition sources first in the wind.
My method here was to attempt to light or spark 2 from an oscillating house fan.
Gossman O1 PSK and generic Ferro rod (FR/S) - No problems here, lots of sparks. I used the one-handed technique posted by RescueRiley here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0bU0F0hKdI&feature=channel_page
Blast Match - The Blast Match proved difficult, but not impossible, to open one-handed. When I got it open, I was able to spark it (less sparks than the FR/S combo). But with my cold hand, it was difficult to keep the steel pressed against the ferro rod.
REI Stormproof Matches This also proved a challenge one-handed. I placed the striker on the ground, held it in place with my foot, and was able to light the first match. The wind was no problem:
Spark Light Firestarter Flint I was able to spark this using the recommended method one handed by flicking it like a bic lighter, although the cold made it hard, and as an alternate method by running it along a branch on the ground.
Diamond Matches Lit briefly and immediately blew out. Used same striking technique as with REI matches.
Mini Bics These were VERY difficult to light in the cold and wind, even using my body as a wind block. I did get a brief flame, but it went out immediately, even with the lighter fluid adjustment set to full power
Part II: Ignition Source Test, Water and Wind:
My method here was to very quickly dunk the ignition source and any striker into the water with my left hand. All attempts at ignition were made 2 from the fan.
Gossman O1 PSK and generic Ferro rod Again, the gross motor skills required for this one-handed technique proved easy with a left hand that was quickly loosing any dexterity at all. Still copious sparks when wet.
Blast Match With a wet AND cold hand, this thing was even harder to get open. I succeeded after multiple tries. However, the combo of wet and wind and lack of strength in my thumb proved too much, and I was not able to spark this time. Also, Im not sure how you are supposed to use this thing with tinder effectively. I guess you could find a flat rock and place your tinder on it and use the rock as a striking surface, but you run the risk of scattering your tinder all over the place, which I did once.
REI Stormproof Matches Same technique as above. When wet and windy, I broke the first match I tried to spark. I was able to light the stub of this match, and it burned well. Later in the test of tinder I used these exclusively, and none broke and they lit EVERY time, when wet and exposed to the full force of the wind.
Spark Light Firestarter Flint I was not able to spark this product when wet. It was like there was not enough friction between the wheel and flint; and this is a very small device. It was hard to hold and operate the wheel with cold and wet hands. . I tried again later with thawed, warm hand, and still was not able to get a spark when wet. I got a spark after waiting a minute or two and blowing out the water from the mechanism.
Diamond Matches Did you expect these to light? No.
Mini Bics USELESS. There is no way these are lighting when wet and windy.
Summary: There were some surprises here, some not. The 2 most reliable sources were the FR/S and REI Stormproof matches. To those who carry a Bic lighter as a reliable firestarter, I just have to ask, WHY? It is deadweight taking up space you would be better served using for a more reliable source. Your standard Bic will not reliably ignite in windy, wet, cold conditions.
At this point, I came inside to warm up and write the first part of the test down. Next up, tinder.
Let me preface all this by saying I have no dog in this fight. All I wanted out of this testing was to find the quickest, easiest way for me to start a fire when wet, cold, and injured. If I step on some toes or dont think much of a product, well, this is what I found on this day, in these conditions, and what worked or didnt work for me. I will gladly change my mind on any of my conclusions if I can prove it out in further testing.
I have a bias in this testing towards tinder sources that I can carry and require the addition of no gathered tinder to ignite kindling. My thinking was this: I am cold, it is 20° out, I'm wet, I'm injured and have only the use of my left hand (I'm a righty). I will tell you right off, carving the nice little fuzz sticks we see here all the time is not possible under those conditions. This needs to be done quickly, I figure I have the time to gather some kindling or waste time looking for more tinder, I can't do both.
So the weather today cooperated fairly well in the cold department (20 - 25° at testing time), but not the windy and wet, so I had to simulate those conditions.
