I love that the Zippo fire starter is easy to use (at least easier than a standard Ferro rod) and is one-hand operational. While the nanoSTRIKER is cute and ultimately does make sparks fly, unless you’re looking for a base for your car keys or a good gift for a survivalist aficionado, I don’t recommend it. UST Sparkie However, Zippo has come up with this Emergency Fire Kit, which is perfect for prepping. It requires no fuel and can be used up to 1,700 times.

The Survival Spark Magnesium Survival Fire Starter is a well-designed and constructed product that is sure to last a long time. At the end of a long day of hiking, the last thing you want is to fight with your firestarter to get warm. The easier the firestarter is to use, the better. Don’t buy something just because of a high price tag. It doesn’t always mean it’s the better piece of gear. Price can be a reflection of quality, but it can also lead to unnecessary and over-the-top products. A magnesium fire starter is just one of many tools you should have in your survival kit. Other essentials include a good survival knife, a reliable flashlight, a compass, and a multi-tool.Much to Smokey the Bear’s chagrin, we lit a lot of stuff on fire this week. But don’t worry, it was all Leave No Trace-friendly.

The benefit to this setup is that you’ll get a larger flame, which holds up better against the wind than matches. You can refill the permanent match and use it again – which is why most brands advertise they can get 15,000+ lights. Picture the UST Blastmatch. Now remove all the unnecessary weight, gut it and make it as light as possible without entirely obliterating functionality. The FlashTorch’s housing is anodized aluminum that will withstand any brutal work you put it through. There are three different settings — high, medium, and low — on the FlashTorch. Use it to light the trail with a wide floodlight or concentrate the beam to start a fire for cooking dinner. That being said, once it was broken in a bit, it did seem to work better. The strike takes a bit of finesse, best maneuvered more as a switch than a striking motion. Compared to all the other dummy-proof strikers, I had the hardest time with this one. How to Choose the Best Fire Starter for Your NeedsFor car camping, consider a blow torch (really)! The Bernzomatic model we tested is a foolproof fire starter and works with the same propane tanks used for many car camping stoves. Ferro rods are constructed with different metals, which make it easier or more difficult to scrape depending on the composition. Softer rods don’t have as long of a lifespan but generally provide more sparks with each strike. Most ferro rods are made with about 50% cerium, with various ratios of lanthanum and iron making up the rest of the mixture. The classic Bic lighters are known as “plastic spark wheel lighters.” When you spin the little wheel, it strikes a flint below and makes a spark. The spark ignites the fuel. Fire rods and other devices that create sparks, while fun, are very hard to use in wind, or any other non-ideal situation. Use them for entertainment, but carry other means of fire starting for emergency use. The Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel is a well-designed, easy-to-use product that is magnificent for all kinds of weather conditions. This is a reliable product that will not let you down when you are out in the wilderness.