The 11 Best Firestarters for EDC in 2021
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Fire is a fundamental tool that, despite our living in a modern digital age, is still relevant and useful for everyday tasks, not to mention the emergency and survival situations where it can be a lifesaver. Starting up a grill or stove for cooking, sealing paracord and burning off loose threads, lighting candles for emergencies, or a starting campfire when out in the field—all of these become available when you have a functional firestarter on you. Part of being prepared is ensuring your EDC effectively and efficiently covers all your bases, and we think that there’s always room for a firestarter in any kit. In this guide, we round up a variety of tools and implements you can use to add an extra spark to your daily carry.
Zippo Arc Lighter Insert Firestarter
PurchaseKey Features
Integrates into standard Zippo lighter casing
Windproof plasma beams
USB charging
Specifications
Ignition
Push-button
Weight
1.8 oz
Materials
Stainless steel
Two quick taps of the Zippo Arc Insert Firestarter’s soft-touch ignition button gives you 5 seconds’ worth of safe and completely windproof flame. Two high-heat plasma beams cross to give you a concentrated and contained heat source that automatically shuts down after 10 seconds for safety. The included USB cable lets you recharge the internal 200 mAh battery in an hour, giving you 40 charges when topped up. This whole insert module is compatible with the standard Zippo lighter case, giving you a functional firestarter in a small and familiar form factor.
UCO Stormproof Match Firestarter Kit
PurchaseKey Features
Windproof and waterproof matches
Durable and waterproof case
Replaceable striker
Specifications
Ignition
Striker-lit matches
Weight
1.7 oz
Materials
ABS plastic case
A durable ABS plastic case lets you easily pack 25 windproof and waterproof matches, ready for any kind of emergency or survival situation. The waterproof case comes in two hi-vis colorways and keeps its contents safe and dry while being buoyant and easy to find during emergencies. The striker area on one side is replaceable, and the matches inside are easy to manipulate at 2.75" long, as well as being able to be lit in high winds and wet conditions. This match kit includes extra strikers, enough matches to get several fires going, plus room for carrying tinder.
Fire-Fast Trekker Firestarter
PurchaseKey Features
Spark-anywhere, high quality ferro rods
Hardwood handle can be used as tinder
Includes 550 paracord
Specifications
Ignition
Striker-lit ferro rod
Weight
4.5 oz
Materials
Magnesium rods hardwood handle, steel scraper, 550 paracord
The Fire-Fast Trekker Firestarter is true to its name, using Austrian-made, military-grade magnesium rods to reliably produce flame-starting sparks even in inclement weather. The three-inch long ferro rods slip into a hardwood handle that can be scraped and used as tinder when out in the field. The hardened steel scraper is attached via tough, 550 paracord, and the whole package ensures your firestarting functionality.
Exotac nanoSTRIKER XL Firestarter
PurchaseKey Features
Durable and lightweight aluminum handles
Replaceable 1/4" ferro rods
Durable tungsten carbide striker
Specifications
Ignition
Striker-lit ferro rod
Weight
N/A
Materials
6061 aluminum handles, magnesium ferro rods, tungsten carbide striker
Choose from Black, Gunmetal, or Blaze Orange for the anodization of the Exotac nanoSTRIKER XL Firestarter’s machined 6061 aluminum handle. The shaping and knurling gives you a comfortable and secure grip, while saving weight and offering better durability than similar plastic- or wood-handled alternatives. The replaceable 1/4" ferro rod is waterproof and can take up to 3,000 sparks before needing replacement. The tungsten carbide striker ensures long-term usage and comes with a lanyard hole for attaching or a tether.
Morakniv Companion Spark Firestarter
PurchaseKey Features
Ferro rod seamlessly integrated into knife handle
Scandi grind blade with a flat spine for igniting sparks
Includes sheath and reflective lanyard
Specifications
Ignition
Knife spine-lit ferro rod
Weight
4.5 oz including sheath
Materials
12C27 stainless steel blade, TPE rubber handle, magnesium alloy ferro rod
Integrating your firestarter with your knife handle ensures it’s always part of your EDC. The Morakniv Companion Spark features a 3.9" Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade with an easily sharpened Scandinavian grind that’s good for outdoor and bushcraft applications. The ergonomic, anti-slip, TPE rubber handle contains a detachable section in the pommel that features a 3,000-strike magnesium alloy ferro rod. The blade itself has a flat 90-degree spine, perfect for igniting sparks on the rod. The whole 4.5-ounce package includes a color-matched plastic sheath with belt clip, and a reflective lanyard for the handle.
