The Most Important Kit Within Your Survival Kit!

Your fire kit is one of the most important kits within your survival kit. Typically, they include fire starters, tinders, and other tools. Today we are breaking down the Tacamo Fire making Kit to see if it really is the best survival fire kit on the market or if there is room for improvement.
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[@LadyTSurvival]

I make up mini kits inside my pack as well, it keeps it neater and easier to find rather than just dump the loose items into the pack

[@ronaldrose7593]

In my fire kit, I always have a lighter, cotton balls, petroleum jelly, fero rod, magnifying 🔎glass and some crumbled fire starters. I enjoy your videos. Keep up your great work. Stay safe and healthy out there. 🤗

[@michaelshort1411]

When I made my fire starter kit. I have leather experience making pouches, etc. So I made my kit that will attach to my belt and strap around my leg like an old style gun holster. And in my kit I have a Camel snuff can that after testing it in a sink full of water is water proof and it floats. So I store all my premade charcloth in it, which I also have my flint n steel, magnesium striker starter and my own custom made fire piston from a copper tubing and wood dowel rod piston. Which I made 3 pouches sewn together to hold all my fire tools along with mini ziploc bags of cotton balls and vaseline, sisal or jute twine soaked in beeswax and other fire starting accessories in a couple of Altoids tins to help keep them dry. And I dyed the veg tan leather with a red stain of Oxblood so it can be found easily if misplaced or dropped. As for some of the items in this kit that are a bit dark just spray paint it or if you have some bright enamel paint just brush it with some orange to give it the look you want. The long pipe is called a blow pipe. I made a short one just using a short piece of quarter inch copper plumbing tubing for my kit also. And to make sure I didn't lose my pouch or some of my accessories I used some of those bright plastic lacing cords to braid some of my lanyards with red, orange, yellow, white , etc and braided several different color combos to make it stand out more if it gets lost.

[@splintergraywolf2984]

The rubber band (ranger band) can be used as a fire starter.

[@william.maclennan9061]

Not too bad of a kit. Good thing I never leave home without my flamethrower. Lol

[@TheJohnnyonthespot1]

Flamethrower? Psssshhhh. I always bring my pet dragon.

[@richardrodriguez3210]

That works brilliantly just make sure he has his firefighter helmet for safety sakes

[@kachiri]

I have a magnifying glass that's small, thick and kind of curved like a slight bowl shape. I got it from the small end of an old binoculars and it works great for using the sun to burn ants... I mean to start fires. Hahaha! But seriously it is good for the job! The size and thickness also makes it pretty tough. Less change of breaking or cracking when you accidently drop it.

[@jacksonteller1337]

The hole most of the time only is necessary if you use a sealed container, like a round screwtop. Most of the hinged containers usually already have enough room for the gasses to escape, with the exception of the semi locking with a true hinge. Mine all have a bend piece of tin in a hole on both or three points. But if it makes you feel more secure or if you are in doubt about a container you can always punch an extra hole. If you are 40+ you usually always have a way to start a fire with you. Any reading glasses 2+ and over will start a fire on the char cloth. In an emergency kit there need to be at least storm matches and a simple lighter. If you are cold and stressed you don't want to bother with lenses or firesteel. Those are more meant for long term survival.

[@cynthiarothrock4255]

Dear I'm over 50 and iv never been able to use a lighter. Iv was taught on wood matches. I can also use both Farro rod and steel or Vaseline and my magnifying glass ( i keep this in my pocket or bag at all times ) and this is favorite. and would get thru any search going into a government building. Airport ect.

[@jacksonteller1337]

@@cynthiarothrock4255 magnifying glass in my area is not an option in most situations. A ferro rod is only a long term or good conditions option. In an emergency most people use a lighter or a match because under extreme conditions it always works. If you don't know how to use a lighter i have a nine year old that would be happy to teach you. I have been teaching my children how to build fire's using all options i carry on my person and pack. They try a one match fire each summer, both are getting quite good at it.

