Just encountered this and couldn't resist posting - more for grins than anything else - http://www.soloscientific.com/soknbysoscpp.html?gclid=CKCk6KS3qcQCFYhgfgod0V

Maybe this gadget is great,but I will reserve judgment for a bit. But just think of potential embellishments - a luxury steel (at least S90V), partially serrated blades etc. - maybe a folding variant. The mind reels as we enter the solar age of survival and bush craft....

Think I'd trust a SAK with a magnifying glass over that.

Pity Victorinox discontinued the Woodsman.

The mirrored handle scales on that would get scratched up in no time at all. It is a useless novelty in my opinion. A BIC Lighter,ferro rod and a 5X glass or fresnel lens is cheaper and more useful than this trinket.Just my not so humble opinion.

BOATMAN
John

Agree. All four are already in my EDC backpack.

If you want your knife and fire starter all in one, IMO the "light my fire knife" is a much better alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Fire-FireKni...t+my+fire+knife

No affiliation---just really like it.

what he said.

I agree heartily. First of all, the LMF is a great practical knife and the fire making capability comes at no increase in weight or bulk, and it can spark 24/7! I don't think I have ever been in a situation where I really needed to light a fire when the sun was shining brightly...Which leads me to ask,what is the lowest sun angle at which any solar lighting technique would be effective?

At any rate - great integration design! I disagree that LMF adds a firestarter at no consequences at all. It is adding weight and complexity to the system - no doubt. The solar mirror on the knife is truly ideal device (when inventor solves a problem - the ideal solution would be "nothing new added, but problem solved") as it is factually nothing you could break or lose. Compared to a fresnel or typical 5x loupe (usually small and thus quite useless) it has much more light concentrating potential than either (the surface size is ruling here). I agree, it can get scratched with time, but if so - you can polish it back as well easily enough. Overall it could be perfect for a minimalistic kit, which is not constantly in use, but waiting for an emergency.

A question to knives gurus. Is it good enough as a knife? (does it worth $60 regardless the mirror?)

Wow! That's the same guys, who's invented the magnesium impregnated firesteel! I have one and it's truly well made device.

The mirror is actually a composite one, like the fresnel lens - made in parabolic flat sections. So the hand grip was not compromised. The only caveat - it's aluminum, so - definitely quite easy to scratch, even though it's coated.

I'm going to put my money on the Tool Logic SLP2 or the Adventure Medical Kits SOL Original Survival Tool. A parabolic mirror is good in concept, but the practical problems just makes it survival bling.