Review on SE Telescopic Fire Bellows OD T291BP by David Romo

Anyone who's ever lit an outdoor fire (or fireplace) knows what needs to be done: you will find something like a log or branch to stoke the flames, and let's face it, it works really well. But when you're hiking and starting a fire with flint or even a couple of matches, you need to air out the hot spot in the first few seconds, and that's what this tool is designed for. This telescopic SE fire bladder is really just a collapsible steel straw that you blow on. It's about 18 inches long when fully extended, which is good for starting a fire, but a bit short if you already have hot coals and are just trying to catch larger wood. If you're camping in a van (or making a campfire in your backyard) you can just use a longer piece of PVC (and I have one), but this is a very handy smaller bellows - it fits easily in a jeans or jacket pocket. and it comes with its own small plastic carrying case. I definitely think it's worth adding to your hiking gear or giving to any scout you might have in the family. It's practical, cheap and works.