here's a way to EDC the Spark Lite system

Here's a way I'm using to EDC the Spark Lite firestarting system. I took a Bison Designs large capsule and then adapted the Spark Lite to fit.

The Spark Lite sparker was a bit too long to fit the capsule, so I used a Dremel tool to trim off a little less than 3/8" off of the base. I stuffed a Spark Lite tinder piece in the base of the capsule and another one inside the lid. If you worked at it I think a third piece of tinder could be put in the capsule as well.

Here's the closed capsule:


The opened capsule:


Looking down into the body of the capsule, showing the trimmed Spark Lite & stuffed tinder:


Looking into the capsule's lid, showing the second piece of tinder:


Finally, the capsule rides on my Bison Designs circle keyring along with a Doug Ritter MicroLight, Fox40 whistle and Uncle Bill's tweezers:


I used this unit this past weekend while practicing my firemaking skills. It worked great. I didn't find the shortened Spark Lite any tougher to use. I have another Spark Lite plus other firestarting gear in my main PSKs but this unit is able to be with me at all times.

where the heck can i get those capsules?everyone has them. i went to walmart and they didnt have them and i thought walmart had everything.haha

EDCDepot.com has them for $4.00.

Excellent design. I have a couple of those capsules somewhere, although I don't remember where they came from. I'll have to try that out.

I like it. It's a simple, elegant solution. However, my engineering brain can't help making improvements. The working end of the Spark Lite is all that matters, right? The orange handle is only there to give you something to hold onto. So I'm thinking of a designed from scratch capsule that has a slightly smaller outside diameter. The screw-on cap (not at the keychaine end, but the other end) has the business end of the Spark Lite mounted inside the cap. Turn the cap around and screw it back onto the capsule, and you have the capsule as a handle and the Spark Lite on the outside ready to use. Thus the unused interior volume of the capsule can be used to store several tinder bundles.

How's that for an idea? I'll try and sketch something up this week. Maybe I can find time on a lathe to make a prototype... Feel free to steal this design, but if you do make a bunch of these, please send me one!

Just keep in mind that the Sparklite has a hollow middle which a spring and a "plug" have been inserted. If you cut or drill the handle you may cause the spring to push the plug out of the bottom. Look at the bottom of the Sparklite and you will see the plug.
I found this out when I drilled a small hole through a couple Sparklites to hang on a keyring. One of three that were drilled had the failure I described; the other two did not. But this made me decide to not modify any more Sparklites.

Yes, I was careful to shave off only the minimum amount needed to fit the sparker into the capsule. I like ZenEngineer's idea very much, though.

I would also like to have ZenEngineer's idea done on a slightly larger capsule that would provide room for a few REI storm matches & a striker. Then you'd have 2 independent firestarting systems on hand.

Maybe you could fashion something using the sparker from this: http://www.therangerdigest.com/Tips___Tricks/Necklace/body_necklace.htm

That is a great idea!

Also the SparkLite can be used one-handed with TinderQuik. As it was pointed out to me and I tried; you do not have to fluff up the TinderQuik. You can light the end of the TinderQuik with the SparkLite, as-is.

I'm still fixated on having a large ferro rod in my pocket with a couple Coghlan's Emergency Tinder. I have three separate things needed to start a fire (ferro rod, Emergency Tinder and knife) and you have it all in one compact container. Have you tried opening the Bison capsule and starting a fire one-handed? Maybe you could hold it with your knees and twist with one hand?

Also check CVS/Eckerd/Walgreens they have small metal capsules for Rx that have screw on tops with a gasket of some type. IIRC they had a few of different sizes. Don't know prices....sorry.

thanks ,ill go check that out.

I just finished doing this and I was able to stuff three tinderquiks in there and I could have forced the fourth in there if I wanted to.

I use a small card wallet as my primary wallet. A sparklite is in the main section off to one side where it fits perfectly with the credit cards and what have you. I also have a cotton square or two in there along with a length of jute cord.

I thought the point of the Pocket Survival Pack being pocket size is that it would be everyday carry. I have the advantage in that I can carry mine in my purse.

Jeanette Isabelle

For me the PSK is for when I am out in the woods and in my bag in urban areas. My on person, urban EDC is an abbreviated version since everything is in my pockets.

one thought to add..........the capsule idea is a great one.

here is a little macgyverism i tried (pics to follow) i tried today after reading this post

sparklight-well basically its the business end of a bic lighter
-so i basically took and soldered the spring to hold the flint up in the head, and dremeled off the excess metal-took the remaining spark portion and epoxy-ed it into the screw on cap, and as stated in previous posts the rest can be used for tinder-i addeda string tied around a couglans tender cube for easier retrieval of the tender-trying to get a cottonball from the bottom end of a capsule can be a pain sometimes........any the string rest a the top of the capsuel, and all you have to do is pull to retrieve the entire contents....cool huh?