Building Your Own Fire Starter Kit

[randomness]

I came up with this idea a few years ago for my Boy Scouts to make on their own. What I wanted was a nice way to keep all the fire starting supplies safe in a compact container that would be durable enough for some rough handling.

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It all starts with the storage container...I wanted something sturdy enough to be packed away without too much care. It also had to be water proof. As I cleaned out my ump-teenth jar of peanut butter, it dawned on me that the plastic jar might just be the solution I was looking for to craft a nice little fire starting kit. I understand there could be better options if you wanted to BUY a container, but because I was planning to keep on in my car, one in my bug out bag, one in my camping gear, etc...my goal was to reduce expenses.

Here is a picture of all the supplies that I put in the kit:

Yes, I realize a lighter is not pictured...I had removed it recently for a camping trip, so remember you can always include a lighter and if you use something out of the kit, make sure you replace it. Don't be as absent-minded as me.

But the kit is pretty simple:

• Cotton balls
• Dryer lint
• Steel wool
• 9v battery
• Matches in waterproof case
• Magnesium rod with scraper blade
• UST Sparkie fire starter
• Some homemade "cotton ball covered in petroleum jelly and wrapped in foil" fire starters (wrapped in coffee filter)

Only a few precautions while you are assembling the kit.

• If the battery has a rubber cover on one of the terminals, keep the cover on for storage (or you can cover with electrical tape:
  
• Store battery terminal side down and surround with the cotton balls. The idea is to keep the terminals and steel wool as far away from each other while in storage.
  

Your finished kit might look something like this:

Feel free to change the contents around as much as you like. For some, a 9v battery and steel wool might be too bulky and you'd rather add a second lighter and more tinder. I was mainly going for variety when making this kit, aiming for multiple ways to start a fire.

Additions/substitutions you could make include:

• Lighter
• Small Magnifying Glass
• Instafire Fire Starting Granules
• Small pencil sharpener for making tinder out of twigs

Really the options are only limited by your imagination, but if you have some suggestions, I'd love to hear them below.

Comments

[strategos]

Pretty neat. Great ideas for outdoorsmen.

[randomness]

Thanks! I like having a few of these stored in various places around the house and in the car. You never know when you might need one!

[goldkey]

This is good information for anyone who plans as a survivalist. I am just scratching the surface to be prepared for anything. this helps. thanks

[randomness]

Thanks for your input. I'm glad some of the info I'm posting is being found helpful! I hope to add even more in the future!