Search:

About as long as that permanent match. But my BIC won't leak fuel everywhere. If you like them, good on ya. I don't.

Sorry, but IMHO, the permanent match, fire piston and the solar reflector and pieces of junk. That's why God invented the BIC lighter. To each his own.

It's really not a question of which is better per se. They are both tools. They both have their uses. The fero rod will provide you more fire in more environments so you'll get more for your money....

Well...flint is actually a type of quartz. Not a striker.

If you want to register your email address as your login that's fine but you are bound to receive tons of junk mail because of it. If you...

Actually, my comment was tongue in cheek. However, PJCB starts on page 2 at post 31.

Should have read them. There's probably 500 posts on PJ cotton balls. But Welcome home none-the-less.

It's all in technique. Both natural and man made are reliable for fire starting. You will, however, get more sparks from a commercial fire steel or mish metal.

I also use steel and flint. It is easy but the weather can mess you up if your char cloth gets wet. For bad weather I usually resort to Vaseline cotton balls and a lighter. Works first time, every...

Oh, I forgot to mention...and this is important.....it's blow, don't suck.

I carry a small aluminum tube (about the size of a drinking straw) in my fire kit. It really helps to direct your breath when blowing on a fire. It makes for a hotter fire than just using your lips....

Well, as one of our most noble members would say, "If it works for you then it works for me." (thank you, Crash)

Let me get this straight. You think working your fingers bloody to get a spark is easier than 1) strike 2) blow 3) fire?

Uh, no. Flints, flints, flints....come on, repeat after me....flints.....

And char cloth.

You might try the Search function. We've discussed it. It's even mentioned in this thread.

Because we're purist, Ziggie. We make fire the old fashioned way. We earn it. Then when we fail we use a lighter.

I hope that was cotton corduroy. Wool corduroy might take a while but it would make sweet music while you wait. Zoom Zoom Zoom Zoom........

I'll tell you how it is. It's the berries!

Do a search on here. You'll find several posts on them.

We had a magnesium plant burn two years ago about thirty miles away. It burned a long time and forced several thousand to evacuate their homes. They couldn't use water and the fire chief said, "God...

Well, it's taking me to a sign up screen. I cleared my cache and dumped my cookies and I still get it. Oh, well. Maybe it's just me.

Tony - Can you view his picture?

That little silver tube on my picture hold char cloth.

You got get something besides image shack. It takes a long time to load then it takes you to a login screen. I can't view your image.

I have mag blocks in my other kits. If the BSA match breaks, I'll just replace it with another $2.49 metal match!

But you can't carry the mag bar in your pocket and you can a metal match.

As far as I know they are the same. There might be some difference in the mish metal but a sparks a spark in my book. If I can save $12.00 to make it, so be it.

I've seen many of you mention that you've purchased a Swedish firesteel for use in your survival kits. They run about $14+ for the small one. I just thought I'd let you know you can still pick up the...