Thoughts on Blast Match & Strike Force Fire Starters

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
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For fun, I thought I'd try a different fire starter other than my Firesteel. Has anyone tried one of these? Does one work better than the other?

blastmatch.jpg


Ultimate Survival Blast Match Fire Starter
Made in USA
Easy one handed operation allows you to use The Blast Match even if you are injured or holding a light. It generates a stream of sparks 3 times the heat of a regular match, and will easily light any material that a match will ignite. It never fails to light in wind, rain or snow. If it gets wet, just wipe it off, and it is ready for use! Used with Ultimate Survival's Wet Fire starting tinder, you can even start a fire in pouring rain. The Blast Match has a rare earth flint bar, in a spring loaded design, which strikes a tungsten carbide striker built into the striker button, creating a shower of sparks. The striker is set at the perfect angle for maximum sparking.

The small size of 4 inches in length, and 2.7 oz weight, makes for convenient carrying on long hiking trips, or so you can always keep it handy. The unique design requires the user to press the thumb button in order to engage the striker mechanism, preventing it from accidentally sparking in your pack or pocket.

strikeforce.jpeg


Strike Force Fire Starter
Made in USA
This is a convenient all weather fire starting "system", containing everything you need to start a fire in a compact durable case - an alloy flint bar, an hardened steel striker, and Wet Fire tinder. Scraping the striker down the flint generates a spark 3 times as hot as a standard match, even in the worst weather conditions.
Your Wet Fire tinder fits conveniently in the handle, so it is always at your fingertips in time of need.

Strike Force Fire Starters are great for both camp and home use. They are 5 inches long and 3.7 oz. in weight.
 
I have one and it works pretty good, never heard of the other. I guess the one handed use would be a potentioal improvement. Mostly stick with my bic.
 
I have 1 strike force and 2 of the blast matches. The blast matche is not as solid in it building of the thing but boy does it give off the sparks and being one handed to operate it really is a cool thing. the strike force works great to they are both big metal matches 1/2" I think. They are big and kind of bulky I think to carry on a daily bases.
You can get smaller metal matches and carry several on your person a lot easyer and have more incase you lost one some how.

Bryan
 
Someone (I think RescueRiley) posted a youtube video a while back of how to use a swedish fire steel one handed.
 
Tried 2 blast and broke both plastic fell apart in cold weather.

Never a problem with my strike force, built to take it and you can fit tinder in the handle. A better unit in my experience.

Skam
 
I have both the strike force and the blast match... Either will be a great option...but if i had to choose one it would no doubt be the blastmatch... if you break the blastmatch and have a knice you still have a strike force ;)
 
I was very disappointed in the Blastmatch. I bought two, one locally and one online, and have returned one already. I may contact UST and ask for an exchange for the other to the Strike Force.

The biggest issue with the Blastmatch other than what appears to be brittle plastic is that it requires a firm surface to strike against. Using your index finger to activate it subjects your finger to a shower of sparks.
 
The Strike Force is very good. I have one each in all my bags and vehicles. I have had great success in wet and dry conditions, but I haven't used the tinder they provide.
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The Strike Force is kind of bulky but throws a great spark. It's the starter for choice for my son because it's simple and it works!
 
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The strike force is great. I have used one for several years and they are both durable and dependable.
 
I talked to UST shortly after posting to this thread. The gal I spoke to has worked there for a couple years and said she'd only seen one or two Blatst Matches returned for lack of satisfaction or breakage. We discussed technique a bit but she was more than willing to exchange it for a Strike Force. I think I'll play around with it a bit more. I don't really need a Strike Force as I've got a number of other firesteels so maybe I can find some value to the Blast Match if I use it some more.

She suggested watching their vid again as they demonstrate using it on a non-firm surface...

OK, watched their vid again and to use it on a non-firm surface they suggest you hold it using your index finger to plunge it over the tinder. It works but not very well if your fingers are cold and stiff or you have arthritis or other joint issues.
 
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I have 2 Strike Forces and they throw lots of sparks. When I bought them several years back, they were actually cheaper than if I sourced the 1/2" rods separately. Kinda bulky and heavy, I've been thinking about pulling one of the rods and just carrying that.
 
A while back, we purchased a dozen each of these (and others) fire starters for students to use in our classes. Though we have never had any failures with the Ultimate Survival Technologies fire starters, I have spoken with some individuals who had the Blastmatch plastic housing fail. Even the instructions on the Blastmatch indicate this can happen if used incorrectly (not saying they used their Blastmatch incorrectly).

Personally, if two hands are available, I prefer the Strikeforce over the Blastmatch. Little can go wrong with the durable Strikeforce.

Too, I prefer the Ultimate Survival Technologies "Sparkie" over the Blastmatch if I was going to carry this type of tool. The Sparkie is one-third the weight of the Blastmatch and small enough not to take up valuable space.
basegear_2039_15917583
 
IIRC, UST says the Sparkie is good for about 100 uses. That's 100 strikes, not fires.
 
Many thanks for all the replies and good information. I just ordered a Strike Force from CampingSurvival.com. They carry both - the Strike Force and Blast Match for $18.85 each. The salesperson said they sell a lot more of the Strike Force. Guess you guys know what you're talking about. :D

Weight and bulk were of no concern. I like the idea of being able to carry a little tinder in the handle. :thumbup:
 
CSG said:
IIRC, UST says the Sparkie is good for about 100 uses. That's 100 strikes, not fires.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I can't respond with any fact-based information on those numbers since I don't use one, but the Sparkie tools the students have used have seen well over 100 strikes and still have some mileage left. Obviously the Sparkie isn't going to last as long as the 1/2" Blastmatch, but it is small enough that one might toss it in the lightweight kit or pocket rather than leave it behind because of its size. I think the Sparkie design is perhaps a better "emergency" fire starting tool rather than a use-everyday-tool. :)
 
I recently got a few Blastmatches... A lot of folks complain that they easily break and though I haven't been rough on mine I think if you use it correctly breakage shouldn't be a problem other than the occasional "Stuff Happens" event. In other words... I know I could break it if I tried.. but it doesn't seem overly fragile. I gotta say it's a good little sparker... I used a manual striker on the steel itself to compare and the button striker in the unit puts out a much larger shower of sparks... but should the plastic break I know I can still use the steel itself with a manual striker.

I tested it out on various different types of tender and it works really well. Especially on cotton balls. I you are interested in one of these at all I suggest you get one... they're neat and work really well.

As for the strike force... a lot of the guys here pointed me towards www.goingear.com . They have very nice fire steels in lengths as much as 12"X.5". And they are supposed to throw a really nice spark and last pretty long. If I were gonna buy a regular manual firesteel... this is the one I'd get. I just haven't gotten around to ordering any yet. I was gonna buy the 12"X.5" one and cut it in half since it's cheaper than buying two 6". Haven't used one personally... but the demonstration video on the site impressed me.
 
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