During our recent fire starter review, one of my favorite "under the radar" products was the Fire-Fast Trekker. While the Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel took the top spot in the overall contest, the Trekker was the only fire steel we tested that truly made me confident it was crafted from real European ferrocerium. However, we were hesitant to recommend it due to its large size and the amount of space it takes up in a pack.
Now, the Trekker has been joined by two new, more compact versions: the mid-sized Kamper and the ultra-portable Fire Fly. These smaller models maintain the same high-quality design but are better suited for those who value space efficiency without sacrificing performance.
All three tools follow a similar construction: an Austrian ferrocerium rod is paired with a large magnesium rod and securely glued into an African hardwood handle. The magnesium rod can be shaved into a tinder pile to boost your sparks, and the wooden handle itself can also be used as a backup tinder source if needed.
The **Fire Fly** is the smallest of the trio and still larger than the LMF Firesteel shown in the next photo. It’s so new that it hasn’t even appeared on Fire-Fast’s website yet, but it’s already making a strong impression. Despite its small size, it’s built with the same attention to detail as its bigger siblings.
The **Kamper** is the mid-sized version and comes with a long lanyard loop, suggesting it's meant to be worn around the neck. While the extra cordage is handy, I think Fire-Fast could consider using a more durable survival paracord like the UST ParaTinder, which we highlighted in our best paracord review.
Finally, there’s the updated **Trekker**, which I’m told is an improved version of the original. I may have already reviewed the upgraded model, as I couldn’t tell the difference between the one I received and the one I already own. There’s a slight variation in the carving and handle size, likely due to the handcrafted nature of the product, but otherwise, it looks and functions the same.
I weighed each of these tools to give you an idea of how much they’ll add to your pack:
- **Trekker**: 4oz
- **Kamper**: 2oz
- **Fire Fly**: 1.2oz
For comparison, the LMF weighs 1.4oz. While the Trekker is significantly heavier, the Kamper and Fire Fly are bulkier but not much heavier overall. That said, the LMF contains more actual ferro material than the Kamper or Fire Fly, though the Trekker actually has more than the LMF.
In terms of long-term use, more ferro is definitely better, especially for grid-down scenarios. But for short- to medium-term emergencies, the added features of the Fire-Fast tools—like the magnesium rod and wooden handle—give them a clear advantage.
Personally, I’ve added the Trekker to my bug-out bag and plan to include the others in my wife and kids’ packs as well. I didn’t replace the LMFs, but added these in addition. I really like the Fire-Fast line, and since fire is such a critical resource, I think even the largest one is worth the extra weight and space.
I’m thinking about attaching the Fire Fly to one of my survival knife sheaths instead of the LMF, but I’m not sure it’s the best idea. Leaving it exposed on the side of a sheath might not be ideal. These tools are probably better kept in a pack or somewhere dry.
Even if you don’t want to carry them in your pack or on your body, all three are great options to keep in your car as a backup to your trusted Bic lighter. I’d also consider carrying one of the smaller models in a briefcase or backpack for daily use.
### About Fire-Fast
To be honest, when I first ordered the Fire-Fast Trekker for our big fire starter contest, I wasn’t expecting much. The Fire-Fast website had only two products listed, and I assumed this big magnesium/ferro combo rod with a wooden handle was just another fake bushcraft product from a Chinese company trying to pass itself off as an American brand.
But I was pleasantly surprised. The Trekker turned out to be my favorite find of the entire review.
A few weeks later, one of the owners reached out to explain that they’re a real husband-and-wife team based in California, and they assemble every product by hand right here in the US. They confirmed that the ferrocerium they use is indeed from Austria, which matched my own testing experience.
As you can see in the image above, the genuine Austrian ferro rods on the left have a distinct striped wear pattern. Only the Trekker and the LMF exhibited this, which further validated their authenticity.
It’s refreshing to come across a company that delivers on its promises, especially one that’s based in the US. We see so many fakes in our reviews, so it’s always a relief to find something real—and even better, something made with care and quality.
NINGBO MACEY EDUCATION PRODUCT CO.,LTD , https://www.maceycreative.com