Are all Firesteels created equal - Primus

B

barber oregon

Joined
Nov 19, 2000
Messages
234
I noticed this new item in my local camping store recently.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=672789&PRODUCT<>prd_id=745487

Does anyone have any experience with this brand (Primus firesteel)? Its the same company that makes the camp stoves.

It would be easier to simply purchase this at the store rather than having to go through Bagheera here on the forums but I don't know if the quality/performance of these are up to snuff. Any opinions would be appreciated.
 
Very good find, You should give it a try, Bagheera will not be able to get us any more Firesteels. :grumpy:
 
I don't know about the firesteel, but I've got a Primus stove AND several Suunto critters, and they're all spectacular. .
 
Kershaw markets a scout firesteel with their name on it. Maybe primus is doing the same.
 
the bigger the diameter, the better. Also use a hefty scraper with a good pronounced square edge... I like the Ultimate Survival Blastmatch and Strike Force. The half inch diameter rod is unbeatable.
 
By the photo, it looks like the same tool as the Swedish Fire Steel, just a different color head. Can't do any better.
 
Check Survival Sheath Systems ; he has a great selection of firesteels, both Swedish, WSI and the original military match.

I like the Swedish ones for backup...as much as I like the gee-wiz factor of the Blastmatch (my wife made me buy her one ;) ), I really like the robustness of the Strike Force (plus the ability to store some tinder in the backend). Yeah, it's a little on the large side, but it's been my "primary backup". For size and ability though, you can't beat the Swedish firesteels, both compact and effective.

I really want to try out WSI's, I've heard good things about them, and having magnesium included can be a plus.

ROCK6
 
I have had my first catastrophic failure of a firesteel. I have the boyscout hotspark on my keyring which is usually hanging "janitor style" on my right hip. I managed to catch it the other day closing a car door and snapped it off rather short :eek: . We will not go into the damage to the paintjob :mad: ...

Anyone want a really short firesteel? :rolleyes:
 
grommit said:
I managed to catch it the other day closing a car door and snapped it off rather short...Anyone want a really short firesteel?
Click to expand...

And here I thought the artificial flints were fairly indestructable. Live and learn.
 
barber oregon said:
Does anyone have any experience with this brand (Primus firesteel)? Its the same company that makes the camp stoves.

Looks almost exactly the same as the one marketed through Lee Valley. A little bulky but it will fit into an Altoids tin. the one frrom Lee Valley Tools comes with a bit of fatwood and works very well. Much better than the dinky little versions for a clutz like me.
Click to expand...
 
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