We may be long past the days of candlelight and handmade fires for survival, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come prepared for the unexpected.
Field-tested fire starters not only provide you and your loved ones with safety and assurance in times of duress, but are practically effortless to carry in a bag or car, or likewise stash in a knapsack.
Outdoor enthusiasts and wilderness experts will no doubt stress the importance of a reliable fire starter. A sturdy and dependable magnesium or ferrocerium fire starter can withstand the elements and guarantee a much longer span of performance than basic matches or plastic pocket lighters. Ideal for starting fires to provide warmth and cooking, fire starters can also be used to signal for help in the event of an emergency.
Basic but compact, fire starters are available in tough-tested materials that carry as light as a keychain, all the while providing up to 12,000 strikes. Other fire starters come equipped with built-in rescue whistles, survival guides, and various utilities. Most fire starters boast corrosion-resistant components, allowing them to stand up against rain, sleet, snow, and extreme humidity.
Whether you are a frequent hiker, camper, or all-around explorer of unknown terrain, or simply wish to reinforce your household against unwitting disaster, a superior quality fire starter is sure to keep you in good stead for years to come. After all, the man who holds the means to produce fire at any given moment is nothing short of superhuman.
Best Fire Starters
1. Bayite Survival Ferrocerium Drilled Flint Steel Fire Starter Ferro Rod
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For people who like to take one thing that can perform multiple tasks, this is an ideal tool. This Bayite 4 inch drilled ferro rod fire starter is small and portable, measuring at only four inches in length, great for putting in a pocket or bag to take anywhere. Attached to it is a 9 foot paracord, providing a handle for the fire starter and an emergency paracord if the need arises to cut it off the fire starter.
2. Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter
![Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter [31-000699]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41VtShseEVL.jpg)
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A lanyard is included since this Gerber Bear Grylls fire starter is intended to be carried wherever it is needed. A waterproof storage container is included for allowing a fire to be started even after a rainstorm. Ideal for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, there is an integrated emergency whistle on the lanyard. To use the fire starter, the unit must be pulled apart. Each part is attached to the lanyard at all times to prevent components from disappearing.
3. Uberleben Zunden Survival Ferro Rod Fire Starter
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A handcrafted handle can be found on this cool bushcraft Uberleben Zunden fire striker. The design is ultralight and comes in three thicknesses to offer a greater number of strikes. This fire starter is intended to create a spark in any weather and at any height a fire is needed. Included are also paracord and a 6-in-1 scraper tool that can also be used as a map scale, straight edge, hex wrench, ruler and bottle opener.
4. Holland Lightning Strike Fire Starter
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The entire assembly of this Holland Lighting Strike Fire Starter resembles a marker and comes in several metallic colors. Constructed from aluminum, it is both light and durable. The tool contains a striker that can be stored in the tube and features a waterproof storage container for keeping collected flint dry. The striker is attached to the cap, creating a two piece assembly. It can be carried in a bag or pocket for easy transport. Good for campers.
5. Zippo Mag Strike Fire Starter
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With a plastic body and a ferrocerium striker rod, this Mag Strike tool from Zippo has a distinctive look. It features a triangular handle to give a user greater leverage for striking. There is a small blade included to strike the rod. The rod is stored inside the casing and the blade is locked on the outside of the cap. The ferrocerium is kept dry in the casing and the construction materials are able to resist corrosion.
6. Exotac Nanostriker Xl Ferrocerium Fire Starter
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This Exotac nanoStriker XL ferrocerium striker is a small and portable fire starter that is both light and durable, convenient to hike and camp with. It can be hooked to a key ring or put in a pocket making it an excellent choice for any gentleman who wants to EDC it. The starter rod can create a spark even when wet to start a fire after walking through wet terrain all day. It offers multiple colors, including black, orange, green and silver, to allow for a choice in personal expression.
7. Campfirepiston Hickory Fire Piston
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This CampfirePiston fire piston operates on a physical phenomenon that heats up a chamber when pressure changes rapidly in a tube. Constructed of a wooden exterior and a metallic interior, this tool is designed to reduce hand pain when high pressures are quickly applied to the handle. Great for people concerned with wear from striking a fire starter, this tool only requires something to place in the chamber to ignite. Great tool for many tasks.
8. Exotac Firerod Ferrocerium Fire Starter
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The Exotac FireROD fire starter is designed to be carried along with a knife and is easily able to be taken on a camping trip or hike. The 6061 USA machined aluminum handle comes in several colors to add a little flair to the design. With a waterproof storage container, this fire starter can be taken through wet conditions and still keep the tinder dry, a great feature for creating a fire for drying off after it rains or crossing a river.
9. Exotac Polystriker Xl Ferrocerium Fire Starter
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This USA made small tool by Exotac has a minimalist design, but manages to get the job done. The handle comes in three colors: black, gray and bright orange to give a personal feel to the fire starter. The design allows for striking, even when wet, and the material chosen allows for 10,000 strikes. This fire starter was intend to be portable, offering a wrist strap for easy carrying while keeping your hands free for other things.
