Swedish Firesteel - Army Model, Black Handle

This is a good product, it is easy to use and produces a very strong spark that will light a fire even in the hardest weather conditions. I tested it while camping in a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, and it simply worked like a charm. Can't complain about such a single purpose object with such a good design.

This product is terrific.

There is a slight learning curve involved with this product that breaks down into two parts:

1) You must know what type of tinder to use for this. If it is not good enough tinder, it will not light.

2) Realize that short, very hard strokes with this is the key. Longer, slightly softer strokes do produce many sparks, but it is the short, repetitive strong ones that create very big and hot sparks which will ignite the tinder into a flame.

Enjoy!

The sparks fly high and are very impressive, but starting a fire with it isn't easy. The perfect kindling or lots of rubs from the firesteel are neccisary for a fire.
I'm giving it 4.49 stars because its a great device (it can get soaked and still work 2 seconds later), but not a 5 to make sure people realize that (without cotton balls) it does require hard work to start a fire. Although it probably gets easier with experience.

I got this and couldn't wait to try it out. A friend and I were walking around campus and we stopped and grabbed some dryer lint and some dead leaves and dried grass. I had a fire going in seconds. It works great; the cord is more than long enough for you to be able to use the striker with ease. The key is good tinder, straight up leaves won't catch a spark, get something like dryer lint or cat tail fluff. I love it, it was totally worth the money, and it will go with me on every outdoor outing.

this is awesome. i have used water and wind proof matches. i have the mag starter also. this by far is the best. if you can't produce fire with this you should stay in doors!