[@cynthiarothrock4255]

@@jacksonteller1337 i can't physically use a lighter. I carry wood matches part of the time but can't take with me into security areas. Airport post office. Ect. I CAN AND DO CARRY INTO SECURITY A small lipgloss Vaseline and a magnifying glass. And breeze thru with my ( firestarter) I have also lost my farro rod and steel striker when going in courthouse. Never had a problem with Vaseline and a magnifying glass. And it goes into my pocket with HOUSE KEYS. it looks natural and iv NEVER BEEN ASKED ABOUT IT. I also lost my G.I can opener. ( they counted it as a knife)

[@1brytol]

In my opinion z the tools kit is the most important. A heavy duty knife, a Swiss knife, folding saw, hatchet. With a knife, you can get all 4 wildeness survival basics. Water, food, fire, shelter. You can chop down bushes and branches, to make a simple shelter. You can get fish (which IMO are the best way to get food, because many plants can be toxic and without knowledge you can easily poison yourself, and hunting bigger animlas is top hard and dangerous) only with a knife, you can make fire with a fire bow which you can make using a knife, than use that fire to get charcoal which you can use to filter out water, and than you can boil that filtered water. Yes, fire kit is very important, using a ferro is easier than a fire bow, but i wouldn't concider it more important than a knife.

[@thearriagakids646]

So true! Fire so important!!

[@wenzelilustre9128]

That ranger band (that big rubber band) makes for a good rain resistant firestarter. That's probably why it's there. 2 purposes in 1.

[@shastaham7630]

You don't need a hole in the small tin box. The box is not air tight and has enough space along the hinge to permit smoke to escape. As a last resort, I always carry a flint and steel. My steel can also serve as a spindle block for a bow drill.

[@johnmercer947]

Excellent kit I like your idea of adding a lighter. I'll make my kit more like that one.

[@brandonberst]

I make sure to have at least two ways to start fire in every separate kit as well as small redundancies. Hygiene kit? Bic lighter and a ferro rod and striker. Mess kit? Storm matches and cotton balls. First aid kit? Knife glow sticks Mylar blanket lighter storm proof matches protein bar aqua tabs. Fishing kit? It’s waterproofing if so a bic and some cotton balls. Always back up your backups backup.

[@iceman256]

Pretty good kit with lots of goodies. I make my own fire kit. Cut jute twine into matchstick length and soak into melted wax. Cut 3 jute twine into 1 foot length and braid,soak in wax for a few minutes. Each stick will burn over 2 minutes. It's waterproof and will light under any condition. It's my go to fire source for the past 25 yrs.. and never let me down. Pack in an Altoid tin with small farro steel and BIC lighter.

[@tolik5929]

One thing they never seem to have , that eleminates a lot of the other stuff , is a bag of magnesium shavings . You can get a ton of it on ebay for not much , works better than most the other stuff .

[@guitarhiker4449]

Great review! I recently got this kit as a gift. It is mainly aimed towards the bushcraft side of things but theirs alot of little things i like about it. The wax carry bag (orange inside) has molle webbing straps. Very cool will fit right onto my pathfinder pack molle webbing. Although i do like to keep my fire kit dry so i would recommend ziploc bagging everything inside the pouch before you attach it to the outside of your pack. It does have a waxed exterior but its a drawcord opening. I would also do what you said, add a lighter, maybe some waterproof matches and a tiny knife or razor blade atleast. Orange ranger cord/paracord for the Giant ferro rod. Although my kit actually came with a separate ziploc with maybe 6 ft of titan paracord (seperately from the kit). They give you enough to make a lanyard i think because you can't technically strike the ferro rod with the provided braided cord and striker that comes inside this kit when it is attached to the ferro rod. They must have recognized that so now they send you a little extra (separate from the kit). The tins are a nice touch and the real glass magnified glass but it is mainly used as a last resort. If any of you are looking for a different flamable source try the small military gel packs. Those are great!! Can find them sold seperately or like 6 to a pack (box) online. Kinda like a large mayonaise packet filled with a clear flamable gel. Awesome stuff i have started fires with it in the pouring rain!! I could see myself throwing a pack or two into this kit aswell. Nice kit overall but for maybe $50 tops not $75 imo. Compared to alot of fire kits its pretty nice! Much better than a small SOS fire kit or something similar. But with all gear you usually get what you pay for. Don't skimp if you can help it. These kits give you multiple fire redundancy but you could technically get away with just the big ferro rod and your pocket knifes spine! Stay safe all!! Hike on!!

[@bugoutbrothers]

What do you have in your fire kit? 🔥 Check out the TACAMO 16-Piece Emergency Fire Making Kit here amzn.to/3kCA3rj

[@stephanygates6491]

Mine have “can’t blow out” birthday candles, as well as jute, ferro rod & steel, fat wood, storm matches, a knife to make shavings and lighters. I really don’t want to be unable to make fire. Nice set you presented, I’ll check it out.

