Find Out Which Fire Starters Live Up to the Hype! Jason Salyer ON3

[@smsgtbulldog]

Yes, it does float!

[@timhahne3894]

A lifetime ago while in the US Army I carried 10 min road flares as a signaling device, fire starter, water heater ect... I had several soldiers criticize me until they needed some hot coffee on a cold morning with no time for other methods. They are light, fairly durable, easy to use but frowned upon around jet fuel and gasoline, LOL.

[@nickmartino2839]

Maybe excessive lol but I what I do...I take an old pot and heat up wax and Vaseline together until it's liquid state then take a bunch of make up rounds for taking off make up soak them in the mix and then lay them all out on wax paper to dry... and what you end up with is a most phenomenal water proof fire starter that i cut into 4s to make last longer.... its very cheap to make and works way better than anything I've ever bought!

[@ChrisvilleUSA]

Leave your chain on the small ferro rod, loop it around your finger to extend your grip on it. Works good for me

[@RelaxingRainWalker]

Cotton balls and Vaseline are my go-to fire starters. I store them in a plastic straw sealed at both ends. Very small footprint and %100 waterproof in the straw. I have them in all my kits. Great for small kits as well. Thanks for the informative video.

[@ChrisvilleUSA]

Awesome show. Satisfaction guaranteed

[@unfi6798]

It is just amazing how something so simple in everyday life can be some functional that it really matters.! Only people like you guys make us viewers be more aware of probabilities and how to address it. Thank you mate. Respect from Australia.

[@KJ6EAD]

I use an updated version of the petrolatum cotton ball. I saturate disk-shaped cotton make up removal pads with petrolatum, shingle a few together and seal with a vacuum sealer. The packaging protects them from water; they're flat and you can scrape magnesium onto them for an extra boost.

[@henryvandeventer2457]

I use the regular round cotton pads dipped in wax. I put some Zippo lighter fluid in the center of the pad, then dip it in melted wax, place on wax paper to dry. Dirt cheap, not as messy as vaseline and cotton balls and it's 100% water proof and weather proof. Tested some by leaving them outside in the rain and snow for 3 weeks, lit perfectly 1st try with my ferro rod. Burn time is close on 7+min and it's a nice hot burn. When you want to light it, tear it open and expose the cotton fibers, light with a ferro rod or lighter.

[@jasongarling20]

Love it! Love 🔥

[@richardkibler3870]

Vicks & Cotton balls are multi use,Vaseline/Menthol works like a charm!

[@alhart6126]

We made our own matches using splintered resin wood as the stick n crushed up match tips n applide to them..use some turpine or finger nail polish ect..even acetone if my memmorie serves me

[@heathmarcum5390]

Cotton balls soaked in Vaseline stored in a zip lock bag... we use this all the time for our fire pits and hiking... works like a champ and it's cheap to make a ton of it

[@roberteamyiiii]

Store mine in noxeuma carton and dryer liner in pill bottle, container

[@evanhawk2574]

OG method there been using for 30 + yrs

[@tomritter493]

Black and white fire starters over on Etsy best iv ever used

[@billydickerson5647]

One of the fire starters I use are the round cotton pads dipped in wax, they burn for 7 minutes

[@henryvandeventer2457]

Yeah, they are fantastic. I prefer them to cotton balls in vaseline as they are cleaner and don't make a mess. Very long burn time and a nice hot burn.

[@dennisleighton2812]

Yeah I agree! However, to save on hassle, one could keep the cotton make-up remover pads separate, and when one wants to start a fire, add a blob of Covid style hand sanitiser (gel, not liquid) and rub it in slightly. It will ignite instantly with a ferro rod spark, empty lighter spark or even flint & steel spark. This way they components can be kept in Ziploc bags to be waterproof all the time. It will burn for quite a while, while getting the kindling going. If it does take too long (wood a bit damp, high humidity) just add a pad before the first goes out. Or, here's another tip. Use a candle as a flame extender! Candles are unsung heroes, and very good for this purpose. Even those Christmas tea lights left over! They work very well. BTW, does anyone use a pencil sharpener to make the finest curls? Brilliant - never be without one (especially the aluminium ones that have two size holes!). Just chuck a few correct size soft wood dowels in your pack, as they will make tons of curls! Tinder perfect.

