I’ve been using the UCO matches for a few years now, last year Amazon had the UCO matches with green and the orange water proof container on sale for $3.00ea picked up 12 of em plus they had the refill packs 25 matches per pack for $1.99
pick 4 items only
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Yea I get em from Amazon as well. One of the greatest values on the internet.
While the strikers are good I always keep 3m 800/1000 grit wet and dry sandpaper in my kit, last longer in wet environments.
Do you have recommendations for a weather resistant lighter? I bought this hunk of shyt Windmill Delta Stormproof Lighter and found it to be an overpriced POS. I have yet to find a good example. Do you know of any?
Being able to start a fire is really important. Glad several options were posted here. Doing it in a damp environment is even more challenging, but is even more needed. My advice to everyone is actually try some of these ideas. You never know when you might be in a situation that it could at least make you a lot more comfortable and at worse save your life. Just curious, how many here have actually made one with rubbing sticks together? I’d be surprised if more than three people have.
By the way, disposable lighters are still my favorite choice! 
By the way, disposable lighters are still my favorite choice!
Mine too I was just searching for one that would work in adverse weather conditions.
By the way, disposable lighters are still my favorite choice!
Cheap Bics work well but if they get wet...worthless.
I have done so a handful of times but it takes me way too long. I get annoyed and just cheat...because I can.
Personally I think doing it the easiest and smartest way isn’t cheating! Seriously, actually practicing some of the obscure things we learn about here is a wise thing, and kind of fun and interesting too.
I’ve seen many lighters claim to be wind proof, but don’t recall any to be wet proof. I’m sure there are options though. Gotta love amazon and google! No wonder Bezos just topped 100billion.
I've seen way too many failures people using lighters, I keep not just bic lighters but iron and flint, magnesium, fire steel part of my kit. Altitude/cold/moisture affects lighters.
Yea this appears to be the case. I just figured by now someone would have come up with something..."extraordinary" by now.
I prefer to pack as light as possible.
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Good idea
I think the old rule of prepping applies. One is none, two is one, etc. having a few different options is always good, but having knowledge of many options is even better. A battery and steel wool works pretty well, brake fluid and powdered chlorine works, etc. It’s a good idea to always keep learning about new ways to do things.
This is my fire kit
Epiphany Pocket Bellow
UCO Stormproof match kit
Gerber StrikeForce w/5 refill fuel cubes
Bic lighter x2
Magnesium fire starter
FireSteel
Fatwood 4" x4
Dry moss
Jute
Some old world mixed with modern
Like a pro maverick.
Zippo. Pick one of them. Damn near bomb proof as long as you have flints and fluid...l
Oh- I did buy 50 bic lighters at Sams, and have several other fire starters, but I prefer a Zippo.
Edit to correct autocorrect...
Edit to correct autocorrect...
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Oh, the fishing pole was a tough thing not to pick initially too. Being able to cook food with fire is important, but after all I guess you could eat fish raw.
I wouldnt be able to GOOGLE how to eat it raw though.
Hmmm.... sushi anyone?
Lol, you need rice for that.
And a whole ton of sake.....
Or Japanese beer.
Hell yeah!
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I've got some of those disposable type lighters too, but the magnesium fire starter looked interesting and it was $2 or so.
Note, this is SPECIFIC to the desert island scenario....where I'm looking to be rescued.
Flare Gun
Knife
Tarp
Pot
So let's see how these cover the basics.
SIGNALLING HELP - This is the PRIMARY concern in this scenario. If a plane flies over, or a boat sighted in the far distance, you need to be able to signal them. The flare gun is really the only choice for this basic need. One may argue they could build a huge signal fire, but the time needed for this is crazy (as is the danger). With the flare gun, you can just fire it when needed (and is universally seen as a signal for distress). While a mirror is handy (and for fire), your chances of it signalling a far off ship or plane is pretty minimal at best. - You can bet your ass I'd cut a piece of tarp (using the knife), and fashion a waterproof pouch for that flare gun!!!
WATER - The Pot will allow me to boil water (so no need for the purifier). I can also have the tarp pinched in areas to catch rainwater in the pot. Even saltwater could be converted using a piece of tarp and the pot, if you're clever enough (and patient enough).
FIRE - There are plenty of ways to make fire, but if all else failed, I do have the flares in the flare gun. I could even disassemble a cartridge for more uses, etc.
SHELTER - The tarp will keep the rain off, and make my natural made shelter waterproof. The knife will help me get the natural materials needed for the shelter. Creative cuts in wood and using vines negates the need for rope
FOOD - Almost any island has a TON of food sources available, but even if barren, there is always the sea itself. The Knife will help in this regard, but also depends on the type of island. Most South Pacific islands, the thorns of palms work great to make a fishing spear, when set in a small piece of bamboo. This alone should give you plenty of food. The Pot gives you a way to cook a variety of food sources that wouldn't all fit on a hot rock or direct coals, etc.
DEFENSE - The Knife helps you make a spear, or it can even be tied in a stout piece of bamboo to make an even more effective spear. (or just used as a knife).
Flare Gun
Knife
Tarp
Pot
So let's see how these cover the basics.
SIGNALLING HELP - This is the PRIMARY concern in this scenario. If a plane flies over, or a boat sighted in the far distance, you need to be able to signal them. The flare gun is really the only choice for this basic need. One may argue they could build a huge signal fire, but the time needed for this is crazy (as is the danger). With the flare gun, you can just fire it when needed (and is universally seen as a signal for distress). While a mirror is handy (and for fire), your chances of it signalling a far off ship or plane is pretty minimal at best. - You can bet your ass I'd cut a piece of tarp (using the knife), and fashion a waterproof pouch for that flare gun!!!
WATER - The Pot will allow me to boil water (so no need for the purifier). I can also have the tarp pinched in areas to catch rainwater in the pot. Even saltwater could be converted using a piece of tarp and the pot, if you're clever enough (and patient enough).
FIRE - There are plenty of ways to make fire, but if all else failed, I do have the flares in the flare gun. I could even disassemble a cartridge for more uses, etc.
SHELTER - The tarp will keep the rain off, and make my natural made shelter waterproof. The knife will help me get the natural materials needed for the shelter. Creative cuts in wood and using vines negates the need for rope
FOOD - Almost any island has a TON of food sources available, but even if barren, there is always the sea itself. The Knife will help in this regard, but also depends on the type of island. Most South Pacific islands, the thorns of palms work great to make a fishing spear, when set in a small piece of bamboo. This alone should give you plenty of food. The Pot gives you a way to cook a variety of food sources that wouldn't all fit on a hot rock or direct coals, etc.
DEFENSE - The Knife helps you make a spear, or it can even be tied in a stout piece of bamboo to make an even more effective spear. (or just used as a knife).
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