both. and yes you can make your own (better to do that!).
MayaSticks are ground up fatwood, really good fatwood!

just need to find yourself a good pine stump with the residue. best way to know is by the smell, strong petroleum/chem.

i like the mag block. not good in the wind, but i've successfully started fires with it in the middle of a blizzard by laying logs in a perimeter to block the wind. scraping's easy with file from a sak.

yeah I've had shavings go bye-bye! grrr ya learn.

You guys can also try a putting shavings of fatwood on a stick.



This will keep the wood from flying all over the place.

Here's what Mags talking about sparking. This is enough to get a fire going.

Well, I got some fatwood coming my way a 2lb. bag from GreatGreenApple. I will also be hiking this Saturday, so I will look for some fallen down pine trees. It will not be the same, but should workout pretty well also, I was told. It's not the same kind of Pine, it's not Longleaf Yellow, but it will be free, lol I also read that you can put 2-3 pieces under some charcoal for grilling, cool. So, if I decide to bag a 10lb. box, I know for what else I can use it for. Thanks everyone for their help.

I hunted for my fatood for a long time.
Every woods and park in my area.
I ended up finding it in a rotten pine stump in my buddies back yard. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />
Its some good stuff.

It just might be here Saturday, so I will get a chance to check it out.

it's okay for starting a fire but be careful with it around the food, pine woods and the chemicals in them are not good for you!

Noted WhichDawg.

You know how Murphy’s Law is… <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I have a Brunton Helios jet lighter, but I wouldn’t trust it in an emergency. It’s supposed to light in like 60 mph wind, etc. Problem is, they can get damaged too easily. My brother also had one, and had to exchange it under the warranty like 6 times. If the small metal filament gets bumped/broke, it won’t work. Butane lighters also can have trouble working in extreme cold or high altitude. I practice with my firesteel any chance I get. I use it to start a fire any time. If you practice ahead of time, it will be easy second nature when you really need it.

If I’m using a lighter, what I trust more than anything else is a Bic. I’ve had too many cheap lighters fly apart on me, and too many jet lighters quit working when the jet gets clogged or the filament gets damaged.

Good morning Dogz!