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Product Description
The Ultimate Fire Starter from Vargo has everything you need to start, grow, and maintain a roaring fire—just add fuel. First, unscrew the ferrocerium rod from the bellows and use the integrated scraper to ignite your tinder Read More
This fits perfectly in an IFAK I have added fire starting gear to. The added ferro striker is a bonus, though I do have a piece of leather and velcro covering it to prevent wear to my IFAK.
Couldn't get it to spark much. MAYBE it works; but I failed. Pretty heavy for a telescoping blower. I have a different telescoping blower that is maybe half the weight. OVERBUILT in order to make the spark striker work (which it did not for me).
Not sure what to look for in this product but I just bought it to prepare for a post apocalyptic scenario. Produces a fair amount of spark and the striker can be easily replaced. Not a fan of the scraper as it is quite a dull edge, however produces fine enough spark to light fluffy tinders (e.g. cotton wool, birchwood, etc), just not sure how it would do with others as I have not tried. If sparks is an issue then i suggest purchasing the speedy sharp for the more aggressive edge.
Nonetheless the product does its job and I couldn't ask for more.
Ciao.
Looks a bit overkill relative to a bic lighter; but, the blow tube turbocharges your fire and can really save your hiney in adverse conditions. I'm the Scoutmaster for the local Boy Scout troop and took 10 boys on a November overnight backpacking trip. The trail supplied wood at the Adirondack areas; but, an unexpected ice & snow storm coated available kindling in ice making pretty much everything damp. Split wood was plentiful; but, was literally frozen due to sub-freezing temperatures. Boys could get the tinder going; but, we were having a very difficult time getting the fire hot and big enough to catch damp kindling let alone the light any of the the split wood. The blow tube turned the small tinder fire into a blast furnace with each blow. Seems like it took an hour; but we were able to eventually get some larger stuff dried out and lit. If it wasn't for the Vargo UFS, we would faced a very dangerous situation and most likely would have been hiking back to the cars.
A must for winter and wet conditions.
Since then, the scouts love to use it in warmer temperatures because it quickly gets the fire going hot. The adult leaders like it because it keeps the boy's faces well away from the flame and heat. If a scout stumbles and faceplants (which young teens do on a regular basis) while blowing on embers, worst case you get a bent tube rather than a first aid situation.
The striker bracket seems a bit clunky; but, holds tight and I can't think of a better way to do it. Also, I'm concerned that the plastic tip will melt; but, has held up well so far.