Vargo Ultimate Fire Starter | Bellows and Ferro Rod Combination | 1.8 Ounces (53 Grams)

I bought this over other options in Amazon because it has a double function as a fire starter coming with the integrated ferro rod and striker, and the can expand for blowing into the tinder you are trying to ignite. The construction seems sturdy, at the end is like a simple old fashioned TV Antenna that you can blow air through with enough distance from the fire, so it really is not that complicated ... also a nice feature is that comes with carabiner thingy at the top so you can attach to you backpack, belt loops or whatever ...In the picture you can see how it rest in my Maxpedition pouch together with other items useful for camping scenario. Also you can see a picture where it completely deployed at it's max lenght ...I havent used tough yet to since it just arrived few days ago, but I will post an update after giving it a try a couple of times.

This is my second device of this type. I never realized what a chore it was to blow on a fire until I started using these and I can't go back. Allows you to get farther away from the fire so you don't get heat and smoke in your face, plus it concentrates your breath so you can get a lot of air in a small space at the center of the fire. Great for restarting fires that have died over night or giving normal fires a big boost. It works so well people thing you are some sort of fire wizard doing a magic trick. Ferro rode is a small but a nice touch. Will fix this to my bushcraft knife

Vargo attempted to "one-better" the "Pocket Bellows" sold by a few other makers, and added a few good touches, but their ultimate value remains to be proven, as does the effectiveness of their "bellows".A "Pocket Bellows" is a simple extendable assembly of decreasing diameter tubes, acting to increase the velocity of air blown into the large end that comes out of the small end. The longer and more numerous the stages, the greater the increase in velocity - as well as distance you can keep from the fire. MUCH better than leaning down, bending over, and trying to blow more "oxygen" into the barely burning kindling.Epiphany Outdoors' Pocket Bellows extends to 19" in 8 segments tapering from a bit more than 3/8" to 3/16", with orifices 3/8" and a bit less than 3/16", and collapses to 3-3/4", fitting into a 4" long, 3/4" diameter soft plastic storage tube. The sliding "action" can be a bit stiff. The storage tube can hold an incendiary match and a short fire starter (Baddest Bee Fire Fuze, short).Jonhen's Pocket Bellows extends to a bit over 30" in 6 segments tapering from a bit less than 3/8" to 3/16", the orificies 3/8" and 1/8", being "terminated" by a metal cap at the small end. The Jonhen collapses to a bit over 6", and fits (along with an instruction sheet) into a 6-1/2"x1-1/2" "rounded" strong plastic storage tube large enough to also contain fire starters, incendiary matches, and a small diameter ferrocerrium rod (none of these included, of course). The sliding "action" is reasonable.Vargo's Pocket Bellows extends to a bit over 18" in 5 segments; however, unlike the others, the tube diameters range from about 1/2" to 3/8" (the gradual diameter taper of the others is 2:1 over the tube distance). The orifices of the Vargo are 3/8" and 1/8" - but are "constrictions" by plastic inserts on each end. The larger end's insert is female threaded to accept the included 1/4" diameter, 1-3/4" long Ferrocerium rod embedded into a plastic top with male threads; the smaller end's insert is simply a plastic plug with 1/8" through hole. The sliding "action" of the Vargo is a bit stiffer, especially for the largest segment - lots more surface friction with larger tube diameters.The Vargo's larger end has an Aluminum clamp tightened by screws to the largest tube about 1/2" from the "mouthpiece"; this clamp also holds a 1/2" long Carbide blade that serves well to scrape the Ferrocerium rod.However, the Vargo does not include a case of any sort, so the device with it's Carbide blade can present a bit of a problem in packing. The Ferrocerium rod's molded top has a carabiner action, but being molded from plastic and with only a 3/16" effective window, I'd not trust it and would have preferred a solid molded 3/16" hole for a lanyard cord.Conclusion: Undoubtably the Vargo is better than no Pocket Bellows, but the extended length, tube taper, and usefulness of its case server to make the Jonhen best-in-class. The Epiphany is next, again due to tube taper making for a uniform accelerated air flow, and a size and case that makes it easiest to "pocket" all the time. The Vargo trails... the size, taper, and inserts of its tubes does not make for smooth air flow, and demands higher "blow power". Further, I'd be concerned for the plastic end insert to melt from the fire's heat - once removed, the flow may be more laminar, but the diameter ratio won't be enough to give good "acceleration".Recommendations to Vargo: 1) Eliminate the plastic insert at the small end; 2) Add 3 or 4 more tubes of decreasing diameter instead; 3) Eliminate the carabiner idea and just use a 3/16" through hole for a lanyard.

It's such a simple product, but it's so useful. I've managed to get ripping fires going with damp wood thanks to this thing. And the included firestarter is a big bonus. It's super lightweight and takes up almost no pack space. I'd been postponing the purchase for a while, but now that I have one I wish I'd purchased sooner.

This worked great to get our campfires roaring! Its compact size (a benefit overall) makes it easy to lose though so be careful. Similarly, I wish the starter rod clipped into on the side. It was a bit of a chore to unscrew it each time to use the bellow.

took this with me on a kayaking trip down the Delaware water gap. And was amazed at how easily I was able to get the fires started and even roaring while using wet wood. this item is amazing for fire very light weight well well worth the purchase.

Works perfectly but heavier than expected, weekend hiker thumbs up, long distance leave at home.

Not as compact as the Epiphany Outdoor Gear Pocket Bellow. However it is not as fragile and of better quality. It is a bit overpriced (minus one star) at $25/ea. I like the integrated ferro rod but it makes this a bit longer than it needs to be at 15 cm. It is also much heavier than the Epiphany at 51 grams. My re-design recommendation would be to put a pen like clip on the clamp that holds the striker and remove the clip at the end of the ferro rod. this would reduce its overall length. Given it is Vargo, I am surprised it is not made from titanium? I modified it to reduce its length (see photo).