Firestarting Challenge - short notice

[Sos24]

I know there are some great challenges going on this month, but I just wasn’t interested in any of those, so I thought I would do this one for this month.  I was going to do it  back in April, but life happened and I couldn’t participate.

If anyone wants to join me, you are welcome to.  You can even join if you are participating in another challenge, however, you can only earn one badge per month.

Here are the rules from the original if anyone interested.
1. Carry a fire-starting piece of gear (or several) for 30 days.
2. Every day, post a picture of it.
3. Comments on techniques, tricks, reason of preference, etc, are encouraged.
4. You may carry a different item every day, or stick to one item. Up to you.
5. If it creates embers or sparks, or catches sparks, or ignites, it counts.
6. It does not count if it burns when you pee.
7. Obey your local laws, and be responsible with flammable materials and flames.
Not required, but for the fun of it, I’m going to try to start a fire in my twig stove most days.


Day 1
I decide to use the Firefly and helix fire tinder in my Halloween compact.  I’ve found a good way to strike the firefly is by sliding it in the notch on the combo tool or cap lifter.  The helix tinder lights really easily.

[Farmer X]

As of right now, I have zero need to start any fires, but I'll follow along with great interest!

[nate j]

I’m a day behind, so I’ll have to catch up at some point, but I’ll play along.

Day 1

This is my normal EDC loadout of fire starting gear.

[nate j]

Day 2

But why three, you ask?

Well, if two is one and one is none, doesn’t that make three two?
 

[Sos24]

Day 2

But why three, you ask?

Well, if two is one and one is none, doesn’t that make three two?
 

Nice to have you join me and I do like your thinking.  I tend to be that way about knifes and flashlights too.

[Sos24]

Day 2
Zippo and Coghlan fire stick helped light today’s fire.

I have a small Zippo collection that mostly consists of ones from different Navy ships that I was on or somehow connected to.  I rarely carried them until discovering Butane inserts.  I used the Thunderbird inserts for a long time, but now that Zippo makes their own I prefer them.

The fire sticks don’t light as easily as most firestarters but do give a long burn tat helps light other wood and twigs.

[powernoodle]

I'm following along behind the scenes.  I don't have much use for fire, except when I cut off shoe laces that are too long, and then melt the ends so they don't fray.  Also, during the winter months I will blaze a mini firepit on my desk because its fun, and because there is strong evidence that infrared radiation is good both for preventing and treating the flu virus and that other virus.

[Farmer X]

  Where did you find that mini fire pit?

[powernoodle]

Similar to this on Amazon:  https://tinyurl.com/yr63y6ft

Use 99% isopropyl alcohol - also from Amazon - for a smokeless burn.   

[Farmer X]

  Does it provide warmth for the hands or just look cool?

[Sos24]

Similar to this on Amazon:  https://tinyurl.com/yr63y6ft

Use 99% isopropyl alcohol - also from Amazon - for a smokeless burn.   

That is a pretty cool one, I was thinking it was something like the Solo ones that burn twigs, but alcohol is cool

[Sos24]

Day 3
My typical outdoor cook kit lighter is a clipper minitube.  It is nice for reaching down into mini stove or with alcohol burners.

I like the Ultimate Fire tinder because it lights real easily even with a spark and can gets in between twigs for helping to get going

[nate j]

Nice to have you join me and I do like your thinking.  I tend to be that way about knifes and flashlights too.

[nate j]

Day 3

According to Bic, their standard lighters are good for up to 3000 lights:

https://us.bic.com/en_us/lighters-faq

Assuming they are referring to one-second lights, this seems to be in line with other reports:

https://faroutguides.com/will-a-bic-full-sized-lighter-last-for-your-entire-thru-hike/

[Farmer X]

Lime green!

[Sos24]

Day 3

According to Bic, their standard lighters are good for up to 3000 lights:

https://us.bic.com/en_us/lighters-faq

Assuming they are referring to one-second lights, this seems to be in line with other reports:

https://faroutguides.com/will-a-bic-full-sized-lighter-last-for-your-entire-thru-hike/

From personal use it seems it would be less, but I’ve never counted and probably use more than a second each light.

[Sos24]

Day 4
Busy day so dodn’t get to do my normal outdoor coffee firestarting, so just a picture of the Zippo I carried for the day

[nate j]

Lime green!

FX!


Day 4

I usually buy the five-packs of Bics for around $5 at Walmart, so I have to pick from existing stock.  I do try to grab a pack that has more bright colors than dark, as the brighter ones are easier to find if dropped.

[nate j]

From personal use it seems it would be less, but I’ve never counted and probably use more than a second each light.

I’ve also not made a scientific study of it personally.

I do think that one-second or sub-second lights are only realistic in specific applications under fairly ideal conditions, e.g. cigarettes, liquid- or gas-fueled stoves, etc.

My most common use cases (cigars, camp fires, candles, paracord) are all multiple seconds per use.

[nate j]

Day 5

It took about 40 seconds to get the foot of this cigar properly toasted and lit.

Bic advises against keeping the lighter lit for more than 30 seconds.  It does get dangerously hot.

[Sos24]

Day 5
A clipper mini flat lighter..  This is not your typical Clipper lighter, as It is about the same size and shape as a Bic Mini.  It was used to light the stones of my  pill bottle stove for some outdoor coffee.

[Sos24]

Day 5

It took about 40 seconds to get the foot of this cigar properly toasted and lit.

Bic advises against keeping the lighter lit for more than 30 seconds.  It does get dangerously hot.

I imagine it does get pretty hot, but you have to do what is necessary.

[nate j]

I imagine it does get pretty hot, but you have to do what is necessary.

Yes, I’ve learned to keep my fingers off the metal bits, and to let it cool a little before returning it to my pocket.

[Sos24]

Day 6
A Bic small tube lighter vs the Clipper small tube.
Both will get the job done, but the Ciipper does have a flame adjuster and is refillable.

[nate j]

Day 6

[Sos24]

Day 7
Used the Firefly (barely visible in pic) from a SAK Rambler to light an alcohol stove

[nate j]

Day 7

[Sos24]

Love the variety of cigars

Day 8
Used the clipper mini to light an alcohol stove

[Sos24]

Day 9
Zippo and some fire starting tape lit the twig stove

[Farmer X]

I'm still observing from the rear (though I'm not really "with the gear"). Y'awl are doing a great job!