Fire Kit for Survival Exotac Tool Roll

[@jurelevstik4836]

Actually, firesteel will ignite with stainless steel blades, i use a firesteel with my stainless steel Mora Garberg. Its the edge of the spine that matters. Great vid sootch!

[@DannyRiskit]

Yep, just about anything with a sharp edge and harder than the rod will work

[@Scarekrow24]

Yep. I've even used peices of glass and ceramic. Jigsaw blades work well too.

[@ericnowlen6819]

I'm a huge fan of your videos. One thing I recently learned from taking a bow drill class to add to my fire making kits is extra cordage for a bow drill but also adding a skateboard wheel bearing to carve into the bearing block that makes the spindle spin so much easier!

[@morgan10152]

I would take out one of the ferro rods and put in a Chapstick. Cut two Q-Tips in half, and push the pointed end into the Chapstick. I put them at 12-3-6-9. When they are pushed down the fluffy tips will be above the surface of the lip balm, and will fit inside the cap. When needed you rub the tip in the Chapstick, and it will burn like a candle. I would also add a piece of Aluminum foil a 10-12" square. Fold it and use it on wet ground.

[@GenralNuisance]

You have to get up to date. I have 40 year old "Hexamine Tablets" Just lit one after 40 years....Still good. Best way to start a fire.

[@damonfinken]

Problem with Vaseline is it's wet n messy. Tea candles melt. But... jute twine dipped and soaked in candle wax doesn't melt. Burns longer than wood, is flexible, doesn't blow out in wind, is waterproof, doesn't expire or go bad, and is not messy because it's always dry unlike oily Vaseline. Just fringe/separate up an end for dry jute and spark it. I have gotten rid of everything else. Whole kit: Jute/wax starters, ferro rod, knife and a redundant bic.

[@russell28533]

You can also include those trick birthday candles that relight when you blow them out into your kit. Those are pretty good too. Also, Cheaper Than Dirt sucks.

[@CBastemeyer]

What happened to cheaper than dirt?

[@Horde334]

@@CBastemeyer Anytime a politician gets gun grabbing happy cheaper than dirt price gouges everything firearms related especially mags.

[@John_on_the_mountain]

Cheaper Than Dirt is anything but

[@JohnSmith-td7hd]

It's so much safer to not have everything loose like in a tin, because in an emergency you can't afford to drop and possibly lose things. Great idea.

[@csh6220]

I like the compactness of your kit. Easy to carry and light means you will be more likely to actually carry it. I used to carry a bunch of ways to make fire, but nowadays I carry a Bic lighter (in case someone I am with doesn"t know how to use a fero rod). I also carry a 6" fero rod, and put 6 vaseline soaked cottonballs and a piece of fatwood in a small plastic bag, also burnable.. Maybe a tea light candle or birthday candles to pre dry tinder. I feel comfortable with just these items to get a fire going in just about any conditions. Thanks for the great info.

[@loyalninecoffee2024]

I'm sure someone has already mentioned this, but I use a heavy duty dry bag. I don't believe what is featured here would keep your tinder dry as they say. A bright orange dry bag is perfect for this and can double as a container.

[@crunch9876]

Can you link me a good small dry bag?

[@loyalninecoffee2024]

ProOffer bags on Amazon are what I typically use. Best of luck!

[@loyalninecoffee2024]

@@crunch9876 I use ProOffer bags from Amazon.

[@alexanderweaver4838]

This was a great presentation, Sootch! I love tool rolls, including the Roaring Fire version which initially was a tool roll. However as my folding knife collection grew the Roaring Fire became the best option for protecting them; had to order a second one for the same purpose. Recently I found the OneTigris tool roll and a matching EDC pouch and both became dedicated fire starter kits. I ordered velcro patches that read FIRE KIT and the background is bright orange with black lettering. Several items in each kit are Exotac products...incredible quality. As far as tinder, you cannot beat cotton balls impregnated with vaseline. It is messy so I use nitrile gloves when I make a huge batch. Laundry lint impregnated with candle wax is long burning as well. My kits include trioxane, Wetfire cubes and fatwood which can be bought at Walmart and some food stores in the BBQ section. In Altoids tins I have two votive candles, primarily for light and prevent condensation in my shelter. The Altoids tins provide a safe casing and when you no longer need the light the top snuffs out the flames. That Exotac silicone orange and black encasing a Bic was convenient to make a "necklace" so I don't have to dig into my pockets or access a fire kit especially when I'm in winter garb. An appropriate length of orange 550 with one end through the lanyard hole, made a knot and the other end through the lanyard hole at the bottom, made a knot. This allowed me to wear the kit around my neck, use the Bic, and close. This keeps from losing the kit and prevents separation/loss of either top or bottom. Another lighter I love to use are the Crocs lighter that resemble the long BBQ lighters but in a mini version. That elongated "snout" prevents burning your finger tips. Another hack I use are old Rx bottles as they are pretty much waterproof; matches, tinder and Bics or Crocs in the longer ones Ever since that tragic incident in Oregon where the father lost his life trying to find help for his wife and child, I vowed that will never happen to me or my family. There were multiple survival resources in his van he could have used to start a fire, stay warm and melt snow for water. In this day and age and in this present "climate" it would behoove everyone to take a class in survival techniques from starting fires to building shelters.

