Spitfire Pocket Bellows – Compact Telescopic Tube for Blowing Additional air into a fire for Easy fire-Lighting. UK-Made.

Great little device for getting a fire started or boost. Really handy small pocket sized device. Great for camping. No more smoke in the face.

I've been a fan of the Polymath Spitfire kits since I first tested them and confirmed how effective they are, due to the quality of the items included and the way the water resistance of each part means that you never need to worry about the box being waterproof, plus how comfortably portable the whole kit is. I also soon discovered how much better the pocket bellows are compared to the length of old radio antenna I was previously using; The extended tube gives you plenty of separation from the sparks and smoke of the fire as you rekindle it and allows accurate direction of plenty of air to dramatically enhance the embers to develop the flames.The one issue I did find came on an exceptionally cold trip in the highlands. In the early hours of the morning I'd removed a glove to retrieve the kit from my pack and as I pulled out the bellows tube the metal started to freeze to my fingers. Not wanting to rip the skin from my lips when I used the bellows to build up my fire, I wrapped an adhesive dressing from my first aid kit around the back end of the tube. That worked but it was tacky and when it later got wet it started to peel off. This new version with the rubber mouthpiece is so much better; more comfortable, clean and totally waterproof.Although I always have a Spitfire kit in my pocket when I'm in the wilds, I do occasionally practice fire making with traditional flint and steel and I use other fire igniters in the garden and sometimes need to enhance or rekindle the fire in either case, so I've bought a couple of these new versions. If you already have a favourite ferro rod or other fire starter in your fire kit but you don't have a fire bellows, or like me you simply need more of them so you're never without, then you won't find a more effective model than these and nor will you find them at such an exceptionally good price.

It does everything you expect, almost perfectly.When initially extending the bellow, the first section of 'tube' is incredibly stiff and doesn't have much purchase/grip due to the materials used.That said, it's incredibly well made but perhaps a slight "ridge" around the 'exit' of the bellows would be worth looking into.

I bought the Alpkit "Woodstove" which is a compact portable stove for boiling a cup of water, etc, using twigs and pinecones. This blowpipe makes it easy to start a fire, or relight when it starts to go out. If you just blow out of your mouth, it is not focussed, and smoke and ash likely to get in your eyes.This is a lightweight compact accessory which is well worth keeping with your stove, though it would be as good with a normal small campfire.

Superb! Really short but extends to a great length, plenty long enough to get a fire going while keeping out of the worst of the smoulder and smoke. Would not go for a longer model that stays longer when collapsed, this short size is really compact and convenient.Addition of the rubber grip makes it easier to keep hold of with gloves on, and more comfortable on the lips. I guess you could remove this if you want to go full minimalist. Narrow end could be a touch shorter - I assume it is made this long to make it easy to get hold of. I've shortened mine slightly (about 5mm). It now fits in the 1oz tin I use to keep firelighting kit together, but it's still plenty long enough to pull out.Now keeping my eyes open for some kind of cap (maybe an old pen top or something like that) that I can put on it when carrying loose in a trouser or rucksack pocket - the thin metal is quite sharp and I can see it rubbing badly or poking through thr fabric eventually.

Trying to light a fire? Look no further, this is perfect to help and it is tiny!

Really useful for adding a little more air to your fire without burning your face. I’ve used it multiple times and have no issues.

So simple - looks like an adapted telescopic radio aerial - but really does the job of getting a fire going safely! Will be great for camping as so portable/light too!