Kipinä reindeer antler fire starter

Questions and answers about Kipinä

How do I use Kipinä?

Rest the tip of the rod on a little birch bark or dry grass, then scrape the rod firmly downwards with the back of your knife blade. The sparks fall onto the bark and light the fire.

Do I need a striker?

No. In Finland, nobody uses a striker: you scrape the rod with the back of your puukko, the Finnish knife. That is why Kipinä comes without a striker.

Are reindeer harmed to make Kipinä?

No. Reindeer shed their antlers naturally every year. Herders then collect them: no animal is harmed.

How big is it?

Kipinä is 11 cm long and 2 cm wide: it fits in a pocket or hangs on your backpack with its leather strap.

Is every Kipinä different?

Yes. Every handle is cut from a unique piece of reindeer antler: shape and shades vary from one piece to another. The laser-engraved reindeer is the same on all of them.