[@dalecarr5445]

Love the Ripspool. By the way, safety pins will fit in the compartment with the needle.

[@Ch33no]

Yeah I've had all that stuff and still had a tough time getting a fire going. Very humbling indeed.

[@edwardslomer5887]

On the mini exotic striker... it will screw into the protective sleeve when removed from protecting the rod, giving you a bigger “handle” on the striker. Most important when using device with cold hands when fine dexterity can be lost in fingers.

[@tennesseetactical1864]

@ Sensible Prepper You taught me REDUNDANCY !! I've learned so much from you in the months that I've followed you.. I feel good about my fire kit after watching this video.. Keep up the GREAT CONTENT!!!!!

[@jpjohnbo]

if you want to upgrade your cotton ball with Vaseline fire starters, add some magnesium flakes to the cotton balls along with the Vaseline.

[@davidchrist428]

Add WD40

[@royayers276]

"Even though its a short rod your still getting alot of spark" That's what my wife says

[@ronaldgoodrich5460]

Thats not what she told me. Oops sorry I shouldn't have said that.

[@slywolf2025]

She told me to go deeper

[@tgunz64]

Ordered the Fire rod XL today and 2-12 packs of their tinder. Saved over $16 with your code! Thank you! I already have the small fire rod. And now will be making a kydex loop for the XL to add to my Esee 5 sheath.

[@m.k.7199]

Ferrocerium rods and humidity/water (especially salt water) will destroy a rod in no time. The advantage of the Exotac Nano Striker XL is a waterproof case with both the striker and the rod. I've carry one, in my pocket, whenever I go to the woods. Excellent tool.

[@rickbourne1376]

To Millenials and Gen Z, let fire making be your super power!

[@paintballgod33]

Bring back your improvise to survive videos. I look at everyday items (even garbage) differently now because of you.

[@urielmartinez2161]

yeah same

[@clayjohnson9498]

Great video, I put a small zip tie or wire around the fuel button on my bic lighters so the button don’t accidentally get pushed down seems to help so far.

[@GBall_Vision]

I was just thinking I’m off work all week. Today I’m hanging out. I wish sootch would put one up. Lol

[@sootch00]

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great week off.

[@brockpryor2087]

Hey Don was just watching another one of your videos and clicked over here. Hope you had a great Christmas

[@sootch00]

Thanks Brock! Hope you have a Great New Year Brother

[@jimssurvival4994]

I am in process of putting together fire kits now. Just took a break and here was your video. Thanks for the info. Hope you had a great Christmas and hope you have a safe New Year. Stay safe things are getting crazy.

[@YouTuber-mc2el]

Great items. One fundamental flaw that I feel is being overlooked in all these type kits. You should never keep all your fire generating material in one pouch/kit. Sky is the limit. You could lose it in some way. I feel you should always 1. Diversify and 2. Never keep all your eggs in one basket. You have it nice and convenient/orderly until you don't have not even a cotton ball to cry into.

[@blueballs5150]

Those little pea lighters are surprisingly good, I have one on my keychain that I neglected for about a year and it still ignited no problem. It seems to conserve fuel better than a zippo which I have to refill every couple of weeks and I don’t use the zippo too often.

[@Swamp-Fox]

Love the Exotac tool roll & ripspool. I put a small zip-tie around the top of my Bic lighter that goes underneath the red button to prevent it from being pressed & letting all the fuel out when in my pack. The zip-it is loose enough to allow me to take it off without having to cut it. Enjoyed the video!

[@breadjr2100]

I also have in my kit a pocket bellows, some steel wool, a fire piston, and a magnifying glass.

[@MrStrollerisme]

Yep a bic lighter no doubt. Thunder bomb matches. Something I been considering is the Bernzomatic Micro Torch, butane.

