Small/cheap equipment

[GillyBee]

Fire steels generate a shower of sparks. We have used them to light camping gas cookers. Otherwise you would need something that catches very easily like a tinder. They are more difficult than a match or lighter. No idea how long they last. They come in different sizes so big ones will last longer.
Popular with bushcrafters as they are naturally waterproof and they work with the back of a knife to strike them

[ForgeCorvus]

I've never really considered a fire steel.
Please can someone estimate how many fires one can start before it's worn out.

Would a bit of tissue be suitable to get a fire started, or do you need a bit of magnesium powder or something?

Ferrocerium is the same stuff that lighter 'flints' are made from, you can get hundreds of sparks from that tiny quantity of material so an average sized rod must be able to light quite a few fires (not sure how many, hundreds maybe over a thousand) even though you scrape a lot more off. Some rods are much bigger and chunkier then others and therefore easier to handle for longer, whereas smaller rods are easy to carry.

You can use any fluffy tinder to catch the sparks, you can also use handgel, meths, bio-ethanol or other accelerant. They're quite good for lighting alky stoves.

Don't let your rod get near a flame, they will catch fire and they burn hot and strong

[Frnc]

One good thing about ferro rod sparks is they drop down, whereas a lighter flame curves up. If you are trying to light a small amount of meths in the bottom of a burner, a ferro rod might be easier, if you are experienced at it and have a steady hand. Or one of those lighters with a long nozzle about 6" long.
I think big ferro rods are easier and obviously last a lot longer. The tiny ones aren't too great. The big ones aren't very heavy anyway (100g or less), half the weight is usually in a paracord weave handle attached to it.

[jennyjj01]

Please can someone estimate how many fires one can start before it's worn out.

Ferrocerium is the same stuff that lighter 'flints' are made from, you can get hundreds of sparks from that tiny quantity of material so an average sized rod must be able to light quite a few fires (not sure how many, hundreds maybe over a thousand) even though you scrape a lot more off.
Don't let your rod get near a flame, they will catch fire and they burn hot and strong

Cheers.
Google reveals that they are good for many thousands of strikes, up to maybe 15,000!
At about £6 each, a nifty stocking filler for a prepper.

[rik_uk3]

Realistically you could light several hundred fires, they work when wet, work in sub zero temps, just a must have item for any prepper; its a prepper basic kit item.

cheap gas lighters? get them, buy them by the tray, flint or electronic ignition, they both work and in my personal experience don't leak gas even after being on a shelf for 10+ years, another basic prepper item.

[jansman]

Realistically you could light several hundred fires, they work when wet, work in sub zero temps, just a must have item for any prepper; its a prepper basic kit item.

cheap gas lighters? get them, buy them by the tray, flint or electronic ignition, they both work and in my personal experience don't leak gas even after being on a shelf for 10+ years, another basic prepper item.

I am a big fan of cheap lighters. I have a stash of them that are easily 15 years old,and still excellent. The stored matches will be run down,frankly. Mind you,that’ll be some time to do too.

[rik_uk3]

I've got trays of lighters some bought in 2007, flint and peizo and none have lost gas. I have boxes of matches which I vac packed yonks ago which like much of my 'stock' won't get used...hopefully

[Yorkshire Andy]

These little jobbies plenty of suppliers before the blind panic over winter cuts I got 5 for £12 ISH ...

Popped into a vape shop and bought some 14500 batteries well what a difference Vs a standard AA

[jennyjj01]

These little jobbies plenty of suppliers before the blind panic over winter cuts I got 5 for £12 ISH ...

Screenshot_20221106-213756.png

Popped into a vape shop and bought some 14500 batteries well what a difference Vs a standard AA

What takes 14500s?
Similar wattHour capacity? What are you going to do with them?

[Yorkshire Andy]

These little jobbies plenty of suppliers before the blind panic over winter cuts I got 5 for £12 ISH ...

Screenshot_20221106-213756.png

Popped into a vape shop and bought some 14500 batteries well what a difference Vs a standard AA

What takes 14500s?
Similar wattHour capacity? What are you going to do with them?

The little edc torches they run on bog standard AA 1.5v or 14500 rechargeables which the pic above makes them chuck a lot more light out

Wh = mAh × V / 1000

So 1300x3.7/1000

Gives 4.81wh