Fire-starting Gear Every Bushcrafter Needs
Fire is a huge part of bushcraft and survival at large. It keeps us warm, you can cook food or purify water, and it provides a psychological boost. While we’re fans of expanding our skillsets to include friction fire and the classic flint and steel, those are always viable, and they can prove difficult for beginners. That’s why we like to have reliable gear so that even when conditions are tough or we’re short on time, we can still enjoy a fire. Every bushcrafter has their preferences, but here are some of our favorite fire-starting items that we depend on.
A Ferro Rod, or Two
Let’s start with one of the most obvious, and arguably the most ubiquitous. The ferro rod, aka ferrocerium rod, which is sometimes mistakenly called a flint, has become a hallmark piece of gear for most bushcrafters. It works when it’s wet, each rod provides thousands or tens of thousands of strikes, and with a bit of practice, even beginners can dependably use a ferro rod for fire-starting.
As simple and easy to pack as they are, we suggest having a backup just in case you lose one. You can find a ferro rod for every budget. GABC even has our own Ferro Rods that include a secure handle and a lanyard loop. Moving up to the Exotac fireROD V2, you get a machined aluminum handle with space to stash an emergency firestarter, and the rod is threaded and replaceable. Moving up in size and features, the fireROD XL offers a replaceable ferro rod that’s 1/2 inch in diameter, an even larger storage compartment inside the handle, and you can wrap up to 12 inches of 1-inch wide tape around the handle. That’s handy for repairs, emergency bandages, and you can even use it as tinder in a pinch.
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A Dependable Firestarter You Can Always Carry
While a ferro rod is great, you have to have something to ignite. Dry grass, wood shavings, and other natural materials are great options. For true emergencies and particularly trying conditions, we like to have something on hand that not only takes a spark, but a tinder that really provides a serious flame. The FireCard from WAZOO Survival provides a form factor that you can literally carry everywhere. To give your firestarting a little boost, you can scrape off some of the edge and ignite it with a ferro rod. For serious situations, you can light the whole card for a large flame that can give your initial flame the boost it needs. The FireCard is 100% waterproof, and in such a convenient package, you can keep one or several scattered throughout your kit and your everyday carry.
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READ MORE: Everything You Need for thee GABC Spring Campout
An All-in-One EDC Fire Kit
If you’re looking for an all-in-one fire kit that you easily add to your everyday carry, then look no further than the Fiber Light EDC Fire Kit. Packed in a convenient tin, you get 0.2 ounces of Fiber Light, a natural fiber fire tinder that can provide up to five fires, a Mini Ferro Rod with a built-in striker and whistle, and it’s all secured with a Ranger Band that can also be used for tinder in emergencies. Even though this kit is tiny, it’s still serious about fire starting. Each pinch of Fiber Light tinder can provide 3-7 minutes of burn time!
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Bulk Up Your Tinder
Keeping a reliable tinder in your kit is a great way to make sure you can get a fire going when you need it. When looking for a bulk option, the Fire Plugs from Pro Camptek are a great option. They’re infused with a proprietary wax solution that quickly takes a spark and provides up to four minutes of burn time. You can even cut them in half for multiple fire per plug. These are the perfect pairing for stashing inside the handles of the Exotac fireRODs mentioned above. This package of 50 plugs comes in under $10 and can provide a reliable fire starter on outings for years to come.
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The Trusty Backup
There’s a reason the reliable Bic lighter has been around as long as it has. As much as we love ferro rods, friction fires, and flint and steel, we always carry a Bic for a backup fire-starting solution. You can give your Bic a major upgrade with the fireSLEEVE from Exotac. They’re available for standard and mini Bics and provide a waterproof carry solution for these classic lighters, and more. Not only do you not have to worry about the flint on your Bic getting wet, but the fireSLEEVE also provides a gas lock to save your thumb when you need an extended flame. You can also attach a lanyard to the fireSLEEVE to secure your lighter to your person or pack. For even more visibility, a glow-in-the-dark option has you covered after the sun goes down.