Firesteel or Disp Lighter?

I was given a firesteel one Christmas and had great fun making fire. And continue to take a pair of mini bic lighters with me when wildcamping rather than the firesteel. I keep them in separate waterproof bits of my kit, just in case.

You can buy them off ebay; I bought a 5 pack a while ago and they're still all going strong. 

Firesteel* and at least one cheap disposable. Small pack of waterproof matches as a backup.

The opinions of others may vary, of course.

*LMF Scout 2.0 (I think)

Trouble no one about their religion;

respect others in their view and demand that they respect yours.

~Chief Tecumseh~

Cathy, meths is surprisingly difficult to light at times,  In really cold conditions I have had to make a wick out of loo paper to get my meths burner going.

Try warming the meths in your hands to get some volatile fumes going first.

Steve D

Firesteel for me, every time, gas and petrol. I dont't use meths.

I've hand my Firesteel for 5yrs, sill plenty of 'life' in it and used very frequently. I rarely daywalk, weekend or more wild camps. By far cheaper than lighters.

 I do carry a lighter, but then I'm a smoker.

Firesteel no question. Lighters have butane in them which is a bugger if it's cold (and you can't be bothered to warm it for five minutes in an inside pocket).

With regards to the meths question, you HAVE to warm meths when it gets remotely cold (in my experience anything below 10c) prior to putting it in the burner if lighting with a fire steel. Again putting a small container of it in an inside pocket for 10minutes is the way to do this (I've got it working around -1/-2 no problem but never tried cooler). Try lighting it inside at room temp to check you can light warmed meths properly first.

I have a reliable mini-steel, but always carry a disposable lighter as well. After all, you need something 'throwaway' to leave behind if the top of the Pyg track is anything to go by.

I just take a firesteel as I just use gas, but adding a disposable lighter as a backup is hardly going to push your weight budget I guess. As has been pointed out, firesteels are not so great for meths so it depends on your use.

Last year I decided to test out my Ray Mears skills and did actually manage to light a real fire with nothing more than a firesteel, a knife and some wood - no ignition aids or artificial kindling. The key was to find some really dry wood and shred it with the knife, then keep it sheltered and shower sparks on it for a good couple of minutes. After that it's a case of trying to build it up before it goes out - not a game for the impatient! It becomes a lot easier if you happen to spot a silver birch tree - if there's any bark which has peeled off it's like paper.

A firesteel is highly reliable and works when wet. Mine is great for lighting gas and is less likely to fail than piezo electric ignition. It will light paper if you get a good shower of sparks, especially if they land on a raw edge.

If you get a blob of hand sanitising gel some brannds light redily, others less so.

Hi mate.

I use a lighter, every time.

I normaly carry some waterproof matches just in case.

You cant light your UCO candle lantern.

Cheers Mac.

Massive convert to Fire steels, get a descent one with high temp sparks and I've never struggled to light cold meths.  Best cheap artifical kindling:  Bit of cotton wool rubbed with vaseline, works a treat every time, weighs nowt!  I don't bother with a back up....it just works!

Don't use candles either, led lights last so long these days don't see need.

 I'd also be very wary of having a candle in a tent, even in a proper holder.