READERS COMMENTS

I had this one and got rid of it for a light my fire flint. Coghlan's is junk and took forever to light my stove and my fires! Got the LMF one and one strike my MSR is on fire! Don't get this flint it will make you aggravated.
Posted: Jan 10, 2011 Veitski87

can you say coglans fire paste it will start a fire under any conditions
Posted: Jan 07, 2011 richard

The product they are showing is not a magnesium fire starter, but a flint and steel. I use flint and steel pretty much all the time. Once you get to know how to use it, it works every time. Coughlans does make a version I have seen at Jays sporting goods for about $4. I bought one and it works as well as my firesteel.
Posted: Jan 05, 2011 Doug

Ahhh... I see. That is my mistake. I thought they were referring to the Magnesium Fire Starter, not the Flint Striker. When I went on their website I did not see the Flint Striker. My assumption was incorrect. Thanks for the correction there Hoot.

Jeff C, I agree with you about the use of the Flint Striker. Its a great tool, and perfect as a survival backup to a Bic. Personally I would rather pay the extra 3-4 bucks for the one at REI for about half the weight. For myself, I do not want the cheapest option when it comes to survival gear. In my opinion the Magnesium Fire Starter is still almost useless when compared to any other survival fire starting method(just one notch above a bow drill or hand drill).

As with all gear, especially survival gear, be sure to test it, and know how to use it before stepping into the wilderness.

To Backpacker- This was an honest mistake on my part. You know I love you guys. I just thought something got over looked. Thanks for all the helpful articles.

Also, Jeff be careful about teaching those 4 year olds how to start fires. :)

Happy trails, and stay safe

Posted: Jan 05, 2011 Capt. Red Beard

The product they are showing is not a magnesium fire starter, but a flint and steel. I use flint and steel pretty much all the time. Once you get to know how to use it, it works every time. Coughlans does make a version I have seen at Jays sporting goods for about $4. I bought one and it works as well as my firesteel.
Posted: Jan 05, 2011 Doug

Red Beard has two products confused. Both are on the market and both work great. The one in this article has a nice grip on it, also. I have picked up the magnesium fire starters in the Dollar Stores for (guess $ what?). Waterproof matches are wonderful, but this is in my first aid kit always and has gotten my fires started when matches were soggy in the high Sierras.
Posted: Jan 04, 2011 BobBobtheCorncob

here is the web link I was talking about.
Posted: Jan 04, 2011 mark pabst

Really? Of all the fire starting options your recommending this? Even over a Bic? This seems like a bad joke...

I have the exact product they are promoting here. Which is VERY different from the fire starter pictured. How deceiving for those who don't know what is really being promoted here. What they are talking about is such a poor product. Something I bought years ago - when I didn't know any better.

Here is what it is and how it can work: It is a large block of Magnesium with a small flint rod on the side. To use you need to have a sharp metal object to scrape shavings from the magnesium block into a pile about the size of a nickel. Then use the small flint rod to send a spark into the magnesium shavings. Doesn't sound too complicated right? This is so much easier said then done. Getting all the magnesium shavings into a pile that size is very challenging. It helps to pile it onto a leaf, or piece of paper. Also the slightest breeze will easily scatter the shavings. In addition to that when using your knife or other metal object it is easy to hit the shavings and scatter them. In my opinion it is one of the worst fire starting methods available. As it is even more difficult to do in wet and cold conditions - when you really need the fire.

I believe that a Bic is one of the best fire starting methods. As it is cheep, reliable(in most conditions), light weight, and easy to find. The downside is if you have good tinder to get it going.

If you are looking for a good, true survival fire starting method. Get the REI Storm Proof Matches(Item# 617046). They are only about $5.00, are light weight, and work great. They even work when they are wet. I have actually lit one totally submerged it in water, and it still stays lit. A fantastic product. also if you have 3-4 you can use them as tinder in a pinch.

Happy trails, and stay safe.

Posted: Jan 04, 2011 Capt. Red Beard

A reminder to check/refresh/practice what ever fire starting method you like once in awhile. Went snowshoeing last week and used every "emergency" match I had to start a small stick stove to heat some lunch water. All the matches were so old the heads fell off including the Storm Proof ones. Finally used an old flint lighter and TP (as described above). Next time I'll remember the bic lighter so the boys won't laugh so hard at me.


Posted: Jan 04, 2011 A Land

Capt Red Beard, It appears you have managed to confuse 2 different products. The block item is as you have outlined. However, if you look for the Flint Striker you will see a different product.
Posted: Jan 04, 2011 Hoot

Hey there Capt Red Beard,

Just wanted to let you know that there is indeed such a thing as what they are showing here. It's called Coghlan's Flint Striker. It is as good as any of the other flint and steel type fire starters on the market. With the right skills, this is all you need to carry with you to have a reliable fire starter in the back country.

It pays to do some research about a product before you start ripping on the article. The item you are talking about is the Magnesium Fire Starter. I have also used one of those. As long as you aren't a clumsy oaf that shouldn't be trying to walk in the woods, the magnesium fire starter works VERY well. I could teach a 4 year old to start a good fire with the magnesium fire starters.

So either you really lack skills, or really just don't know what you are doing, or were just looking for a reason to try and sound like you are better in the back country than the Backpacker staff. I don't know. But I do know this, the item in question here is and will always be in my packs. Half of the price of the others, and even 1/4 of the price of some of them. Works VERY well, and worth every penny and ounce.

It's about time Backpacker started looking into gear for the more budget conscious.
Posted: Jan 04, 2011 Jeff Cowen

Really? Of all the fire starting options your recommending this? Even over a Bic? This seems like a bad joke...

I have the exact product they are promoting here. Which is VERY different from the fire starter pictured. How deceiving for those who don't know what is really being promoted here. What they are talking about is such a poor product. Something I bought years ago - when I didn't know any better.

Here is what it is and how it can work: It is a large block of Magnesium with a small flint rod on the side. To use you need to have a sharp metal object to scrape shavings from the magnesium block into a pile about the size of a nickel. Then use the small flint rod to send a spark into the magnesium shavings. Doesn't sound too complicated right? This is so much easier said then done. Getting all the magnesium shavings into a pile that size is very challenging. It helps to pile it onto a leaf, or piece of paper. Also the slightest breeze will easily scatter the shavings. In addition to that when using your knife or other metal object it is easy to hit the shavings and scatter them. In my opinion it is one of the worst fire starting methods available. As it is even more difficult to do in wet and cold conditions - when you really need the fire.

I believe that a Bic is one of the best fire starting methods. As it is cheep, reliable(in most conditions), light weight, and easy to find. The downside is if you have good tinder to get it going.

If you are looking for a good, true survival fire starting method. Get the REI Storm Proof Matches(Item# 617046). They are only about $5.00, are light weight, and work great. They even work when they are wet. I have actually lit one totally submerged it in water, and it still stays lit. A fantastic product. also if you have 3-4 you can use them as tinder in a pinch.

Happy trails, and stay safe.


Posted: Jan 04, 2011 Capt. Red Beard

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