What Is Your Recommended Compact EDC Fire Starter?

[Xelkos]

  Got my (replaced) Exotac nanoStriker in today. Still have the bug so not able to test it out (again). The first one had a design flaw, the rod broke on the third strike. It was replaced by Exotac, they sent another tested & working model out, and and prepaid envelope to send the defective one back. That's good customer service!

  So, to give an idea what size it is, took pictures with my Leatherman Charge TTi, and carry it with the leather Charge sheath too.


Charge & nanoStriker - Disassembled



Charge & nanoStriker - Assembled



EDC Sheath - Note: J-Sews Charge Blade is EDC too. 



EDC Sheath - EDC Mode

[Xelkos]

Oh, and the replacement had a Refill kit enclosed too!         

[David]

    

[Dynomiker]

Ive got a NanoStriker in OD that rides next to my Charge TTi as well. Works great, compact, light weight, and has a high cool factor! People that see it or that i show it too dig it. Down side, it is a little pricey. But worth it to me.

[darkhawk]

ok that orange one there is real cool ! I can see that being the best choice BUT
any one try the zippo one?
http://www.zippo.com/Products/zippo-fire-starters.aspx
look slike its the size of a lighter but with the goddies inside

or then there is always this

Amazing Lighter Hack

Please note the Multi that is used,

peace

[Dynomiker]

A little useful tip.

2011-01-10 Exotac.3gp

[Zag]

Another useful trick if you are stranded and don't have cotton balls is to use the firesteel as tinder. You can scrape (gently) the firesteel and gather firesteel dust as you would do with a magnesium bar. you can then light the dust pile 

[Gareth]

Another useful trick if you are stranded and don't have cotton balls is to use the firesteel as tinder. You can scrape (gently) the firesteel and gather firesteel dust as you would do with a magnesium bar. you can then light the dust pile 

I'll need to try that sometime. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Another useful trick if you are stranded and don't have cotton balls is to use the firesteel as tinder. You can scrape (gently) the firesteel and gather firesteel dust as you would do with a magnesium bar. you can then light the dust pile 

I'll need to try that sometime. 

Me too

[50ft-trad]

I like the Exotac it is expensive but small and light. Comes in different colors and a Ti model.

Another orange nanostriker owner and fan here. Also got the minimatch, which is like a mini doan bar (small diameter magnesium rod with flint attached). Also another advocate of the PJ impregnated cotton wool. If you have a little tin foil in your kit, you can also wrap the cotton wool up leaving only a small area exposed. This can either work as a candle, or as a longer lasting firelighter for sub-prime firewood (if a little damp etc)

[David]

I like the Exotac it is expensive but small and light. Comes in different colors and a Ti model.

Another orange nanostriker owner and fan here. Also got the minimatch, which is like a mini doan bar (small diameter magnesium rod with flint attached). Also another advocate of the PJ impregnated cotton wool. If you have a little tin foil in your kit, you can also wrap the cotton wool up leaving only a small area exposed. This can either work as a candle, or as a longer lasting firelighter for sub-prime firewood (if a little damp etc)

That`s good to know thanks!      

[Pacu]

Steel wool and a magnesium/steel fire striker. Cheap and compact. Plus a Bic lighter.

[sparky415]

I had been thinking about this question a bit more when I realized I had forgotten my EDC lighter, its a little peanut lighter I brought from these guys

http://endtimesreport.com/survival_shop.html

The petrol seems to last along time when its not being used (as in it does not evaporate) 
Its been in my pocket every day for almost a year (it gets used for BBQ's, birthday candles and lighting Christmas puddings) and it has only come undone maybe a couple of times

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Another useful trick if you are stranded and don't have cotton balls is to use the firesteel as tinder. You can scrape (gently) the firesteel and gather firesteel dust as you would do with a magnesium bar. you can then light the dust pile 

The burn time with that is so short that you'll still need some kind of tinder to sustain it. It's more something you would do to try to ignite a difficult or marginal tinder. You'd be better off to make a fluffy pile of wood scrapings.

Check out the "One Stick Fire" videos on YouTube.

[umberto00]

Since I'm a smoker, I usually have a lighter AND matches with me. Ferro rods are cool (I have a couple, plus the Nanostriker on my keychain), but you just can't beat a good old fashioned lighter or matches for getting a fire started.

My advice: Carry at least 3 different  fire starters.  Use the easier ones (lighter/matches) as your primary, carry another lighter or matches as a back-up, and then carry a firesteel/fresnel lens/mag block as your last ditch effort kit. Don't keep all of these in one place! I usually keep a zippo in my back pocket, matches or a mini bic in my front pocket, nanostriker on my keychain and fresnel lens in my wallet. (The fresnel lense actually came in handy when I was on jury duty - went outside for a smoke break but forgot that security had taken away my lighters! Had to light that cigarette with the power of the sun!   )

Also, learn how to make friction fires. Setting up tinder for these really helps with your matches/lighter firestarting techniques!