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What's you favorite camping/hiking firestarter?

S

spidey07

No Lifer
Leave out the lighter or matches, what's your favorite trusty one? I picked up a coleman magnesium firestarter the other day just to try it out. I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed. Scrape some Mg onto your tender and throw a spark on it. Small, lightweight, totally waterproof. Ideal would be if you had some dry tender with you, but this could work in even the wettest conditions.

http://www.hurricanestore.com/product237.html

TO981.jpg
 
Magnesium is good and will definitely light the wettest tinder but its blinding light can reveal your location to the enemy. 😉

I like the fire piston myself.
 
Ironically, a lighter is my *backup*. Lighters suck for starting campfires. You've gotta screw around with "tender" and kindling and crap. Only a granola-yuppie type wastes time with that.

I prefer MAPP gas with push button ignition. While the OP is screwing around, playing with his little sissy cub scout tool, I'll be using a real man's tool. I'll be leaning back, relaxing and enjoying an ice cold beer while the OP will still be kneeling, cursing the damp wood that he can't get started.

😛

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqg-bf5PgX4
Close enough - they're using propane. MAPP is a bit hotter. Acetylene would be hotter yet, but I'm pretty sure that acetylene & a few beers don't mix well. "Hey! Let's fill this balloon with acetylene and toss it into the fire!"
 
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55 gallon drum of diesel, 8 quarts of oil, 3 tractor tires, gallon of paint thinner, and a butane lighter.
 
DrPizza said:
Ironically, a lighter is my *backup*. Lighters suck for starting campfires. You've gotta screw around with "tender" and kindling and crap. Only a granola-yuppie type wastes time with that.

I prefer MAPP gas with push button ignition. While the OP is screwing around, playing with his little sissy cub scout tool, I'll be using a real man's tool. I'll be leaning back, relaxing and enjoying an ice cold beer while the OP will still be kneeling, cursing the damp wood that he can't get started.

😛

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hqg-bf5PgX4
Close enough - they're using propane. MAPP is a bit hotter. Acetylene would be hotter yet, but I'm pretty sure that acetylene & a few beers don't mix well. "Hey! Let's fill this balloon with acetylene and toss it into the fire!"
Click to expand...
I am not sure why but I find the image of you and the OP out camping and him kneeling, somewhat disturbing.
 
spidey07 said:
Sometimes, after all efforts, they do get wet or lighters broken. Something like this is a nice backup. That's more of what I was looking for.
Click to expand...

That's why you carry WATER-PROOF matches. I always carried water-proof matches when I'd go camping in boyscouts but you still need to know how to start a fire with just wood and rocks if you ever go REAL camping.
 
I'm still trying to find fireproof matches. :biggrin:

zerocool84 said:
That's why you carry WATER-PROOF matches. I always carried water-proof matches when I'd go camping in boyscouts but you still need to know how to start a fire with just wood and rocks if you ever go REAL camping.
Click to expand...
 
It's invisible.

Just get some Purell and light it once. In anything brighter than room lighting the flame is invisible! Do that on a "magic" dish and show people by toasting bread and watch their jaw drop to the floor! :biggrin:
 
Rubycon said:
It's invisible.

Just get some Purell and light it once. In anything brighter than room lighting the flame is invisible! Do that on a "magic" dish and show people by toasting bread and watch their jaw drop to the floor! :biggrin:
Click to expand...

I am so trying that when I get home.

Don't try this at home, kids; I am a professional. 😛
 
zerocool84 said:
That's why you carry WATER-PROOF matches. I always carried water-proof matches when I'd go camping in boyscouts but you still need to know how to start a fire with just wood and rocks if you ever go REAL camping.
Click to expand...

Eagle Scout here. I'd prefer to not have to go though that. 5 minutes to start a fire vs everything else is why I'm asking the question.
 
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