Primus Ignition steel

[hikingfish]

Hi all,
I just purchased primus' ignition steel. The idea, I thought, was to rub to sticks of certain metals together and it would product sparks that could light a stove. Well, either I was wrong, or it just plain doesn't work.

Here's the method I've been using so far:
1) Open valve on my XGK and let a bit more than usual gas spill into the priming cup
2) Tilt stove to spill some fuel on the ground (my balcony in this case)
3) Flick the ignition steel multi times (I usually swear a lot during this phase too, the dang thing refuses to cooperate it would seem).
4) At some point during step 3, a spark is created and the naphta on the ground lights up, at which point I take the stove and dip it in the newly created fire and then put out the fire on the ground.

There HAS to be a better way of doing this...

I thought I didn't need matches...but I might go return this gadget and get me some good old matches.

Fish

 

[Chip]

Here's a YouTube on the strike. It's not easy to ignite fuel in a tiny stove cup with fllint type sparks however, I guess like rifles and shotguns.

 

[DougPaul]

The orignal model G was sold with a built in (lighter) flint and steel wheel igniter. Very convient. But after time, the steel rusted and I don't think replacements are available any more.

You might look into piezoelectric igniters. (Perhaps sold for lighting backyard grills etc?) I have a butane stove with one and some butane camping lighters that use them too.

The butane lighters are, IMO, a good solution. They have a ~3in tube which can be extended. The flame comes from the end of the tube which can be inserted into a stove burner to light it without burning your hand. I bought them several years ago at EMS (in the store--not in the online catalog). Other sources:
http://www.outdoorcooking.com/catal...43/1153/Solo+Camping+Lighter+Asst+Colors.html
http://www.handsomebear.com/372243.html
http://www.basegear.com/candlelighter.html

(search for more):
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=solo+camping+lighter&btnG=Google+Search


PS. You might also find Light My Fire Fire worth a look. http://www.rei.com/search?query=light+my+fire+firesteel&button.x=9&button.y=11 It may not be very useful for lighting a stove, but it is good for lighting some dry tinder.

Doug

 

[jniehof]

PS. You might also find Light My Fire Fire worth a look. It may not be very useful for lighting a stove,

Current record for the Swedish firesteel: my backpacking buddy can light his Svea with one no problem. I can't light the same stove, with the same firesteel, to save my life. Luck of the draw, I guess.

 

[hikingfish]

Here's a YouTube on the strike. It's not easy to ignite fuel in a tiny stove cup with fllint type sparks however, I guess like rifles and shotguns.

Hi Chip,
I checked the video (and several others), and I think I just had a different idea of how this swedish gadget worked. I thought sparks would fly of for a couple of inches outward, but they are only produced were the 2 metal touch.

Doug, I'm trying to replace a failed butane lighter that left me high and dry on a camping trip not so long ago. We had matches as a backup, but still...I also hate the fact that those butane lighters don't work in winter (I don't like keeping one on me either to warm them up).

Fish

 

[DougPaul]

Doug, I'm trying to replace a failed butane lighter that left me high and dry on a camping trip not so long ago. We had matches as a backup, but still...I also hate the fact that those butane lighters don't work in winter (I don't like keeping one on me either to warm them up).

Of course, almost anything can fail...

Butane lighters with flint and steel igniters don't work when wet, the steel can rust, and the flint can wear out. I also had the butane valve in one stick open in winter (fortunately it didn't light and all I could do was let it vent). So far, I haven't had any problems with the Solo piezoelectric igniter lighters, but I haven't been using them as long as the flint and steel igniter ones.

I personally don't mind putting a lighter in my pocket to warm it up when reaching camp. And I carry two (and matches).

MSR appears to make a piezoelectric igniter for the (butane) Superfly http://www.rei.com/product/653570 , it would be nice if they made one for the XGK too. Might be worth getting one and seeing if I could adapt it...

FWIW, the FireSteel supposedly works when wet, but as you noted it isn't a very good method for lighting stoves. (Edit: I just looked up the primus ignition steel--it looks very similar to the FireSteel.)

Doug

 

[TomD]

My 80's vintage XGK had the little sparkler gadget, but it didn't work all that well. It finally broke after not all that much use and MSR sent me a small bolt to take its place (along with some other stuff to rebuild it) for free, no less.

I have a couple of cheap butane lighters, but what really works for me are REI's Stormproof Matches. They are like a mini sparkler and don't go out until all of the flammable coating is totally burned. They work great for firing up a stove such as the XGK or Nova. My Primus Micron gas stove has a piezo lighter and that one works every time, so far.

http://www.rei.com/product/617046

 

[hikingfish]

Hi TomD,
I caved and bought 2 boxes of waterproof/windproof matches when I went to canadian tires. They seem to be exactly like the ones you describe, except they're made by Coghans. I might still keep the ignition steel, I'm not sure...

Fish

 

[TomD]

Hi, The REI ones are about 3 inches or so long and burn quite a while. They stink too, so use them downwind of your tent. Must be the coating. Make sure they go all the way out, just like a sparkler. I've stuck them in snow and they still burn.