FERRO ROD

Being able to make fire is a must. Why that is should go without saying, but here's why you need fire:

- Cook food
- Stay warm
- Dry clothes
- Signal
- Craft things

It would be great to carry a butane or zippo lighter as well, but they don't last and fuel is unreliable. For your lasting tool, you want a ferro rod, also called a ferrocerium or magnesium rod.

It's very simple, and requires no expertise like with a bow drill. Please do not rely on friction fire if you're not a woodland God.

Lots of ferro rods come with their own dedicated sparker, which is just a thin piece of metal.

Use your knife to start a spark, but only use the back of your knife, so you don't damage your blade.

It doesn't just produce sparks. You can shave some off into your tinder, and throw sparks at it. The magnesium burns extremely hot - in fact, it's so hot it can burn underwater.

So, it's basically water-proof.

They're everywhere, from minimalist to artistic in style. Very many options for every taste and budget.