[JimK]

This guy worked fine in windy conditions for me. $2.78 delivered shouldn't break the bank. Not the highest quality but small, light, and so far it works. I still keep matches in the cookset for a backup. Supposedly: - Jet flame reaching 2372 'F (1300'C) - Melts copper, glass, gold, silver, tin, and aluminum - Safety cover opens only when torch is pressed/on - Handy for hobby shop, jewelry bench, or lab - Refills from standard butane lighter canister

If you're ready to spend some bigger bucks ($4.29) this one has a triple flame and supposedly reaches 2000 degrees F.

[tigermn]

This should do the trick... Might be a bit heavy though......

[Slugman]

Thanks for that link, Jim. I just ordered two of them. Sweet price.

[DIYSteve]

[Slugman]

I don't know, I've never actually used one. But It sure seems like it might!

[sarbar]

Fire Steel I use the tiny one and can light nearly any stove with it

[Tippet]

Yeah those are good Sarah. The one I got at the Pike market all those years ago is a magnesium bar set in deer antler, with a strip of flint epoxied to it. A 2" piece of hacksaw blade is attached by a leather thong. Another version uses a cedar handle instead of antler, you can shave off wood for tinder. Great back up, and if you spark the magnesium flakes it'll burn super hot no matter what.

[Slugman]

I just got my cool junk from dealextreme, including two of the lighters mentioned by JimK above. One of them doesn't work, no ignition spark, but the other one is fine. I ordered two for a reason. The butane tank is huge, love that, and the flame is robust. I also love the camera remote control I got for $4 (it really works!), and the double leveling bubble that fits on the hot shoe attachment of the camera. It is the size and shape of two dice, each one with a leveling bubble in it. One tells you front to back level, the other tells side to side level. A steal for $3.

[cartman]

Supposedly another good fire starter would be the Trioxane tablets used in solid fuel stoves--less messy than vaseline/cotton balls. Get them at the Army-Navy Surplus downtown for $1.

[sarbar]

Yep, Esbit tabs work well if needed to start a fire. So does hand sanitizer....

[Tippet]

Yeah I just found out about esbit tabs the other day, I think I might try see if that works well enough to replace my regular stove. Looks like a good alternative to those stinky triox tabs. Camera remote- very handy. My Olympus C-3040 came with one, works great

[sarbar]

Worked so far on my canister and my alchy fueled stoves . Yep, just aim the sparks at it.

[bk]

(* Seven-year Bump *) 6:21 video review of nine lighter gadgets, trending on YouTube. First half of video are gadgets related to keeping lighters dry. Second half is mainly just clips to hold lighters, though the very last one stands out as interesting because it feeds a wick into the flame area so one doesn't have to always depress the lighter button. Related threads: • 2002-2008 post: "fire starter" • 2010-2013 post: "firestarters?" • 2016 post: "Where is a good place to practice making a fire in rain?" Less related: • 2009 post: "In search of...The Perfect Gadget"

[cdestroyer]

strike anywhere matches kept in a waterproof container magnesium block w/striker blade. magnesium when lit burns at 2000 deg..will ignite slightly damp wood. I made my own tinder from pitch stump.

[DIYSteve]

Yup, packing waterproof matches is smart planning. I usually pack a couple mini-Bics and carry one of these: