9 Best Firestarters (Review) in 2020

The Gerber/Bear Grylls team-up has produced some excellent survival gear and this firestarter is a good example. The kit is completely self-contained and packs down into a tiny carrying case that’s less than 5” in length.

There’s a ferro rod and striker as well as a powerful whistle on the lanyard cord. Joining the two ends before you pack it away ensures nothing gets wet and when you need it again just tug on both sides and you’re ready to go. Gerber has included a Priorities of Survival guide that, while pretty basic, is nonetheless good to have around in case things get gnarly.

The lighting protocol for this Survival Spark Magnesium fire starter is similar to other fire starters in that it involves shaving a bit of magnesium from the rod onto your kindling or other tinder and then dragging the striker along the rod thereby sending sparks onto the shavings.

The Survival Sparks has a little more up its sleeve than other fire starters in that, if you look closely to the handle of the rod, you’ll see a fully functioning high quality compass to aid you in your survival efforts. Not only that but there’s an emergency whistle capable of generating 150 decibels of life saving sound. Lastly, the Survival Sparks’ magnesium rod is good for 15,000 strikes.

One of the most notable features that distinguish the Überleben Zünden Fire Starter from Ferro rods is the wooden handgrip that is stylishly designed to improve convenience and durability. Also, the Überleben Zünden Fire Starter is crafted with a metallic alloy of iron and cerium to facilitate quick and easy fire lighting process. In fact, if you strike the fire starter in the right way, it produces sparks of more than 4500 Fahrenheit, which is more than enough to start a fire even in cold or windy environments. No doubt, this is a multifunctional tool can also be used as a surface scraper, ruler and bottle opener. These are features that other fire starters of higher price range do even not offer. As for its usability, you simply have to scratch the tool on the side of the ferrocerium rod to create sparks. The thing is, once you can get a hang of how to properly set up a tinder bundle to receive the sparks, you will get an adequate amount of fire to do whatever you want. However, note that you have to remove the protective coating that accompanies a new Überleben Zünden Fire Starter before you can make a fire.

Just like every high-quality fire starter, the Überleben Zünden is suitable for all weather conditions. So come rain, come shine; the Überleben Zünden will be at your service. And if you are not a fan of heavy objects, then you are in luck. With a weight of just 3 ounces, you can easily hang it around your neck with the lanyard it comes with. Furthermore, depending on the thickness of your starter, you can get a maximum of between 12,000 and 20,000 strikes. This will definitely last you for a long time before you can even think of replacing it.

The Light My Fire FireSteel Scout Magnesium Firestarter offers the most effective way of lighting a camping stove or tinder that you will ever come across. And also, the fire starter will work in any environment, whether wet, sunny or freezing cold. The Light My Fire FireSteel Scout is made up of two components: the fire steel, which is a rod fitted with a red-colored plastic that facilitates firm grip and a second component, which is the metal striker; both of these can be kept in a neck lanyard, so they won’t be misplaced. Additionally, this fire starter is constructed with a magnesium rod designed by Light My Fire, but it’s not very different from the ferrocerium rods by Überleben Zünden. The magnesium rod weighs only 27 grams, making it an extremely light tool that can be easily stored or transported. What’s more, the tool offers a maximum of 3000 strikes under any weather. So you won’t have to fret over cold or windy weather.

As for its usability, you simply have to rake the metal striker on the side of the rod. This action will produce showers of sparks that you will have to redirect into any fuel source or tinder. For instance, when lighting a cooking stove that does not come with an inbuilt igniter, you will have to turn on the gas and then strike this fire starter and direct the showers of sparks to ignite the stove. It’s that simple! What’s more, the tool does not require the use of any flint, battery or lighting fluid. So you don’t have to spend extra money on replacing parts of the product.

The SE KHK6320 Fire Starter has been accused of trying too hard but we don’t see that as a problem. With its 3” modified tanto point blade and full tang construction augmenting the 1.5” ferro rod and striker it’s a complete survival kit in one package.

Unlike other fire starters the SE KHK6320 is as much a quality survival knife as it is fire starting kit. The stainless steel blade is ideal for spearing or piercing, for cutting small branches for your fire or cutting bandages if you’re injured. If you’re a fan of all-in-one fire starters this is the one for you.

Like the Darmon Fire Starter this Überleben Kräftig 1/2″ ferro rod tosses out a shower of sparks at 5,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Campers, hunters and mountaineers in search of dependable fire starters for your survival kit look no further.

Unlike some other fire starters that are 6” or more in length the Überleben Kräftig 1/2″ ferro rod is a convenient 5”. Regardless of altitude or environmental conditions that shower of 5,500 degree sparks will make short work of your kindling. The rod will accept up to 20,000 strikes so this puppy will be providing valuable service for years to come.

Here’s another ultra-simple piece of survival technology that works like a charm and costs next to nothing. Just a ferro rod that casts 3,000 degree sparks at any altitude regardless of conditions. If you need to get a fire going to ward off hypothermia pull this out of your pack and you’re good to go.

If you’ve tried other fire starters in the past and been disappointed with the results try this ferro rod from Bayite and see what a real firestarter is like. At 6” in length there’s plenty of room to hold it and strike it and the 4mm lanyard hole ensures it won’t lose it while you’re trying to get your fire going. Has a life of 12,000 strikes so you can see what a great value the Bayite ferro rod is.

The SE FS374 is one of the more unassuming fire starters out there, but don’t let the luggage tag profile fool you. This is simple, effective survival gear that costs all of 5 bucks but could save your bacon if things go south on your next hunting or camping trip.

The process here is a bit different than some other fire starters but that doesn’t mean it’s rocket science. Just shave some magnesium from the bar into a small pile then use the flint stick to deliver some sparks onto the shavings and… fire! Unlike some fire starters you can easily carry this compact kit in any pocket so you always have it available.

BlizeTec presents a 6 in 1 fire starter kit that provides several essential pieces of survival gear in a package no bigger than a keychain. There’s the ferro rod that’s good for up to 12,000 strikes, the luminous handle that provides a modicum of light for your night survival efforts, an emergency whistle that will wake the dead and a type of multi-tool that’s part can opener part measuring tape.

The luminous green handle not only provides a night light it also serves as an emergency beacon. The ferro rod itself is completely weatherproof and will continue to light your fire when other fire starters have quit. The measurements carved out of the side of the multi-tool will help you plot distances and the whistle is one of the loudest you’ll ever hear.

Überleben is back for one more bow on our list of best fire starters with this Lumen Glow-in-the-dark effort. This is a relatively thick 5/16” ferro rod that generates sparks at 5,500 degrees Fahrenheit. It features a shock cord lanyard that allows the kit to be secured in multiple ways along with a multi-tool scraper with numerous functions including bottle opener, can opener and measuring stick.

The Glō-tec luminous handle might seem a curiosity on fire starters but it’s actually brighter than you think and can provide much needed illumination if you’re lost in the back country and your flashlight batteries have died. The robust ferro rod will be good for 12,000 strikes while the shock cord lanyard will ensure the device doesn’t get away from you.

No one ever plans to get lost in the wilderness, but with the Swiss Safe 5-in-1 Fire Starter, any wrong turns or lost-map shenanigans will be a little easier to deal with. This set is good for 16000 strikes as well as capable of working no matter the weather. The magnesium rod creates fire instantly, which burns at an astonishing 5,500 degrees Fahrenheit.

The multi-tool design means it’s more than just a firestarter, too, so you’re even more prepared to deal with the unpredictability of the wilderness. Furthermore, the compact and lightweight design means it won’t take up any room in your day pack, and as it’s something many would consider essential, it’s something you should never leave behind.