Hi All,

I've been scanning the net for European sources for the really cool and usefull gear reviewed on this site. Especially the spark-Lite looks like a foolproof firestarter for a PSK. But where can we find this in Europe (online)? Shipping from US dealers tends to be very expensive to Europe.

Any links are hugely welcome since the best known outdoor equippment stores in my area haven't even heard of this particular device.

Thanks

Luca

As far as I know, there is no European company distributing sparklites. However, there are now a lot of companies, mostly in UK that carry US gear. Any specific things you are looking for besides the sparklite?

Hi Pete,

Button compasses for one are hard to find on the continent. People always stare at me when I inquire about them in shops. Why on earth would you want such a small compass? <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Genuine paracord, fox40 mini whistles, decent signal mirrors, a decent wire saw (we do have el cheapo imitations) and stuff like that are hard to track in brick and mortar shops. Most sell general outdoor equippment, not this specialized gear one reads about on this site.
<img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Luca

in which country do you live ? This shop sells everything you mentioned: http://www.countrystore.nl/ it is a dutch store in dutch. exsept they don't sell the sparklite ( i think ). The signal miror they sell however is the BCB one, i got 2 of them, they aren't really high quality ( plastic and mine has quite a lot of scratches on them and aren't as shiny as a glass one ), but good enough to p*ss someone off a couple hunderd yards away... ( ...don't ask <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

store's like Bever zwerfsport sells Fox 40 whistle's, but don't have the rest ( they do have a crapy mirror and cheapo wiresaws ). I have seen red 550 paracord in suplus store's... buton compasses are quite easy to find, the recta one is very common, so is the BCB one.

Hi Luca, as far as I know it's impossible to obtain the spark-lite kits from the UK, I assume it's same in Europe as well, your best bet is to go direct to the source at...

http://www.fourseasonssurvival.com

I purchased a couple of kits and a load of tinder tab refills last year and the shipping was only about $5, they also stock 'Starflash' signal mirrors, 'Fox 40s' & plenty of other interesting gear. You could email Keri-Lynn <sales@fourseasonssurvival.com> and ask her for a few shipping options & prices if you're worried about costs.

Hope this info is of some use.

Shako.

Have a look at www.recon.se or send a mail to info@recon.se
Unfortunately their website is in swedish only but they are well stocked on firesteels and button compasses.
/Stefan, Sweden.

Luca,

Drop me an email, our Scouting group has a bunch of Spark Lites left the Orange version and we could send you one or two...
We also will have some extra Star-flash mirror's in a few weeks time and these babies will reach more then a couple of hundreth meters <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> we tried it over 2km's (GPS confirmed) standing on a bridge flashing at our observer and they WORK!
I personally have an 3.5" X 5.5" (approx) laminated glass mirror, an official US military pilot one and this one really works but weighs a ton and could easilly break.
For what I carry I'd rather carry the Star-flash and carry other survival stuff for the weight saved.

We also might have some spare mini compasses, but these are just to give an "indication" we use bigger Silva's Recta's for the accurate work.

Best Scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera

Good to see you here again Piet. Sounds like you've got some great gear. Do you have enough and would it be possible to send a couple of things over here to the UK?

Pete,

Yep, it's nice to roam Doug's site, I've had time the past week and a half as I had some vacation days, however Mr. Flue spoiled my holiday and I've been grounded inside our home for the past week.

Pete, no problem, just send me an email and I'll let you know what spare stuff we still have.

One of the nicest things we now have a few spares of are EKA Masur knives, the ones with the compressed Arctic Birch handles and a simple Sandvick blade together with elkskin belt pouch and lanyard.

Best Scouting wishes,

Bagheera (Piet)

Thank you all for your suggestions,

I should have started by telling you all that I live in Belgium. For our American friends: yes, the tiny country between France, Germany, GB and the Netherlands where they bake the genuine Brussels waffles <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I would be interested in a Spark-Lite and a Star-Flash.
I checked out fourseasonssurvival and the swedish link (unfortunately my swedish is not very well <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />) The compass I'm looking for is the button compass by Brunton like the one in Doug's PSK. I'm aware that for general use I'm far better off with my regular Silva Ranger.

All the best and Keep on walking! (with or without Johnny <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

Luca