[@vegasvato55]

My Pocket EDC Fire Kit consists of a pair of reading glasses, which provides Solar Ignition, and a Key Ring Liquid Match, which includes both Flame Ignition with a wide variety of Common Liquid Fuels, and a Ferrocerium Striker as a Spark Source Of Ignition. Three Independent Sources Of Ignition With Just Two Items.

[@paulthiessen6467]

One rather chilly camping weekend we noticed the site next to us was having trouble getting their fire started. We went over to be the “rockstars”, and noticed that their firewood was green. We asked them why they took that bundle, and they said that there was a bunch of old stuff from last year there, but they wanted some nice “fresh” stuff”. The next afternoon we saw their vehicle parked at the local resort. Common sense ain’t.

[@paulthiessen6467]

@@Matthias_Fischer nothing at all. It would have better better if they had just started with that, instead of getting into something without any understanding. As someone who has always tried to be prepared for all sorts of situations, I forget how unprepared some people are.

[@paulthiessen6467]

@@Matthias_Fischer one of the things that I am not spending any time on preparing for is justifying myself to random people on KZbin.

[@paulthiessen6467]

@@Matthias_Fischer the word is try. I never claimed to be ready for everything, but I live my life with my head up and my eyes open. That is key.

[@tennesseetactical1864]

🤣😂😝😛 Amateurs

[@tennesseetactical1864]

@@paulthiessen6467 You are 20 steps ahead of all the UNPREPARED..

[@denniscrick9036]

I've heard that dryer lint is also great to use as tinder.

[@Skeetersbuzz]

Man this is a great video. I’ve got to order stuff! Edit: Went directly to their site from your link, bought a ton of stuff and used your code……got 20% off! Thanks buddy!

[@smokinjoe2539]

I've been putting together some fire kits for my car bags. Exotec has a lot of cool little things that would be good to add. Thanks for the discount!

[@jcintron2412]

I finally got to buy something using one of your links and it felt so good to finally support your work thanks for so much information

[@markfcoble]

Thanks for your work reviewing! Teaching wife ferro for today, wish me luck.

[@stevederjones7340]

I like the little tool roll

[@jeffslaven]

Hey Don, you and James from Junkyard Fox are both directly responsible for my love of Exotac. In fact, I did a 5-part series on my own channel on their products. I never leave the house without at least one or two of them!

[@jlastre]

I’m late but I’m sure someone has told you, but that it’s better to have a carbon steel striker with a ferro rob is a myth. You just need something harder than the rob. Glass will work if you know how to do it.

[@TheKalkara131]

That's a next level flex, you go to a bonfire or bbq and when they need to light it, you pull out a ferro rod!

[@229dave46]

Bic lighter. Two is one, One is none. Thank the lord for layering.

[@bruceclark5627]

Bless you for paying homage to beavis and buthead!

[@GrinderCB]

Years ago I had a box-end wrench set that came with a storage pouch like this Exotac. Slot for each wrench, flap over the top, roll it up and use the attached ties to close it. The pouch was the only decent thing about the set; the wrenches were cheap chinesium garbage that stripped out under any real pressure.

[@joeltangunan]

I love those items in your EDC fire kit.

[@getrippingwithcarmickey7404]

I use papertowles soaked in used motor oil works great

[@Edward2092009]

I watch your videos all the time, great job makes me think about what I should be doing.

[@glockparaastra]

Love your fire starter reviews. Happy New Year!

[@hobojesus2726]

I edc my Zippo. Fill it before I leave and make sure the Flint is good. I love my Zippo

[@mannihh5274]

one Zippo equals a whole bunch of BICs from price and weight - not worth keeping it in survival-kit.

[@andreasnitsch8119]

The problem is it looses feul . I even got the Rubber Part underneath the Cotten but if i fill it and leave it 2 days it is eamty without useing it so i dont rely on it anymore . Its only good if you take a can off feul with you and for that space i can take 4 big lighters with me . At least. But everyone has his choise

[@MrArpadfia1]

Mr. Sootch00, I recommend for you to use WET leaf under pieces of magnesium . Its a windproof solution. Thanks for your videos, greeting from Hungary.

[@ConMan1504]

Actually a ferro rod will work with non high carbon, I've seen and used them with all sorts of metal, and even a rock.

[@DannyRiskit]

This is correct, I've done it with a variety of stainless, ceramic, and even glass

[@bryandankanich898]

Yeah I did a double take when he said that...

[@justindawson3428]

Totally agree with you Person. This one thing I hear all the time and is so wrong, I did a video on FB years ago showing all the different things that you can use, as long as it is harder than the ferro rod you can use it.