[@thomasmusso1147]

​@@dennisleighton2812👍 .. pencil sharpeners absolutely rock!

[@RAMII19780529]

While I understood what you meant at 6:22, I couldn't help but laugh. The rubber band will keep it from getting depressed and no one wants a sad lighter.

[@markp6062]

Yeah, good stuff! Glad to see someone giving the bic lighter it due as a fabulous primary. Compact, long lasting. and easy to keep around. They make for a fabulous fire starter. I also noticed that no match technologies made it to your list. I wonder why? ;)

[@kbjerke]

There are six road flares (fuzees) in my van's "survival bag." Among a ton of other stuff, of course! Thanks for the video!

[@jeffslaven]

Great video Jason! Yes, the Exotac Fire Sleeve does float. I keep one in my sling-bag every day, along with other ignition items.

[@joewagner5781]

Thanks for the video. Will put several into practice. Thanks again.

[@nkmstfghost4584]

Cotton balls and Vaseline have been my go-to for well over a decade. I keep mine in an old plastic dip can

[@evenhand7743]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@peacefulwarrior4078]

Wrap some multi purpose gorilla tape around your Bic lighters it makes a good Firestarter as well

[@lewisvillalta2492]

Hello Jasón as always great ideas thank you very much stay safe out there

[@johnsmithfakename8422]

A firestarter I like to use that is a bit underrated is waxpaper. It does not burn long but it burns. My preferred fire starter is a fire starter gel or paste. I am not a fan of petroleum jelly and cotton balls, I would rather use wax dipped cotton (cotton rounds, Dental cotton AKA cotton rolls, or cotton rope).

[@brianbartulis9709]

lol, I didn't even like an ice cream melting down to my hand as a young kid. I knew damn well I'd not like making them V 'n C balls as now.

[@Unknown39485]

A good idea is to “90 degrees spining” each and every knife you have, from the Camillus Air Force survival to the foldable ones, to both sides of the nail file of the mini-Victorinox keyring penknife. This way you’re sure to have a striker for the ferrorod. And even if you don’t use a ferrorod, a sharp corner is always an asset, for example for getting wood dust tinder from a small limb.

[@alhart6126]

We called them "resin stick" since the 60's. Ferrel rod with a resin handle...

[@Plastikdoom]

And you know what are my favorite store bought fire starters? Fritos, why cause you can eat them, and are a favorite junk food of many, haha.

[@evanhawk2574]

I always remove safety mechanism. Also hold a flashlight up to the box.cept black,navy,etc. I always use orange,neon green,baby blue,yellow. only!

[@axelthorn2263]

Absolutely awesome thank you

[@matthewbrandon931]

Use candles to start wet wood alight. Use candles like what caterers use. Really works.

[@philipselman2564]

I went to the Dollar Tree got a pack of little round candles -like 1 1/2" round they are swell - the wazoo card ! never saw any card do that now that's ------- in high cotton -going to get some of those for sure👍 thanks for your review 👍 any know how to stop the words from getting a line through them

[@chris1638]

Who knew I had all of these options. You’re outdone yourself again.

[@DarkFox501]

I made a lanyard key-chain out of some of the cordage with the fire string and now have about 6ft of the stuff on me at all times. Combine that with a pocket ferro rod and a back up credit card fresnel lens and I have a crazy number of fires on me at all times and with very little footprint.

[@Shooter11B]

Here is a duct tape pro tip for ya. If you have really small splinters that are hard to see and get out, you can wrap the tape around the area and use it to pull out the splinters. It works most of the time remarkably well.

[@kayakcobber524]

Use braided sizalrope drained in old candle wax. Always lights with a ferrorod and you can make lots of meters with no cost. Anyway 20 cm last a long time already to start a fire. As it's like a match...

[@bravo_the_broken4003]

I use those tinder tabs pretty often and I actually tend to use half and put on a stick to get it in to the fire so I can control it and put it where I want to get the fire started

[@williamirelan9332]

A trip to the dollar store provides party sparklers or sparkle candles. Also makeup removal pads dipped in paraffin mixed with lamp oil. Which also works with cotton balls and dryer lint. Another party favor is the trick candles that reignite when you blow them out and of course 4th of July sparklers.

