What is arguably the most important aspect of survival-style gear? The answer is that it needs to be in your possession to aid you. In reality, many pieces of gear, no matter their importance or usefulness, often get left behind. The Firefly tools from Grim Workshop don’t have this problem at all. With the perfect trifecta of survival tools in hand, I put their toughness to the test and found some interesting surprises along the way.
Firefly Tools: Definitely Not Toys
The three tools I tested were the saw, the pocket fire starter, and the blade. At first glance, you may mistake them for cheap novelties without much hope that they can do the job in the harsh outdoors. Well, you can wipe those thoughts right out of your mind. Just handling them for a few moments revealed their hardcore design and construction.
They feature 1095 high-carbon steel. The tools didn’t bend when pressure was applied. They also didn’t feel brittle or lightweight and definitely didn’t feel like mass-produced, cheap gear. The knife edge was razor-sharp out of the package, as were the teeth of the mini saw. This trio exhibited extreme solidity, which is typically not found in pocket-sized gear.
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Though not a distinct feature, all three Firefly tools offer made-in-the-USA craftsmanship, and it really does show.
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Obvious and Not-So-Obvious Tools
All three tools have distinct functions. The Firefly Blade features 1095 high-carbon steel and a chisel-grind edge, which makes it easy to sharpen in a pinch. The Firefly Saw gives you about three inches of tough wood-biting teeth. Finally, the Firefly Heat offers a nesting ferro rod and sharp striker to produce a shower of sparks on awaiting tinder.
Aside from their primary functions, all tools feature a glow-in-the-dark band stretched across the side of the tools. These useful illuminators also conceal a secret: a hidden ferrocerium rod secured under each of the glow bands. This is handy if you lose your primary rod and need a backup quickly.
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In-Use Results
All three tools performed exceptionally well in-the-field. The saw, once my hand and fingers were positioned properly, tore through inch-thick branches. The teeth bit into the wood and cut through surprisingly quickly. Afterwards, there was no noticeable damage or bending of the teeth. The saw’s durability was very apparent after numerous cutting tasks.
As mentioned, the Firefly knife was sharp, out-of-the-package, and it slivered hard, dried palm fronds with no effort. In fact, I put far too much force on the tool during my first trial and nearly cut my supporting hand as it “melted” through the material effortlessly.
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Finally, I used the fire-starter. After a few angle adjustments and grip changes, the sparks started to fly. With all three Firefly tools, the main takeaway I learned was that hand position was the key to success. Because of their compact size, having a solid grip was an absolute must.
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Compactness is its Greatest Asset
These tools can fit inside your wallet (although three at once would be pushing your wallet’s storage limits), or any pants or jacket pockets. They don’t require a backpack, waist pack, or bag of any type, and this is their greatest characteristic.
The fact that you can have access to these tools every day without hassle or inconvenience is a definite plus. When you grab your keys, wallet, and cellphone at the start of your day, you’ll also grab one or more of the Firefly tools. It will become habitual, and when an unexpected need arise you’ll be well prepared.
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Pocket Yours Today
All three tools have a combined price of under $60.00, which makes them an excellent value for the features that you get. Each piece is sold separately, but I would highly recommend that you grab all three at once. Not only are they useful and durable, but they are compact enough to fit inside your wallet. So, when a survival situation comes your way, you’ll always have this helpful trio to back you up.
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