Tiny 2-ounce hearth multitool brings twin survival to your adventures

Overland Expo’s focus could also be largely on earth-exploring giants and burly, overbuilt {hardware}, however the present does spotlight its justifiable share of sunshine, ultra-portable out of doors devices. Considered one of our favourite finds this 12 months was the Fireplace Flute from Outside Aspect. Regardless of not even pushing the dimensions needle to 50 grams, the device packs a fireplace starter rod, watertight cache and emergency whistle in a glossy physique concerning the measurement of a Sharpie.

Within the curiosity of full disclosure, we did not truly see the Fireplace Flute – or Outside Aspect – at Overland Expo West this 12 months. Nevertheless, what we noticed within the present’s supplies was an outline of an organization that “sparks assured out of doors journey via revolutionary gear.” Think about our curiosity piqued.

Upon pulling up the corporate’s web site, we discovered a number of easy however intelligent survival devices and instruments, together with a dual-purpose pot-gripper/fuel canister poker we coated a couple of years again. Probably the most fascinating of the bunch, we would say, was the Fireplace Flute. First, as a result of …what the shit’s a “hearth flute.” And, second, as a result of it instantly lives as much as its curious, compelling identify.

Additionally, we’re suckers for fire-starting instruments on the whole.

The Fireplace Flute appears to be like like another ferro rod at first look, full with a grippy deal with on the finish of a 3/8-in-long (9.5-mm) stick of ferrocerium. That aluminum deal with is a bit longer than these on many different ferro rods, giving it the additional area to deal with an empty tubular cache and an emergency whistle.

The top of the deal with retains the whistle, good for 120 decibels, readily accessible to be used whereas the whole deal with physique unscrews to disclose a tiny watertight storage capsule designed for holding tinder. Outside Aspect contains three of its personal wax-coated cotton tabs for the aim, and the cache is sized to carry considered one of them.

Whereas it features a gap for including a small lanyard, the Fireplace Flute lacks the lanyard with steel striker typically lashed to ferro rods, maybe to keep away from getting in the best way of the whistle. It does, nevertheless, pack a striker to finish its fire-starting capabilities – the small, rectangular plate sitting behind the pocket clip mounting. You do not have to undo the tiny screws to entry it, merely hanging the ferro with the sting of the plate to ship sparks flying into the hearth tab or different tinder. Outside Aspect estimates a burn time of 4 to 5 minutes for every tab.

Outside Aspect

So if and when the wilderness has crushed you down into an all-out survival state of affairs, you may get via the evening with a warming hearth and whistle for assist in the morning (or all through the evening and day, relying on how dire the state of affairs is). The Fireplace Flute’s 1.7-oz (48-g) weight helps it earn its place on even a pared-down ultralight packing listing.

Merchandise related to Overland Expo have a tendency to come back at a premium, typically rising into the seven-figure vary, however the Fireplace Flute is on the very reverse finish of the spectrum at an affordable US$24.95, a worth that is fairly aggressive with related merchandise just like the $32.95 tinder-stowing Exotac Nanostriker (no whistle).

Supply: Outside Aspect