[@tcjester322]

Dryer lint works pretty good, it’s light, you can carry a lot of it in a ziplock bag of course and it’s free. Vaseline cotton balls are a go to as well.

[@georgecolee7663]

I love my Solo Scientific Aurora fire starter and Coghlan’s fire sticks(thx Paul Harrell). You re-enforced the vasoline cotton balls I’ve carried for years never tested them with water before! The ranger band on the BIC is just perfect going to make some soon. Cheers

[@nickmartino2839]

You should do a video showing ppl who may not know how to go out and harvest fat wood!!!!and man does it smell good!!!!!! Birch bark works amazing as well as a way to get a fire started

[@badtchad4935]

That Wazoo fire card was impressive and honestly your little folding ceramic blade is a winner too. 👍🏻

[@Wazoo]

Thank you Tchad!

[@inregionecaecorum]

I will second what you say about the fireplugs, since I discovered them I have not looked back. Ferro rod, half a fireplug and some kindling and you are good to go. I am not much a bic fan though, I still prefer a zippo, but always carry spare fuel.

[@laxdrew9]

They float!

[@Plastikdoom]

Before I watch, yes they are worth it, eother in convienence, in normal times. Or if you really needed them, that being said, you don’t to buy expensive ones there are many varieties you can make yourself, in small or large batches, depending on climate and how much you use them. Just look to the comments for ideas, on this vid and any other talking about firestsrters, I came up with my own, as a teen, camping on the Oregon coast where I grew up. They involve parafin wax, some Vaseline, shaved ivory soap, motor oil, kerosene, diesel, and naphtha the liquids in small amounts, the solids more of, mainly the wax, solids being melted to a liquid then all of them slowly being mixed together. With cotton balls/old rags, or wood chips/saw dust, a mixture of all 3 at times. They work amazing. If you make my version, use an electronic single burner, outside, with fire extinguishers at hand…as you are heating flammable things, and mixing them, and do it outside only, haha. They work great, but a slight danger to make, of you do dumb things.

[@Plastikdoom]

For some context, I started making those, or the early variants of it a bit over 20 yrs ago, growing up camping, hunting, back packing in the temperate rain forests really makes it worthwhile for something like this, some of you may notice, it’s actually napalm. Just modified, with less amounts and one less type of liquid, haha, and missing one main solid ingredient, just lore of the solids, and barely enough liquids, for it to be a slightly soft, waterproof, highly flammable paste, mixed with cotton/wood shavings/sawdust from work. Cheap, simple and very effective, as far asbinn by know, when I started making making these, nothing but ferro/magnesium rods existed, as far as commercially sold, and storm matches. I’m sure if you dig down enough back then, on some super obscure forum, there’ll be mention of something similar, for the reasons of only lighting a camp fire, in survival conditions. Not others, for any of you old enough to remember certain cook books, the old version that used to make it rounds on the internet, ahaha. But survival/bush craft, etc. wasn’t a big thing back then, not like now, wasn’t openly discussed, unless you weee talking about it in a small community, among friends and family…many thought you were a crazy, even as a teen in small America, in the country, where most camped and hunted, that was normal, but talking out lapse of the norms, wasn’t, unless it was it was to the old timers that could remember the Great Depression, or the people that were there first born kids. So for me, those people were same age or 6 years or so younger than my grandparents, other than that, any talk like that was generally frowned upon, or at least seen as super weird.

[@Dave.B.of.O.Survival]

I wrap my lighters with duct tape and i pack dryer lint in my fire kit.....cheap free always in abundance. Ignites with lighter or ferro rods with or without vaseline just like cotton balls. (Vaseline just extends the flame)

[@James-ke5sx]

I switched to waterproof rechargeable plasma arc lighters a few years ago. Indefinite source of fire with a solar panel. Perfect for sealing ends of paracord etc.