My methodology was to test the 2 components that I am carrying, ignition sources and tinder. To test the wind component I placed an oscillating house fan 2 feet from where I was working. I don't know what wind speed this might equate to, but I can say that I have experienced much windier conditions. To simulate wet I used a pail of water that tinder or ignition sources were dunked in very quickly (less than a second submerged) then the water either shaken off or poured out. No attempt was made to thoroughly dry.
Testing area:
Part I: Ignition Source Test, Wind:
This is a list of the ignition sources (clockwise from top left):
Gossman O1 PSK and generic Ferro rod (FR/S)
Blast Match
REI Stormproof Matches
Spark Light Firestarter Flint
Diamond Matches
Mini Bics
Diamond Brand Strike-A-Fire (tested under tinder; it is both tinder and igniter in one package)
So to continue, I tested the ability of the ignition sources first in the wind.
My method here was to attempt to light or spark 2 from an oscillating house fan.
Gossman O1 PSK and generic Ferro rod (FR/S) - No problems here, lots of sparks. I used the one-handed technique posted by RescueRiley here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0bU0F0hKdI&feature=channel_page
Blast Match - The Blast Match proved difficult, but not impossible, to open one-handed. When I got it open, I was able to spark it (less sparks than the FR/S combo). But with my cold hand, it was difficult to keep the steel pressed against the ferro rod.
REI Stormproof Matches This also proved a challenge one-handed. I placed the striker on the ground, held it in place with my foot, and was able to light the first match. The wind was no problem:
Spark Light Firestarter Flint I was able to spark this using the recommended method one handed by flicking it like a bic lighter, although the cold made it hard, and as an alternate method by running it along a branch on the ground.
Diamond Matches Lit briefly and immediately blew out. Used same striking technique as with REI matches.
Mini Bics These were VERY difficult to light in the cold and wind, even using my body as a wind block. I did get a brief flame, but it went out immediately, even with the lighter fluid adjustment set to full power
Part II: Ignition Source Test, Water and Wind:
My method here was to very quickly dunk the ignition source and any striker into the water with my left hand. All attempts at ignition were made 2 from the fan.
Gossman O1 PSK and generic Ferro rod Again, the gross motor skills required for this one-handed technique proved easy with a left hand that was quickly loosing any dexterity at all. Still copious sparks when wet.
Blast Match With a wet AND cold hand, this thing was even harder to get open. I succeeded after multiple tries. However, the combo of wet and wind and lack of strength in my thumb proved too much, and I was not able to spark this time. Also, Im not sure how you are supposed to use this thing with tinder effectively. I guess you could find a flat rock and place your tinder on it and use the rock as a striking surface, but you run the risk of scattering your tinder all over the place, which I did once.
REI Stormproof Matches Same technique as above. When wet and windy, I broke the first match I tried to spark. I was able to light the stub of this match, and it burned well. Later in the test of tinder I used these exclusively, and none broke and they lit EVERY time, when wet and exposed to the full force of the wind.
Spark Light Firestarter Flint I was not able to spark this product when wet. It was like there was not enough friction between the wheel and flint; and this is a very small device. It was hard to hold and operate the wheel with cold and wet hands. . I tried again later with thawed, warm hand, and still was not able to get a spark when wet. I got a spark after waiting a minute or two and blowing out the water from the mechanism.
Diamond Matches Did you expect these to light? No.
Mini Bics USELESS. There is no way these are lighting when wet and windy.
Summary: There were some surprises here, some not. The 2 most reliable sources were the FR/S and REI Stormproof matches. To those who carry a Bic lighter as a reliable firestarter, I just have to ask, WHY? It is deadweight taking up space you would be better served using for a more reliable source. Your standard Bic will not reliably ignite in windy, wet, cold conditions.
At this point, I came inside to warm up and write the first part of the test down. Next up, tinder.
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I also don't understand why people would carry a mini-Bic when a full size one is so much easier to handle. As far as dead-weight goes, they're very light weight (most of the dead weight I carry is around my middle). I'll continue to carry them, along with a fire steel, and a flint n steel. I've never been trusting of wooden matches of any kind.