Thank you, Aidan. As of this writing, I can see the helix tinder and the FireAnt on Amazon Canada - Amazon.ca. The FireAnt fire starter and tinder pack available today, May 31, 2022, is Victorinox branded (not Tortoise Gear branded). I don't see the Firefly fire started on Amazon.ca right now. Fingers crossed that it will come back.
You are not supposed to use the whole tinder spiral in one go. They are designed to be cut up. With the larger ones you only need a third per fire start, with the smaller, half. That might be why you had trouble with the bigger one.
Very good review. For me I have the ferro rod, not the fire starter tinder; I made my own tinder. Using a cotton makeup remover pad, I made them using Gulf paraffin and paraffin oil. When they dried, I cut off a narrow piece, threaded it onto the corkscrew on my SAK Hunstman. As you suggested I have been using a shrink warp tube as well. The ferro rod that goes on the corkscrew I do not use. My corkscrew also holds the small flathead screwdriver along with the tinder.
I use the Firefly in place of toothpicks on my Rambler and Huntsman. As a glasses wearer, I prefer to have a micro driver in the corkscrew, along with tinder.
Very useful info. Annoying that the larger knife requires a smaller rod! The difference between the two tinder sizes is one I'd not heard elsewhere. Thanks.
The small Firefly fits my Ranger Grip just fine but usually have to use the tweezers to get it out.Also the firefly works best if you strile it across the back of the saw instead of putting pressure from sawblade on the rod.Putting preasure on the rod can break it.The Fireant is just the opposite.
@Troy, thanks so much for the note about the shorter Firefly fitting the Ranger Grip. Wishing I had gotten some of the shorter ones to try for the video.
I had a firefly (or which e er is for the toothpick slot) awhile back when they first came out. Now mine incidentally broke trying to get the coating scraped off so it would actually spark. Possibly user error but be warned that these things will break I mean I wasn't going crazy on it and it snapped clean in two. Maybe they've improved the strength since I had the early model. Still a good product probably but be warned you can't be too rough with it. It is quite small and slim.
You are supposed to support the firefly with a finger and strike it on the narrow side so it won't break so easily, se the instruktion on the package or go on their homepage and se the instruction video.
You run the firefly across the back of the saw blade instead of using the sawblade to strile the ferro rod.Putting to much preasure from sawblade onto rod can break it.I run my Firefly across the tip of backside of sawblade and it last a lot longer this way.
There great for the huntsman!!!!!!
Sadly the tinder is a bad engineering joke. After a few days in you’re pocket, it rubs off the wax and the cotton just phrase all over the place
Very nice review! I wish these were still available on Amazon. It’s not easy to get these in Canada unfortunately!
Thank you, Aidan.
As of this writing, I can see the helix tinder and the FireAnt on Amazon Canada - Amazon.ca. The FireAnt fire starter and tinder pack available today, May 31, 2022, is Victorinox branded (not Tortoise Gear branded). I don't see the Firefly fire started on Amazon.ca right now. Fingers crossed that it will come back.
Great review, well presented. I have both, have not used yet. Awesome.
Thank you, David. So glad you like it. I continue to be surprised and impressed with how well the tiny fire starter rods work.
You are not supposed to use the whole tinder spiral in one go. They are designed to be cut up. With the larger ones you only need a third per fire start, with the smaller, half. That might be why you had trouble with the bigger one.
Very good review. For me I have the ferro rod, not the fire starter tinder; I made my own tinder. Using a cotton makeup remover pad, I made them using Gulf paraffin and paraffin oil. When they dried, I cut off a narrow piece, threaded it onto the corkscrew on my SAK Hunstman. As you suggested I have been using a shrink warp tube as well. The ferro rod that goes on the corkscrew I do not use. My corkscrew also holds the small flathead screwdriver along with the tinder.
I use the Firefly in place of toothpicks on my Rambler and Huntsman. As a glasses wearer, I prefer to have a micro driver in the corkscrew, along with tinder.
So cool!
Very useful info. Annoying that the larger knife requires a smaller rod! The difference between the two tinder sizes is one I'd not heard elsewhere. Thanks.
Good review. I have a 3/8th 5” ferro rod and striker attached to my esse 6 sheath. Works well.
Very nice! That'll definitely make sparks. Thank you for watching and the kind words.
For the Firefly I find the wire stripper the best striker, especially as the steel is designed to be struck on the edge.
This is awesome! Definitely will be trying this one. Thank you so much @steveb1972
Perfect video. Very informative
Thank you, Larry.
The small Firefly fits my Ranger Grip just fine but usually have to use the tweezers to get it out.Also the firefly works best if you strile it across the back of the saw instead of putting pressure from sawblade on the rod.Putting preasure on the rod can break it.The Fireant is just the opposite.
@Troy, thanks so much for the note about the shorter Firefly fitting the Ranger Grip. Wishing I had gotten some of the shorter ones to try for the video.
@@wobblyotteroutdoors well i dont mean to sound like the authority on Tortoise Gear products but been using them from the begining.😄Happy 4th!
Perfect and much appreciated. Thank you for the holiday well wishes. Hope you are having a happy 4th too!
Say what y'all think about that Smitty overland Trailer that 4Wheel Parts sells??
The Scout looks like a nice trailer.
I had a firefly (or which e er is for the toothpick slot) awhile back when they first came out. Now mine incidentally broke trying to get the coating scraped off so it would actually spark. Possibly user error but be warned that these things will break I mean I wasn't going crazy on it and it snapped clean in two. Maybe they've improved the strength since I had the early model. Still a good product probably but be warned you can't be too rough with it. It is quite small and slim.
You are supposed to support the firefly with a finger and strike it on the narrow side so it won't break so easily, se the instruktion on the package or go on their homepage and se the instruction video.
You run the firefly across the back of the saw blade instead of using the sawblade to strile the ferro rod.Putting to much preasure from sawblade onto rod can break it.I run my Firefly across the tip of backside of sawblade and it last a lot longer this way.
Good call on the shrink rap tubbing I never thought of that.
Thank you. It's still working great!