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10 models to compare

Ferro rod or other ignition: what does a fire starter weigh?

Exotac’s nanoSTRIKER XL weighs 0.95 oz and uses ferrocerium; nanoSPARK weighs 0.5 oz and uses a flint wheel. You still need suitable tinder.

For less tool weight, nanoSPARK offers a different ignition mechanism.

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With no preferences selected: fireRod V2 is one option to compare.

No hands-on testingMethod and sources

fireRod V2 · first with a product link

Model / item: 002005
  • Weight: 1.1 oz.
  • Length: 4 5/8 in.
What to note:

Ignition method: Ferrocerium rod.

View at Exotac

If you choose Up to 0.95 oz for weight, the first option with a product link becomes nanoSPARK.

10 models compared; 10 have a product-page link.

The picks

5 options to compare

Compare the details that matter to your setup.

An option to compare

fireRod V2

Weight: 1.1 oz.

Model / item: 002005

Key details

  • Length: 4 5/8 in.

What to note

Ignition method: Ferrocerium rod.

Weight: 1.1 ozLength: 4 5/8 inIgnition method: Ferrocerium rod
See all 3 specs
Weight1.1 oz
Length4 5/8 in
Ignition methodFerrocerium rod

3 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
Exotac · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at Exotac
Weight: Up to 0.95 oz

nanoSPARK

Weight: 0.5 oz.

Model / item: 011250

Key details

  • Length: 2.62 in.

What to note

Ignition method: Flint wheel.

Weight: 0.5 ozLength: 2.62 inIgnition method: Flint wheel
See all 3 specs
Weight0.5 oz
Length2.62 in
Ignition methodFlint wheel

3 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
Exotac · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at Exotac
Also compare 3

nanoSTRIKER XL

Weight: 0.95 oz.

Model / item: 003100

Key details

  • Length: 3.65 in.

What to note

Ignition method: Ferrocerium rod.

Weight: 0.95 ozLength: 3.65 inIgnition method: Ferrocerium rod
See all 3 specs
Weight0.95 oz
Length3.65 in
Ignition methodFerrocerium rod

3 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
Exotac · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at Exotac
Also compare 4

polySTRIKER XL

Weight: 1.4 oz.

Model / item: 001620

Key details

  • Length: 5.3 in.

What to note

Ignition method: Ferrocerium rod.

Weight: 1.4 ozLength: 5.3 inIgnition method: Ferrocerium rod
See all 3 specs
Weight1.4 oz
Length5.3 in
Ignition methodFerrocerium rod

3 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
Exotac · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at Exotac
Also compare 5

Hexå

Weight: 4.2 oz.

Key details

  • Ignition method: Ferrocerium rod.

What to note

Not listed by the maker: length.

Weight: 4.2 ozIgnition method: Ferrocerium rod
See all 3 specs
Weight4.2 oz
Ignition methodFerrocerium rod
LengthNot listed by the maker

2 of 3 specs available · source checked September 26, 2026 · Source ↗
Überleben · Product page checked September 26, 2026

View at Überleben

Comparing fireRod V2 · nanoSPARK

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The facts that differ

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0 identical specs shown. Details that do not apply to these models are omitted.

Published specification comparison
SpecfireRod V2Model / item: 002005No preferences selected.nanoSPARKModel / item: 011250No preferences selected.
Weight1.1 oz0.5 oz
Length4 5/8 in2.62 in
Ignition methodFerrocerium rodFlint wheel

fireRod V2

Model / item: 002005

No preferences selected.

Weight
1.1 oz
Length
4 5/8 in
Ignition method
Ferrocerium rod

nanoSPARK

Model / item: 011250

No preferences selected.

Weight
0.5 oz
Length
2.62 in
Ignition method
Flint wheel

fireRod V2

View at Exotac

Compare all 10 models

— = no verified listing yet. The published order is independent of links.

