why carry a lighter or a fire starting kit in the city?

U

ukknifer

Joined
Jan 30, 2010
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424
Hi
I see why a knife might be handy in the city but if you are not going to the wilderness, why carry a fire kit or lighter in urban involvement?
 
If a major disaster strikes, you could find yourself needing to make fire for either warmth or water purification in an urban environment. Maybe even a signal fire, who knows.
 
Having a light is also a good conversation starter, in the right scenario.
 
For the same reason I used to carry a condom in high school: better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Lighters are like knives, penlights, and clean hankies: stuff a guy could use.
 
remmmm said:
If a major disaster strikes, you could find yourself needing to make fire for either warmth or water purification in an urban environment. Maybe even a signal fire, who knows.
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Exactly my thoughts. I'd rather have a lighter just incase, than not have one and end up needing it.
 
Todd A said:
Because I smoke.
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Ditto. My EDC "rig" involves a Colt McCormick Commander in .45, a Gerber Freeman S30V folder, a SureFire flashlight, a BlackBerry 9700, two extra mags, and yes, cigs and a lighter.

At night, I've been known to add a little Kahr .380 in an ankle holster and a pair of S&W cuffs. Depending on the neighborhood, the weather, the time of year, and just the general feeling in the air, sometimes a vest gets put on too.
 
Because between this city and my home are 50 miles of wilderness.

Agreed with all of the above. Fire is great for warmth, drying out, purification of water, etc. The first cold night you'd be wishing you had a fire.
 
KEmSAT-Survival said:
Lighters are like knives, penlights, and clean hankies: stuff a guy could use.
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Yep. There's just certain things a guy should carry. No reason necessary.

When I leave the house, I don't sort through my stuff and think "will I need this or that?" Certain things always go in my left pocket. Certain things always go in my right pocket. I almost never need any of it. IF I need something, though, you can be certain I'll have it. I've never had to say "Awww, shucks, I didn't think I'd need a lighter today."
 
I carry one, or at least have one within a few hundred feet of me during the day. I will concede that they aren't as useful for a nonsmoker in an urban environment, but when you need one you might really need one. I say at least leave one in your glove box/bag/desk or something if you don't want to carry it all the time. They're really handy for melting the ends of cordage to prevent fraying. Also you never know when any sort of piezo ignition in a grill, lantern, etc might fail and having a lighter will start it right up.

To borrow a line from Sublime, you never know when you might need to "turn that liquor store into a structure fire".
 
I carry a lighter in my pocket, I wrap some sturdy string around it, and wrap some duct tape around that. Lighters don't just start fires, they can melt the ends of webbing, or of cord. Lots of uses. A paper clip under that tape can come in pretty handy too.
 
I don't smoke daily (cigars once in a very long while) but I still carry an lighter everyday. A mini bic is light enough that you can toss it in your pocket and forget its there. Like hlee said, it can be a great conversation starter. I'm amazed at how many smokers out there don't carry their own lighters and fail at using matches properly. It's just one of those things that I decided when I was younger that it would be good to carry around everyday.
 
Scott Free said:
Yep. There's just certain things a guy should carry. No reason necessary.
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Exactly!!! In the words of my Grampa "A man without a knife in his pocket might as well just wear a skirt"...

- knife
- lighter/matches
- handkerchief or big bandanna
 
It doesn't necessarily have to be an "end of the world" scenario. Earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, multi-car pile-ups on the highway . . . just because you're in a city, it doesn't mean you're immune from all that stuff. I can think of scenarios within each of those things where a lighter could come in very handy (even if it's just to sterilize the blade of a knife before cutting).
 
Just part of the kit a guy carries no matter where he's at or thinks he's going.

Fire is like the knife, you may not need it on any regular basis, but the odds are that if and when you need a fire ... you'll need it right NOW, same as a knife.

Regards,
:) ...
 
Never really thought about it, my white bic goes into my left front pocket along with my fisher pen regardless of where I am going. Hasn't gotten in the way or been too heavy in the last 30 years, is there any reason why I shouldn't carry a lighter when I go into the city? Chris
 
Have you ever been to an area 3 days after a Cat. 5 Hurricane (Katrina). When you have nothing like most of the people down there; you would love to have a Fire starter, water, food, a knife, and a firearm...a true Survival cituation! I've worked in 5 hurricanes, you learn what real survival is and what you need to get by. That's why I have my BOB with me 24/7. Try living for two weeks with out power, gas, and no way to get it!
 
Sometimes you know you're going into harm's way. As a retired cop, I had plenty of those days. It doesn't make it any easier, but at least you're prepared for it.

And then sometimes harm finds you, and it's usually when you're least prepared for it. At those times, every little bit helps.
 
hell, I live in the country and travel to the city to work everyday, and carry a bic lighter.......
 
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