überleben Leicht Firestarter Necklace
PurchaseKey Features
Mini fire steel rod and scraper integrated into necklace setup
Tough 34" 550 paracord lanyard
Ultra light and compact
Specifications
Ignition
Scraper-lit ferro rod
Weight
<1 oz
Materials
Ferrocerium fire steel rod, metal scraper, 550 paracord
It doesn’t get more convenient than carrying a firestarter as a compact pendant mounted on a necklace. The included 34" 550 paracord lanyard can be put to good use during emergency situations, and serves as a convenient carry method for the 1.25" ferrocerium fire steel rod and included ring scraper. At under one ounce, the überleben Leicht Firestarter Necklace weighs next to nothing and is an easy way to add firestarting functionality to your EDC.
SOG Flint Firestarter Tool
PurchaseKey Features
Compact multi-tool with firestarter
Includes glass breaker and safety whistle
Tinder compartment
Specifications
Ignition
Striker-lit ferro rod
Weight
0.7 oz
Materials
Aluminum body, carbide glass breaker, magnesium ferro rod
The SOG Flint Firestarter Tool packs both defensive and survival tools in a 4.3" anodized aluminum chassis that’s barely larger than a small marker. Included are a carbide-tipped glass breaker on one end, a survival whistle on the other, and a middle section that unscrews to reveal a striker, ferro rod, and a compartment for carrying tinder. A small keyring lets you tether it to your keychain or the rest of your gear, and the 0.7-ounce weight makes it an easy addition to your pocket stash or daily pack.
Swiss Safe 5-in-1 Firestarter
PurchaseKey Features
High-spark magnesium rods
Includes survival extras
Comes in a 2-pack
Specifications
Ignition
Striker-lit ferro rod
Weight
<2 oz
Materials
Magnesium rods with plastic handles, steel scraper, 450lb 8-core paracord
The magnesium rods and steel scraper used in the Swiss Safe 5-in-1 Firestarter let you start 5,500°F sparks to light fires in any environmental condition. The kit also includes extra features that make it handy during survival situations: the 8-core paracord included is rated for 450lbs, and the molded plastic handles have a built-in compass and 150-decibel whistle for emergencies. It’s available in different colors to better match the rest of your kit, and comes in a 2-pack so you’ll always have a spare.
Opinel No.12 Explore Firestarter Survival Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Compact knife with integrated survival tools
Stow-away ferro rod
12C27 steel blade used for ignition
Specifications
Ignition
Knife spine-lit ferro rod
Weight
2.88 oz
Materials
Fiberglass-reinforced polyamide handle, Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade, magnesium ferro rod
Opinel’s No.12 Explore Firestarter Survival Knife lets you take along a 110-decibel whistle, gutting hook, and firestarter without taking up extra space in your pocket, pouch, or pack. The 3.98" Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade is secured in deployment and retraction by the brand’s iconic Virobloc system, while the water- and temperature-resistant handles let you conveniently bring along survival essentials, including a mini ferro rod tucked into the pommel that uses the blade for ignition.
Gear Infusion EverRatchet Firestarter Keychain Tool
PurchaseKey Features
Unique ratcheting system
Lightweight and compact keychain multi-tool
Custom-sized fire flint packs easily
Specifications
Ignition
Flat edge-lit fire flint
Weight
0.70 oz (stainless steel) / 0.42 oz (titanium)
Materials
Stainless steel or titanium body, Flint2Go fire flint
The Gear Infusion EverRatchet Firestarter Keychain Tool is built around a unique 1/4" ratcheting driver and included Phillips bit. Onboard, it features 7 wrench sizes, a bottle opener, box opener, prying and scoring tool, scraper, flathead screwdriver, plus metric and imperial measurement and angle markings. Add to that a small Flint2Go fire flint that you can ignite using any of the tool’s flat edges, and you have firestarting functionality in a capable keychain multi-tool. Available in stainless steel or titanium.
CountyComm Brass Flint Wheel Firestarter
PurchaseKey Features
Micro-sized spark igniter
Durable brass construction
Comes with extra flints
Specifications
Ignition
Rotary wheel sparker
Weight
0.26 oz
Materials
Brass body, flint
The CountyComm Brass Flint Wheel Firestarter is small enough to pack away in your survival tin and gives you firestarting functionality in a tiny 1.5" long spark igniter. Actuating the rotary wheel produces sparks for igniting tinder and other flammables without having to worry about flammable fluids or running out of batteries. It comes with two extra flints, providing you backup while out in the field.
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