Put Some Spark In That Campfire

Product: Enviro-Match

Description: A fire starter manufactured with a steel scraper, “flint”-like sparking rod and magnesium rod. The 25,000-strike, 1-ounce Enviro-Match comes with a wooden handle, leather thong and optional belt sheath. The 1,000-strike, 1/2-ounce Sparky comes attached to a key ring and enclosed in a cloth sheath.

Pro: Magnesium shavings burn at a white-hot 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit (reportedly seven times hotter than a match or lighter flame) and will help to light even damp or difficult tinder. The wood base on the Enviro-Match can also be shaved to provide wood tinder in tandem with the magnesium for even surer fire starting in an emergency. Lightweight. Very compact. Durable. Wet, dry or cold, the Enviro-Match and Sparky do the job, sending a stream of sparks to light stoves, fires or cabin fireplaces.

Con: It’s not as easy at it seems. Don’t expect to grab a fire starter and then become an instant expert at lighting fires or stoves. Take the time to practice a few times at home, learning to shave the correct amount of magnesium, holding the sparker the correct distance from the liquid fuel of your stove (I singed the hair on my fingers the first time out), and correctly handling and striking the sparking device - it’s very different from striking a match.

Comments: A quick bit of calculating on my computer figured that I would use up nearly $79 worth of matches before I depleted the useful life of my $15 Enviro-Match or $10 Sparky. Couple that with the fact the Enviro-Match and Sparky work in all weather conditions and can be carried in a shirt pocket and won’t break or crush like so many matchboxes and I was sold. Although the EnviroMatch is bigger and offers more strikes and tinder options, I prefer the smaller Sparky for most trips.

Suggested Retail: Enviro-Match, $14.50; Sparky, $10.00.

Company: Done Right Manufacturing, P.O. Box 363 Pismo Beach, CA 93448; (805) 481-5710.