The BlastMatch

Laura has asked to work on firestarting today and she specifically requested my well-used Ultimate Survival BlastMatch as her ignition source.

While the one-handed operation of the BlastMatch is nice I don't think it'll replace my firesteel for regular carry any time soon. It's got a bigger firesteel rod but the case is also quite a bit bigger than my Light My Fire Army Firesteel. There have also been some complaints about the fragility of the BlastMatch case and I've personally seen a rod separate from the casing during normal use. I have never personally had any problems with the BlastMatch I own and use.

Laura likes the BlastMatch because all the components are self-contained and she doesn't have to use a hacksaw blade or knife as a striker. Gripping the handle tight enough to strike the firesteel is a bit difficult for her and certainly is not a one-handed operation. This may be due to the heavy use the BlastMatch has seen and the reduced diameter of the rod over time or it may simply be that the BlastMatch was not designed for 7-year-old hands. Either way, she will get it to work but she needs two hands to do it.

One thing I've noticed about the BlastMatch is that it spares the bottom .75" or so of firesteel. You can see the band of coated firesteel in the picture. That has never been touched by the striker. I don't know if that's by design or operator error but that little bit of extra material allows me to use the rod like a regular firesteel if I choose.

Hopefully I'll get some pictures of our practice today.

Thanks for reading,


B