My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one day hikes to two-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. While enjoying the outdoors with my Girl Scout troop, friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping. Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to 'lighten up' and primarily use a hammock for sleeping.

Product Information:
Manufacturer: Light My Fire
Year of Manufacture: 2006
URL: http://www.light-my-fire.se
Listed Weight: 1.8 oz (52 g) including package
Measured Weight: 1.8 oz (52 g) including package
Measured Weight: 1.4 oz (40 g) without package
Listed Size: 4.2 x 6.8 x .9 in (107 x 173 x 23 mm) including package
Measured Size: 4.2 x  6.8 x .9 in (107 x 173 x 23 mm) including package
Available Colors: Oak, Blue,Yellow, Green, Red, Oak
MSRP: Not advertised

 For more descriptive information, please see my Initial Report and Field Report.


Test Locations, Conditions and Time Frame:
        Living in Northern New England, I have the good fortune of being able to experience at least 4 seasons (sometimes within days of each other!) and some of the best outdoor areas around. Spring brought heavy rains and some flooding.  Early summer continued with much rain.  We've had some hot and humid weather recently, with a few days that were perfect hiking weather - clear and breezy.   Our temperatures have ranged from daytime highs of 95 F to lows of 75 F ( 35 - 23 C).   
        While hiking in northern New England, many of the trails are unimproved, meaning that I spend lots of time climbing over rocks and brush.   Elevations are below 3500 ft (1066 m)
 

Summary of Use:
        I have had many opportunities to use the Firesteel over the last few months.  I have not noticed a decrease in performance, as a matter of fact it may work more quickly as time goes on.  I'm not sure though if I have just become more skilled at using it, or if the Firesteel actually works better after much use.  
        The Firesteel works well for lighting any small flammable material that I've used it with.  These include wood shavings, dry leaves, small sticks, pine needles, dry lint, and paper.   Even with wet hands and damp weather, the Firesteel performed extremely well.
        I have used the Firesteel on four occasions outdoors since my field report. It was used to light campfires used for cooking while camping in northern Maine and New Hampshire.  It was quick and easy to light the fire. We would first build the 'tee-pee' of sticks and twigs over a pile of dried leaves and/or pine needles.  I would then use the Firesteel to light the leaves or pine needles.  The rest would catch very quickly.   That allowed us to get a good fire going while we set up camp or swam.  Soon the fire was ready for cooking.   I have also used it numerous times in my yard for cookouts and campfires.    I particularly like the fact that the Firesteel can't accidently light a fire, as matches or a lighter could.   I will continue to use the Firesteel, as I find it well worth the minimal space it takes up in my pack.

I would like to thank backpackgeartest.org and Light My Fire for the opportunity to test this great little lighter!