Fire Kit Basics
Protect your kit - Your fire kit isn’t worth anything unless it is protected from impacts and getting wet. This is why I recommend a case that has a nice rubber seal and can handle any bumps or impacts that it may face while in your backpack or whatever. I like using the Plano Stowaway Case (same I use for the kits I make) but you can use whatever you prefer as long as it does its job!
Flame/sparking/heat sources - You must be able to get whatever tinder you rely on to take a flame, and thats done a numerous amount of ways. The obvious two are a Bic lighter (not some cheap lighter) and some decent matches like the UCO Stormproof Matches, or Zippo Typhoon Matches. Another must have for this category is a nice quality ferro rod, like the ones made by Exotac. They have several varieties that you can see on my Amazon Influencer page but any decent ferro rod will do the job. There are also things that can throw sparks like the UST Micro Spark Wheel or even the Firebiner made by Outdoor Element. Lastly I would include some sort of magnifying lens to use the power of the sun to ignite your tinders.
Something to catch that spark - next up you will need some tinders that are easy to use and that can catch a spark or flame without much effort. Some items that I like for this are fatwood, Wet Fire, Live Fire, and Quick Tinder Cotton Tabs. You can also easily make your own like cotton balls coated in Vaseline, cotton rounds dipped in paraffin wax, or anything else that easily lit aflame.
Dealing with ground moisture - Trying to start a fire on a wet ground is pretty problematic, that’s why I recommend cutting up some 12x12 inch squares of aluminum foil, folding them up nicely, and storing them in something like a small baggie or something to help keep them contained which also lets them lay flat taking up less space in your kits.
Basic list of what a fire kit needs
At Least 1 BIC Lighter
Waterproof Matches
Strike Anywhere Matches
Regular Matches
A Fresnel Lens
Fatwood
A Ferro Rod
Several Tinder Sources
Aluminum Foil Squares
An Impact and Water Resistant Case
