UST Firestarter Kit 1.0: Is It Really Any Good?

[@MrWmburr7]

Hey, thanks Dean for the great look at that product. I didn't realize the case was just plastic; thought I might have been lexan or something else more durable. If I wanted something like that now, I'd probably start by buying a quality case first and then outfit it with the rest. Thanks, my Canadian friend.

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

My thoughts exactly. Now it's time to find a durable case - or to update my own fire kit.

[@kan-zee]

thanks again for another honest review.....Hudson bay case with the magnifying glass, is a nice one...but I can't get away from my leather possibles pouch..everything is in a ziploc bag lining. Fresnal lens (Cyclops lense lol ) and waxed jute twine is great...what you think about compactible VaseyBalls (cotton balls dipped in heated liquid Vaseline), as an addition? Cheers ;-) That suks the case cracked...;-(

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

+Kanzee Actually, I really like the Hudson's Bay case but haven't gotten around to getting one. Waxed jute twine is definitely a good thing too, and I really like vaseline-soaked cotton balls. I tried making some "Sousaville fireballs" but I prefer the VaseyBalls and I'll be switching back to them in an upcoming video.

[@lonered638]

personally I like to have at least 3 ways to start a fire in my kit which normally includes a ferro rod, storm matches, and a lighter so the the fact that this kit only really has one way to start a fire is a deal breaker for me and yeah 100% agree with you on the break away lanyard.

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

Hopefully I'll do an update soon. This entire kit is now located in a small MOLLE pouch, with several add-ons. The case broke beyond repair.

[@RussNo1]

I just bought one for about $9 at Walmart. There's plenty of room to add some much needed things. It has 6 "light me" tinder things, (I also threw in the receipt for extra tinder). I thought I got screwed on the ferro rod because I couldn't make it spark...until I saw how you did it. Thank you very much for this lesson. I also bought the UST survival kit. A thermal blanket, button compass and hand towel. Good things to have but I could've made my own kit a lot better. Also my instructions were missing, but it's only good as more tinder. I like your video. I agree with everything you said.

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

Glad I could help with the ferro rod. As for me, I had this kit in the cargo pocket of my pants a couple of weeks ago and leaned up against a tree. That was the end of the kit - it cracked to bits. Give me something with a metal box any day over this cheap POS. So with that in mind, I've added a couple of bits from this kit to my Fire Kit 3.0 and it should be done in a couple of weeks or so.

[@CanItAlready]

I looked at it like this: ferro rod (costs between $5 and $7.50 depending on where look) and light-me tinder (that's what mine came with) for about $8 total (US) and the case was basically free. If the case cracks I'll cram everything into another container. I have one in the car, which was originally a first-aid kit that I emptied and filled with fire stuff (I put the first aid stuff in a small pouch that has multiple pockets) that I'll have to double-check for cracks now. :-O

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

That's why I now prefer metal cases. They don't crack and you can use them for making bio char (char cloth and such). The kit in this video eventually split and fell apart so I moved the contents into my regular fire kit.

[@TheDaveDryden]

they should really have 3 options to make fire in there, ferro, water proof matches and either lens or lighter. then throw in their tinder. That is why I like building my own and have done so since I was young. and I know for people who have never used a ferro they are intimidating too. good review!

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

Just showing folks again what to expect with store-bought "survival kits". By itself this kit is severely lacking in firestarting tools, so you have to add stuff. And then the case cracks - not because it was too full, but rather too weak. That's also why I said in this video that a DIY kit is way better. Version 3.0 of my own kit should be done soon.

[@SUFFICIENTSURVIVAL]

Good review sir, totally agree with you on the break away lanyard!!

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

+SUFFICIENT SURVIVAL Thanks, Chad! Too bad the box is breakaway, too, and not in a good way.

[@outdoorsmansgarage]

I've seen these fire kit boxes quite often at Walmart and have passed them up now that I know the box is junk if I do buy one I will definitely use my own box or case

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

+James McIntyre I can't agree more. This is why I like to make my own kits - they don't break (and I can use my own tin for a container or to make char cloth).

[@outdoorsmansgarage]

+Alberta Bushcrafter I've never made charcloth maybe I'll try to do that this weekend and do a video on it

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

I haven't made it in years but I have an old candy tin ready to go. First I have to cut up more firewood, though, as I'm out.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

I love jute twine, however I just realized that it somehow got removed from my kits for no reason other than I forgot to put it back when I switched everything around!!

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

+TurtleWolf Pack Wow - I hope you didn't throw it out. I keep it as a last resort when there's no dry grass or bark available and everything is wet. Works like a charm!

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Alberta Bushcrafter Of course not:) I've also got two big rolls of it some where around here. I know how well it works as a tinder!

[@MegaRunions]

+TurtleWolf Pack jute twine is great a lot of uses nice review as well Alberta Bushcrafter

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

Thanks very much, Barry! I always have a roll of it around the house anyway, and I use it a lot. I even use it to mix with dryer lint to make good little firestarters for the home.

[@RussNo1]

I just discovered another problem. The "light me tinder" seems to soaked in what smells like kerosene. While checking my equipment I found the latch of the fire starter kit was broken, even though it was never subjected to any physical trauma. The little plastic bag containing the light me tinder was against the side of the case near the latch. Even though the bag was tightly sealed the bag was wet out side with kerosene. The edge of the case around the latch was also wet and the plastic case was crumbling. Inside the case was rippled where it had begun melting. The rubber seal had expanded and no longer fit inside the groove. Apparently the kerosene can seep through the plastic bag and destroy the case. Luckily the mini bic lighter I added to the case, though wet, was un-effected. I'm still investigating whether the tinder is actually soaked in kerosene and if this was the real cause of the problem, but as it stands, I'm afraid to put this kit back together and continue using the light me tinder. If any one else has info to add it would be appreciated.

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

Oh wow - that's just nasty. Not sure if that's kerosene but it's some kind of petroleum distillate. I'd better check mine as it's in my gear box now.

[@martinadejaquiz2482]

I wouldn't buy it either just as you said I agree.... it's just not too impressive at all I'm thinking. if I were them, I wouldn't expect too much success with selling the product if I were them and they should have known that before even marketing it if they knew very much, I'm thinking. thank you because now I know what it is and to stay away from it....thanks dean, martina

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

+Martina Dejaquiz Well to be fair the ferro rod is OK and the WetFire tinders aren't bad, so I might just dump the case and find a larger Altoids-style tin and transfer it over. The benefit of tins is that you can make biochar for the next fire and save your matches.

[@Goddess1Princess]

duct tape to reinforce it

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

+Goddess1Princess I actually tried that afterward, and the other corner got knocked about. So now it's rapidly becoming a bunch of plactic shards held together with duct tape. I'm going to build a second DIY kit from the remains instead.

[@Goddess1Princess]

Alberta Bushcrafter sorry to hear that!

[@prankproductions9945]

you got ripped off I payed $9.00

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

True enough! I got ripped off. If this kit was cheaper and came with a more robust case I'd get one, but even at $9.00 it isn't entirely worth it.

[@prankproductions9945]

yea

[@AlbertaBushcrafter]

Got a line on eBay for about $5 apiece. Live and learn, I guess.

[@prankproductions9945]

well then I think that just American walmart