Cool idea! Reminds me of a honey comb.

what's even better then a zip-tie is small o-ring, reusable. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

the wax and cardboard method seems good and looks like it's proven to work, but that's too much work for me. i'm a big fan of the cottom ball and vaseline method, also it's more compact.

When I was a boy I took an archery hunter safety course. The instructor had a firestarter that was a felt pad that used to be used when reloaded shotgun shelss. it was only 1/4 inch thick or so, and he had soaked it in lighter fluid, or turpentine, or something like that. When he lit it, it burned for 5 minutes.

I've had cotton balls soaked in candle wax burn for more than ten minutes. They are basically a candle with lots of wicks. Candle wax is one of the best tools you can use for fire starting. I like them WAY better than petroleum jelly.

I stole that idea as well.

MM,

The fire straws I use have the petroleum jelly soaked cotton balls and a good portion of wax melted into the ends of the straws. I think it get's the best of both worlds. The PJ can be used for more than just firestarting.

I've also used those trick party candles that you blow out and they re-ignite. They're compact and burn for quite a while too.

I wrap a spiral of stainless steel wire around the Bic. There’s always a use for a length of good wire.

Good idea. I hadn't heard that one. The down side with the ziptie is it's not reusable, and if you fell in a lake in winter or something and had a loss of dexterity it could be difficult to remove.

wow, i cant wait to get some time to try that, i just tried the cottonballs with p. jelly this morning, it worked pretty good. I learned how to make alot of wax firestarters in scouts as a kid but it has been so long ago i forgot how, so thanks for the refresher.

I like the idea of the cardboard firestarter. Thanks.
Also like the idea of the cotton balls dipped in wax.
Right now, I only use the pj balls, but I'm going to try the cardboard
and cotton wax firestarters.

Great ideas.

What about running the tie through the opposite direction where it doesn't lock itself together. If that would work it allows the lighter to be accessed easily even with cold hands, and it can be reused, not to mention you have a zip tie for other uses.