[@arctodussimus6198]

I think UCO makes the Tinder Tabs. I’ve been putting them in my kits for a long time now. Recently got some Fire Plugs from Bigfoot Bushcraft (sorry not Wazoo). And now I’m in the process of adding fire plugs to my kits. I use flint and steel as my go-to method. Simply because I’ve been doing it for over 55 years. I think I have a peanut lighter in one of my kits, but the only kits with the bic lighters (all in an Exotac fireSLEEVE) are in my ‘give away’ kits, and the family kits.

[@zednott]

Orion Safety ( the biggest maker of road flares ) makes a fire starter version for survival packs. called the fire pit pro, and one called the SAR search and rescue. they are flares for signaling and starting fires. its basically a cut down version of a road flare. burns for 7 minutes where a road flare burns for 15.

[@DanPullsPacks]

Excellent content as always

[@SurvivalDispatch]

Much appreciated

[@miken4022]

The clear plastic porthole in my son's rainfly ripped out on a camping trip. We patched it up with Gorilla Tape. That night It was windy and pouring down rain for more than 6 hours straight and he had zero leaks.

[@OneCatholicSpeaks]

I have a waist pouch/ Fanny pack as my edc. I have an electrical lighter which is USB chargeable. It makes a mini plasma arc to light with.

[@charlessalmond7076]

There's actually smaller flares specifically for fire lighting. "Pit flares" I believe its called.

[@agustingonzalez3878]

Something I've used for years and have always kept in my gear is a simple square of toilet tissue folded into a tiny square and soaked in candle wax. They are obviously dirt cheap, easy to light, water resistant, and they burn for several minutes.

[@darrylgordon5170]

Great video. I have been enamored with fire making since I was a scout and found the little ferro rod set at scout camp in the 70s. But first things first. I am reading the comment's and I have noticed a common reply to many a request to text a phone number. I am wondering is this a scammer? Or is it you or your friends at Wazoo doing a promo give away thing? A phrase we often hear in the military is "2 is 1 and 1 is none." It speaks to redundancy. What is the best Firestarter? The one you have on you when you need it. Fire, like the ability to process water, is an area that transcends the 2 is 1 idiom to another common military term "in triplicate." This triplex could be 3 Bic lighters. If you walked into the woods with 3 fresh Bic lighters with the intention of not coming back out until all three lighters were completely expended. I dare say, that even if you were less than judicious in their use, you would be quite some time. However, the reality is this: ultimately, the Bic lighter eventually runs out of fuel. And then it runs out of spark. So perhaps the best Firestarter is the skill of the primitives? I participated in a rather lengthy survival school in the Philippines where the indigenous Negrito instructor while demonstrating his version of the fire saw kindled a fire just as easily as you or I would strike a match. However, that is a man who uses that technique in the same manner as we typically use that Bic lighter. To light his cigarettes. Knowledge, though, is not the same as skill. I watched him do it. Eventually, and with much greater expenditure of calories than his, I was able to duplicate his result. So there appears to be a sort of venn diagram dictating when a system should be employed to maximize the possibility of a successful outcome. So the best Firestarter is the one that you have with you that most adequately executes the task given the circumstances at hand.

[@Squirrel200]

Guitar picks Waterproof and go up fast with spark But don't last long. Also I learned in the amazing river many people us a lighter and plastic trash there is a ton of it in the river and land after each flood. Its the Amazon nothing is dry where I lived.( Environmental friendly No ) it works.

[@profesonalantagonist]

You should try Lightning Strike Fire Starter. Simply the best ferro fire starter I’ve ever used. It’s pricy, $65.00 , but worth it!

[@christopherpike8269]

Great video and gave me some really good options on top of the good old Vaseline Cotton ball. Question: do you have a vid on how you carry items on your belt? You mentioned your back up of a back up striker/Ferro rod on your belt. How do you carry that? What other items do you edc on your belt carry?

[@SurvivalDispatch]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKSml2aYfpWNeac

[@christopherpike8269]

@@SurvivalDispatch Very cool, thank you for the link.

[@VAMobMember]

O-Rings are gaskets. Signed Retired electronics engineer

[@Wazoo]

21:32 Hmmmm....

