Blast Match; Pre-Review Pictures.

[Tactikewl]

Here is a Blast Match I picked up from BaseGear Shipping was GREAT! Ordered on Sat @7pm got it on Monday! This Blast Match is a great tool and starts fires great! I will post a more detailed review with possible video. What do you guys think?
Album

[CLEAR CUT]

I've been thinking of picking one of these up eventually. I would like to see some video of it in action.

[Tactikewl]

I've been thinking of picking one of these up eventually. I would like to see some video of it in action.

Sure, No Problem. I'll get on it.

[Chef]

It's a good tool, but kind of big/heavy/complicated for what it is. The cover seems kind of flimsy to me, but it hasn't broken yet.

[E]

there was no option for both, but if there was that's what I'd vote for

looks cool, can't wait for the review

[Biff]

. . .

[Tactikewl]

Yeah, I'm doing it one handed. I should have the video out today. At least I'm going to try to.

[Tactikewl]

Here are some Updated pix, Video to come later today.
Video Update: Well guys, My official review will consist of this...
While the blast match may be cool for camera effects and lighting shredded paper and gasoline on fire I would REALLY urge everyone to buy some wetfire/cotton balls/etc to help you light a fire. When I went out to make the video I ended up using a chunk out of my blast match attempting to light some dry weeds on fire which happen to burn very easy. It is around 30F outside It did however come with some wetfire which I would much prefer to leave in the package for now in case I actually need the blast match.I really like the blast match for lighting shredded paper.The blast match costs me around $25 and a Magnesium firestarter around $8. Toasting my new SOG to try to light a fire...probably not worth it. (on the magnesium) IMHO I would try to locate a chemical/pryrotechnics dealer to get some powdered magnesium, I saw some on United Nuclear

Update: Ultimate Survival is the BEST! I sent off an email wondering whats up w/the BlastMatch and they CALLED ME! Hows that for customer support!!! I guess I was used to my Magnesium Firestarter, They said we really need wetfire or a firestarting aid w/the Blast Match. It REALLY surprised me when they CALLED not an email but they CALLED! I can say I will be buying more from them and I really do believe that this product is solid and with a little help from a wetfire/cottonball or something you will definitely get your fire started.


Updated pix:
Album Link

[aa1pr]

Video Please as I have no idea what a blast match is?

[Chef]

A Blast Match is a rod of firesteel enclosed in a spring-loaded housing with a permanently attached carbide striker element. You make your pile of tinder, put the tip of the firesteel rod into it, then press down firmly. It shoots a lot of really hot sparks down into your tinder nest. The theoretical advantage of the Blast Match over the traditional firesteel/striker combo is that there's not a danger of sweeping the striker past the end of the firesteel and scattering the tinder, embers, and sparks.

Here's a YouTube review/demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYRKzdSXH34

[Woods Walker]

I keep my blastmatch in the BOB as it will work with one hand.

[Tactikewl]

Video Link: Here

Please note that this is paper, actual wood will not burn as easy and as Ultimate Survival did correct me a Wetfire should be used in conjunction with this. I would definitely recommend one of these for your BoB. If you wish to see any more images of the Blast Match please let me know. I would be happy to fulfill any requests.


Ultimate Survival ROCKS!, Their customer support is the BEST!

[Molon Labe]

I've been thinking of picking one of these up eventually. I would like to see some video of it in action.

I think Gunny and TFB did one, last year. I'll search around for it.

[Tactikewl]

I've been thinking of picking one of these up eventually. I would like to see some video of it in action.

I think Gunny and TFB did one, last year. I'll search around for it.

LOL I just posted the video! lemme edit the link to be bigger =P

[CLEAR CUT]

I enjoyed it. Nicely done and great job! I have to score one of these for my gear it looks way easier than trying to make fire with other alternative means.

[Molon Labe]

You don't need some commercial bought tinder. I light all sorts of natural tinder with a ferro and striker, including after a good desert rain. It's not hard to come by, if you just let your perception open up abit and read up on what to look for. Thailand, now that's an area where WetFire and vaso-balls would come in handy. Fuck me, everything was wet.

[Tactikewl]

You don't need some commercial bought tinder. I light all sorts of natural tinder with a ferro and striker, including after a good desert rain. It's not hard to come by, if you just let your perception open up abit and read up on what to look for. Thailand, now that's an area where WetFire and vaso-balls would come in handy. Fuck me, everything was wet.

I'm in Washington. LOL Everything is wet.

[Molon Labe]

You don't need some commercial bought tinder. I light all sorts of natural tinder with a ferro and striker, including after a good desert rain. It's not hard to come by, if you just let your perception open up abit and read up on what to look for. Thailand, now that's an area where WetFire and vaso-balls would come in handy. Fuck me, everything was wet.

I'm in Washington. LOL Everything is wet.

Doesn't Washington have a rep, for containing a shitload of Birch trees? That Birch bark is excellent for tinder. You can even boil it and eat it too. Good stuff, Birch. Washington also has a lot of granite and lime stone, which means lots'a small overhangs and dried grass underneath rocks. Just throwing some stuff out there. While it's a damn good idea to bring along produced tinder, it's not a good thing to become dependant on it. I'd buy another blast match and practice with one, while stowing the other (if funds permit that is.)

[Chef]

Confession time: I haven't ever given my Blast Match a fair trial.

I had it out to work on this "survival lanyard" thing I've been working on, and was thinking about this thread, so I cleaned the lint screen and went out back . . . .

Ho-lee sheeit! I knew lint was pretty combustible, and I knew the Blast Match put out some hot sparks, but dang. That stuff went right up. Like explosively. I was stoked.

Tactikewl, I'll second the birch bark suggestion. I know there's a lot of conifers out your way, are any of them resinous enough to make lighter knot stumps?

[drunkensurvivor]

I have several of them. I broke one of them, I can't remember what I did to it or if I was intentionally abusing it or not. The good thing is there is still a fully functional fire starting rod left even if you break the plastic encasement. I sure wouldn't pay 25 bucks for one, but they are a decent tool.

[Tactikewl]

Hey guys, I just wanted to tell everyone the good news. Ultimate Survival Technologies sent me a hand written thank you for the review. (Let me repeat that HAND WRITTEN!!!) I just wanted to say that U.S.T. has been very helpful in assisting me with the Blast Match. Their Customer service is OUTSTANDING! Instead of emailing me back when I had questions they CALLED! How is that for customer service! All I can say is that I'm very pleased with how much they care for the customers. Anyone getting a Blast Match or other tool from them WILL NOT BE LET DOWN!

Thanks Ultimate Survival Technologies!

[CLEAR CUT]

Good news indeed! I go out of my way to patronize companies with good customer service like that. I'm probably going to look into scoring one of those blast matches sooner than I expected.

[Tactikewl]

I have several of them. I broke one of them, I can't remember what I did to it or if I was intentionally abusing it or not. The good thing is there is still a fully functional fire starting rod left even if you break the plastic encasement. I sure wouldn't pay 25 bucks for one, but they are a decent tool.

Hey, I was asked by Ultimate Survival to let you know they will replace the broken BlastMatch you have. Details in PM.

[SMoAF]

That Birch bark is excellent for tinder.

I'm partial to cedar bark myself. We don't have many Birches around here, and cedars are easy to find.