Originally Posted By: celler
Originally Posted By: ireckon
<snip>If you consider a Bic includes tinder, it's not much room at all.<snip>


Are you saying the ability to produce a flame for several seconds without burning your hand negates the need for tinder? I guess in some situations that would be true.


I'm saying compare apples to apples. A while ago, I would compare the size of a Bic directly to the size of a ferro rod, but that's an apples to oranges comparison. Tinder is the the critical material that readily ignites from a spark to make a flame. The Bic already has tinder in there (fuel) to make a flame. In contrast, with a ferro rod, you need to add a scraper and tinder (e.g., cotton). So, the overall size of that package is bigger, and if your plan is to make 20 fires or so, then that ferro rod package is that much bigger.

Now, I still carry extra tinder with a Bic so I don't quickly burn up the fuel, but in a worst case scenario there is a reliable shot at starting a full fledged fire without the extra tinder.
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