Yah, I think you have a couple of different questions here. One about creating your own carried tinder of which there has been a lot of discussion; Which manufactured one is best, and lots of how to make your own.

Personally, I'm partial to the WetFire tinder by Ultimate Survival, who unfortunately recently went out of business, although there does appear to be at least some product still in the channels.

I found it burns well and it kind of melts and merges with the materials near it. As such, you can often use a very small bit of the material in conjunction with some small twigs, needles or leaves.

But you have a good point that there is much less discussion about improvised tinder.

Obviously that will depend a lot of your location and situation. In the Pacific Northwest, finding things that will burn isn't a problem - but finding dry materials.

If things are dry, it is a lot easier. I think one of the keys is to "fuzz" your tinder. For example, if you have some dry grass, break up the ends into fine strands. You should also be able to "fuzz" items including wood with your knife, held perpendicular to the item your are fuzzing.

There is also talk about using "fluffy" seed pods and while you sometimes encounter stuff like that here in the NW, it depends on where and when you are.

Of course you also asked about how the Spark-Lite tinders are made. As your wife points out, the material itself isn't overly sophisticated, but I recall they are impregnated with a couple of materials which is soaked all the way through. Perhaps someone who remembers can comment on what they are.

Also, the different fire starters work to different effect. My recollection is Doug has done some reviews that you should be able to find from the Equipped home page. I don't recall how well the Spark-lite performed, but I do recall that they all have different attributes to be considered. Personally, I have never used the Spark-lite, instead opting for the Swedish Firesteel, "Scout" model and the back of my knife.

You also hit on an other important issue. You want to practice ahead of time. Some people don't have much experience starting fires at all, and even with a match or lighter, much less using wet materials and only a sparker.

You want to build good working skill building fires, identifying and gathering tinder and becoming familiar with the attributes of the equipment you carry.

-john

My old worn out copy of the SAS Survival Manual lists the following as good tinder:

Birch bark, dried grasses, fine wood shavings, bird down, waxed paper, and cotton fluff from clothing...
Pulverized fir cones, pine needles, and the inner bark from cedar trees.
Dried fungi are excellent, if finely powdered, and scorcned or charred cotton or linen, especially ground finely, are also among the best.
Where insects such as wood wasps have been boring into trees the find dust they produce is good tinder and powdery bird and bat droppings can also be used. The inside of birds' nests are usually lined with feathers and ignite easliy-dry Fieldmouse nexts are also usable.

Whatever tinder you use MUST BE DRY. It is a good idea to carry tinder with you in a waterproof container. Always keep an eye open for tinder to collect...

Must beg to differ, ever so slightly. I'm very familiar with two natural tinders that need not be dry - in the conventional sense. Bark of the white birch (may apply to other birches, I just have no experience) and fat pine ("lightern"). I've used both after days of rain (and it was still raining). In the case of the birch I can remember one time in Ontario after 14 straight days of rain (summer 1970), took some bark, shook it off, shredded with knife, struck sparks and had fire. Fed with lots of birch bark and twigs - um good! Fat pine is naturally "waterproof" too. When you can find it, I think it's best. I totally agree with you - when you're in the woods and see good tinder - grab it. I always carry a ZipLoc just for that.

"...Bark of the white birch...fat pine..."

Guess the Brits aren't familiar with that stuff...

You really only need enough vasoline to make the cotten balls greasy feeling. I was in a class once and we took a baseball sized ball of cotton and a dollop of vasoline. Work it in good. I tried out my spark-lite on a pinch of that mix I had made and it caught on the first strike.

Thanks to you and everyone for the comments. This is a very civil place with lots of helpful, informed people. I know I will learn alot.