Comments on: A Fire Starter That Will Last a Lifetime

By: TexasScout

TexasScout — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:21:34 +0000

Just use a small butane lighter to shrink the tubing, I have done this for years.

By: BGrubbs

BGrubbs — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:35:44 +0000

Would like to try that with a piece of surgical tubing instead of the shrink tubing, would be easier to get off in the field, and you could put it back on.

By: KECS

KECS — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:27:33 +0000

I run the end of the thread through the needle then wrap it around the spark. This way I do not have to try to thread the needle later.

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:31:10 +0000

To get the tubing off, I carry a #11 scalpel blade in my TAD Capsule with my Spark-Lite. A number 11 is a really small, very pointy, blade. If you fold the packaging the blade (and you) are protected and it is still sterile.

By: TheMooKooJoe

TheMooKooJoe — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:20:50 +0000

I think I would put the heat shrink tubing on there, just for aesthetic effects as well as a little extra grip. Not bad to have another sewing kit either, but I’ve got one in the First Aid Kit.

Thanks again for the tips!

By: Juan

Juan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:44:17 +0000

How would you suggest getting tubing off the fire starter without cutting the thread?

By: M. Atwood

M. Atwood — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:21:10 +0000

Nice review.
I think you’re right on about the origins. I have one of the original brass Spark-Lites, and the TAD design appears to be an update of that. A pretty bomb-proof design, and hard to beat. I’ve been using a spark-lite as my primary emergency fire starter for awhile now – May have to get one of TAD’s Survival Sparks as the ruggedness of the brass is appealing, but I’m keeping the original Spark-Lite put away.