I just bought some of this:
http://www.1sks.com/store/ultimate-survival-wet-fire-tinder.html

but I got to thinking. Tinder Quik seems more widely used, and is what's in Doug's kit. I wonder if I made the right choice!

If anyone has used both (or even just one) can you give me your thoughts as to the merits of the two?

I've got both, but I'm rather a newbie at this so take these comments with a large salt lick. TQ pieces are a lot smaller, so on a per-fire basis it saves a lot of room. To get it to take a spark, you just have to tear it open to expose some fibers. WF doesn't seem to take a spark unless you shave it down, and if it's windy those shavings blow away. I haven't tried either in the rain though, and WF advertises that it works great in the rain. Maybe the way to go is to take a bunch of TQ, and a couple of WF in case it's inclement.

Don't forget to compare with cotton-ball/vaseline tinder.

By the way, I've also tinkered with Coghlan's tinder. In all situations I've tried them with, they've been harder to get going than anything.

Hi Burncycle,

In my unscientific opinion, here's some random observations:

They're both fairly easy to light.
The WF stays lit better than the TQ.
The WF burns a little hotter than the TQ.
The WF is 100 times more prone to failure. If the wrapping becomes punctured, the active chemicles will evaporate and render the tinder uselss.
IIRC the WF is much more expensive than TQ, and you can make your own TQ tabs.
The WF takes much much more space in a kit because of it's sensitivity to the enviornment and packing.

So, do whatever you do, but experiment and get good at it. Try starting fires with your WF with a spark lite, (or old flint lighter) and a ferro rod. Then buy (or make) some TQ tabs and experiment some more. See what you like about both and make it your choice.

I started with WF (actually some similiar thing they don't sell any more) and now almost exclusively use TQ style tabs.

I like cotton-ball/vaseline best, as long as it is made right I haven't found anything better. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Actually, the Coghlan's tinder is not too bad when used with their permanent match.
When you follow the instructions to squash the tinder tab flat then pull the flattened tinder tab sideways to expose the fibres, they light pretty easily.

Of course YMMV. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Coghlan's and TQ have both worked great for me with a only a spark to ignite it in mostly dry conditions. I haven't tried WF yet nor have I tried any in extremely wet conditions.

I've used both and keep them for difftent reasons. The TQ is small and you can squish them down really flat. I keep 3 in my wallet and don't notice that they are there. They fluff up easily and are easy to light with just about any spark. If TQ gets wet, it will still work but it needs to be dried out a little bit.

WF on the other hand crumbles in the wrapper and can become non-usable. It needs to be scrapped inorder to get it to light. When wet it will still light as long as the water is wiped off the surface. The WF will burn longer then the TQ. So I use it for those times that I want longer burn time and in wet conditions.

YMMV -

S.

You DO know that the instruction that come with their permanent match are TOTALY WRONG(about the match, not about the tinder.)

Those Permanent matches have been sold for YEARS(some are antiques that are worth some money...)
You are supposed to put some lighter fluid in the thing and then you use the flint to light the MATCH(not the tinder!) You can start a fire in almost any conditions with that thing...
I LOVE mine, and have 3 more ordered...
I am thinking about ordering one with a mini-golfball for a grip rather than the tiny metal grip, for a friend that is a golfer and cigar smoker(He took it up AFTER he had a heart attack(WTF???)

Yep, I know that it is actually a permanent match which they are just using for a flint striker. It does however generate a lot of sparks for the size.
I've tried filling mine with lighter fluid, but it kept evaporating, even when I replaced the o-ring on the thing. Anyone else have this problem? <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

With the lighter fluid, this thing will light anything. But if you're just using it as a source of sparks, it works well with the supplied tinder.
Never had any problems with it. I even use it to light my alcohol stove......

I have used my PM with and without lighter fluid. I have no complaints. I love it. Smaller than a mini bic too which is nice.