[@DannyRiskit]

It drives me nuts, so much that I had to do a video on it, and I'll probably turn it into a series

[@ConMan1504]

Wow thank you guys so much for the likes. Didnt expect anyone to end up seeing this

[@lcm7541]

Exotac is definitely top of the line and if money isn’t an issue it’s definitely the most attractive and is still very functional. I feel like you pay a lot for the name however. I own the fire rod, nanospark, and the nano striker and the products work, but boy are they overpriced. I can justify the nanostriker because it’s easy to EDC with a tube of tinder taped to it while I fly. That said for the $50 you would spend on their lighters you can get an LMF rod, a new bic (or 5), tinder quiks, wet fire and UCO matches. Great products just not cost effective and you generally pay for the name and craftsmanship.

[@donaldbadeIII]

Bic lighters are awesome way to get one going.

[@ElkArrow]

Always like the outtakes!👍👍

[@bmodestructive85]

Sootch you probably already know this, but you can also collect the lint from your dryer as another form of fire tender.

[@canadafree2087]

Should be lint from cotton items, not polyester.

[@bmodestructive85]

@@canadafree2087 I find that cotton is the best, but polyester works ok as well.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Good update for the Bic lighter, is one of the Zippo size USB charged, electric arc lighters, about $15 ..

[@richardburkow3792]

Thanks -- just bought mine.

[@TheNWPrepper]

Love your reviews. Think that the roll would be better if they reversed the top flap. That is, when you unroll it, you’d see just the plain orange material. Once you flip it up, then you’d see ALL the contents at one glance. Better than flipping it back and forth.

[@PaulBustamantethejokerinc]

i know it will be a lot of extra work, plus this is a suggestion, next time you should post an spreadsheet with all the products and links. Thanks for the great ideas

[@TheQuidditchfan]

Add some rubber strips from a bicycle inner tube, light with your light and even the wettest wood will burn.

[@DanSlotea]

Use Clipper lighters, not Bic. They are refillable and the striker assembly is removable. Sometimes they are also cheaper.

[@jacksonteller1337]

You can strike a ferro rod with a sharp stone if need be. The only time you want to have a non stainless steel knife is when striking a flint or quartz. As they are non existent in my area, unless you buy them, and the water both acidic and salt are common place we prefer the stainless steel version. I usually strike the ferro rod with my Victorinox saw if i don't have a striker on me, something that only happened twice in 25 years.

[@stevelinbergbaby135]

Good topic my brother👍

[@ReversePolarity5]

Awesome video. Thoroughly enjoyed. I'll be looking for your starting a fire in the rain video. Especially the end bloopers.

[@RS4393]

I've found that scraping my magnesium block shavings onto a piece of duct-tape (ducktape) helps keep it from blowing around and the taoe burns well.

[@derektodd4126]

Happy New Year. Best wishes from Northern Ireland.

[@negolfman]

You might want to add to the bic lighter a foot or so of non-gutted paracord, vertically connected to a roll of chapstick with two feet of hi-visibility gaffers or gorilla tape wrapped several times around each leaving a little room above the chapstick adjusting wheel to prevent losing either. Adding a small zip tie around the valve button of the bic lighter prevents your lighter from losing its fuel and can be removed and replaced once zipped, clipping the extra length makes it a little sharp though can be filed to prevent cuts. Then you can take petroleum jelly to a cotton ball and store it in the cap of the chapstick. Plus if left on the adhesive sticker is also flammable. Once you have a empty lighter, if the sparking wheel and valve button are removed slowly, the springs underneath them can be made into a snare & fishing hook. The childproof metal safety device can be removed with a leatherman pliers. It can also be made into a improvised fishing hook and sharpened.

[@andreasnitsch8119]

I got nearly the same one that you got in Green with nearly the same stuff inside . I only did not have a knife in it so it came in today .

[@marvinstone5870]

You can also add a little duck tape which can be used as a tinder.

[@HillCountryPrepper]

I really like that tool roll. Awesome. Thanks for posting and Happy New Year.

[@eltenda]

Cool kit!

[@mikemantho9426]

When you said, “it’s a thick rod”, I immediately thought, “that’s what she said!”

[@SkyKing101010]

I appreciate the idea of having one large fire kit and I do have 'major' fire kit much like your smaller one. However, because my belongings are somewhat scattered I like to keep things like fero rods and lightest, tinder over various types through out. I do the same thing with other aspects of a basic survival kit. I always have at least one lighter, knife, flashlight, tinder, etc. with me. Call me insecure if you want, but in this topsie-turvie world...

