Just announced but not released yet.
http://www.ultimatesurvival.com/press_room.cfm?news_ID=1140

I've used MANY fire starting rods the magnesium mixed one works the BEST.

I always liked the Blastmatch performance and one-handed operation. But when it cam down to actually carrying one I often declined simply because it is a fairly bulky bit of kit. Carrying your gear is always a trade off between bulk/weight and utility.

A smaller and lighter version of the Blastmatch that didn't substantially compromise the full-sized Blastmatch's strengths might just rejigger the balance and see it going into my kit more often.

Good find. I will have to see if I can get my hands on one of those.

I have one of the original sized Blastmatches. It came in one of those "On sale cheap!" NRA survival kits. It throws one impressive set of sparks, but I've never carried it when hiking. Just too big and heavy. I like the one-handed use. Maybe this new smaller one will give us the one-hand operation in a more manageable size.

I had a BlastMatch for a while. It seemed to be a bit large for justifying putting it in my BOB. I was using it one day and the rod just broke off from the housing. I didn't replace it.

From the name and the size, it looks like they are trying to compete with the SparkLite. No, that wouldn't be why they call it the "Sparkie"....

One more gizmo to have to try out. *grins* Defiantly not as small or as versatile (try lighting a stove with one, see how well that works), but it looks like it might have a place.

Meh, marketing. If you don't have room for a fire starter in your BOB, perhaps you ought to reconsider your priorities.

I guess it could be used in EDC kits, though.



That's strange, I was under the impression the rod was spring-loaded. Are you talking about Blast Match



or Strike Force?

I suspect they mean they decided for something smaller rather than skip a fire starter all together.

I too am in this camp. I purchased a few Blast Matches, but found them too bulky for normal use. I replaced mine with Firesteel Scouts.

That said, I think a compact and lighter version of the Blast Match would be a winner since you should have less chance of breakage and less chance of accidental spark (I keep mine in an Omniseal bag by itself for this reason, but you could still break it).

-john

Interesting! Any word on when these will be available?

They are saying this Fall. Of course, there's often a hiccup between prototypes, the first of which have only just been produced, and production. I'll have more information after the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market which is coming up the end of next week.