Fire Starters

I'm not coordinated enough to light a vaseline soaked cotton ball with my Blastmatch without getting vaseline on it. I also found it really tough to light an alcohol stove. These two problems led me to a traditional firesteel which I've been much happier with. I haven't tried the Sparkie or esbit cubes.

Is your concern the ability to use one hand or the fuel for the tinder? Vaseline is messy but lights easy.

A Bic lighter

I save dryver lint. Takes a spark very easily and weighs nothing. I havn't tried to soak it in vasaline though.

i dislike cotton balls now, they are weighty once you get 9 or 10 of em soaked in vaseline. I use tack cloth rubbed in vaseline, way lighter, 6 min burntime, and cost me little

http://www.bondcorp.com/products.html

they come in a brick of 100 sheets.

see my thread amazing ul fire starter

You don't need to soak them in Vaseline, try just using a little, cottonballs will take a spark easily on their own, the vaseline just prolongs the burn.

Personally I take a small block of fatwood. A few shavings of this and a bit rubbed into a glob with the back of your blade, and this stuff will take a spark and burn for sooo long.

One small piece a couple inches long by 1/4" thick will last for many many fires if used correctly.

I have great luck with just regular firesteel.

I've had both of the firestarters you mention, as well as countless others. I found them large and heavy for what they provided. On the plus side, they offer one handed operation. The trick to making either of them work right is to get the hang of how much side pressure to apply to generate the best sparks.

I have opted to carry a less complicated and much lighter firesteel as well as a small lighter. There is nothing to break or lose, are much cheaper, take up less space in your pocket or pack, and weigh much less.

BTW, regular firesteel offers one hand operation if you know how to use it.

Well, one hand and a foot to hold it, but I doubt there are many hikers out there missing an arm and a leg. That being said, a prosthetic leg would work for the method I'm describing.

Check youtube if you don't know what i"m talking about.

As for mini-bics. They're nearly impossible to use with a glove, and don't work well if they get wet. Firesteel doesn't have this limitation, and honestly, it's alot easier to light most alcohol stoves with the steel when it's cold.

Thanks for the information!

James, I am looking for a Fire Starter that I can use in a wide range of temperatures from 90* to 0*. And if it’s raining or snowing or just clear. I would also like this to be easy to use, even while wearing gloves. Preferably lightweight as every ounce counts on my backcountry bivvy excursions.

The lightest, cheapest firesteel I've come across is the BSA HotSpark. It costs all of $3 and is very light. It can be ordered online from scoutingstuff or probably picked up locally at your scouting supplier. (BSA Catalog #01167) Seriously, for the price, grab three or four. You'll end up giving them away to friends and family.

Even though it is small in size the molded handle makes it easy to use.

Another one-handed technique for a firesteel involves sticking your knife in a piece of wood. Place your tinder next to the knife and drag the firesteel across the spine, showering the sparks onto your tinder. Transfer to your fire lay.