# Pen-Shaped Fire Starters This Outdoor Tool Uses Simple Battery Power to Start Steel Wool Fires By David Ingram | Published 2015-11-13 | Updated 2015-11-19 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steel-wool-fire References: [coolthings](http://www.coolthings.com/sparky-battery-fire-starter/) & [kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/179537728/sparky-a-fire-starter) This simple outdoor tool is able to easily ignite tinder through a battery power and steel wool fire method. The 'Sparky' is a tool designed to look like a basic everyday pen. The tube-shaped metal container holds two AAA batteries, and a copper metal tip is concealed by a simple screw-on cap with clip. When the fire starter's is held against some fine steel wool, the electrical conductivity between the positively charged tip and negatively charged body sends a current through the steel wool to create sparks. This steel wool fire starter is also perfectly safe to touch and handle. With this method, fires can even be lit in wet or windy conditions, and this method isn't even restricted to just using steel wool. The 'Sparky' can also achieve the same sparking effect using aluminum foil as well. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Battery-powered Fire Starters:** Opportunity for innovative outdoor tools that use battery power to ignite fires. - **Concealed Electrical Conductivity:** Potential for hidden electrical features in everyday objects for unique purposes. - **Alternative Sparking Materials:** Emerging trend of using materials like aluminum foil for fire ignition. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Outdoor Tools and Equipment:** Opportunity for companies to develop innovative fire starters and other outdoor tools. - **Consumer Electronics:** Potential for incorporating hidden electrical features in everyday objects, opening up new possibilities for consumer electronics. - **Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness:** Opportunity for companies to create innovative and safe fire starting solutions for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency situations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Micro Metallic Multitools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/titanium-fire-starter-and-multitool.md) - [Fire-Starting Outdoor Ropes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zippo-fire-starting-paracord.md) - [Ruggedly Compact Titanium Multi-Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/titanium-multitools.md) - [Pendant Multitool Lanterns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dark-fire-20.md) - [Slick Rechargeable Lighters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rechargeable-lighter.md) - [Breath-Activated Flameless Lighters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clean-torch.md) - [Performance-Driven Pen Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/p3n-pen.md) - [Convenient Personal Fireplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/personal-fireplace1.md) - [Cordless Soldering Iron Pens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/huhubol-x109.md)