fire starter

[NorthernRaider]

I dont want to intrude or dampen this fascinating thread but i would like to inject a note if I may.

Fire pistons etc are indeed great improvised tools for surviving if you get stranded in the upper oomegooly penensula, but in our society a good quality lighter will servive you even for decades after the fall of civilisations.

Zippos use hydrocarbons to burn, theres a dude up scotland way who fuels his out of home made alcohol

I prefer butane lighters as they dont dry out like petrol lighters, and here are the two real world practical points I want to make, my lighter is over 20 years old and still works every time often only getting used once a year, BUT also the large can of lighter gas I bought with it I still have and its still half full.

Over 20 million disposable lighters are made each year and they are eveywhere ( but never in your pocket when you need it)

My point is that fire pistons are a knowledge worth knowing, but in Europe a decent lighter and refill can could easily last you 10 years.