Fire and the ability to make a fire, even in horrible conditions, is one of the big 3 survival priorities (fire, shelter, water). This is why it tops our Fieldcraft essentials list. Having a solid fire kit (and knowing how to use it) in your pack is key to being able to reliably make a fire when it counts most. You and your mates are off exploring and one of you falls into icy water. You have to be able to make a fire NOW. Can You? Do you have the tools to do so? This is why we need a fire kit. With fire you can stay warm, purify water, signal for help, stay safe from predators, cook food, lift morale, see in the dark, and be the envy of your fellow guys.
My rule of thumb is to have 3 different ignition sources and 3 different tinder sources.
My ignition sources:
-Lighter wrapped in duct tape
-Lifeboat matches with striker
-Ferro rod with striker
My tinder sources:
-Petroleum coated cotton balls in a metal tin
-Fatwood
-Wetfire fire starters
I also keep a couple small tealight candles for extending a flame or emergency light.
The duct tape on the lighter can extend a flame for several minutes which is useful for making fires in wet conditions. The metal tin can be used for making char cloth or for using as a dry surface for tinder bundles. Fatwood can be scrapped off and put into larger tinder bundles for lighting with a Ferro rod. The resin in the fatwood catches a spark easily and will hold a flame for a few minutes.
The goal with your fire kit should be to make a fire in any situation at any time. Just remember fire prep and practice is just as important which we can cover at another time!
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