Fire Starters

Recent Fire Starter Reviews

Outdoor Element Firebiner

Well made carabiner with fire wheel that sparked pretty much every time. Also has a sharp cutting tool, bottle cap opener, etc. Enjoyed trying out the fire wheel to get a fire started. With the tinder from Outdoor Element or other homemade ones, we were able to get a fire started in a couple of seconds each time. We got a couple of these for a recent camping trip since I thought they’d be fun to try out with the family. Having never used anything other than a lighter or matches to start a fire,… Full review

UCO Sweetfire Strikable Fire Starter

I started using the UCO Sweetfire fire starter sticks this season. They have become my primary go-to for starting fires. I've used them in wet conditions and in winter without fail. I've used them in alpine conditions and in the damp Smokie Mountains in the springtime. One stick is all that you will need to get the job done. This has become an essential fire tool for me. Check out my video featuring the UCO Sweetfire:  Full review

Coleman Fire Starter Magnesium

The Coleman Fire Starter Magnesium is another option to get a fire started. It requires patience and persistence, but does work. It’s not the best option, but it’s never a bad idea to have alternatives to start a fire. This fire starter is my last resort. It’s not the greatest, but it works. The way that you operate this product is you take the serrated end and use that to shave pieces of magnesium off of the giant block you have. You need to get a lot off. It takes a long time because you… Full review

UCO Stormproof Matches

The UCO Stormproof Matches are great for all types of weather. No matter the conditions, you can count on getting a fire started with these matches. These matches are amazing. They are definitely stormproof. I’ve taken these matches with me in all seasons in all sorts of weather conditions. They haven’t failed me once. I live in Washington where it’s wet and cold seven months out of the year. I’ve started a fire with these in the rain and snow as well as in the humid summer air. These matches… Full review

Lightning Nuggets Lightnin' Bug

A very simple fire starter that provides a good robust flame and holds up well in storage. I have had these Lightnin Bug fire starters setting in a box of miscellaneous gear for almost a year and hadn't brought them along on a trip yet and wondered if they were still any good, so I decided to take a few out of the package to see if they would still light up. The Lightnin Bug fire starters are about one inch in diameter with a flat side and are made up of resinous pine pitch wood blended with a small… Full review

Schrade Ferro Rod Fire Striker

This is a small lightweight ferro rod and striker on a lanyard. I would recommend this item for an emergency situation, ie bug out bag, get home bag, or backup in hiking/camping gear. So I picked this item up from Amazon mainly due to the price. However, I was very pleased with the product. It appears to be well made and does throw a good amount of sparks. It is only 1/4" diameter, so if you are needing something bigger, this isn't for you. But for an emergency fire starter or a backup fire starter,… Full review

Exotac titanLIGHT

This dependable lighter/fire starter quite simply gets the job done! The Exotac TitanLIGHT is ideal for one who frequently lights fires in the backcountry (the controlled fire!). High visibility orange keeps the fire starter from being lost When it comes to lighters/fire starters, the Exotac TitanLIGHT is one of the premier products available for getting that campfire going. Exotac is a small, family-owned business based out of Buford, Georgia. All of their products are proudly manufactured in the… Full review

Coghlan's Flint Striker

Looks good, but as supplied does not perform. I bought this Ferro fire steel online from a very reliable survival training centre with their recommendation from students' field use where they said that it was good for over 4,000 strikes. I was therefor most surprised to find it didn't produce a spark at all with the pressed steel striker supplied. With the Light My Fire striker it was a very different story—massive spark every time. I filed and ground the Coghlan's striker to give a good 90-degree… Full review

UCO Stormproof Matches

Dependable flame, every time. At one point in my life I was a professional pyrotechnician and owned my own business. We shot professional shows and designed electronic firing systems. After having to ignite fireworks in practically every weather condition imaginable (and after having just about every failure you can think of!) the one thing that always worked for us was Orion road flares. These matches are just like emergency road flares. They strike when wet. They burn reliably and predictably… Full review