[@dennisleighton2812]

That kit looks more like a bushcrafting 101 starter kit than a serious and useful fire-starting kit. Seriously, no lighter (or 2, or 3 [Amazon 3-pack = $2,37!), no storm matches, no pencil sharpener (for the best tinder ever), no candle (or tealights), Container of mini fire-lighters - c'mon! All the ferrorods, flints, char cloth, etc is all way down the list, if (however unlikely) all else has failed! In fact Victorinox has a neat solution ON their SAK! It's called a Fire Ant (which goes inside the corkscrew) and the Firefly which replaces the pen. In an extreme situation these ferrorod tinder combos will work and do the job! Lots of times before replenishing, at a fraction of the cost. Go check it out!

[@johnstevenperez4186]

Nice kit. Plenty of simple improvements can be made to make it even better. When on day hikes or overnight camping, I've added a Zippo Sure-Fire Tool with me. It has a scrapper built in to help process shavings.

[@thomasmusso1147]

My home-grown fire kits carry basically all of that shown in that being discussed. Each kit varies slightly based on the envisaged application and time of the year. Firesteels .. they remain on my person .. pocketed and lanyarded. One kit I do have .. and it's my 'take everywhere and use only as a last resort' one. It is small, compact, light and can be slotted in almost anywhere on one's person. Each component is kept inside it's own Ziploc bag .. each bag sized to suit .. and the entire kit stored inside two additional Ziploc Bags .. one in the other. Mini Bic Lighter .. Storm Matches w Striker .. Strike Anywhere Matches (waxed) w a Strip of Sand Paper .. Cotton Wool and Vaseline sealed inside Plastic Drinking Straws. What about a little knife in the kit, etc, etc? One must be careful not to fall into the 'just add this' trap. Very often, the decision to be made is not 'what to include' but rather 'what to leave out'. Space .. any empty space 'will' be (over)filled. 50kg of ultra-lightweight, 'neat', 'handy', compact gear is still 50kg of gear.

[@TheSaneHatter]

If one wants to improve on that Ferro Rod, one of those new Exotac Firerod XLs has a bright-colored housing that actually holds some tinder! That's an upgrade worth considering....

[@bagboy1942]

It will cost you $30 more unless you already have one.

[@warpedone2]

Thanks for filming

[@g.victorpaulson8836]

Thoughts: I think that the kit you're reviewing is too heavy on tinder. It's redundant...why am I carrying all that stuff around? Unless I'm in the arctic or the barren desert, there is usually plenty of combustible material around, even in wet weather, if I know where to look. I only carry two WetFire tabs and 5 or 6 TinderQuick plugs. 99% of the time I use natural tinder that I gather. The man-made stuff is only for the wettest conditions. I get my sparks from A) a Fresnel lens (see NOTE below), which is always the first choice if there is adequate sun; or B) a ferrocerium rod. I also carry a BIC lighter in an Exotac sleeve, and 5 or 6 UCO Titan storm matches (W/ striker) as backup, again, for wet conditions. That's my whole fire kit! It's based on what Mors Kochanski said, "The more you know, the less you carry". When I'm in the field, the ferro typically hangs on my neck lanyard with a knife. The rest is tucked into a Vanquest pouch with the rest of my survival kit. I DO like the idea of carrying an actual magnifying glass! The plastic Fresnels are usually pretty fragile, and I have had a couple crack on me. A good quality crystal lens in a leather case would be worth the added weight, I think. I am likely going to tweak my own kit with this change! (Thanks!) NOTE: Fresnel is pronounced "Fray-NEL". It's French. The Fresnel lens was developed by the French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788-1827) for use in lighthouses. The design of the lens enables the light beam to focus precisely while using less material than a conventional convex lens.

[@terrybutler-fl4dx]

I bought a battery operated chainsaw and I was in the woods and happened to see a pine tree that was dead and it was a huge fat wood log. I put a piece of plastic under log and made sure it was big enough to catch the chips that came out of saw. I cut about ten thin pieces of fat wood and I filled up a Walmart plastic bag. So, I have a bag of FW already processed.

[@sparrowflying864]

Where did you get the tin? Also add a carpenter's pencil sharpner. Great for making shavings.

[@davidjones1393]

THKS

[@cynthiarothrock4255]

You need some jute twine or dryer lint. Also chapstick or Vaseline in a lipgloss tin. A pinch works great. Also matches won't get thru a door security at a mall an airport or government building like a post office. Vaseline with a magnifying glass goes inside no problem. iv never been stopped with it.

