In one embodiment, a fire starter comprises a main housing having a cavity therein. A striker is mounted on an end of the main housing and positioned to extend over at least a part of the opening of the cavity. A spark producing rod is slideably and rotatably disposed in the cavity of the main housing. A biasing element is mounted around the spark producing rod to urge a first end of the spark producing rod into contact with the striker. A torque mechanism is attached near a second end of the spark producing rod to cause rotation of spark producing rod, the second end of the spark producing rod being an end opposite the first end of the spark producing rod.