Waterproof Magnesium Firestarter Kit - Compact 2-in-1 Fire Starter with Flint, Serrated Striker, and Detachable Chain for Camping, Hiking, Survival, and Emergency Preparedness FS374

This is a big chunk of magnesium. Lots of opportunity for a lot of fires. I don't know if you would ever use up one of these in your lifetime unless you were a serious, never ending camper. Everyone has their way, so let me tell you my method of starting a fire...build your fire pile first, then take a few sheets of thin toilet paper (you should always carry a roll in a ziploc bag when hiking, emergency kit, etc), make a circle with your thumb and forefinger of your left hand, lay the toilet paper sheets over the hole, push the tp into the hole with your forefinger of your right hand, to form a small bell-shaped piece of toilet paper, squeeze it around your finger to crimp it in that shape, lay this down so that the bell is open towards you, with the teeth of the steel toward the magnesium, scratch a few times down it's length to get a few grains of magnesium dust into the bell, turn the steel over and scratch down the length of the magnesium with the flat side (sharp edge) of the steel to spark the fire starter, aiming the sparks into the inside of the bell. The bell protects any sparks from wind, and almost immediately bursts into flames with just a few sparks, that's why you need to have your pile of fire materials ready to quickly drop this burning toilet paper under it. Modify this routine as needed, but paper towels work well, rough paper can be waded up, rolled, and stressed to loosen the small fibers, and then it works well also. The key is a small finger sized bell shape that supports the flame inside it.

When I was setting up a very basic camping kit, one of the things I purchased was this Emergency Fire Starter (magnesium). One of the suggestions that John "Lofty" Wiseman made in his SAS Survival Handbook was to put this, along with a couple other items, in an old tobacco tin and seal it. I did like Wiseman's suggestion and decided to add a couple of other things to this basic survival/camping packet. One of the things that will fit in a tin are Tinder Quik Fire Tabs and some UCO Stormproof Matches. Together they can figuratively (and perhaps literally) be a lifesaver when you need to start a fire in inclement weather.The Magnesium Fire Starter is a compact 3" x 1" with a serrated striker. and can easily fit in the tin with the other items I mentioned. It has a keychain as an optional method for carrying. Directions for use are on the package, but a little practice before setting out on a hike or trip would be advisable as it can be a bit tricky to use the first few times. The tin idea works very well and if you seal with masking tape, the tin can be easily resealed. One other item I added to the mix was the 24-inch Chainmate Survival Saw, an item that completed my basic camping/survival packet. This handy little saw easily fits in a backpack or can be worn on a belt.

UPDATED(3-28-2011) - SEE UPDATE SECTION AT END:I tried this magnesium fire starting tool - SE(Emergency Fire Starter - SE - Emergency Fire Starter) out as well as the alternative from (from Doan Machinery & Equipment - "Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter" Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter).Both tools work perfectly fine as described and were able to light up fine fibers(cotton, moss, dried grass) and paper without a problem. The Doan tool has more precise instructions and clearly states on the packaging to scrape the magnesium portion of the bar with a knife blade PERPENDICULAR to the edge of the tool. I found this to method made for the most shavings and larger shavings at that. The packaging clearly states that you want a QUARTER(U.S. Coin) sized amount (just shy of 1 inch or 2.4cm diameter) Then holding the bar at 45 degree angle to the pile of shavings drag the knife along the flint to create sparks. The directions remind you to hold the blade perpendicular to the bar while "striking" the flint. I would advise not to strike the flint as they are brittle. However, a nice quick full length drag of the blade down the flint creates a shower of sparks for easy ignition of the magnesium shavings.Both brands work fine. They are nearly identical in shape(the SE is a few mm longer). Each brand has a different finish/coating on the bar itself is about the only difference I can tell. The performance seemed to be identical or at least close enough to not notice anything to complain about. The big difference is the price. The SE(made in China) is about half the price of the Doan(Made in USA - Patented). It appears to me that they are both the same design with slightly different execution of it, and one is just made overseas so that is why it's cheaper(unless there is less active "ingredients"(magnesium).One other note: The SE(Chinese one) also comes with a saw blade striker that does work but you need to wear through a protective layer of lacquer for it to work and it's just small enough to annoy my large hands. I just stick with a cheap staineless steel pocket knife for this. I always carry about 3-4 blades when I'm out hiking(cheap folder that I don't care if it gets ruined, sometimes a higher quality folder, always a fixed blade that is larger with full tang, and usually a multi tool(leatherman).You can't go wrong with either tool. I'd prefer to buy American(Doan - the "other" one) in the long run though, especially for something I might end up having my life depend on.EDIT: One last note on product life- depending on how much magnesium you need to get your fire going each time, I think the flint will run out long before you ever use up all the magnesium.UPDATED: 03-28-2011There have been a ton of reviews mentioning that the DOAN tool being purchased is no longer made in USA or shipped as a knock off. Be careful which seller you buy from. I will be posting pictures later today that show the SE Tool side by side with the Doan tool. I no longer have the packaging to show what they look like however.The seller I purchased the DOAN GENUINE ISSUE from was known as "CLASSICAL FITNESS & HEALTH" / "Waterglider LLC". They no longer have it stocked apparently.A GENUINE DOAN FIRE STARTER SHOULD HAVE THIS INFORMATION STAMPED ON ONE SIDE WITH AN ADDRESS ON THE OTHER. THE FIRST LINE IS THE NSN(Nato Stock Number):"4240-01-160-5618FSCM 62561MFR/PN 8702FIRE STARTING TOOLMAGNESIUMU.S. PATENT NO. 4,188,192"Reverse Side:"SPARKING INSERTMFD. BY DOAN MACH. & EQUIP. CO. INC.P.O. BOX 21334SO. EUCHLID, O. 44121SHAVING EDGE"