all are great ideas, esp the cotton ball and petroleum jelly. i carry a "strike force" on my kit and its use is very simplified, the "wet fire" that is stored in handle lights in water or dry, was hooked on it the minute i got to use it during a SERE class i took.

http://www.ultimatesurvival.com/product_view.cfm?product_line_ID=164

but what if your were injured and say could only use one arm/hand to light a fire and it was your off hand? the steel wool and 9v would would work...but the above company makes a one handed striker (was made for downed pilots if injured) called a "blast match"

http://www.ultimatesurvival.com/product_view.cfm?product_line_ID=156

hope i dont sound like a salesman but i have used both and own both after trying them out in field.

goose out

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