How to: mini Bic lighter for EDC, survival, camping, backpacking

Just a fast and inexpensive upgrade to get the most out of your mini Bic lighter.
Watch in my wrist: G-Shock Mudmaster amzn.to/46uZkYP
Mini Bic lighter amzn.to/3OM8Y0D
Gorilla tape amzn.to/3bDMOiY
Waxed hemp candle wick amzn.to/3bEKBUx
Ranger bands amzn.to/3uafyq1
Mini zip ties amzn.to/3bxvGeA

[@yahusrevus]

I've seen a lot of takes on Survival Bic Lighters over the years... and this may be the best.

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Thank you!

[@nelistheron83]

Thanks for sharing! I use the standard size BIC lighters, wrap the bottom and the top with 1" Gorrilla tape, then the middle with waxed jute. This way I don't have to completely unwrap the jute to get to my tape. I ditched the ziptie and use a small "Ranger band" made from the base or mid section of the finger on latex gloves, this i just wrap multiple times around the lighter and under the red tab till it is very hard to depress, but still doable without removing it. Then I use the rest of the finger with the tip on, to cover the top of lighter to form a Waterproof seal over the top section of Gorilla tape. A cheapo Exotac Firesleeve. Been using them like this for a long time here in the tropics, the latex finger gets dirty, but I haven't had to replace one yet. Keep up the good work! Love the vids.

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

That’s actually not a bad idea. I may have to do a part 2 video with the full-size Bic now lol. Thanks for the support and helpful comments 👍🏼

[@greyscout01]

Both of these ideas are excellent suggestions. Thanks!

[@Mecha04]

I just ordered the waxed candle wick. Going to have some fun weekend projects making this survival lighters

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Sounds like a productive weekend. Enjoy!

[@stevenslack327]

I use an 'O" ring to secure the fuel button, easier to get off. Great idea and video. First the good news, then the bad news. I tried the "o" ring. I used an one inch ring. I purchased it at an autoparts store. After two days of carrying it in my pocket I dicided to employ a Jam Knot. A piece of gutted paracord seems to work much better. Without the inniards in the cord it tucks under the plunger way better. I've decided to go with the Jam Knot from here on out. I've bee n making lighter sets since 1969. I've yet to perfect the end product yet... I'm getting real close. Thanks

[@donaldstrader7241]

What size O-ring did you use? And what lighter size did you use it on? Did you just get it at a hardware store/Home Depot/Lowes? I have heard this tip before, but if the size was mentioned I long since forgot. Guess I would nee the Bic too. LOL. My only Bics are long ones for a grill.

[@Useaname]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@Inkling777]

I'd fold over a tab on the end of the tape to make it easier to unwind.

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

That’s a great idea

[@markashlock9017]

Finally! I’ve been looking/waiting for this. Thanks!!!

[@benjohnson5552]

Dude you are crushing it with the videos!! Keep it going you got huge potential here! Thank you for the quality content!

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Thanks. Just getting started. Thanks for the comment 👍🏼

[@a.w.thompson4001]

I love this mini variation! Thank you.

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Glad you like it!

[@eliveltomfrickes6359]

AMAZING!🔥 thanks 👍🏻

[@SurvivingtheDaily]

Awesome video! Great idea.

[@filipvele]

Love your videos. Keep them coming.

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Will do thanks!

[@JBreeze4598]

Fun Mod!

[@originalzo6091]

Channels doing great good work

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Thank you!

[@wishihadayoutubechannel8007]

Interesting video, I never even knew about this !

[@coreymasoy7034]

Great (how to) video 🔥💯👍⭐ thanks for sharing.

[@jimmyc7803]

great vid. I’ve done something similar using parapocalyse cord on a full size bic. your version more compact though.

[@scottcatchot1598]

Nice

[@thomasmckelvey7446]

Always good to see different versions of the gear projects people come up with. For me it's one of the things I like most about the bushcraft community. Thanks for sharing.

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Thanks!

[@fitcwebb]

Great tutorial. I really like this concept and will be working on it. Gotta get some of that hemp wick

[@Ninadesignsdisney247]

Amazing! Definitely going to make a bunch of these. Thank you for the video!

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Thank you, happy to share ideas.

[@kingvegeta6826]

Don't set your carpet on fire. Lol 😆. Nice video though I like innovative ideas simple and useful.

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Fortunately it’s a wool blanket lol. Thanks for the encouragement 👍🏼

[@dirtyscoundrel2013]

This is really cool. I'd add a needle, safety pin, fish hooks and #11 or #10 x-acto blade. What watch is that?

[@donaldstrader7241]

I enjoyed the video. Thanks also for adding a source for recommended 2mm EricX Light Thick Beeswax Hemp Wick. My only concern, it now more difficult to determine the butane level. Can one tell from the bottom?

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

It’s an opaque lighter so no ability to determine fuel level anyway

[@VinlandAlchemist]

Kickass vid! Hey, would you terribly mind telling us all about your watch? Maybe post a link to get one like it? THANKS! 🤘😁

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

Just updated the video description with a link to the watch on Amazon.

