Firesteel VS Fire Piston ?

Fort Henry Custom Knives

Fort Henry Custom Knives

Joined
Nov 17, 1999
Messages
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I have only recently seen the Fire Pistons. I know a little of their background and have watched a video or two on their use.

My questions to more experienced users, they seem to need more prep and care when using (carrying not only the Tinder but also the char cloth, getting the unit set up, the char cloth the right size, priming, etc). It seems if you are cold and/or wet this would not be a good device to rely on.

Do most folks here just use a good firesteel which requires (IMO) much less in prep and use?

Is there even a single advantage of a Fire Piston over the Fire Steel?

Thanks
 
I always carry several methods to start a fire.

I have a firepiston and it is a fun technique to use, working fairly well in most conditions.

Flint and steel is just as easy for mre most of the time.

Firesteels are easier still.

And then there are the friction methods.

Untill I got really good at the friction fire methods (bowdrill being my favorite) I carried matches in a match case.

Then I got a strikeforce and I added it and impregnated cottonballs to the kit.

Then I got into flint and steel....

See the progression. Dont practice just making fire alone, get really good at recognizing and finding dry natural tinder materials. It is great being able to walk into the hills with very minimal equipment and not have to worry about fire.
 
I always think of a fire piston as a novelty item. I think it is a fun way to start fire, but in a survival situation I much rather have a firesteel. Flint and steel is also a fun way to start a fire, but like the fire piston requires char cloth or dried tinder fungus to get a coal. And then you still need to blow it into a flame. Firesteel wins IMO for ease of use.. behind a lighter anyway ;)
 
Firesteel is my favorite. matches are even behind it except when I have to light a gas stove.
 
Hillbillenigma said:
Is there even a single advantage of a Fire Piston over the Fire Steel?
Click to expand...

Not if you are out for real use.

A fire piston sure did help with learning how to nurse a fire from an ember especially with true tinder. Lots more embers and a lot less effort than the bow drill.
 
I carry lighters and matches to begin with. After that, a good firesteel. A fire piston, flint & steel, battery & steel wool, flare, magnifying glass are backups that you may or may not decide to bring depending on how you're carrying them and where you're going.

So I'd go with the firesteel first.

DancesWithKnives
 
I think the fire piston's are neat, but as Tonym indicates they are more a novety cool tool. Firesteels are better but not as novel. Flint and steel is something I still look upon as more functional than simply novelty. Charcloth can be replaced with tinder fungus if available in your area or punkwood if you find just the right stuff. Also the flint can be replaced with all kinds of rocks. All you really need is the flint.

Finally, blowing an ember into flame isn't a disadvantage. In some circumstances it is a great advantage. I.e. you can blow an ember into flame in windy and pissy conditions where it is difficult to do with a delicate flame. Of course, this can all be done with a firesteel and charcloth, which is why you should always pack a little bit of charcloth with your firesteel. You might need to go that route in the wind.
 
I like fire pistons, but really, it's all about the cool-factor. From the traditional methods though, it is definatly an easier one ( more so than flint and steel IMO)
 
Flint and steel cant be any easier... with charcloth - which is what a Firepiston requires. However, the fire piston also requires compression and other things to work.


If I had one tool to carry to make fire - it would be a firesteel. I know that will strike every time.

TF
 
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