Description

A fire steel won’t let you down

The weatherproof Wildo fire steel is made in Sweden and tested in both Swedish and Estonian conditions – through cold, heat, rain, and sun. A wet or crushed box of matches or an empty gas lighter is no longer a problem. The fire steel is easy to use and isn’t afraid of weather conditions or mechanical damage. If it gets splashed, just wipe it dry. With the included weatherproof cord, you can attach it to your hiking bag so it’s always with you. A fire steel is the most reliable way to make a fire. Naturally, provided you know how to use it.

Starting a fire with a fire steel is a great alternative to the usual methods, whether you’ve used matches, lighter fluid, a lighter, fire starters, or something else. If you’ve never started a campfire with a fire steel, now is the perfect time to try!

A fire steel is definitely a “must-have” piece of gear for a backpacking trip. The weather can be surprising, and especially in Estonia, it’s not uncommon to get caught in the rain mid-hike. If your matches or lighter get wet, starting a fire with them can be quite difficult – if not impossible. A fire steel works even when wet.

Going on a kayak or canoe trip with friends? Friendly advice – take a Wildo fire steel along just in case. Getting warm, drying wet clothes, and having hot food and drink are essential on a trip.

The Wildo fire steel set includes a sharp-edged metal striker used to create sparks. If you happen to lose the striker, you can manage with the back of a knife, but the specific striker in the Wildo set is definitely more effective, more comfortable to use, and lets you get a flame going faster.

How to use a fire steel?

First, use the included striker to scrape off the darker protective layer on the fire steel. The spark-producing silver material is underneath.

The tinder plays a big role in starting a fire. Suitable materials include dry wood, and the smaller the wood shavings, the easier it is to get a flame. Form a small pile of combustible material. Use the fire steel and striker to create sparks that will ignite the flame. To create sparks, rub the striker firmly against the fire steel and direct the sparks onto the tinder. Resin-rich wood shavings burn very well, for example. Even better is a piece of cotton wool or a cotton ball brought from home. If you have that option, I’d definitely recommend it. And of course, birch bark is an excellent tinder that can be found in almost any forest. Additionally, the following materials are ideal: high-alcohol disinfectants, a tampon, a piece of yarn from an old garment (like a sock), or a cotton hygiene pad.

When using the fire steel, we recommend using a pulling motion with moderate pressure. Weak and fast scratching usually won’t bring the desired result. Sparks burning at approx. 3000 degrees will quickly ignite suitable material.

Using a fire steel to light a fire

How long does a fire steel last?

Fire steels are produced in different sizes. It’s said that an average fire steel lasts about 3,000 strikes. In reality, I wouldn’t recommend comparing fire steels by the number of strikes. Experience has shown that fire steels made of softer material work better, meaning they produce more sparks with a single strike and are more effective. Therefore, I’d recommend softer rods. In terms of comfort, large rods are easier and more comfortable to handle. The advantage of small ones is that they simply take up less space in your pack and are a few grams lighter.

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