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Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter
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The StrikeForce fire starter by Ultimate Survival Technologies is an exceptional all-weather system for backcountry travelers.
- Scrape the hardened steel striker down the alloy flint bar for a spark that is 3 times as hot as a standard match
- Weighing in at less than 4 oz., the StrikeForce stows easily on every adventure
- Please note: tinder is not included
Made in USA.
Item 775077
REI Membership
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Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter Customer Reviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Functional (17)
- Easy to use (16)
- Compact (8)
- Easy to set up (4)
- Lightweight (3)
Cons
- Heavy (7)
- Heavy / bulky (6)
Best Uses
- Survival (18)
- Backcountry camping (17)
- Winter (15)
- Camping (14)
- River (13)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (15), Military/law enforcement (3)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort driven (11), Survivalist / minimalist (10)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (10)
Reviewed by 22 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Easy to Use
- Good Design
Cons
- Bulky
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Backcountry
- Backyard
- Climbing
- Day Trips
- River
- Travel
- Winter Camping
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
I have the original model. it is large in size but absolutely functional. it comes with the wet weather tender stored in the lid. I keep this in my everyday pack and gring it in my jeep for all 4x4 trips for emergencies. I use a smaller fire steel for backpacking.
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort Driven
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Use
- Good Design
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Backcountry
- Backyard
- Day Trips
- Travel
- Winter Camping
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
Please be aware that the product line from Ultimate Survival Technologies from WA was recently sold to Revere Supply Company in FL. One of the first things they appear to have done is to start modifying perfectly good products in order to save a buck. This is clearly evident with the StrikeForce firestarter. While the blister pack outline shows how big the firesteel used to be, it has now been shortened a half-inch or more. I own the older product and have compared it to the newer offering in the store, where the old stock was hanging with the new stock. Also, in some cases they used to include a cube of their WetFire tinder for practice -- now they no longer do so. Between this and Revere Supply's handling of customer service, I cannot in good faith recommend this newer version of the product.
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort Driven
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Functional
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Backcountry Camping
- Campgrounds
- River
- Survival
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
I agree with other reviewers that the cord makes this tool difficult to use (too short). We just cut the cord off and tossed it. My husband and I are both left-handed, and sometimes have problems with gear that is "handed" - no problems after we cut the cord. After a bit of a learning curve, we can now get fires started in less than 3 minutes. We don't go backpacking without it (after having lighters fail in freezing temps).
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to Use
- Ergonomic
- Functional
- High Visability
- Solid Construction
- Very very long lasting
Cons
Best Uses
- Backcountry Camping
- Campgrounds
- Day Trips
- Emergency Signaling
- River
- Survival
- True survival situations
- Winter Camping
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
Like most of the other reviewers, I've found this fire starter is the best option out there. I've used the smaller and cheaper "light my fire" tool (lighter weight, but can break after moderate use since the flint is much skinnier. Still, if you want a smaller and lighter option, it's not bad. Just replace it when it gets about half diameter), the "Magnesium Fire-starting Tool" (takes a while to gather a pile of shavings especially with freezing hands, and will dull your knife. Also, good luck collecting a pile of lightweight shavings in a windy environment!), waxed matches (good if the conditions and tinder are present, but, for the space of 25 proper matches which may end up only starting 18 fires, you can pack this Strikeforce and get literally thousands of fires out of it. Also, because of the strikeforce's more intense heat, it's much easier to light less than desirable and even damp tinder), lighters (Butane and Zippos work, but run out of fuel and are just as heavy. The plastic flint spring poles on a "Bic" lighter will melt if lit for a while - they aren't designed for sustained heating. I don't smoke, but lighting a fire can take longer than lighting a cigarette) and even got pretty good at doing it the old fashion way with rocks (spark producing rocks aren't always easy to find), sticks and bows (requires a lot of patience and technique. Cold or un-calloused hands will add the amount of "will" needed for success). Whether it's a pair of boots, a parachute, or basic survival items, I prefer gear that I can trust with my life. If it weights an extra ounce or costs more, so be it. It's a small price to pay. It really is. This item is one that I never adventure without. A few other essentials: Sami knife (perfect from axing wood to filleting fish), Parachute cord, and a "Sawyer 4-liter water purifier system" (1-million gallon filter life + 4 ltrs of clean AND 4 ltrs of dirty in reserve = great for covering distances where water could be a few days away, or when filtering/providing water for a group. Also, the blivet doubles as a "camelbak" so you don't need a bottle with water sloshing around in it. It also rests nicely against your body, so when in below freezing temps it's easy to keep it full by adding snow and letting it melt in with the rest of the water). Sorry for the long-winded review!
