I get the feeling that most folks prefer the Spark Lite over most all other fire starters, however, I was wondering why more people do not like the classic magnesium firestarter? Is it weight? Is the function of the spark lite that much better? The Magnesium Blocks have the sparker and tinder in one. Is it the one handed advantage of the SL? The size?

Just curious.

To tell the truth my overall preference is a small ferrocerium rod the exact size of the ones that come glued to the Doans magnesium starter blocks. I knock off the rods and toss the magnesium block in the trash. I just bought a couple large ferro rods in the form of the metal match and some extra large ones in the form of firesteel and they are awesome firestarters but too big to be practical for my purposes, so I prefer the small ones that I rip off of the magnesium bar firestarters. For the amount of work it takes to to actually scrape a decent amount of magnesium in to something that vaguely resembles a neat little pile, I can make ten times as much effective tinder out of almost anything else, grass, leaves, denim, cotton clothing, various componants in a first aid kit and the list goes on. Before I perfected my tinder preparation skills I was all about the magnesium since (just as you pointed out) it is tinder and striker/sparker in one neat little package. Those days however, are gone for me now that my tinder preparation skills have improved. This is not to completely discount the sparklite though. Where the spraklite earns it's keep is when one-handed operation is required. I have been practicing with a small ferro rod one-handed and although it is possible, it sure aint nothin like simply flicking a sparklite. If you look at my videos in a recent thread you can see that with a little practice at preparing tinder you can light almost anything with a sparklitethat you can with the full-sized ferro rods.. and yes all that tinder in the videos can be prepared one-handed. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't know about most people but I have them both and they each have their own advantages and disadvantages.

The Spark Lite is smaller, lighter, can be used one-handed, and works great with cotton balls or equilivant tinder.

The Mag bar is bigger, heavier, requires two hands and works great with cotton balls or equilivant tinder.

I have never had much luck with the mag bar shavings. They blow away and burn up quickly.

Just my 2-cents worth

Tom

I know it's heresy on this board but I'm not all that smitten with the SL. I have a BlastMatch which is considerably heavier but I prefer it. For one-handed fire-starting, I really prefer a Bic lighter <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, unless you're one-handed to begin with, I doubt the one-handedness of the SL is ever likely to play a significant role. I haven't tried this, but I'm pretty certain I can easily ignite tinder by placing it on a firm surface, placing the ferrocerium rod on top of it and holding it steady with my foot while I run my knife blade along it. (If I'm injured and freezing to death, starting a fire would take priority over not damaging my knife - that's probably heresy, too. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) If I can't use either of my feet, then I'm gonna be in a world of hurt anyway, but I still reckon I could figure something out. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

The main use for the magnesium block is to hold the ferrocerium rod so you don't lose it, but it's not useless. those who think they're going to collect a large pile of magnesium shavings in a high wind without building a sheltered area are dreaming, but I've collected a reasonable pile of shavings in windy conditions using an old biscuit tin, so I know it can be done. But the FC rod by itself does an excellent job of lighting tinder.

I'm going to try hard not to write a novella on this topic as I often catch myself doing. I'll just say this: You must be a lot luckier than I am or maybe my outdoor activities are simply more prone to causing injury. I can say without a shadow of a doubt the part of my body that sufferes the most injury outdoors are my hands. Based on my own personal experience, being able to operate your equipment one-hand is of great importance.

Brian:

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being able to operate your equipment one-hand is of great importance.
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You have got to edit that statement or I will go mad trying to restrain myself from making comments about it. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bounty...... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

ROFL!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

With a mind like that, we're going to have to start calling you "bootyhunter".

Well, I guess some people are more accident-prone than I am <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> which is another way of saying not everyone is as wimpishly afraid of getting hurt as me <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

But just out of curiosity, how many of those injuries were so bad as to preclude you using both hands to start a fire?