[@anonymous-do8cm]

You might like the Canadian Preppers bugout roll

[@DJLunarImpact]

I really like the quality of ExoTac but I ordered some extra flints + O-rings and wicks for my TitanLight plus a replacement ferro rod for my FireRod in early November and the order still has not shipped. I'm not sure what is going on but my flint and an O-ring recently wore out so I replaced them with a Zippo flint and a #53 O-ring from Ace Hardware and it works quite well. I sent ExoTac an email and left them a voicemail over the last few weeks and have not gotten a response. At this point I am considering cancelling the order and using hardware store/Zippo parts instead.

[@DARTHDANSAN]

Hey Don you should mention satellite communication from garmin called the inreach . It’s the best item everyone should own in case of getting lost or hurt with no cell service.

[@kentondurrant8017]

FYI, as of January 3rd the Exotac bag is out of stock. I sent an email to the vendor to find out when they expect more to arrive.

[@shaunbrooks3632]

Merry Christmas don to you and your family hope you are all well and safe thanks for all you do for us god bless brother

[@pughconsulting]

I just chew a piece of raw garlic and burp. Shoots out flames everywhere. You should see what happens a day or so after I eat red peppers or too many hard boiled eggs.

[@jameshorak2764]

Will you please share your expertise on solar generators? Which you prefer? Thank you

[@gracie3174]

Great channel 👏👏👏

[@johnfleury5430]

Happy new year take care be safe

[@pearlwhite9301]

Delayed Merry Christmas, and Blessings 😍 for a very Happy New Year to you and your family. 🎄🥂🎉

[@Caladuun]

I have a number of small pouches and I purchased all of them at the St. Vincent's, Goodwill or Bethesda. Old Camera cases and spent $0.40 - $0.75 each. I respect these are made in USA but at $25+ I'll pass

[@darkoni3677]

Keep up the great content, any chance of doing a Knives Of Alaska Review? I just picked up a Camp Knife of theirs and was wondering your opinion on them, you know we all trust Sootch00/Sensible Prepper opinions.

[@MrNiniko]

Clipper lighters are much better than Bic. You can replace the Firestarter and are refillable.

[@johnbrown2163]

fire fire FIRE!!!!

[@Kilo_Charlie626]

You should also carry a magnifying glass just a small one on a lanyard will suffice

[@AllAboutAdventures]

U should take the metal tab off that's over the wheel of the lighter. It's makes it easier to use

[@brianbartulis9709]

What he said ^^^ yeah, it pops right out for cold fingers or even gloved hand. Easier to dry out ifn gets wet ta boot. (-:

[@MoriKioPa]

Hi, the Maxpedition pouch you show is that the Mini Pocket Organizer? Great video, Thanks.

[@mattfoley599]

C’mon maaaan we’re on the brink and you launch a 15th fire kit

[@jabberwocky8021]

I own several of the little ferro rod thingies which you said was a prototype. Um, I don't think it's a prototype anymore.

[@ferebeefamily]

Thank you for the video.

[@tonysalmail]

An empty Bic that still sparks can be useful!

[@mattjohnson5585]

I have tried the maxpediton pouch and the exotac roll. Maxpedition by far. The exotac roll is cool looking but offers less storage space and is more of a hassle than the maxpedition. I can store almost 50 percent more things in the maxpedition pouch and still have a smaller footprint than the exotac. Major fail in my opinion.

[@ericsteel173]

Have you seen the Firefly accessory for a Swiss Army Knife? It is a small ferro rod that replaces the toothpick in the SAK. It works too.

[@SpamMusubi308]

I carved a small notch in the toothpick to store a sewing needle and a straight pin in the hole next to the corkscrew

[@bobbymalcich63]

I HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD MERRY CHRISTMAS SOOTCHOO AND YOUR FAMILY!!! GOOD JOB ON THE VIDEO!!!

[@antchung2370]

FYI.. Exotac cap serves as a extended handle..

[@uncletomscabin2073]

To funny when prepper finds there lighter is out of gas. Helikon tex make a very good tool roll as well.

[@phyllismulkey3778]

i have a fire kit in all my bags

[@johneckert1690]

Don, Does the SOOTCH20 link give the 20 percent discount on just the tool roll OR the entire order??? And can you please give more information on the impregnated wood (Time stamp 9:57) I noted that you did not include Potassium Permanganate, Glycerin and Alcohol or in you fire kits as I keep a small quantity in all of my kits. The reason are: Potassium Permanganate and Glycerin = FIRE. Glycerin and Alcohol = Sanitizer, not to mention the other many uses for the three. Now that I wrote this I’m now wondering about all the different items can you and your viewers com up with. Thank the informative video.

[@ripcurlreadiness8777]

Great kits!!