Disposable Lighter Sparklite

I always carry a Bic lighter in my fire kit. For me, its an easier way of making fire compared with using a match or a firesteel. But what will you do when your lighter fuel is gone? Convert your disposable lighter into a sparklite.



Here's how to do it.


Remove the child-proof metal shield, chimney and plastic cam in that order using a long-nosed pliers. Be careful not to pop the striker wheel out or you might lose the spring and flint.


The child-proof metal shield, chimney and plastic cam removed. At this point the lighter can already be used as a sparker. But if you want to go on and remove the inner parts you can do so.


First, remove the striker wheel carefully, again taking care not to lose the flint and spring.


Then remove all the metal parts that you can see except the flint and spring chamber. This is how it should look like after the metals parts have been removed.


Here comes the tricky part. Replace the spring, flint and striker wheel and you're done. You've got a sparklite.


The photo shows the sparklite throwing a lot of sparks. All you need now is a suitable tinder and you'll be able to light a fire. By suitable tinder I mean, petroleoun jelly coated cotton balls, charcloth, bird's nest, dryer lint, fatwood dust etc. It's an efficient means of making fire and could cost you nothing. Most of my sparklites are made from lighters I found while walking in the park.