Never in the dog’s experience had it known a man to sit like that in the snow and make no fire.

— “To Build a Fire” by Jack London

Overview

I’m still haunted by Jack London’s “To Build A Fire.”  I first read it in the seventh grade and 20 years later it’s still fresh in my mind.  That closing paragraph when the dog realizes the man… well, I don’t want to spoil it for you if you haven’t read the short story, but needless to say, it is quite breathtaking.

While one can argue that there are multiple morals to the story, the main takeaway is do not venture out into the wild without a tried and true method to build a fire.

When it comes to fire starting, Zippo’s got one covered.  New for 2017 is an array of products that will get the job done, even in the most extreme conditions.

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The Typhoon Matches. Apparently, these will light even when wet.

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The water-resistant container or Match Kit for the matches.

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Specs

• Emergency Fire Kit ($11.95 MSRP): Featuring compact and high-caliber construction, this water-resistant fire starting kit is designed to work in the bleakest of conditions to help fire up a campsite at a moment’s notice.
• Easy Spark Tinder ($5.95 MSRP): Small, powerful and easy to pack, these paraffin wax-coated cottontindersfeature a unique hole-thru design for added flexibility, helping ensure that they are easy to burn even in the harshest conditions.
• Typhoon Matches and Typhoon Match Kit ($9.95 MSRP; $11.95 MSRP): A pack of 30 water- resistant and windproof matches that are designed to perform in wind, water or rain. The matches are easy to strike and can be lit in the most treacherous of conditions. The Typhoon Match Kit houses 15 matches inside a water-resistant case, keeping them protected from the elements until they need to perform.
• Mag Strike ($14.95 MSRP): Powered by a ferrocerium rod and striker, the Zippo Mag Strike features a textured grip, solid triangularbodyand ultra-sharp blade, helping deliver a precise shower of sparks to seamlessly light a fire.
• Tinder Shreds ($4.95 MSRP): Composed of natural pine and paraffin, Zippo Tinder Shreds are water-resistant, easy to carry, light quickly and burn strong – all essential elements for creating a hassle-free fire.

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This is the Emergency Fire Kit.

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These Easy Spark Tinders fit right into the base of the Emergency Fire Kit.

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Impression

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Nice, solid construction.

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Perfect for every day carry.

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Of the new products, the one that jumped out at me was the Mag Strike.  I currently don’t own a ferrocerium rod and have been shopping around for one.  While the $15 price tag is a bit higher than some of the other brands I’ve seen online, the Zippo Mag Strike appears to be more solidly constructed.  Plus it’s super easy to use and the sparks it produces are nice and big.

Whether you carry it in a jacket pocket, your bugout bag or the glove compartment in your truck, the Mag Stike should probably go wherever you go, especially if you don’t want to end up like the character in Mr. London’s story.

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Don’t forget about the Tinder Shreds!

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What are your thougths?

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Price and Availability

You can see the prices listed next to the product listings.  These should go live starting in April of 2017.  They will be available on Zippo.com as well as sold at “select retailers.”