[@dennisleighton2812]

Hi there. Interesting things you're doing with your lighter. However, I do have some questions just out of sheer curiosity. Firstly, why would one go with a mini-Bic in the first place? So it's somewhat smaller, but why is such a small difference so important? All it does is give fewer fires. Secondly; most people who are even slightly serious about venturing out would have some sort of fire kit - this is a fundamental basic. Whatever container one uses there is a certain amount of space in it for fire-making stuff, like that you've wrapped around your mini-Bic. While in there it's highly unlikely that the lighter gas release will depress and empty out because nothing in there is likely to move around sufficiently to depress it enough to cause a leak. Why not just pack all those items separately in the fire kit. This way they will be much easier to use when the time comes to get the fire going. I just see NO advantage having them all wrapped up together like that. Thirdly, I'd never even think of carrying only one lighter! Amazon do a special on Bics - a 3-pack for $2.37! [One in the fire kit, one in the pack and one in the pocket!] Help me understand what it's all about.

[@AndreyBassNotes]

This looks really useful. Do you think the lighter wraps could go on fire if one didn't pay attention to the wick burning until it reaches the wrap/ranger bands?

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

I'm sure there is a possibility of that happening.

[@renza481]

Solid project. That tyrip trick is a nice bonus. Will it work with bike tubing if you don't have ranger bands? Or is bike tubing to big?

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

I’ve seen many cut up bike tubing to make ranger bands, so it should work. It’ll probably depend on the size of the tubing. The ranger band link in the description above seem to work best for me. Thanks for the comment!

[@supervivencia]

Is there any way you can make the ranger bands of that size yourself. I know you can do bigger ones with a bicycle air tube, but idk if you can make smaller ones with something smaller.

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

It’s definitely possible. You would just have to find the right size tube then cut strips.

[@supervivencia]

@@DontForgetYourLunch35 any ideas on where to find it? It's driving me crazy 😂

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

@@supervivencia I’m not sure, maybe a bicycle shop?

[@mrhalfstep]

I admired your survival lighter on another of your videos that I watched, so thanks for doing the "how to" video. I bought a sh*tload of mini Bics to make pocket EDC kits for my friends and family members and I was just going to wrap them in duct tape, but how I'm doing this. There was one thing that I thought I would do differently and I'd like your opinion. I'm guessing that the waxed wick material isn't very strong. When I saw that 7 feet of it fit easily on the lighter, it occurred to me that that was a significant amount of cordage that could also be used for repairs, lashings, snares,etc, if it were stronger. My question is, do you think you could substitute # 12 tarred bankline for the waxed string? I know that the tar and nylon cord both act as flame extenders, but is it easy enough to light so as not to waste a lot of butane getting it lite. If you have an opinion or want to do a video testing that substitution, I would be interested in it. Thanks again for the video. One other thing. Do you have a source for that small innertube material or are you buying them as pre-made "mini ranger bands" ?

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

I haven’t tried bank line as a flame extender, but if it works then that is definitely another option. #36 or #42 bank line would give you more cordage to work with. The ranger bands I used are linked through my Amazon affiliate page in the description above.

[@mrhalfstep]

@@DontForgetYourLunch35 I buy #36, twisted, tarred line because it can be separated into 3, #12 lines, if more cordage is needed, but I also buy straight up #12 braided, tarred bankline because the tar is thicker on it than the separated strands of #36. My thought is that that would be better as a flame extender because of the extra tar. My only concern is how fast can I get it burning with the Bic. Your waxed wick seemed to light pretty quick in the other videos that I've watched and I don't know if bankline will light that quickly. I think it will burn longer, and I've seen the melted nylon used as an adhesive on bushcraft projects, so that may offset a longer time for ignition, if it turns out that it does take longer. Inquiring minds want to know, I guess. LOL Thanks for responding.

[@mitchelldavenport4519]

Didn't see post on length of hemp. How much??

[@maracarrillo6068]

How did you get the ranger bands on Im having such difficulty 😢

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

It takes a minute lol

[@grandmofftarkin4762]

What kind of watch are you wearing?

[@66bigbuds]

I can't seem to make ranger bands that small. Can't find innertubes that small.

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

The ones I used I bought off Amazon. I like the small 5col Supply brands the best.

[@ellieandjoshforever4532]

This is good for when we go camping?

[@DontForgetYourLunch35]

All you really need to start a simple fire. Maybe bring some kind of fire tinder to help get the fire going too.

[@kerramybeth]

I don't think the zip ties necessary I'm 60 years old I've been carrying Bic lighters in my pocket since I was like 12 years old and never had one drain out of fuel try going out and getting yourself so cold you can't even use your hands and then try and get a zip tie off of that mini Bic lighter and use that mini Bic lighter I've been that cold

[@markashlock9017]

You may not be draining it, but if you are carrying it in your front pants pocket, especially with other items, I can assure you, that at various times throughout the day, you are loosing a little fuel.

[@stevec5576]

You are fired .