Getting Back to FireCord by Docwatmo

My First Reviews

Back in august of 2015, I tried out a new product called FireCord.  (Here is my original review).  6 months later I did another follow up review (Here).   Here we are almost 6 years later.   As per my first review I find that I don’t use it because I’ve always got fire starting kit on me.    But I test it periodically to see if it’s still functions well.   On my initial review, I noticed a light accelerant smell.  After a couple years on my pack, that smell is completely gone.  (Which made me wonder if the FireCord would still be effective).

I’ve had some FireCord zipper pulls on my pack for almost 6 years now. They have seen rain, snow, sleet, dirt, dust, mist and every weather condition available including temps from -39 below zero to 109 above. The bag, when not in use is in the back of my van in both extreme heat and extreme cold all year long.

Testing the FireCord

I cut a 2 inch chunk off one of my zipper pulls and took it outside to test it.   It was still easily manipulated.  I rolled it up, scraped a part of it to fuzz it up, and hit it with some sparks.   BOOM.  Lit up just as well as the first time I tested it.  Burned for about 20 to 30 seconds.   I was amazed that it still worked so well.

Final Thoughts

I’d have to say.  You don’t need much of it. The 25 foot hank I bought 6 years ago, I still have 15 feet of it rolled up in my bag.   The other 10 feet made zipper pulls for all of my bags and packs.   So I’ll honestly say you don’t need a lot of it.  But I think this is a good enough and cheep enough item that everyone should buy at least 1 hank of it and do zipper pull’s at the minimum.  (I am also going to use some of the leftover to add a cord to my newest couple of ferro rods).   It appears to last fore quite some time. And after nearly 6 years in the conditions of my pack, I would expect another 20 out of it. Just the ability to fuzz it and have instant easily lightable tinder. Not every product meets and exceeds every expectation. This is one that does. I would buy it again. And probably will.

At an average price of 6 to 9 per 50 foot hank for normal paracord. This ends up being roughly twice the cost at $14.99 for a 50 foot hank. Which is still not a large expense to have one hank of it on hand. (If you go through as much paracord as I do, you may not want to replace all your paracord with it. LOL But having a hank around with bits of it tied onto various pieces of equipment and gear could be a lifesaver years from now when you least expect it. And it’s such a simple convenient way to ensure you have some instant light tinder when you forget your regular fire making kit or just don’t want to hike back to the van or campsite to grab the lighter that you forgot.