Topic
FireLite Mini Firestarting Kits
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › FireLite Mini Firestarting Kits
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Jun 9, 2007 at 6:02 am #1223602
Will the FireLite Mini Firestarting Kit provide enough spark to ignite an open top style alcohol stove?
Jon
Jun 9, 2007 at 6:21 am #1391745Yup, or start a butane stove. Those sparks are hot. The small size is more of a length of service issue than the amount of sparks it throws. I ordered a couple the minute I saw them. You would be working up close with any firesteel, so watch your pinkies.
Jun 9, 2007 at 6:39 am #1391749I got the reg fire steel and the mini later
It has been taking some practice for me to be successful
Both of them create big, hot sparks but it was hard for me to hit the target. I've gotten much better.
Using the BushBuddy I would keep hitting the stand part and knocking it off at first. Also,if it is hot be careful not to let dripping sweat drops hit your firestarter.
I really am enjoying learning this skill.
Jun 9, 2007 at 8:40 am #1391756A technique that works good for me is to hold the small striker steel piece in one hand steady, and then pulling the firesteel back, as opposed to holding the firesteel steady and pushing the striker forward.
Dan
Jun 9, 2007 at 4:10 pm #1391783Just don't try it with a white gas stove…
Jun 9, 2007 at 5:24 pm #1391786>> hold the small striker steel piece in one hand steady, and then pulling the firesteel back <<
hi Dan
Tried this technique today and found it to work much better for me. Thanks for the great tip.
Jun 9, 2007 at 5:33 pm #1391787Cheaper way, go to walmart and buy the zinc block with the stryker built in. Knock it out with a hammer and nail, and carry cotton balls impregnated with petrolium jelly, they will light readily and… also a hacksaw blade piece, 2" broken off is fine. This set up is waterproof and you'd be surprised at how easy it is to light. Cost= $6 + vaseline and cotton balls.
Jun 10, 2007 at 5:31 am #1391808I went ahead and ordered a couple to try them out. Thanks.
Jon
Jun 10, 2007 at 6:53 pm #1391869be sure and not overdo it with the vaseline, a bit on a ball goes a long way, then fluff the ball increasing the surface:volume ration as much as possible. Seady and firm as she goes on the stryker all the way to the end and you'll have good luck with this.
In the pacific northwest, pitchwood abounds. I never carry tinder because I know exactly where and how to find it.Jun 11, 2007 at 7:07 pm #1391980Cool.. Just tried it and was very impressed!
Sep 4, 2007 at 10:48 pm #1401078why is it not good for white gas? with MSRs at least, it would only be lighting the gas in the primer cup. it seems that should be a stable enough situation
Sep 5, 2007 at 9:43 am #1401118Great tip, Dan. Why does the jelly work? I noted that it does not burn by itself, it just melts. Does it only ignite at high temps as wax does? I tried sno-seal without any noted effect, thoguh cotton alone burns fast. Also, I think the "zinc" in the Walmart ignitors is actually magneseum. It takes a pile of that to light and it burns quite fast. The cotton ball with jelly not only burns for awhile it stands up well in a breeze, too. Pulling the cotton threads out to thin them helps make igniting them with a spark a bit easier. The mini striker that comes with the kit works well because it gets the spark right at the end of the "stick". I also noted that the hack saw blade works quite well when the side opposite the teeth is used. Note, too, that the metal striker that is sold with the ignoitor here at BPL has an up side and a bottom side. Make sure the "up" is up!
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.