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Hellz
03-01-05, 11:46 PM
Got some of this just before Christmas and thought I'd share :D

I almost expected Ultimate Survival Wetfire tinder to be a bit of a rip off, maybe just a pre-packed household firelighter or something similar. I got some anyway... Just in case. :rolleye12

Whilst I was out fetching logs for the home fire I decided to test out this tinder, so I split some logs into medium sized kindling using my Gransfors Bruk Wildlife Hatchet, and then split these pieces into varying sizes with my Gene Ingram #30.

http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/us_wetfire_tinder/wlhatchet.JPG

http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/us_wetfire_tinder/wetfire2.JPG

I then opened the shiny golden wrapper and whilst initially disappointed that it didn't contain a Werthers Original I was interested to see that the contents did indeed look like a pre-packed household firelighter. Following the instructions I shaved just under half the block into a piece of bark using the #30. The block shaves very easily, forming flakes that look very similar to desiccated coconut.

http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/us_wetfire_tinder/wetfire3.JPG

http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/us_wetfire_tinder/wetfire4.JPG

Next, after faffing around with the camera, I used my Swedish fire steel to strike a spark onto the shaved tinder.

http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/us_wetfire_tinder/wetfire6.JPG

http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/us_wetfire_tinder/wetfire7.JPG

The spark took instantly and the tinder burst into flames, I was very impressed at the ease with which the tinder lit and with the way it burnt, showing no sign of being blown out. Apparently this tinder will burn even in wet conditions... Well you would expect so really given the name.

http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/us_wetfire_tinder/wetfire8.JPG

http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/us_wetfire_tinder/wetfire9.JPG
You will have to excuse the state of the fire in the last picture, it was all a little rushed.

Overall
I'm impressed. This is a great product, lightweight and very easy to use. Put one of these in your survival pack, your bug out bag, or your possibles pouch. Lighting fire just got easier...

Hellz
(also on my homepage: www.hellzteeth.com (http://www.hellzteeth.com/) )
ZDP-189
04-01-05, 05:55 AM
http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/us_wetfire_tinder/wetfire7.JPG

You had help with that photo. Cheat! ;)

I'd like to get some, but the camping shops are poorly supplied here.

I have a few items that seem to work well starting a fire in the wet:


Cotton wool saturated in vasoline: once any water is burned off, burns well
Old tyre strips (actually, Santoprene): Difficult to start, but burns well no matter how wet. Needs a flame to get it going
Trioxane/ hexamine: Classic BBQ firelighter, but a bit crumbly and difficult to divide without destruction.


And a few that don't work too well, unless you have extra kit:


Magnesium block shavings: don't attempt in any kind of breeze. At a pinch, you can smear a surface with vasoline and shave onto this.
Tampons: Pants if wet, but awesome dry. Fluff up the end, which lights easily, leaving the hard packed cotton smouldering. Also good source off clean cotton for medical emergencies. Wife won't object to your bringing them either. The economy ones without an applicator come in plastic waterproof wrapping; the trick is to light your fire under an umbrella if it's raining.


And the ultimate (IMHO):

Iodata mini-blowtorch lighter. The same size as a magnesium firelighter or about 3-4 packets of WetFire, it has the gas capacity to start several scores of fires, does not blow out in the wind and will set light to almost anything that will burn.
Hellz
04-01-05, 10:10 AM
You had help with that photo. Cheat!

Actually I was all on my own... I just used the self timer with the camera set to multi-shot. Took a few attempts though :rolleyes:

Hellz
Ross
04-01-05, 08:21 PM
Excellent review Hellz, thanks alot.
Bazza
04-01-05, 10:09 PM
Great info Hellz, need to add to list of essentials.
Dave Barker
02-02-05, 01:47 PM
where can we get them? JOE?
Damage1978
02-02-05, 01:52 PM
where can we get them? JOE?

Yeah, thats where I got Mine.

Dan
Hellz
02-02-05, 02:47 PM
where can we get them? JOE?
Yes, Joe has them at a very reasonable price. :D

Hellz
Martyn
02-02-05, 06:58 PM
Popped this review on the main site - great stuff Hellz. :biggthump
Schwert
02-02-05, 08:03 PM
Nicely done. Catching the spark on "film" is always a hard one. I have not used these cubes much before, I think I will add a couple to my kit now.
grummit
02-02-05, 09:24 PM
jack beckett at woodland organics sells them
Gary
17-02-05, 09:05 AM
Did I send you those with the pouch?

They would have been a great bomus in Norway where the wood was frozen all the way through! Unfortunately I never took any and fire lighting with a match was hard work!!
Hellz
17-02-05, 10:47 AM
Did I send you those with the pouch?

They would have been a great bomus in Norway where the wood was frozen all the way through! Unfortunately I never took any and fire lighting with a match was hard work!!
No, you kindly sent me some tindercard with the pouch, and thats in the pipeline for a photo review too :biggthump

Hellz
MarkG
08-03-05, 12:19 PM
As good as wetfire tinder is I think that it's a bit expensive for what it is.

The main thing that makes me say that is you can get BBQ lighters that are almost the same thing for £1.99 (the ones that are in a ice cube style tray) They light as easily and last almost as long.

Still a good review though!
jamesdevine
08-03-05, 05:39 PM
I got some for Christmas well and tried it out ona rain day as few days ago.

I made a tin foil tray and put some flacks in as it filled with water one strike and I had fire going. They are an excellent bit of kit.

James
uncleknife
08-06-05, 10:00 PM
looks exactly like Weber firestarters, see url

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Weber%20FireStarters%2024%20Cubes%20:2000997251; _ylc=X3oDMTB0b3VnYm1hBF9TAzk2NjMyOTA3BHNlYwNmZWVkB HNsawNiZ3Qy
uncleknife
08-06-05, 10:02 PM
sorry for the double post
Bando
20-07-05, 11:19 PM
Yes but i always find it runs out quickly and its expensive to replace
richgg
22-07-07, 10:54 PM
This is exactly the same as a tesco's own firelighter!! i got 24 blocks for £1.99 and it does exactly the same as whe wetfire tinder you can even light it and float it on top of water in a billy can and it will stay lit, don't pay over the odds have a look arround and you will find a firelighter for BBQ's made of the same stuff.