what fire starting tools do u use backpacking?

[jiggyest]

hrm... my canister stove comes with a firestarter.
For back-up I have a magnesium firestarter stick. I also carry a pack of waterproof matches. Overkill, I know.

 

[mizzou]

Just ordered a magnesium strike starer for $5 will do some expirementing this weekend

 

[The_Dude8]

What about mixing stuff with petroleum jelly for tinder ?

that works, i have tried it. mix the petroleum jelly with cotton ball. But bring wind proof matches.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

potassium metal + water

 

[spidey07]

Just ordered a magnesium strike starer for $5 will do some expirementing this weekend

The dryer lint makes it easy, just toss a spark onto it and you're good. Otherwise you make a small pile of Mg and throw the spark onto that.

In wet weather I'd imagine it would be pretty difficult to find suitable tender.

 

[zinfamous]

+

=

 

[zinfamous]

seriously, it's the manliest way. guaranteed to get the panties on the ground after she sees your mad manly skills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eT-buIKUpY

 

[spidey07]

A little googling and youtube has me interested in the "blast match". I'm liking the one hand operation.

 

[DrPizza]

Generally, just a cheap disposable lighter; and I always take two. Most of the time that I go backpack camping, I take a small propane bottle that I use for a little one mantle light that's smaller than my fist & only weighs a couple ounces. Since I take the tank, I'll often toss in a light blowtorch fitting. If the lighter won't start a fire, the blow torch will.

 

[sao123]

generally speaking, when we go camping, we take a set of acetylene torches, they start fires pretty quick.

if im going portable, ill take the propane torch.

 

[classy]

One of these

 

[drinkmorejava]

I use the jet lighter from dealextreme.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/jet-130...e-lighter-1320

 

[herm0016]

bic lighter and nato matches as a backup.

 

[duragezic]

See http://www.youtube.com/user/nutnfancy and search for "firemaking" or "backpacking" videos. He's real intense about bringing multiple ways to start, and for harsh cold/wet weather, yeah I can see that. But for a sunny day or how I'd go I'd just use a Bic lighter.

You can tell nutnfancy doesn't smoke cause he brings some piece of shit lighter that lasts 1/10 as long as a Bic if it doesn't break in a few days.

 

[IronWing]

BIC and duct tape. Duct tape will still burn even when soaking wet.

 

[Leros]

Usually just a lighter and some dry grass.

I've gotten desperate before when the firewood was damp and doused it with gas first. (The stupid park did not allow you to bring your own wood, which meant you had to buy theirs, but their wood was damp. I couldn't start it without gasoline).

 

[spidey07]

Usually just a lighter and some dry grass.

I've gotten desperate before when the firewood was damp and doused it with gas first. (The stupid park did not allow you to bring your own wood, which meant you had to buy theirs, but their wood was damp. I couldn't start it without gasoline).

I see what you did there. Not biting.

 

[Leros]

I see what you did there. Not biting.

What did I do? Do you think I'm trolling?

*confused*

 

[Fayd]

I use the jet lighter from dealextreme.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/jet-130...e-lighter-1320

my brother has that. he got it cause it looks like a hypospray.

 

[Fayd]

btw, for the OP: zippos and butane lighters are advertized as "windproof". i'd believe it on the butane lighters. i have a zippo knockoff, and you have to refill them often. often enough that i wouldn't consider it for backpacking.

 

[mizzou]

btw, for the OP: zippos and butane lighters are advertized as "windproof". i'd believe it on the butane lighters. i have a zippo knockoff, and you have to refill them often. often enough that i wouldn't consider it for backpacking.

Yeah, zippos pretty much arent reliable due to the evaporation problem. But damn if it isnt the sexiest way to light somethig up

 

[lxskllr]

Yeah, zippos pretty much arent reliable due to the evaporation problem. But damn if it isnt the sexiest way to light somethig up

Genuine Zippos are extremely reliable. You can't store them fueled long term, but they'll last a week camping. For extra insurance, a tin of fuel doesn't take much room or weight. You can use a Zippo for quick emergency light, as well as making fires. They can't be submerged like butane can, but that's why yu carry a butane backup ;^)

 

[GaryJohnson]

Thermite Grenade.

You don't even need tinder.

Or kindling.

Or fuelwood.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Zin's the only one to mention steel wool (sorta) but, it's a good thing to have to accompany your Bic or waterproof matches. It burns hot and doesn't matter if it's wet. I've used it successfully to start damp fuel when it was wet out.

 

[zinfamous]

Zin's the only one to mention steel wool (sorta) but, it's a good thing to have to accompany your Bic or waterproof matches. It burns hot and doesn't matter if it's wet. I've used it successfully to start damp fuel when it was wet out.

thanks. finally someone acknowledges the only fully wind & waterproof solution that was posted.