Vargo Ultimate Fire Starter

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The Ultimate Fire Starter provides everything you need to start a roaring fire except the fuel. Simply unscrew the ferrocerium rod from the bellows and use the integrated scraper to ignite any tinder. Then, extend the bellows and gently blow to nurture that spark into a flame.

Vargo says

Fire needs three things to exist: fuel, heat, and oxygen. Most fire starters only provide enough heat to ignite tinder and nothing else. The Ultimate Fire Starter™ will help you ignite any tinder source AND stoke that fire into a full on blaze, even with wet wood.

To use, simply unscrew the ferrocerium rod from the bellows and use the attached striker to create 5,000°F sparks to light your tinder. Then, extend the bellows, aim it at the base of the fire, and blow smoothly to add more oxygen and exponetially increase the fire’s heat. Increasing the heat allows you to get a fire growing faster, even with wet or stubborn fuel. Or use it at anytime to get forge level heat from your fire. Now wet wood is no longer an excuse or obstacle to having a hot blaze at your campsite.

Our Verdict

Vargo’s Ultimate Fire Starter provides everything you need to start a roaring fire except the fuel. Personally I think it’s a handy gadget as it functions as both a spark lighter with ferrocerium rod that works in all conditions (water and wind proof) and the bellows to start/adjust a fire even when the wood is soaked.

It’s easy to use, simply unscrew the ferrocerium rod from the bellows and use the integrated scraper to ignite any tinder. Then, extend the bellows and gently blow to nurture that spark into a flame. Or use it anytime to help increase the heat of your fire. Great for getting stubborn or wet fuel to burn, too!

I would recommend it to those who like wood stoves and building fires, but there are better options if all you need is a spark lighter to light a stove, as the dual function will just add unwanted weight/bulk.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Sturdy stainless steel construction for rugged use
• Extendable bellows keep you safely from the fire while pinpointing airflow for faster results
• Integrated ferrocerium rod is good for 1000s of strikes and produces 5,000°F (2,760°C) sparks to ignite most tinders
• Attached ferrocerium striker helps direct sparks onto tinder
• Convenient carrying clip for easy access wherever you store it

Specifications

• Weight: 53g
• Length extended: 18.2 inches (46.4 cm)
• Length collapsed: 5.9 inches (15.2 cm)