An inexpensive and effective fire kit. Ziploc with Bic lighter, two Wetfire Cubes, a bag of PJCBs, ferro rod and striker. |
- Bics are cheap; $1-$2 a piece
- Bics last a long time. I have 5 year old Bics that are still working fine.
- Bics are reliable. Most of the malfunctions you hear about with Bics (wet, cold) can be resolved. I recently dunked a Bic in water and left it submerged for 10 minutes. After about 30 seconds of effort to dry it (working water out of the mechanism), it lit and worked fine. I've also found old Bics, left outside in the elements for who knows how long, that worked fine.
- Bics are source of flame. Flame is better than sparks, even hot ferro-rod sparks. You can't melt paracord, sterilize a needle and so on with a ferro rod. Starting a fire with a functioning Bic is easy stuff; starting a fire with a ferro rod requires good dry tinder. If you don't have any tinder and can't find any, you're SOL.
- Bics are one-handed. You can operate a Bic with a busted arm. Ferro rods require two hands.