Ferro rods

[upnorth]

I just eyeballed some Coughlan's flint starters or whatever they call them for five bucks each. And they look VERY simmilar to the North 49 rods that I have bought from crappy tire for fifteen bucks give or take. These rods are ok but not quite as good as my ''Light my fire'' Swedish rod. I don't generally buy much Coughlans stuff or put a lot of faith in their products, but some stuff seems useful. Anyway..... due to the Coug. and crappy rods looking identical, I have a question. Do you think that both rods are just mediocre Chinese stuff and that we are getting stroked by Can. Tire for the same mediocre rod likely made by the same Chinese manufacturer ? I'll be ordering a few medium to thick Misch metal rods this winter for serious back up. But these cheapies are so inexpensive that they are a great practice tool. And if the Coughlans rods is the same as that from crapola tire, why not get three for the price of one. What are your thoughts\impressions ?

[chopsuey9999]

I had the Coughlan's rod, the rod fell out of the handle after using it a few times, using it with much difficulty that is. If you can get it, maybe look into the Primus fire steels- you need a good striker for those, but they seem to burn pretty hot. The price isn't too bad either - got the largest one for about $11 at Lebaron when they still carried it.

[hiwa]

The Cohglans rods are pretty much equivalent in spark generation to the North 49 ones , for a third of the price. The only issue with them is that they only go in the handle about 1/4" . so twist it out with pliers , and put some epoxy or super glue in there and re-insert.
Drilling the hole deeper and gluing is even better.
I have many of them in my kits and they all work well ,plus they are big and last a while. JMHO.

[hiwa]

Dbl tap

[upnorth]

The Cohglans rods are pretty much equivalent in spark generation to the North 49 ones , for a third of the price. The only issue with them is that they only go in the handle about 1/4" . so twist it out with pliers , and put some epoxy or super glue in there and re-insert.
Drilling the hole deeper and gluing is even better.
I have many of them in my kits and they all work well ,plus they are big and last a while. JMHO.

Good call hiwa, I have the same impressions. Why not get three for the price of one. I can't complain about five bucks a shot. I'll keep my ''Light my fire'' on my key chain and stuff the others in knife sheaths. I compared the North and the Coug. side by side with a chunk of hack saw file and they were equal.

[Liam Ryan]

My light my fire one broke off at the handle junction, but I bought 20 rods for like 10 bucks on ebay that are just as good, I'd recommend that route.

[cdnrogue]

Good suggesttion. I bought a handful at the sportsman show in Toronto a few years back and those have not been holding up very good. The ebay idea is a good idea!