x-cords makes buckles with integrated whistle AND flint

Great idea….very clever for sure.

My concerns would be:

1. Would the fire steel fall off/out from the repeated pressure placed on it while scraping the striker over it.

2. Looks like the fire steel is about one inch, which is not going to produce many sparks for a wet/cold survival situation.

3. Could you use it while still attached to your sternum strap of your pack or do you have remove it from the pack to use?

Still, it really is a great idea that I can appreciate.

Tony

Cute. Wonder if the whistle still works after the fire steel falls out? Ever try those sternum strap whistles? Not the best out there.

"Still, it really is a great idea that I can appreciate." +1

You have to admit that it is clever.

Be interesting to see the weight, and know how durable it works as a sternum strap buckle on an extended basis.

One advantage is it reduces, by a smidge, gear clutter. A back up firestarter is carried by most. This takes it out from somewhere else in your pack, one less little thing to pack, one less little thing to forget or have to remember to pack for each trip.

Hopefully the next iteration WON'T include a button compass…

+1 on Tony's concerns. Looking at more pics of them on ebay (there really are stacks for sale), its pretty small.

Sternum strap use…could be a pain to remove depending on how you have your sternum strap rigged. Only one side is the adjustable type, looks like the other side requires either sewn webbing or a ladder lock. Would need some creativity to be easily removable. So probably more for backup situations.

EDIT:
I just ordered one each from each of the first three lowest price+shipping vendors on ebay. Buckle only. The third vendor (for me as an Aussie, with worldwide option) had a make an offer option; I offered 1.98 US free postage, they countered with 2.25. Done. No doubt if ordering in bulk you could get down a lot more, some offer 5,10,30 option pricing.

They'll all come in at different times over the next few weeks. I'll first check they are definitely the same (look the same in the pics), do some simple tests, then stress test one to destruction.

Adam,

Looking forward to getting your impressions on this.

Gotta love the price.

Tony

Nice idea, if it turns out to be too small to work well they could always design one into a larger buckle as for a hip belt is suppose.

jimmby

I ordered 4 on Amazon, Thinking of using some 5/8 or 3/4 nylon strap and making a belt. I usually wear a belt so its no big deal and should be easy on and off if I need it.