[@jeffechols5302]

See ya on the next one

[@scooterwilson1776]

My favorite is the survival fire torch by prepared4x

[@brianbartulis9709]

hmm, I was hoping you'd have had beeswax 'n chainsaw shreds/sawdust mix. I know some do, but always lit with a lighter. I've lit naked chainsaw shreds (ya get nice shreds when chain is nice 'n sharp) with a ferro rod. Plus I've my father's old stash of beeswax ( 2 or 3 lbs) I've been thinking of making the shreds better with the wax. But I've a gut feeling of too much wax won't take to flame with a ferro rod. ho hum, guess I'll have to do Lab Tests and ramp up amount. (-: ...sparks to fatwood shaves/cuts is so easy. Replicating as to wax 'n shreds would be great use for dad's old wax stash...for Easter eggs. Methinks your big ferro rod might be an EricX Light rod. They work decent for me. (1/2" X 6") What sold me on them was the pre-drilled hole for cord. ~~ Oh yeah, ifn in a pickle/emergency for some decent tinder start...have a sharp edge. One can take a sharp knife perpendicular scrape to back of jeans/ other textiles and get dryer lint stuffs. Heck, cut the stitching on pants cuffs/unroll and cut that up. tips me hat ~

[@edwardenglish6919]

All of my Victorinox SAK's are outfitted with the TortoiseGear's Firefly ferrorod and Helix Tinder. These are the most innovative firestarting devices introduced in a long time.

[@dropshot1967]

Paleo hiker showed on his channel how to make a great firestarter/tinder from cotton rope last week

[@maigematthews5620]

Question: What are some items to store that have a near-indefinite shelf life? Such as sugar, salt, honey & vinegar. What are some items to hoard that will have a great trading value? Such as bar soap, candles, water, gas & ammunition. Maybe those two questions will make good videos? What good can come from buying some small, dirt-cheap forest/rural land a few hundred miles from where you live & work; and creating a prepping cache (not $cash) there? What if you did the same thing North, East, South & West of your location?

[@clivedunning4317]

Dear Maige, I was told years and years ago ; "always have a large stock of tea and coffee in your store cupboard". In any longterm emergency situation they will become important barter items.

[@Unknown39485]

Elastic bands are ok, but if you really want to prevent your Bic lighter from accidental discharge you’d better use a zip tie. It effectively locks the gas button. You simply cannot depress it, even if you want. The only downside is that it usually takes a blade to get rid of it!

[@bc4yt]

Having a road flare seems like a great idea for a range of reasons. Those Wazoo cards are amazing, going ti get me some!

[@SurvivalDispatch]

They are!

[@johnterrance3075]

Bit of an odd question, but I was wondering if I would be able to use my dogs (shed) fur, as one of the ingredients in my firestarter. I currently use wood chips, a couple of pellets and dryer lint, topped off with paraffin wax (to prolong the burn). But my dog sheds a lot, and I usually end up throwing that fur out. I was just wondering if there was any better use for that fur.

[@VETERANPREPPER1]

New drinking game. Every time Jason says “really” you have to drink. Every time he says “really really “ or “ very very” you have to take a shot.

[@SurvivalDispatch]

Replace that with something productive like burpees and I’m in!

[@Wazoo]

Really? 🍻

[@elizabeththompson4424]

what about the Exotac Lighter? they're NICE!

[@SurvivalDispatch]

Yea they are. Just didn’t have one handy.

[@karabasan79]

Three is an upgraded version of vaseline cotton ball... First dip cotton ball in lamp oil/lighter fluid/kerosene... then dip it in wax. It burns much more easier and hotter.

[@dutchvanderbilt9969]

I'm kinda upset you guys didn't address stormproof matches. I myself carry some UCO brand stormproof matches in a waterproof container. If I need to get a fire going they will get the job done. You can actually get boxes of them at Walmart and they come with spare striker pads for the water proof container. Coughlan makes stormproof matches that are just as good but the container isn't the best. Birch bark also makes a pretty good fire starter too. Just pull off a strip and light it up with a lighter.

