Your favorite backcountry fire starters

[MikeWalking]

I like rubbing two liberals together till they combust....   

Cheating...too easy.   Besides you have to work to stay up wind. Know how bad they stink when they burn??.


I like the Vaseline Cotton ball/ dryer lint.  One I've read about but haven't tried is using  one of those plastic canisters 35mm film comes in as a mold.  Hang a candle wick in it and fill with a mix of Black Powder and clear fingernail polish.  Pop it out when you need it.

I've always got a couple or 3 new Bic's, Storm Proof matches, kitchen matches in a zip-loc, magnesium and flint.  Good source x 3

[Eli346]

I just carry cotton balls and Vaseline in a vitamin pill bottle (it's waterproof) and a Bic lighter and also a magnesium striker. Haven't had to use them yet in an emergency situation but I have tried them and they work great.

[WilliamWallace]

Steel wool and a 9V battery.

[Cascader74]

Amongst other things I carry a 8.8 oz Primus aerosol can of butane with a self igniting jet torch that twists on the top.  Got the idea from my buddy using the plumbers type propane torch at elk camp & even at home to start a fire, so I found a smaller option to put in my backpack. Last thing I want to be doing is dinking around  trying to start a fire in the rain/wind, when I want or need one.

[Skyvalhunter]

Trioxane fire starters can be purchased on e-bay and used in the Esbit stoves also.

[Miles]

Magnifying glass and black construction paper.

[GoldTip]

I carry fuzee's in my pack.  A bit heavy but stay lit for 10 minutes in any weather and will start a green tree on fire if need be.  Usually have 3 of them in my pack.