About Black Beard Fire Starters
Founded in 2019 by brothers KJ and Kaimahi Thompson, Black Beard Fire Starters began as a humble project in a small apartment, born from a deep passion for American-made craftsmanship and outdoor survival.
With a blue-collar work ethic and a vision for quality, the Thompsons developed a fire-starting solution that quickly gained a loyal following across the nation.
Starting out in their grandmother’s garage and fulfilling orders from a basement, the brothers worked tirelessly to meet demand—hand-making products by day and shipping them out by night.
Their dedication to reliability and innovation resonated deeply within the outdoor and survival communities, setting Black Beard apart as a go-to brand for adventurers, preppers, and everyday users who value dependable fire-starting gear.
Now operating out of a full-scale warehouse in Salt Lake City, Utah, Black Beard Fire continues to grow, offering high-performance fire starters designed for harsh environments and emergency situations.
Their journey from garage to warehouse is a testament to grit, quality, and the spirit of American entrepreneurship—making Black Beard Fire Starters a trusted name in outdoor readiness.
Popular Black Beard Fire Starter Products
Black Beard Fire Starters has earned a strong reputation for creating dependable, easy-to-use fire-starting products that are essential for outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and emergency preppers.
Here are some of their most popular and best-selling fire-starting tools:
Black Beard Fire Starter Rope
The original product that started it all, the Black Beard Fire Starter Rope is a waterproof, wind-resistant tinder rope that lights quickly and burns hot. Hand-crafted in the USA, this fire starter can be cut and fluffed to create multiple fires from a single rope, making it perfect for camping, hiking, or emergency kits. It’s praised for its long shelf life, all-weather performance, and zero-fuss ignition—even in wet or windy conditions.
Black Beard Arc Lighter
The Black Beard Arc Lighter is a rechargeable, windproof plasma lighter built tough for outdoor use. Unlike traditional lighters, it doesn’t rely on fuel or flint. It uses a dual-arc electric ignition that’s reliable in high altitudes and extreme weather. Equipped with a built-in flashlight and emergency whistle, this multi-use tool is a favorite for survival packs and bug-out bags.
Black Beard Ferro Rod
The Black Beard Ferro Rod is an ultra-reliable fire-starting tool that generates thousands of sparks with temperatures exceeding 5,000°F. It pairs perfectly with their tinder rope and is built to last through thousands of strikes. It’s a must-have for those who want a low-tech, fail-proof ignition source when matches or lighters just won’t cut it.
Black Beard Fire Kit
Designed for serious outdoor adventurers, the Black Beard Fire Kit bundles their essential products into one compact package. It typically includes a fire starter rope, ferro rod, and waterproof storage container—everything you need to start a fire in almost any situation. Ideal for camping, overlanding, or emergency preparedness.
Black Beard Emergency Fire Starter Pack
This value-packed option is ideal for building out go-bags, vehicle emergency kits, or home preparedness supplies. It includes multiple fire ropes and optional add-ons like arc lighters or ferro rods, giving users a complete fire-starting solution that’s ready when you need it most.
Black Beard Fire Starters FAQs
Question: Do Black Beards have an expiration date?
Answer: One of the biggest advantages of Black Beard Fire Starters is that they do NOT have an expiration date opened or unopened. Our unique blend is designed to light up every time no matter what. The special blend that we use does not evaporate, deteriorate or dissipate. Black Beards have an infinite shelf life. Your first and last use will ignite exactly the same.
Question: How do you extinguish a Black Beard fire?
Answer: Black Beards are waterproof as well as windproof, however the fire that they create is not. The initial fire created from a Black Beard can be extinguished by either smothering or dousing the fire with water.
Question: Where are Black Beards made?
Answer: Black Beard Fire Starters are made in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA! We are very proud to manufacture our Black Beards here in America using 100% American made materials and ingredients.
Question: Are Black Beards toxic?
Answer: Black Beards are completely safe to handle and made with non-toxic ingredients. However when burning and when burning anything else in general, you do not want to inhale the fumes as those are to certain levels toxic.
Question: Will Black Beards self ignite?
Answer: No, Black Beards will not self ignite. Black Beards have a very high flashpoint. In order for a Black Beard to light it will need a spark or flame.
Question: How do you store Black Beards?
Answer: Black Beards store best in a cool dry place. When storing Black Beards in a hot car Black Beards may become soft and leave behind a small oil looking mark.
Question: How many fires can a Black Beard make?
Answer: Each Black Beard Fire Starter can make 50 plus fires depending on how much material is used for each fire.
Question: I have a lighter, why do I need a Black Beard?
Answer: A lighter/matches/ferro rod is mainly an ignition source designed to be used in short bursts of time. Black Beards are a wind and waterproof, easy to light with a great burn time fuel source. When you add kindling on top you can light it easier. Imagine holding your lighter/match under a pile of sticks to light versus letting the Black Beard do all the work. Being completely waterproof and having a total burn time of at least 4.5 hours, Black Beards work perfect to light a fire in any weather condition.
Question: Are Black Beards the same as char cloth?
Answer: Believe it or not Black Beards aren’t charred at all, that way they have a much longer burn time! Plus they are immune to the elements.
Question: Can I cook over a Black Beard?
Answer: We start with 100% cotton mixed with a specialized blend of waxes. Being a fire tinder it should be completely burned off before your cooking process starts. And as always never breathe in any fumes from anything burning.
