I received two products in the mail the other day and have been so impressed that I thought a review was in order.  Both products are from a company called Exotac which is a small family owned outfit located in Georgia (USA.)  It was started by an engineer who is also an outdoorsman and the products show it.

I’ll begin with the “NanoStriker” an incredibly small, light, ultra portable ferrocerium rod fire starter.  For those of you who already use ferrocerium rods as either backup or primary fire starters, you don’t need me to tell you the utility of these.  For those of you who don’t carry one as part of your kit, you should definitely give it a second thought.  The NanoStriker may be the best designed ferrocerium rod on the market.  First, it is a totally self contained unit which means that unlike most rods, the rod and striker store as a single unit which means it is less bulky and there is no chance of one getting separated from the other.  When stored away the whole thing is waterproof so neither the striker nor the rod can get wet (not that that is a huge problem with ferrocerium fire starters anyway.)  The unit, when stored, measures a mere 85 mm (3 3/8”) and weighs only 17 grams (about .6 oz.) and can easily be hung from a key chain, around the neck or stuffed unobtrusively in a pocket.  It’s ideal for a ditch kit.  For use, the very small striker portion is easily unscrewed from the body (and reattached, extending its overall length which makes it easier to use.)  Although the rod itself is only 1½” long, it produces a superior flow of sparks which make lighting small kindling shavings or fire starter quick and easy.  Both the rod and the striker are easily replaceable so the NanoStriker has an indefinite lifespan.  They come in a variety of colors – mine is a metallic orange which I figure would be easy to see if I dropped it.  All in all it is hard to imagine a better designed or functioning fire starter.  An added note: when I first received the NanoStiker it didn’t work well.  I wrote to the owner of the company, Rob Falkenhayn, and he diagnosed the problem as the quality of steel in the striker.  He immediately sent me a new super hard and sharp titanium one (as well as a replacement rod) and it worked like ringing a bell.  While this little item isn’t cheap, around $22, it is a must have as far as I’m concerned.

The second product I ordered from Exotac is more of a vanity item – for the tripper who has everything -  namely the Matchcap.  The Matchcap is a beautifully engineered and finished waterproof matchholder comparable in quality to the K & M match cases (also comparably priced at around $24.)  This is a vanity item since the plastic Coghlan match cases work perfectly fine and cost around $4.  However for those of you who prefer something more aesthetic, the Matchcap is a mere 80 mm (around 3 3/16” – smaller than the K & M although it doesn’t include the button compass) weighs in at 26 grams (about .9 oz), holds about 20 kitchen strike anywhere matches or 12 REI type storm proof matches and comes in a variety of colors – gunmetal, black, green and blaze orange.  It is totally water proof and has two strikers, one that is inside the case and is therefore waterproof and one on the bottom of the case.  It also comes with a useful, easily attachable lanyard.  Like the NanoStriker this item is superbly crafted and designed to last many lifetimes.

So there you have it – two items for folks who like to play with fire.

Here’s their website:   (You need to Login or Register although you can get these items a bit cheaper through JS Burlys:   (You need to Login or Register

for an emergency backup fire starter ?  eh, ok I guess, but I prefer the magnesuim block fire starters, as you can shave the magnesuim off to have some tinder as well as making sparks

when I want to start a fire, I just use matches - they work
they work a lot better than a sparkler for lighting my coleman lantern and my stoves too

not saying there is anything wrong wtih that product, I just don't see the point  - strike a match or flick your bic - seems easier to me

A Bic doesn't work in a blow or when it's sub zero.  Matches don't work when they're wet.  A ferrocerium rod works in all conditions, is extremely compact and portable and provides an almost limitless number of lights.  If I found myself in trouble I'd much rather have a ferrocerium rod than matches which is why I choose to carry one. But to each his own.

I agree with Kerry. A ferrocerium rod and some wetfire tinder and I feel pretty good about getting a flame going under almost any circumstance.

I have already placed the order for the matchstick holder (plan B). Couldn't quite justify the rod (although it is indeed pretty slick) because I feel good with what I already have and the weight savings would be rather small.

What I liked about the matchcase is the dual striker design. The weak link in any matches IMO is the striker. In this instance it is intrinsic to the design of the case. Very nice.

Good job Kerry [smiley=thumbup.gif]