[@terryqueen3233]

Of course both you and I know that that's not all of the ways to start a fire but you did Cover the best ones I believe. There is one thing you did not mention and that is don't throw an empty lighter away because it works just like that exotac Striker that you showed with a little fireplug in the bottom, which I did not know that was there thank you for that. The cotton balls is an excellent way also although I leave one side with no Vaseline on it because it lights a lot better with a Ferro rod. I don't believe I've ever seen that type of painters drop cloth but the next time I'm there I will look. Can you tell me the name of that painters drop cloth? This was a great video to show people that don't know that much about fire starters you gave them an excellent idea. So now they have to choose because they were all good starter. Thanks Jason for the video it really was some great knowledge. Y'all think about it now. Stay vigilant!

[@unfi6798]

We want that Wazoo ferror rod & striker/knife.....hope you've the link matey..

[@Wazoo]

Check out Jason's link in the description and our "Fire Starter & Knife Keychain". Let us know if you have any questions!

[@vyr01]

cut the fire card into strips, and use them like match extenders

[@Wazoo]

Good thinking

[@Zanthum]

Apparently either my ferro rod is too hard or my knives are too soft. I have tried to use the spine of a Gerber and a Kershaw and neither produced sparks, but did produce a burr on the spine of the knives. They work on the sharpened edge but not the spine.

[@ChrisvilleUSA]

Use the back of a pair of scissors, they are usually 90°, the cheap style all metal blade with plastic grips

[@Zanthum]

@@ChrisvilleUSA the angle doesn't appear to be the problem, the ferro rod seems to be harder than the knife and is rolling the edge

[@ChrisvilleUSA]

@@Zanthum 4 Directions Bushcraft makes great ferro rods for a good price. The quadratum is awesome for throwing showers of sparks. Not too hard of a rod. Good luck

[@ChrisvilleUSA]

@@Zanthum I have some knives that do that and some that even appear to be burning from the sparks almost like melting. You can buy some low priced Morakniv that will get you sparks without damage also

[@alhart6126]

I use a 4in. Grinder on ALL my knife backs n saw etc. Quick rough up gives a course edge..perfect! Most knifes etc are not straight sharp edge on back so..even soft metal will work if its rough enough!

[@steadfastprayerandprepare6634]

Good video. Where can one get that knife you had or something similar?

[@SurvivalDispatch]

Bear Forest knives. It is called the On 3 EDC. Thanks!

[@llEverydayCarnivorell]

Bic lighter first then ferro/ fatwood.

[@allenpoindexter1825]

Has anyone tried BlackBeard's fire starters. I've had good luck with them.

[@datwistyman]

Jet lighters are the best kind of cigarette lighters but you can't dry them out as fast as a normal lighter so carry both.

[@clivedunning4317]

Use jet lighters all the time, always carry at least two with me. One on me and the other with my stove kit. Great for lighting a stove in a storm, halfway up a Scottish mountain, in winter.

[@Q-BinTom]

Survival skills versus cheating NO such animals. It’s survival. Let’s say that again it’s survival. The plan is not to die. No such thing as cheating.

[@TinyTitan50]

Put a small zip tie around the bics trigger to keep it from losing fuel on accident.

[@Unknown39485]

In my opinion, the best tinder is a fair amount of Gorilla tape wrapped around a mini Bic lighter. It is as flammable as every other, but is far more multifuncional.

[@ben9and1-3rd]

👍🍻

[@danielghoganjr]

why didn't' your exotac lighter make the list?

[@pegleg1717]

I’m not really into the 15 ways to start a fire marketing thing. I’m more about just having a bic in my pocket for starting a fire.

[@lewis9888]

I save all grease from hamburger, bacon and sausage. Can you make fire starters with grease soaked cotton pads?

[@alexcolon9965]

Please don’t forget hand sanitizer, on any thing! It’s 90% alcohol, and who doesn’t have one hanging on thier back pack…lol..

[@mrhollisterjr]

I wasted money on the black beard product. Pretty worthless.

[@tikkidaddy]

Hey man a couple 20 minute road flares and a bundle of fatwood, a propane torch will keep you or someone else from DYING. I love bush craft, but I'm not whittling pot hangers sitting near a stalled vehicle in the snow😂😂

[@CrazyCumminz]

It's called lighter knot in the south