How about a low-tech gadget for a change? If you like camping, then the Swedish FireSteel should go into your pocket or backpack.

Originally developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, Swedish FireSteel makes fire building easy in any weather, at any altitude. Its spark goes all the way up to 3,000°C (5,500°F). It even works when wet — no more worries about matches getting wet and lighters running out of fluid. This is a must-have piece of gear for anyone who loves the outdoors, or for emergency preparedness kits.

It should last you quite a while, too. The smaller Scout model of firesteel is good for 3,000 strikes.

Firesteel

Sharpies have a reputation for being “the best permanent marker in the world”. You can use them to write on almost anything at all — on CDs, on plastic, on glass. There are several different sizes, the latest being the Sharpie Mini. The Sharpie Mini is very portable, only half the size of normal highlighters. Its cap has a clip that you can attach to key chains, bags, etc.

You can get the Sharpie Mini Assorted 4 pack Black Blue Green Red for less than $6.

Sharpie

What is the world is a spork? Hikers and backpackers would know. A spork is an ingenious bit of gear that will combine your spoon with your fork. Save 50% of the weight and the space in your backpack! A SnowPeak Titanium Spork is probably the best you can buy. Well made, incredibly strong yet light. It will cost you no more than US$9.

Spork

A dull knife is more likely to hurt you than a sharp knife. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s true. If your knife is not sharp enough, then you need to use more strength to cut, which could cause mistakes and slippage. You don’t have to invest in a $60 Spyderco Sharpmaker Kit for your cheap kitchen or utility knives. The Smith’s 2 Step Knife Sharpener is lightweight, portable and very easy to use. It comes with two sharpeners — tungsten carbide on one side and fine ceramic rods on the other.

You should be able to buy Smith’s 2 Step Knife Sharpener for under $5, so you can buy a couple for our $10 budget.

Knife Sharpener

We like cheap, shiny, glowy things here at $10 Gadgets. The awkwardly-named Sylvania DOT-it fits all three of those categories. This small LED light can be stuck just about anywhere, thanks to a unique, reusable adhesive from 3M. It will be great for the bathroom, kids’ room, or places where you need temporary lighting. The Sylvania DOT-it is not terribly bright, but the LED should last a long time (around 100 hours) on three AAA common batteries.

You can get the DOT-it right now at the bargain price of US$5.99.

LED, Light