I use Fatwood that I make little feather sticks out of 99% of the time. But I also keep 35mm canisters of fine steel wool (very hot burning), PJ Balls, CatTail fuzz and dryer lint.

I've heard of people using Fritos as an aid before. It just keeps the flame going for a longer time.

aI have not tried the steel wool. Does it have to be virgin steel wool or can used steel wool be used?

Last time I went camping, we had an awful time with the fire. I want to be able to make a fire quick next time we go. My wife actually went to the store and got charcoal fluid to start it with, we were getting so frustrated.

A lot of plastics can start fires too but you have to be careful as to not inhale the fumes.

MB,, I have heard that with dryer lint it needs to be all cotton. Does it really make any difference?

I would imagine that as long as it will puff up it will work, You can use a 9 volt battery to start it as well.

I was just going to say 0000 steel wool and a 9 volt will get one going.

I've heard of using steel wool, but never tried it. Never thought about using hand sanitizer though. Thanks for that one!

Another thing I do is gather the sawdust when I saw up fatwood and that works great as well.

Last fire I started with a firesteel all I used for tender was shredded up TP.

Seems like we used pencil sharpener shavings back in the Boy Scouts to start a fire, but it's been a while.

I know that I've used a pencil sharpener to shave down sticks for tender. I've even got one of them in my bag.