[@lesstraveledpath]

Given "clothing adequate for the conditions," the Communication / Signaling Kit is the most critical. Literally every "lost hiker" tragedy I have ever read about would have been a non-issue if the person had a PLB or some other satellite message device. A Garmin In-Reach, or equivalent, combined with a detailed trip plan left behind means that you are 99.999% likely to be home within 72 hours. It is not fun to sit and wait...but if you KNOW that someone is coming to find you, sitting and waiting is much more tolerable.

[@kachiri]

I have one of them extending bellows, like you showed, but I made mine from a back scratcher. I removed the hand shaped scratcher and put a hole through the end of the rubber handle So mine does have that rubber handle for comfort of holding the bellow pipe.

[@lorus511]

So did I - it was a lot cheaper too

[@warrior7ra]

Umm just to point some things out. It is the TAC AMO fire kit not Tacoma I know sounds like a petty correction but in the Military TACAMO is an acronym and has a specific meaning "TAke Charge And Move Out" where as ta-coma Tacoma is a ciry in Washington. A flint and steel and UCO matches would be excellent additions to this kit especially if the steel has a spindle bearing point to assist with a bow and drill fire

[@rickrunyon5086]

The holes for the hinges are sufficient to went the gasses. So you don't need another hole for a vent

[@tarinindell8217]

There is another kit i would like you to review that is similar, but MUCH less expensive. You can either buy it from the website, or save about $20 by buying it on amazon. Its going for $26 currently on amazon. Its the FR-1 Defense "large fatwood fire kit" I really think its a good platform that just needs a lighter/matches and maybe a fresnel lens to be pretty solid. Id personally say pull out a bit if the fatwood and replace it with their "ace tinder" that comes along with the kit

[@earlelzy7243]

A kit like this can be modified to your liking if it's not completely to your satisfaction. Add to it or subtract from it. Great starter kit.

[@andreasnitsch8119]

That is true . I think the most importand thing is to Train to keep the mind together . In a Real Bad Situationen you May dont want eneyone to See you . So bright Orange is not a Option. Sorry for my Englisch. Dont write allot in Englisch. But i noticed my mind gos everywere when Packing a bag . Or i take something out and because my mind is somewere Else i let it Fall. And that could be Bad if it gos down a Hill. I think the First is to train the concentration

[@anzerupnik1442]

You don't necessarly need hole on the container for charcloth. If the container is not air tight and you don't have a large amounts of to-be-charred material the gasses will leak around the lid.

[@bcase5328]

How about linking your match case to the lanyard added to the ferro rod.

[@SpamMusubi308]

The short fat piece of waxed rope is meant to be broken down then one end fuzzed-out (think dandelion seed head) to receive a spark

[@markphillips5724]

Process your own fat wood using a potato peeler.. works quite nicely.

[@allanf4756]

I agree the gas will leak through The lid

[@SpamMusubi308]

Add razor blades, safety razor or replacement blade for Matt knife. A cotton bandana to pad contents or char cloth.

[@johngoodin3445]

Which side of a Fresnel lens do you want to point towards the sun? The smooth side or the side with ridges?

[@bentalley7277]

a kit is great for fire making but.......keep some redundancy in other places just in case something happens to your main bag same goes for cutting tools

[@tarinindell8217]

Nice kit, but its currently $67 on amazon. It absolutely isnt worth $67. Also, there are a few too many redundancies. For example, why have the glass lens as well as the fresnel lens? And there are some basic things which other kits automatically include. Why isnt there an open flame source like a lighter or matches? If they included charcloth, why didnt they include flint&steel? Why didnt they include a spark wheel? Why didnt they include another cord for aid in friction fires? Or a bearing block? Why didnt they include a small knife or saw to process any wood or tinder that is needed? The only actual methods for starting fire that are included are the ferro rod (which is nice) and solar ignition (which only works when the sun is out) Overall, i like it, but i think they couldve put a little more work into it to justify the current $67 price tag. I like the bag and the tin, but id rather have the contents from the BOSS or BOSS MINI fire kits.

[@davebrown1358]

Next time your camping use your bush hat or boonies hat as a blowing device for fire making a old Australian bushies trick worth Trying & practicing.

[@aaronrhoades509]

Char cloth tan has two holes in the back where the hinges are and it should have come with flint and steel.?

[@chillindave1357]

Maybe swap out the drawstring with a bright color?

[@CountryBoysurvival]

That kit and the Boss fire kit is very good Standford out door supply makes the Boss kit plus they make shelter , fire , water , signal, navigation, and hunting and fishing kits everyone of them are good they come in individual sealed packaging

[@RJM1011]

Strike any where matches and life boat matches would have been cheap and GOOD to ad to this kit also some cotton wool. Thank you for the video and thumbs up.

