Has anyone here had any experience with these things? About 20 bucks at Two Wolves.

http://www.twowolvesoutdoor.com/needfulthings.html

I've got one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

They do put out a lot of spark! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

The only complaint I have is that the spring mechanism always makes it pop open in my pack. I personally prefer the Mag sticks, but the Blastmatch is nice.

Used one a few years back.

Worked as advertised and like the site mentioned, it would be handy if you had the use of only one hand/arm due to an outdoor injury.

I ditched because it was a bit large compared to a Swedish or NATO firesteel.

one break on me once, good tool though.

I usually carry a magnesium firestarter and boat matches.
Sometimes the swedish firesteel and sparklite also.

I prefer one of these two:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/spark_lite_fire_starter_basic.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/...irestarter.html

Good choices, jackell.

I have the Swedish model in one PSK (E&E pouch) and the same Spark-Lite in a smaller (clear Otterbox watertight) kit.

I have read that the smallest of the "Light My Fire" brand steel is prone to breakage (smaller diameter) but I have had zero issues with their medium-sized offering and have used it to light many fires in the last couple of years.

Of course, quality strike-anywhere matches in a quality container (i.e. Silva's aluminum matchsafe)coated in clear nail polish, a fresh butane lighter, and quality tinder is also a part of ALL my kits.

Redundant? Probably, but the last thing I ever want to encounter (again) is hypothermia!

Here’s my fav firestarter. The larger the flint rod, the larger and hotter the sparks will be. I attached a waterproof “pill fob” to it which I was able to cram 7 jumbo cotton balls inside.

I use the blastmatch. I actually have one of their 'survival' kits in each vehicle. They are a black pelican case with the blastmatch, a magic whistle, a signal mirror, some waterproof tinder. Actually, I was so impressed with the blastmatch and kit, that we bought one for virtually every member of our family for Christmas presents, maybe 6 years back.

I bought one recently to try. The ferrocium rod is quite thick and it puts off a prodigious amount of sparks. Its only disadvantage is its size but then again the striker is built in. I had no trouble lighting fuzz sticks with it.

I haven't tried the Silva's match safe. Many people who have prefer the K & M brand. K & M Match Case I carry them and love them. They are made by one old machinist in Idaho, and you need to order them through snail mail. The lid isn't threaded on, since that can be hard for frozen hands to manage. Instead it has a friction fit, waterproofed by two O rings. Your options are brass or anodized aluminum, and standard or extended length. The long ones fit the excellent REI stormproof matches. Comes with a Sunnito compass on the lid.