Firesteel Scout vs. Mini vs. BSA Hot Spark

Never much likes the striker that came with the BSA Hot Spark. That having been said, as long as you had a different striker, they were pretty nice.

I've never directly compared the two, though.

The diameter of the Scout steel is definitely larger (beefier) than the Mini. I don't have the two steels in front of me so I can't really tell you the difference in diameter.

As for function I take the Mini backpacking and wear around my neck with a Photon light and mini compass. I keep the Scout in my day fishing kit for emergencies.

If I used a wood stove I might opt for the Scout because I think it would last longer and be easier to use – haven't used the Mini yet.

I have been using the Scout to start my Bushbuddy using a cotton ball smeared with vaseline. As someone suggested I hold the sharp piece still and pull the steel. I just gives off a bigger spark than the Mini. The Mini does work, you just have to get it very close to the fire starter. It gives off about the same size spark as a bic lighter, so the spark of an empty lighter would probably work, too. For multiple sparks, try a "Match blaster".
http://store.everestgear.com/eqsur100.html They are a bit heavy, however! On my last hike I ended up with a bunch of damp matches that would not light. I was fortunate to have the Scout along. I recently experimented with a box of strike-anywhere matches at home. I was surprised to find how poorly they lit with the sandpaper I have in my "emergency match box". Other than on the box, the most successful way to light the matches was on the fly of my jeans. No kidding. It worked even better than a piece of hack saw blade I also carry with my hiking gear. I wonder if matches have a shelf life?

Do matches have a shelf life? You bet. They can turn to powder over years in a match safe. They absorb moisture and break down in the box at home too. I've never seen them fall apart in the box on the shelf, but but I seem them so old they wouldn't light. Matches that you are going to rely on for survival back-up should be replaced often. I replace my stash of "hurricane" or "lifeboat" matches yearly (REI has the best).

There's an old joke about a guy loosing his cabin because it was so cold the matches wouldn't light and when they thawed out, they burned the cabin down…. :)

I carry a firesteel and Tinder Quick tabs in a spy capsule, some matches in a Silva compass/match safe and use a mini-Bic lighter for my cook kit. I carry a spare Esbit tab for back-up tinder and don't forget your alcohol gel hand cleaner and the alcohol wipes in your first aid kit can help get a fire started in an emergency.

A rock makes a good striker for strike anywhere matches, as does the checkered metal surface of the Silva matchcase.