Customer Reviews
Great 
2008-09-05
Works well on starting stuff like dryer lint or vasoline covered cotton balls. Easy to use.
Multiple Uses 2008-09-01
Typically, for fire starting in the wild I use a Fire Piston, however for camp stoves and/or other butane appliances, Sweedish Firesteel is hands down the best out there. You dont need to worry about matches not lighting due to moisture or high wind, you dont need to worry about lighters running out of fluid or anything like that. Just take your stick and point it toward the object you want to light and in one firm scrape, the striker will produce enough sparks for ignition.
If you (or your scout) plans to use this for camp fires, then the best tinder I have found for this item is something that anyone can make at home; CHAR CLOTH. One strike and the charcloth has enough ember-holes going to create flame upon any foundation for a campfire.
Overall: This is a great item to have on hand and it has so many uses around a camp that you'll never not need one on hand.
Perfect for what it was designed for 2008-08-15
This is a good product, it is easy to use and produces a very strong spark that will light a fire even in the hardest weather conditions. I tested it while camping in a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, and it simply worked like a charm. Can't complain about such a single purpose object with such a good design.
Great Product - Slight Learning Curve 
2008-05-28
This product is terrific.
There is a slight learning curve involved with this product that breaks down into two parts:
1) You must know what type of tinder to use for this. If it is not good enough tinder, it will not light.
2) Realize that short, very hard strokes with this is the key. Longer, slightly softer strokes do produce many sparks, but it is the short, repetitive strong ones that create very big and hot sparks which will ignite the tinder into a flame.
Enjoy!
Really really cool, but not as easy as it's cool 2008-05-17
The sparks fly high and are very impressive, but starting a fire with it isn't easy. The perfect kindling or lots of rubs from the firesteel are neccisary for a fire.
I'm giving it 4.49 stars because its a great device (it can get soaked and still work 2 seconds later), but not a 5 to make sure people realize that (without cotton balls) it does require hard work to start a fire. Although it probably gets easier with experience.
Works great 2008-05-02
Originally developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, Swedish FireSteel is a flash of genius. Its 3,000°C spark makes fire building easy in any weather, at any altitude. Used by a number of armies around the world, Swedish FireSteel's dependability has already made it a favorite of survival experts, hunters, fishermen and campers. It has also found its way into cabins and backyards as a fool-proof way to light stoves and gas-barbecues.
sorry 2008-04-18
this is awesome. i have used water and wind proof matches. i have the mag starter also. this by far is the best. if you can't produce fire with this you should stay in doors!
A nice tool 2008-04-10
This "flint" is more expensive than the magnesium bars but it is a little more convinient for making sparks because it has a small handle and an attached striker (you have to find your own tender). I did not have a problem using the attached striker as another reviewer did. I also skipped the step of taking the paint off. I just scraped firmly and the ammount of sparks was crazy. My only complaint is the price but if it lasts as long as claimed it is a bargain compared to matches or lighters.
I have both the full size model and the scout model. The full size model is a little easier to use because it is easier to grip but the scout model is not hard and is a little smaller for packing.
A nice tool 2008-04-10
This "flint" is more expensive than the magnesium bars but it is a little more convinient for making sparks because it has a small handle and an attached striker (you have to find your own tender). I did not have a problem using the attached striker as another reviewer did. I also skipped the step of taking the paint off. I just scraped firmly and the ammount of sparks was crazy. My only complaint is the price but if it lasts as long as claimed it is a bargain compared to matches or lighters.
I have both the full size model and the scout model. The full size model is a little easier to use because it is easier to grip but the scout model is not hard and is a little smaller for packing.
Firestarter 2008-03-22
The Swedish FireSteel is a first rate spark emitting fire starter...a must for all campers, hikers, hunters, or fisherman as a sure backup to the trusty match or butane lighter. Just scrape against the steel with knife, scraper, or file to produce sparks. It works rain or shine, in warm or frigid climes, from sea level to the top of Everest 24/7.
