A fire starter is an essential element of survival trips, bushcraft, and an important part of a prepper's and camper's equipment. But really, why not take regular matches or an even more convenient lighter on a trip? The answer is quite simple. It's about reliability and dependability. Matches, even the best protected, can absorb moisture or get damaged. A lighter's fuel always runs out at the least convenient time, but you can always rely on a fire starter. It doesn't run out of gas or gasoline, is impervious to water, and is exceptionally resistant to adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, if it's freezing and you're wearing thick gloves, it's definitely an easier solution. Handling matches or a lighter with frozen hands can be particularly difficult. Of course, a well-prepared and cautious mountain expedition and forest camping enthusiast usually carries more than one source of fire.
Besides purchasing a fire starter, it's also worth learning how to use it properly. If you're not a seasoned survivalist and your experience has been limited to lighting a campfire in the summer or a barbecue in the backyard, it will require a few attempts and gaining some practice. The first thing to remember is to gather the right materials. Dry wood is not enough. The device will give us a spark, but to get a flame, proper kindling preparation is necessary. For this purpose, we can use dry grass, cotton wool, a torn tissue, pre-prepared feather sticks, scraped dry bark, or similar materials. Only when a flame appears do we start gradually adding wood, starting with the thinnest sticks and slowly adding larger pieces. We use the tool in this way: we rest it on a firm surface, then with a sharp edge, we make a vigorous motion along the working part. This can often be a metal plate included in the set or the edge of a knife. If your cutting tool doesn't have a sharp spine, you can ultimately use the cutting edge. During the entire operation, remember to shield your campfire from the wind. Not only will you light the fire more easily, but you'll also avoid a fire hazard. Try to ensure that sparks don't fall on your clothing or tent, as they can easily burn holes in many fabrics. The second method is to stabilize the knife and rub the fire starter against the edge. You must determine which method is simpler for you. They work interchangeably, depending on the conditions and the prepared kindling.
Survival fire starters available on MILITARY.EU come in many shapes, types, and sizes. For most applications and for learning how to start a fire, it's best to choose a standard tool, which is a hard rod with a comfortable handle and an included metal plate. An example of a good device of this type is the Light My Fire Firesteel 2.0. It's a good and proven fire starter, the price is adequate to the quality, and when lighting a fire with one spark, it lasts for twelve thousand such ignitions. It gives a strong spark and is made of good quality materials. In this section, you'll also find magnesium fire starters. They have a block of powdered magnesium shavings, which should be scraped off before the ignition procedure, and then a spark should be thrown onto the prepared powder. They work well wherever we have trouble preparing good quality and dry kindling. The magnesium fire starter is very effective and also small, so it's worth taking it on any trip where we plan to light a fire. Using such devices is exceptionally atmospheric. Lighting a fire on your own using classic tools is fun and gives a lot of satisfaction. It's worth mastering this skill because you never know what the future holds. A survival fire starter should be in every survival kit, especially in a prepper's bug-out bag. These types of backpacks are called BOB, or bug out bag, in English. They allow you to survive the next few dozen hours before reaching the designated evacuation point. These hours can be crucial, and that's why it's worth having a reliable tool in your backpack that will give us the ability to obtain a source of fire. This is especially important in winter. An interesting addition is also paracord bracelets with a tactical fire starter woven into them. They take up little space, and with the skill of lighting a fire, even such a small device can achieve the desired effect. Gadgets in this category make a great gift for a military enthusiast, a friendly scout, or a prepper. They are an excellent idea for a small gift or an addition to a larger present.
