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Forget matches and lighters—the Swedish FireSteel is a compact and unbreakable fire striker that you can depend on to work perfectly in any weather—rain and snow, high humidity or even strong winds! Furthermore, it's non-corrosive and guaranteed not to snap, even in the most frigid of conditions.

Manufactured by a Swedish company, cleverly-named Light My Fire Ltd., the FireSteel was designed by survival expert Lars Fält and carries the endorsement of the 'International Survival Instructors Association'. It is army-issue in several countries and the manufacturers claim that it has saved numerous lives.

The FireSteel comes complete with a striker, attached by a sturdy cord so it can't be lost. It can also be struck with the back of a knife. I tested it out under a variety of conditions - wet, windy and normal - and yes, it works like a charm! Just hold it at an angle and draw the striker down the shaft. Doing this 'slowly but surely' will result in large sparks, while a quick flick of the wrist creates an impressive (though less useful) shower of sparks.

The sparks apparently reach temperatures of around 3000ºC and I had no problem setting fire to crumpled-up paper and small sticks. The manufactures recommend using dry grass, birch-bark or resinous firewood as kindling. They also note that 'it is even possible to light a spirit stove with just a few sparks', and although I didn't test this out, I'm pretty sure it would work.

There are two sizes available, the heavy-duty 'Army Model', which is about 9 centimeters long, and the mini 'Scout Model' which fits neatly onto a belt loop or a key ring. The larger version will last for up to an amazing 12,000 strikes, so unless you spend most of your waking life laying fires, the mini version is probably sufficient for your needs.

For campers, trekkers and anyone who loves the great outdoors, this little gadget is a must. And even if you're not an outdoors type, it's a great way to impress your friends at your next BBQ!

courtesy of Light My Fire Ltd.

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