Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

My 3rd purchase, this one is for an emergency kit I am preparing. The unit is simple to use, produces a sizable spark even when wet and provides piece-of-mind with negligible weight.

Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

I bought this for backcountry camping/hunting as a back-up to convential fire starting means (waterproof matches/windproof lighter). It is very small/weighs nothing and this baby throws sparks! Follow the directions and clean the paint of the rod and you are good to go.

Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

It is short and will spark, but spending a couple bucks extra to get a better firesteel would be money well spent, especially if you think you'll need to start a fire in adverse conditions.

My kids can practice it with it but I will have a better solution for actual camping.

Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

If you carry your matches and striking surface in a dry container, and replace them when their numbers go down, it is unlikely you will ever need this device. The combination of a dry match and some paper will allow you to start a fire almost anywhere you can find kindling and fuel.

Firesteel will do the same, BUT you must ALSO have either (1) easy to light tinder, (2) pure cotton balls rubbed with petroleum jelly, or (3) dryer lint. I had no trouble starting a fire with (3), but I could just as easily have started the same fire with a match and paper. And finding paper in the back country is a LOT easier than finding dryer lint or cotton balls. Sometimes it's even easier than finding easy to light tinder.

Some will insist that Firesteel has the advantage over matches in that it works even if wet. This is true, but ONLY to the extent that it will spark even when wet. It will NOT start a fire unless what you spark is also dry. Thus, you're basically where you were before -- you can only start a fire IF you keep something dry. And I think that keeping matches dry is just as easy as keeping lint dry.

Others will note that Firesteel gives thousands of sparks, meaning it will work even after you've used all your matches. Overcoming this "problem" becomes simply a matter of ensuring you have enough matches for your intended back-country travel. For me, three a day have proven more than adequate. I also keep separate boxes in separate areas of my pack and pockets, ensuring that I'll always have enough even in emergencies.

The main use I can see for a Firesteel is a true emergency (loss of pack, extreme weather) where a fire is an absolute must and matches won't work. In this case, you'd better have brought (2) or (3) or know how to find (1) quickly during your emergency. It seems to me that simply carrying dry matches with paper would be just as good a solution.

Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

Small, effective,easy to carry,it could save your life.

Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

Needed new one and found it is perfect gift/stocking stuffer for outdoors sportspersons. Good first fire starting tool for teaching youths to build survival fire. Way easier than magnesium bar. Have started fires in all weather conditions with this. Must have in survival kit.

Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

works well

Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

This product just works if you know how to use it. My 11 year old daughter was able to get a fire started with just one attempt. This is possible if you know what to do. Get started with good tinder. The best I have found is a cotton ball with a small dab of petrolium jelly. This is a super light tinder and is fool proof. You can carry a weeks worth in a tiny ziplock bag!

Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

Opened the package. Took a little lint from the dryer and walked outside. Grabbed a handful of damp hay and placed the lint on top. Struck the Light my fire towards the lint and on the second strike it exploded into flames. I repeated the same test using a little torn toilet tissue on top of the damp hay to make sure I wasn't dreaming. First strike the tissue exploded into flames. I you can't start a fire with this you shouldn't leave your house.

Comments about Light My Fire Scout Swedish Firesteel:

I first tested this in the winter lighting my alcohol stove. After two sparks I was on my way to a hot meal! It sparks very easily and hasn't worn away too quickly. I love it and will always come back to this product for my lightweight fire starting needs!