Sounds like good advice. Since getting started with this stuff, I have found that I am basically a pyromaniac. I really do love fire. It just fascinates me. I started playing with a bow and drill last night. Haven't gotten fire yet, but I did get enough smoke to know that I can. I figure that eventhough I would want something quicker and more foolproof in a life or death situation, primitive skills like that may allow me to stretch my resources out to last me longer. Well, at least provided that I can still use both hands.

Here's part of my left pocket EDC items. Doesn't include a Bic lighter.



But I really wanted to show how I carry vaseline-soaked cotton balls. At the 4 o'clock position is a 3 inch piece of tubing stuffed with my vaseline impregnated cotton. It's small, flexible and you can squeeze out whatever you need like a toothpaste tube.

Plus I'm too cheap to buy a spy capule just for this purpose. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Also have about 2 feet of duct tape around the striker. One to keep everything from rattling when I walk, and two because it's duct tape.

--Chris

I know I've said this before, so I apologize for the repetition, but...

An army P38 can opener makes an excellent striker for these ferrocerium-rod firestarters. It's really not noticably larger or heavier than the steel strikers that come with these things- smaller and lighter than some.

Plus, it opens cans. Easily. That's a pretty big plus when you need it.

I'm pretty much never without a BSA Hotspark when out of the house, but I wouldn't consider carrying a single-purpose striker with it.

The P38 in my keycase has even made it through the airport screening a couple of times. I have a whole box full, so I don't care much if they confiscate one or two.

Avoid the imported imitations, though.

How do you tell if it's an imported imitation p-38?

Getting smoke is good. Getting a coal is better. You're certainly on the right track and I bet now you probably already see that it isn't as difficult as many might lead you to believe. Just keep in mind that primitive skills are not the end-all be-all (like everything else) but are an excellent "tool" to add to your arsenal. For EDC I often carry a small ferrocerium rod only but any time I go backpacking (except when I'm out specifically to force myself practice my primtive stills or test the effectiveness of my EDC) I try to carry 3 different means of fire on my person. Lighter, matches and a ferocerium rod for example. I won't even get in to how many fire making options are in the backpack kept in my truck. Pretty much everything cept the flame thrower although I plan to add that once Goatrider sends it to me. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You can compare the size, many of the cheapo imported ones just aren't the same size. The imported ones also seem un sturdy and "wiggle" a lot. New USGI come in a small brown paper wrapping that has instructions, if I remember correctly. New USGI P-38's are a little hard to open and will snap into the cutting position. The Brits. have a larger can opener that has a thumb rest and can slo be used as a spoon.

hey x-ray dave : its the aussie issue tin opener that has the spoon end and bottle opener...the brit issue tin opener is just a larger p-38 type opener and only a hole for a dummy cord....just wanted to clear that up... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />...vince g. 11b infantry...

I've been thinking about adding one of those aluminum fuel bottles that they use for camp stoves to my truck. If I need to get a fire, 22 oz of kerosene would most likely be a big help. I haven't gotten into backpacking yet but I am going to. Working on getting in better shape (doing alot of hiking), and learning all I can first.
Have to say that this site is proving to be an incredible resource. Thanks for all the help.

IMHO, de-odorized mineral spirits are even cheaper than diesel fuel and far easier to ignite than kero or diesel. Think charcoal starter - that's about how it ignites and burns. Not a big explosion hazard like gasoline or lighter fluid but far easier to ignite than diesel.

It has another use in your vehicle - that is the solvent of choice for parts washers in much of the country (prol not in So Cal). Wet a rag/paper towel with it, wipe off hands, oil caps, etc. Takes the fat out of your skin, but not as aggressively as gasoline - a little hand lotion afterwards works great.

Kero sneaks past seals over time and spills STINK for about half of eternity. If you spill mineral spirits, they evaporate fairly soon (minutes to hours, depending on conditions), leaving no odor. I speak from experience in vehicles on both counts...

Tom

Thanks for the correction, I've got some of both, I like the P-38 because of it's size. My USGI P-38 is marked U.S. and MALLIN SHELBY O on the side away from the cutter.