[@SpamMusubi308]

Storm matches with striker better than strike anywhere matches.

[@RJM1011]

@@SpamMusubi308 LOL !

[@Cetok01]

The rubber band itself can be used as tinder.

[@stevestumpy6873]

My fire starter kit one or two zippo lighters and a can of zippo fuel, extra flints stored in the bottom of the lighters.

[@williamwilson6499]

Better off with a Bic type lighter. Zippo lighters dry out fast and you’ll have to fill it before you could use it.

[@stevestumpy6873]

@@williamwilson6499 zippo's last forever, you can break a bic lighter easily. A can of zippo fuel is easily carried.

[@SpamMusubi308]

You can slide a spare wick between the cotton batting and inside wall of the inner fuel cell. Either BIC or Zippo will provide a spark when fuel runs out but you MUST process the tinder even more to a fluffy state(like a dry cattail head) before attempting the spark

[@Oldsparkey]

Nice kit with a lot of items. What do you do when all of it's gone ? Why not use indigenous items of the area to have a fire. The best survival kit is the one between your ears and it's free.

[@Draculapin]

All of my bikepacking gears are just kits within kits withing my different bikepacking bags

[@karl3261]

There is no need for 2 magnifying lenses. Needs a lighter and some matches.

[@monlonlabe5016]

This 68$ kit seems to be largely overkill... 10X Fresnel Lens and a 5X Round Lens etc... and heavy at 1.42pounds. My fire kit is ALWAYS on me, in my wallet. A small but efficent Firesteel and the knowledge on how to use it, A fresnel lens in case there is sun. All kit are nice BUT you have to have it with you and as Murphy's law states...you probably won't have it THE day... so make a kit small enought that you always have it with you. I've added 3 K9 trash bag (small but sturdy and 3 liter max), 6 sterilisation tablets, a small Victorinox knif with cisor (and the firsteel replacing the toothpick), small cordage, some Duct tape. Of course more is better but the only usefull kit is...the one you have the day you need it.

[@stephanygates6491]

I keep a magnifier in my first aid kit.

[@rickrunyon5086]

You can pick up a lighter anywhere. They were smart enough to put all the other stuff.

[@jessecerda2613]

What kind of bush knife do you use?? What would be your favorite???

[@SpamMusubi308]

It looks like a Gerber Strongarm 🤔

[@MatisseStLaurent]

It’s pretty expensive at $68 bucks, and really the only thing I like is the waxed canvas pouch.

[@woodlandspartan5226]

The pouch is pretty cool

[@MatisseStLaurent]

@@woodlandspartan5226 Hey WS, I found a waxed canvas pouch (which looks pretty darn close to this one) for $11 bucks on Amazon. Here's a link: Waxed canvas pouch - holds coins, dice, golf balls, anything else! 7.5'' x 7.5'' (Khaki)

[@CountryBoysurvival]

I own that kit it's pricey but well built and very good gear all high quality it is probably the best kit on the market they teamed up with Titan survival which makes great products

[@kesslerrb]

Fresnel is pronounced: Fruh-nel

[@BorealWoodsrunner]

No need to poke the hole in the char tin.....the hing area is more then enough ....just don't over pack it

[@pinkeangst]

The narrative content in this video was too long and repetitive. It would be better to edit it down into summary points.

[@cardiacbob]

You could get some yellow or orange duct tape and put it around the black lanyard on the striker, and around one end of the ferro rod. it would give a bit of a handle for the ferro rod also. The ranger band could be used as a fire extender, because rubber is flammable. Needs some weather proof matches. throw away that magnifying lens.

[@jamesparker6383]

first let me start off by saying , it was a most informative video. but you could make the same kit for less money.

[@harrismonnc]

Yes, this is way overpriced. 67 dollars is crazy.

[@mr.blessing2155]

Fire good 👍🏻 Death Bad 👎🏻

[@VAMobMember]

No matches No bic lighter No carpenters pencil sharpener

[@shannoncairns1161]

No clue

[@VAMobMember]

@@shannoncairns1161 ??? No clue as to what? You didn’t understand why I think these 3 items are missing, what they are for or what? Be happy to explain once I understand as I’m sure others have the same question

[@petezahrbock9931]

Jesus Christ,, you should survive off this kit.not telling me something every American kid should know!!

[@CountryBoysurvival]

You don't need to actually put a hole in the tin for char cloth you can do it either way everyone does it different