UST Sparkie Fire Starter

This is an excellent fire starter. Very easy to use, and produces sparks that easily ignite anything that is a viable fuel, such as cotton balls, tampons, or dry brush. It also very easily lit commercial fuel such as compressed Trioxane.I used it to light the various fuels listed above, and it lit all of them easily. It is super easy to use, anyone could use it. It has not malfunctioned once after over a hundred used.It is very compact, and small enough to fit in any survival or camping kit, yet has enough power to create a fire with ease. It is truly the best of both worlds.This is an amazing fire starter that you should just have to have. It is inexpensive, but for what it does it can be invaluable. I personally have one in my emergency supplies bag, and will be getting another one for my camping kit. It is so easy to use, you just push where it says push, and depress the rod and instant shower of sparks. I would get this if you are here for your first one.

Half the size and price of a Blast Match and still just as easy to use.For those of us that do not make a career out of trying to live off the land like Dannial Boon they are an ideal backup for a lighter or box of waterproof matches.They beat the heck out of a plain ferro rod and striker by putting the sparks directly into your tinder bundle. They are small, lightweight, work when wet and with a little practice can be operated with one hand.If you can NOT get a fire going with one of these and a cotton ball it would be a good idea to stay at home.

It sparks a fire fairly well and can be used one handed, just like a ton of similar products of this same type. The reason that I bought it was that it was the lowest priced at the time I bought it.The main con of this type of fire starter is that you need a firm surface on which to produce the spark in the wilderness this is not always as easy to find as it would seem when out on the trail.

Item is not well constructed. Began bending and coming apart after less than 12 attempts at sparking. Poor sparking even after "protective coating" is worn off. The magnesium bars with a striker on the side are MUCH more effective and useful than this product.I have taught primitive skills and Search and Rescue skills which include fire-starting using various methods, I thought I'd try this and provide it as an option for any interactions I have with others in the field. NO WAY would I recommend this to anyone as an alternative piece of equipment. Carry a bic lighter or waterproof matches or a flint/steel/magnesium starter as tried and true methods. Your choice people....but this is based on my recent experience with this product. Other brands may work better and be of better quality, but I'll not waste the time or money on them.

Since the ferroceram rod in this device lasts for at least 5,000 strikes, it should last a camping lifetime. Just for fun I tried to use it in Vermont in a foggy misty rain. The tinder took only 2 or 3 strokes of the one-hand striker handle and it flared into fire. Less than 5 minutes later, I had a good sized blaze, drying out more fuel and making the campsite warm and almost comfortable for that afternoon. Ya gotta get one of these!! For camping, survival, even at home in an emergency, you can't go wrong!!

Product does work, but was purchased for my boys to learn fire starting. This was very difficult for them to use. I struggled for several attempts before successfully starting a fire.

I love these things. Easy, no other tools needed, always reliable, rod is thick and should last for a while

I purchased 4 Sparkies to put in our survival kits. I tested each one for proper function and all performed equally well. First, it did take several strikes to remove the coating on the rod. After that there is a shower of Sparks every time I press it. I have tried it both ways, holding it my hand like a lighter and pressing down the bar with my thumb and holding the handle in my hand with the rod on the ground. Both ways worked equally well. I easily lit many different types of dry tinder with just a strike or 2. Cotton balls, cotton round pads, tampons, dry grass, and dryer lint. I am also ordering a few more to keep with the camping gear and one for the car.