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Swedish Firesteel- Scout Model | 
| Brand: Light my Fire
Category: Sports
Buy New: $9.45 - $36.44
as of 9/7/2010 17:02 CDT details
Where applicable you'll select size, color, etc. after you click the buy button.
Rating:  53 reviews
Sales Rank: 359
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
MPN: s-fssc
ASIN: B0013L4F1U
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| Features:
| • | Durable - Scout model lasts 3000 strikes | | • | Produces a 3000°C (5,500°F) spark | | • | Works when wet | | • | Bright spark - can be used as emergency signal | | • | Available in several distinctive colors |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Originally developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, Swedish FireSteel is a flash of genius. Its 3,000°C spark makes fire building easy in any weather, at any altitude. Used by a number of armies around the world, Swedish FireSteel's dependability has already made it a favorite of survival experts, hunters, fishermen and campers. It has also found its way into cabins and backyards as a fool-proof way to light stoves and gas-barbecues.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 53
 Better than an AMEX card. . . Don't leave home without it. April 5, 2007
Pearson
54 out of 55 found this review helpful
It will work better than you can imagine. I carry a few alcohol wipes(good for a million things) with me and this lights them on the first try. I keep one in each car, on the boat, and in my briefcase. I may never need it, but if I ever do I don't have to worry about it working. Magnesium sticks maybe cheap but they are hard to use. When it's windy the shavings blow away before you can light them. I needed one of those once and spent the night freezing. Do yourself a favor and buy one or more of these and never worry about being without a fire.
Update: If you are using this thing every day buy the bigger one, but also examine your life style; should you really be starting fires like this on a daily basis?
Way better than the magnesium block March 8, 2007
Huy Nguyen (Rocklin, CA United States)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful
After 3 unsuccessful attempts with 3 different mag block. I tried this.
This worked great!!!
The scraper does not have to be taken apart from the lanyard to use. After several successful tries. I noticed that the best technique is to hold the scraper still while slowly pulling the flint rod against it. This allows the spark to be directed toward your tinder without you inadvertently knocking the tinder away.
Boys Scout of America sells an even smaller version of this for 1/4 of the price. It does not work as well due to the size but still works well.
Great, takes practice June 11, 2008
Edward Wilhelm (Ypsilanti, MI United States)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
The Firesteel Scout is a great way to start a fire. I taught my Boy Scout troop and my 8yr old daughter how to start a fire with it. My daughter took 2 hours to start her first fire (she was very determined). After a lot of practice, she can now get it in a few minutes.
The secret to great sparks is a steady stroke and a lot of pressure. The stroke is more of a wrist movement than an arm movement. This allows you to keep the firesteel steadily pointed at your tinder and direct the sparks. The adults and older Boy Scouts were able to light a fire in a few strokes. The younger ones had trouble with getting pressure on the striker (like my daughter).
The best tinder I have found is cotton balls soaked in vasoline petroleum jelly (the original, unsented kind). I smash/work the vasoline into the cotton balls and store them in a water-tight 35mm film canister (you can stuff many balls into the canister). When you want to start a fire, take some cotton out and "fluff" it up a lot by pulling it apart a bunch. The little cotton fibers are what catch the sparks and light on fire. The more tiny fibers there are, the easier it is to set it ablaze. The cotton ball then continues to burn the petroleum jelly and cotton like a mini fireball. I routinely start a fire with one or two strokes.
Depending on how wet your kindling and twigs are, you can use more or less of the cotton from the film canister. A large cotton ball will burn for quite a long time and allow damp or wet leaves, twigs and sticks to catch fire.
Another useful tinder is an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Squeeze some onto leaves, dry grass, or small twigs and spark away. The alcohol flames are invisible during daylight, so be careful. Don't have it on your hands when you spark the Firesteel or you risk catching your hands on fire!
When backpacking, I carry the Scout Firesteel, matches and a BIC lighter. I haven't used the matches in a LONG time, and the lighter is used when I am lazy.
I plan on purchasing the Army model for general camping/scouting use since it is larger and longer lasting (the kids/scouts are always wanting to use it). The smaller version that fits on a keychain should also work, but having the longer piece of firesteel in the Scout (or Army) model allows for a nice big shower of sparks. Looking at the wear pattern on my well-used firesteel, the keychain model may be too short to produce the same quality and quantity of sparks.
Nice tool December 26, 2006
John Britely (Virginia, United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This "flint" is more expensive than the magnesium bars but it is a little more convinient for making sparks because it has a small handle and an attached striker (you have to find your own tender). I did not have a problem using the attached striker as another reviewer did. I also skipped the step of taking the paint off. I just scraped firmly and the ammount of sparks was crazy. My only complaint is the price but if it lasts as long as claimed it is a bargain compared to matches or lighters.
I have both the full size model and the scout model. The full size model is a little easier to use because it is easier to grip but the scout model is not hard and is a little smaller for packing.
Excellant buy June 20, 2007
Beaux Pilgrim
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Once you scratch the protective coating off the flint you will not believe how much spark this thing puts off. Amazing.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 53
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