talus
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Post by talus on Mar 9, 2017 11:01:38 GMT -8
I like regular sized Bics, especially when it is cold and my old fingers are clumsy. Mini Bics are just too damn small.
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crawford
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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on Mar 9, 2017 12:44:33 GMT -8
Mini Bic and a very small Fero Rod. I've got a fire kit for BSA stuff, but don't carry that on my treks.
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Mar 9, 2017 13:23:02 GMT -8
I gave up on Bic lighters. If the flint in them gets wet it seems to stay wet. I have a vacuum sealer and I carry 4 windproof/waterproof matches vacuum sealed in my first aid. I never use them and replace them unused periodically. I haven't made the move to alcohol yet so I am starting a white gas stove with a fire stick.
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amaruq
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Call me Little Spoon
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Post by amaruq on Mar 9, 2017 13:26:26 GMT -8
I use a lighter and for backup...another lighter. Woah, calm down there, you madman! That is also my fire-starting set up. Maybe with a spare small box of matches, if I forget they're in the kitchen kit. I carry 4 windproof/waterproof matches vacuum sealed That's very... precise.
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Post by hikerjer on Mar 9, 2017 19:47:30 GMT -8
Thanks. I wasn't aware of this gadget. I think I'll pick one up with my REI dividend. It's gotten mixed reviews, but for the price, it seems like it's worth a try.
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Post by Coolkat on Mar 9, 2017 20:48:56 GMT -8
On my hike last month my friend used one for his stove that didn't have one built in and it worked just fine for him. Although I've never used one before.
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daveg
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Michigan
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Post by daveg on Mar 9, 2017 22:08:10 GMT -8
Thanks. I wasn't aware of this gadget. I think I'll pick one up with my REI dividend. It's gotten mixed reviews, but for the price, it seems like it's worth a try. Jer -- If you get one, please post a review. I'm curious about why people are having problems with the MSR Igniter. It's not new or complicated technology. I have a larger version -- an Ever-Spark that I use for igniting my propane torch. Never had a problem with it.
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Post by hikerjer on Mar 9, 2017 22:39:52 GMT -8
Jer -- If you get one, please post a review. Will do.
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Post by bluefish on Mar 10, 2017 3:46:40 GMT -8
My MSR igniter failed pretty quickly. Lasted about 50 ignitions. It came with the Micro-Rocket, but it's the same one they sell separately. Mini-Bics last far longer. Fortunately, it was backed up by a mini-Bic. Back to carrying 2 mini's and some matches wrapped in plastic that stays in my wife's map pocket. They've never been used in the 4 years she's had her new pack. A few weeks ago we found that last Deuter shoulder harness replacement for her pack in the US. Guess the matches will get older. Good luck with the igniter, maybe mine was a dud. The igniter on my propane torch has been fired off hundreds of times and still works great.
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Post by trinity on Mar 10, 2017 5:21:27 GMT -8
I have an MSR piezo igniter, it came with my Kovea Spider. I have had good luck with it, I use it with the Spider and my Gigapower. I have tried it with my alky, but to no success, I'm pretty sure I've read about people using a piezo to light their alcohol stoves.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2017 5:47:23 GMT -8
Thanks. I wasn't aware of this gadget. I think I'll pick one up with my REI dividend. It's gotten mixed reviews, but for the price, it seems like it's worth a try. My wife and I have been using the MSR Piezo Igniter (a.k.a as the sparker) for a season and a half. Works great and so far lasted a long time; we get about 30-35 backpacking days per season. I like to click the ignighter 2 times before trying to light the gas, my assumption is 'things' get hotter as the 1st spark does not seem as bright as the 2nd or 3rd spark. My wife just sparks it one time and the stove just lights right up. I found I get the best results when I touch the metal casing to the stove before sparking. I also hold the sparker at a 45ish degree angle and right in the path of the gas flow. This allows the gas to enter the sparker. We used to carry spare matches in the cook kit but the sparker has proven its self enough that we droped the matches. We do carry a spare lighter in the cook kit but that may go by the wayside at some point.
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Post by hikingtiger on Mar 10, 2017 7:13:20 GMT -8
I carry one lighter in my pocket, and another in the cook kit. There's a third in the first aid kit (just because it fit.)
I carry a ferrocerium rod and striker when I feel like it as I'm not sweating the couple of ounces. Plain rod with a homemade oak handle epoxied on. It works better with charcloth or vaseline-soaked cotton balls/dryer lint than straight onto the alcohol like bigload said.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2017 7:43:21 GMT -8
I wonder if fire paste will light with a spark. I don't have any or I'd test it out.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Mar 10, 2017 8:22:54 GMT -8
Along with fire starters I also often carry some shavings from a piece of fat wood. Weighs next to nothing, but lights up easily, is less messy than cotton balls and Vaseline, and will burn for a while.
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Post by Coolkat on Mar 10, 2017 8:27:36 GMT -8
Fat wood? Educate me please?
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