10. Se Fs374 All Weather Emergency Fire Starter
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A detachable ball chain allows for this SE FS374 all-weather emergency survival fire starter to be hooked to a bag or keychain and taken anywhere. It is designed for being in a pocket, constructed fo magnesium in the shape of a rectangle. It is both waterproof and weatherproof, good for keeping the flint dry. This means a fire can be started even if the conditions are wet or humid. A great option to have ready for campers and hikers.
11. Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel 2 Army Fire Starter
For the user that wants variety, this Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel 2.0 Army Fire starter can be stored and taken anywhere it is needed to be used. It is compact in size and comes in three colors. The design of this fire starter is intended to allow it to spark for 12,000 strikes at 2,980 degree C, even when in high altitudes or in low temperatures, making this a good choice for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It practically guarantees a spark, regardless of weather conditions. There’s also an emergency whistle in the handle.
12. Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel 2 Scout Fire Starter
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This is a durable Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0 Scout fire starer comes in many bright color options from orange to green and beyond. For survivalists out there, this tool was designed by the Swedish Department of Defense, and is used by many soldiers in armies around the world. It is small, can be stored anywhere, and comes with an integrated whistle and wrist strap. When it comes to durability, the Scout lasts for 3000 strikes and sparks at 3000 degree C even while wet. As a bonus, you’ll find a built in whistle on the handle of this survival fire starter.
13. Relefree Magnesium Fire Starter
This Relefree Fire Starter is highly durable, constructed of a magnesium alloy containing seven different types of metal that allow the fire starter to be used 20000 times. Strike it with a knife and a spark will be quickly made to ignite hay, twigs, and other items regardless of the weather conditions. Small in size, it can be stored or carried anywhere it may be needed and is safe for transporting in a car or bag.
14. Sahara Sailor Survival Magnesium Fire Starter
Not only does this work as a fire striker, but it also has other functions built in including a scraper and the ability to be used as a glass breaker for self defense. The Sahara Sailor magnesium survival fire starter kit works whether dry or wet. Rubber gaskets are on the ends of the connection points to make a watertight seal. Being small and portable, there is also a keychain hook to attach keys and hang off of a bag.
15. Smith & Wesson Fire Striker
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Looking for a durable fire starter? Look no further than Smith & Wesson’s survival kit. This simple tool has a ferrocerium rod connected to an elegant handle. That is all you need with this fire starter. A lanyard is attached to the handle to allow it to be connected to a key ring or strapped onto a bag, though it is small enough to be placed in a pocket. Great for taking on hikes or camping.
16. Uberleben Lumen Glow In The Dark Fire Starter
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A user is sure to know where this tool is in the dark, since this Uberleben Lumen striker features a glow in the dark handle. The striker is made out of ferrocerium, great for starting a fire in any weather condition or at any altitude. Also included is a small ruler that can be used as a map scale, scraper, hex wrench and bottle opener. The two tools are tied together by a shock cord lanyard.
17. Ultimate Survival Technologies Blastmatch Fire Starter
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This Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch fire starter is great for one handed use and can spark a wide variety of tinder types. A rotating bar allows for the strike point to change, making this a great option for those concerned with the wear of their fire starter. There is a protective lock to prevent against accidental sparks, since it can spark three times hotter than a normal match, whether dry or raining. It comes in bright orange or black.
18. Aurora Fire Starter
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This lightweight Aurora fire starter looks like a stylish accessory, having an outer shell made of aluminum, magnesium, and steel that glimmers in the light. The case contains a rod of ferrocerium attached to the cap. This can be removed from the protective casing, then struck against the integrated blade on the bottom of the case. Though a lanyard is not included, there is a whole in the cap to attach one to make this portable.
19. Boker Plus Fire Starter
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Great for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, meet the Boker Plus 090778 Fire Starter. This is the perfect choice for users needing an all in one tool. In addition to the striker rod, there is also a ruler that can be used as a map scale, bottle opener, scraper and hex tool. The case of the striker rod also has an integrated compass and a non-slip design. Everything is connected on a chain lanyard which can be attached to a bag.
20. Gerber Bear Grylls Compact Fire Starter
Built to be small, there is a paracord lanyard for attaching the tool to a keychain, zipper or bag. The ferrocerium rod has a rubber cap and the case is made of aluminum, making this a durable case. The Gerber Bear Grylls Compact fire starter is lightweight, so a user won’t notice it when they go hiking. The case can be struck against the rod to generate a spark, making this fire starter a self-contained tool for building fires.
21. Ultimate Survival Technologies Spark Force Fire Starter
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Compact in design, this UST Spark Force fire starter can be placed in a pocket or in a bag, ideal for hikers and ultralight backpackers. The case comes in one color, bright orange, that is highly visible. The case design offers flint protection to prevent accidental sparks while on the go. It is designed to work with a wide range of tinder options, which can be stored in its cap. Sparks can be made regardless of weather conditions.
22. UST Sparkie Fire Starter
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For those looking for a small tool, this option from UST is able to be used with only one hand. The Sparkie fire starter can spark a fire even while it’s raining, great for going on hikes with. It is able to precisely aim its sparks, creating sparks that burn three times hotter than a normal match, to be sure that the fire starts exactly where desired. This tool won’t be missed since it only comes in a bright orange plastic casing.
