This is NOT a lighter! It's a much smaller emergency-use kit to start a campfire: a SPARKER with tinder, for key chain carry. Like a DIY "Spark Lite" spark generator (but a complete fire KIT because it conveniently carries ready-to-use tinder) made from an empty Mini BIC lighter. I didn't think it up, but this is the first YouTube construction tutorial for it I know of.

This micro fire kit carries a store bought, "waterproof" Tinder Quik in its hollow handle but most people carry cotton balls mixed with petroleum jelly in these, I believe. The tinder gets me going in an emergency when I can't rustle up any other sources or when all the available sources are dripping wet from recent rain, plus it is also smaller than the Spark-Lite, has a keychain mount, and it's practically "FREE"! I carry it for emergency survival situations.

The company which sells Tinder Quiks claim it is waterproof but my limited testing suggests it really needs to dry out some before it will ignite. I only gave it a brief test though. YMMV.

Hypothermia is a leading cause of death when people get stranded unexpectedly in the wild. You can live without water for a day or two, even longer without food, but hypothermia can kill you in just hours. Being able to build a campfire in an emergency is one of, if not THE most important survival skills out there! People often only pack a thin jacket thinking they are just going for a brief hike that afternoon, only to find they twist their ankle or get lost in the middle of the woods, and once the sun sets the temperature plummets. This can be very dangerous. Carrying this tiny thing, half the size of a pen cap, may save your life some day!

Besides warmth, fires also provide light, signaling, smoke signaling, repel animal/insects, boil water to sterilize it, cook food, etc..

According to BIC a new Mini J5/J25 lighter has "more than enough sparks" for approximately 1450 successful lights.

Many people have already contacted me to suggest buying Clipper lighters because their sparker is already removable, but then where's the fun in making your own? [Plus they don't have a chamber to store tinder.]

-M

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