I have decided that for on-body "1st line" carry, I will have 2 independent firestarting tools and 2 forms of bombproof tinder.
Firestarters:
- a mini Bic set up
like this. I make the inner tube carrier longer to protect more of the lighter and provide more tinder (see below).
- a compact ferro rod
with a high magnesium content and a small striker
Tinder:
- some
Tinder Quik tabs - the bicycle inner tube I use to waterproof the mini Bic. Yes this requires an open flame.
I believe this setup to be extremely capable while being very light and compact. I think packing 4+ fire methods is overdoing it. When I see guys toting antiquated tools like char cloth and
flint/steel sets I frankly think it is ridiculous. They have passed from smartly applying available technology into the realm of history re-enactors and fantasy. It's good to know the old ways but I'm not going to carry an old tool that weighs 10 times the modern tool but offers 1/10 the performance.
If they want to play-act like it's still 1823 then fine, but they shouldn't pretend that they're actually being reasonable.