wing what’s out there or what could harm you. Having a fire starter allows you to create a fire that will warn off nearby predators that might otherwise see you as an easy target. The fire also acts as a “natural bug repellent” in that mosquitoes will not be constantly biting you at night when they are mostly out.
What Makes a Good Fire Starter?
When deciding to purchase a fire starter, it is important to know what distinguishes an effective starter from an ineffective one. An effective fire starter will be dependable, easy to use, and compact in size so that traveling with it does that burden or weigh you down. While most starters require the same methods to operate, it is important to know which starter will best fit you and your personal knowledge about using fire starters to start a flame. Having one that is a small in size will be beneficial as it will not be something big and clunky that you would have to carry around or take up a lot of space in your bag. Dependability, like just with any product, comes into play when deciding on which fire starter are you going to purchase that will ensure your starter is going to work when you most need it. Be sure to also make note that the starter you purchase will work in various types of environments. Meaning make sure it is water, wind, and storm proof and how many strikes it is generally meant to last for. Listed below are some examples of efficient and practical starters and all can be found on Amazon.
Products to Consider
1) Magnesium Starter (basic product)
This product is your basic, run-of-the mill, magnesium fire starter. It is roughly 3 inches long and weighs about 0.6 ounces. It is a non-rusting product and very basic but dependable starter. Price is roughly $5 an can be found on Amazon.
2) BlizeTec Survival Magnesium Flint Fire Starter (6-in-1)
BlizeTec Survival Magnesium Flint Fire Starter (6-in-1)
The BlizeTec fire starter is more than just a starter. It is a tool that has many uses for survival. It includes a fire starter rod, luminous handle that glows-in-the-dark at night, emergency ruler with a serrated edge to shave trimmings, a bottle opener, and a survival whistle. Roughly 4 inches long and can produce a spark up to roughly 3,038 degrees Centigrade (5,500 degrees Fahrenheit). This starter is wind and water proof and can withstand cold weather and still produce a spark. Will last up to 12,000 strikes. Price is roughly $15 on Amazon. A very useful survival tool and worth the little extra money.
3) MyCrisis Gear Magnesium Fire Starter
MyCrisis Gear Magnesium Fire Starter
This magnesium fire starter is dependable, compact, and water proof. It also comes a with a mini-saw tool used to create shavings for the spark to catch in a flame. Comes with a flint and striker tool and is priced at about $7 on Amazon.
4) UCO Stormproof Match Kit
UCO Stormproof Match Kit
This product from UCO is a container of 25 stormproof matches that are larger than the normalsize which allow them to be more useful. The matches will burn despite coming in contact withwater or wind, and same goes for their container. This is a durable product that is easier to use than a magnesium starter, but has limited use because it can only hold up to 40 matches at a time.This product is roughly $10 on Amazon, but is much easier to use for the less experienced individual.