Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel Army

A good product that works in any weather condition. Soaking wet still produces a good spark of burning material.

Things nobody tells you:

• There is a coating that needs to be scratched off.
• Longer strikes produce a bigger spark of burning material.
• If using the scraper provided make sure it is the right way up otherwise the spark is poor.

More importantly, one of the easiest and quickest ways of lighting a fire anywhere. Find two pieces of dry toilet/tissue paper. Place one piece flat on a dry surface. Shred the second piece and place in the middle of the first piece. Place your fire steel on top and use the striker. The resulting spark will ignite the shredded toilet paper very easily. Very quickly pick up the four corners of the flat piece of paper encasing the burning material and put the smouldering mass under your kindling before it bursts into flame. Easy to practice prior to trip.

Suitable for lighting my liquid fuel stove in this case a Primus Omnifuel.

Produces a reasonable burst of light for about a second which is useful at night - long enough to see the ground around you. The flash of light is visible over a distance of about 300 meters.

Having using the fire steel for approximately twelve months of regular use, it does not appear to be wearing but I rotate using all sides so there is plenty of life in it. I prefer the army size as there is little difference in weight but seems to produce a bigger burst of flame, and considerably longer life.