Finding my center at REI today I was chatting with a guy I know who works there. He showed me a 'toy' the guys had been playing with, the Sparkie fire starter by Ultimate Survival. They also make wet fire tender and the bigger brother of Sparkie, the BlastFire match that Doug has reviewed in the past.

Kewl. Was all I could think. About the size of a bic lighter the sparks were better and more consistent than my Light My Fire fire steel. I bought it.

I got home, grabbed my son, went out back and attempted to start a fire. I had my doubts the wind was at least 20 mph. I grabbed some dead grass, balled it up, set it in a depression and in two strikes I had a ball of fire. Ten seconds max.

This item is replacing the sparklite in my EDC. It will rest next to a sleeve of REI waterproof matches, a LMF firesteel modified with hacksaw blade striker, mini bic, piezo lighter, occasional zippo, wet fire tender and some coglins fire starter.

I think this item is a great addition. Standard disclaimers to REI and Ultimate Survival (not sponsored by them)