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Functional
Cons
- Bulky
- Heavy
Best Uses
- River
- Survival
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
Best flint sparker made. A bit expensive, but it's the best. It's a little bulky and heavy, but fire is a must when camping. I always take it backpacking.
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Minimalist
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to Use
- Functional
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Backcountry Camping
- Campgrounds
- Day Trips
- River
- Survival
- Trips
- Winter Camping
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
A reliable tool that will give you fire is essential to any survival situation primarily for maintaining core temperature as well as purifying water and preparing food. This is my preferred tool.
One caveat for me personally is that the cord seems a bit short to properly strike the rod. I would recommend replacing it with a longer strand paracord or otherwise for better ease of use.
Some might find it heavy/bulky, so keep that in mind. I'm not bothered by it, though-- I find that the thick rod is well worth the weight/bulk.
Bottom line: buy a ferro rod that fits your preferences. This one fits mine and may fit yours as well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to Use
- Functional
- Safety
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Campgrounds
- Day Trips
- Outdoor Grilling
- River
- Survival
- Winter Camping
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
I purchased this as a backup emergency fire source. I had never used a magnesium fire starter before.
I have had to use this twice. The first time was at a mountain hostel on a gas stove in the early morning darkness. Stove lit on first try. This thing throws out a shotgun blast of sparks.
The second time was for a fourth of july cookout where the common use grill piezo-electric did not work. Grill lit on first try and saved the day.
There is some skill involved in aiming the sparks and the strikeforce works better once the outer coating is struck off. I definetly recommend practicing before emergency use.
I have also tried this to light petroleum coated cotton balls with no problems. The handle contains a fire starter cube that can be used as a fuel to heat up water without any additional fuel.
Although I purchased it as a back up, I feel safer lighting gas stoves and grills with the strike force more than using any long matches or butane lighters. It throws the sparks two feet or so giving you a safe stand off distance. Now I am using it as a primary method of fire starting. It also has a "wow" factor that always fascinates my companions.
The negatives are that the lanyard is a little short and inconvinent. It could easily be customized. The strike force is a little heavy for minimalist / back-up kit use. The guts are a good long magnesium stick, everything else is basically bells and whistles on a fire starter.
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort Driven
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Big shower of sparks
- Easy to Use
- Functional
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Backcountry Camping
- Military deployments
- Survival
- Winter Camping
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
I have been lucky enough to receive 2 StrikeForce Fire Starters as birthday presents. I received one when I turned 13 and one when I turned 21. I am now 36. Both of them had a chance to be deployed with me to Bosnia and Africa and neither one of them ever failed me. My older one has accompanied me on many, many back country hiking trips where I grew up in Oregon, and the newer one has become a permanent member of the first aid kit in my car. I used up the tinder in the handle pretty fast and have replaced it with compressed lint (everyone has lint). When I was teaching survival classes to my platoon, I used this tool as an example of an alternate fire starter. This tool has frequently outperformed waterproof matches and lighters, especially in inclement weather when it counts. The StrikeForce fire starter is just a bit heavier than I would like but the fact that I haven't been able to break it after all of these years speaks volumes.
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort Driven
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to Use
- Functional
Cons
Best Uses
- Backcountry Camping
- Campgrounds
- Day Trips
- River
- Survival
- Trips
- Winter Camping
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
Easy to use and very effective. If in a wet environment and cannot light a fire with just the stricker, make sure you have some cotton balls or a firestarter helper to get you going. Magnisium will even do the trick. Definantly a necessity to have in your bail-out bag!
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort Driven
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to Use
- Functional
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Backcountry Camping
- Campgrounds
- Day Trips
- River
- Survival
- Trips
- Winter Camping
Comments about Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce Fire Starter:
I have three of these.. one on my 4 wheeler, one in my truck and one in my camper. They work awesome.. throw a huge shower of sparks. Normally I can get a fire started with just one try. When it's -20 lighters and matches don't usually work.. that's why I have three of these. They are reliable, long lasting, and a must for any outdoorsman or survivalist. They are a little bulky / heavy.. but not too much for backpacking.
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort Driven
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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