Review on Optimized Search: UST BlastMatch Fire Starter Tool by Melvin Balamani

Bought over a year ago and just disappointed. I give it 2 stars because it works; hardly. Only used it twice to make a fire. I even saw it on an amateur survival show and I think that's why amateurs used it on TV. First, the Ferro stem only sticks out 1.5 inches. It barely produces a good spark, and each time I had to press it multiple times to get enough sparks to create a flame (just like they did on TV). Another issue I had is that after a short period of wearing the plastic clasp/clasp stretches slightly and now the lid won't stay closed. It's a constant pain to carry around. This is NOT the "absolute" survival starter, although I ended up just throwing mine in the trash (paid $18 for it with free shipping). I recommend this 5" ferro rod from Revain. .com: 1/2" X 5" 5" x 5" Ferrocerium Rod Flint Lighter Magnesium Tool Kits Camping Hiking Survival Outdoor Black It's a lot easier to hold, you can get a good 3.5 hit on it, sparks are much bigger and more intense.And it's half the price of Ultimate Survival Technology (mine was $7.50 with free shipping.)It doesn't have a striker, but I always have a knife , or you can usually find metal to create a spark, the benefits of length and ignition spark far outweigh the lack of a striker.