All models and their decision specs
ProductHow it comparesKey specCompareAction
fireRod V2
Compared with nanoSPARK: weight, 1.1 oz vs 0.5 oz.
Model / item: 002005		Weight: 1.1 ozView at Exotac
nanoSPARK
Compared with nanoSTRIKER XL: weight, 0.5 oz vs 0.95 oz.
Model / item: 011250		Weight: 0.5 ozView at Exotac
nanoSTRIKER XL
Compared with polySTRIKER XL: weight, 0.95 oz vs 1.4 oz.
Model / item: 003100		Weight: 0.95 ozView at Exotac
polySTRIKER XL
Compared with Zünden: weight, 1.4 oz vs 2.5 oz.
Model / item: 001620		Weight: 1.4 ozView at Exotac
Hexå
Compared with nanoSPARK: weight, 4.2 oz vs 0.5 oz.
Weight: 4.2 ozView at Überleben
Kräftig
Compared with nanoSPARK: weight, 4.9 oz vs 0.5 oz.
Weight: 4.9 ozView at Überleben
Leicht Fire Starter Necklace
Compared with nanoSPARK: ignition method, Ferrocerium rod vs Flint wheel.
Ignition method: Ferrocerium rodView at Überleben
fireRod V2
Compared with nanoSPARK: weight, 1.1 oz vs 0.5 oz.
Model / item: 002005
Weight: 1.1 oz
View at Exotac
nanoSPARK
Compared with nanoSTRIKER XL: weight, 0.5 oz vs 0.95 oz.
Model / item: 011250
Weight: 0.5 oz
View at Exotac
nanoSTRIKER XL
Compared with polySTRIKER XL: weight, 0.95 oz vs 1.4 oz.
Model / item: 003100
Weight: 0.95 oz
View at Exotac
polySTRIKER XL
Compared with Zünden: weight, 1.4 oz vs 2.5 oz.
Model / item: 001620
Weight: 1.4 oz
View at Exotac
Hexå
Compared with nanoSPARK: weight, 4.2 oz vs 0.5 oz.
Weight: 4.2 oz
View at Überleben
Kräftig
Compared with nanoSPARK: weight, 4.9 oz vs 0.5 oz.
Weight: 4.9 oz
View at Überleben
Leicht Fire Starter Necklace
Compared with nanoSPARK: ignition method, Ferrocerium rod vs Flint wheel.
Ignition method: Ferrocerium rod
View at Überleben
10 catalog models

How the comparison works

Your choices are compared with each model’s product details. A missing or conflicting value stays unknown and cannot satisfy a choice you select. The starting order helps you browse; it does not rate real-world performance.

Source dates appear with each link below. A source date does not confirm today's price or stock.

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Sources for all 10 models

Choose a spark mechanism before trimming ounces

Exotac’s nanoSPARK uses a flint wheel and weighs 0.5 oz at 2.62 in long. Its nanoSTRIKER XL uses a ferrocerium rod and weighs 0.95 oz at 3.65 in long. These are complete-tool measurements, so they make a more useful packing comparison than a bare rod’s size.

The page compares reusable spark tools from maker descriptions, without igniting tinder ourselves. They need suitable tinder and are not fuel-burning lighters.

A larger tool still needs the right package components

Überleben’s Kräftig weighs 4.9 oz and is 7 in long; Exotac’s polySTRIKER XL weighs 1.4 oz and is 5.3 in long. Both use ferrocerium rods. A larger handle or tool does not provide a measured ignition-success comparison.

Read what the package supplies: rod, striker and tinder are separate components. A rod-only dimension cannot stand in for complete-tool length. Follow local fire restrictions and the maker’s handling instructions when using any spark source.

Before you buy

Does this compare burn time?

These reusable tools make sparks. Fuel blocks, tinder, matches and gas lighters are outside this comparison.

Why are some dimensions unknown?

Hexå does not supply an overall length. Leicht gives rod dimensions and a less-than-one-ounce weight claim, rather than exact complete-tool measurements. Those fields therefore remain unknown; rod size is not silently substituted for tool size.

Does every fire starter include a striker?

Inclusion varies by product. Check the manufacturer package contents before buying, especially if you need a separate striking tool or prepared tinder. Exotac’s nanoSTRIKER XL weighs 0.95 oz and uses ferrocerium; nanoSPARK weighs 0.5 oz and uses a flint wheel. You still need suitable tinder. For less tool weight, nanoSPARK offers a different ignition mechanism. Package contents matter: a rod, separate striker and tinder are separate components, and inclusion varies by product.