Aurora Fire Starter

shunsui

shunsui

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Aug 12, 2008
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Was down at Tad Gear the other day and they had these by the checkout counter like bubble gum.







This isn't just a standard ferrocerium rod, the Aurora has some Magnesium built in like the misch metal ferro rods. When you strike them, you get a little burning ball of Magnesium/misch metal intead of just a spark.


This is the built in striker blade held in place with a screw.






This is a shot looking down the tube. You can see at the bottom that the screw which holds the striker blade in place goes all the way through into the tube. This kind of kills the whole point of a waterproof tube as you would probably get some leakage here.


You can see there's ample space at the end of the tube for the screw hole to be drilled without penetrating the storage cavity if enough metal was left at the end of the tube.
You could probably pour a little silicon glue or epoxy down there and seal it up tight.


The machine cuts around the striker blade are very sharp. I thought about smoothing them out but for now I just slipped this old vinyl cap on the end to keep the sharp in and the dirt and water out.


I'm not too concerned about salt water getting in and reacting with the fire stick, but I like the idea of containing the stick so you don't get any accidental sparks from it banging around in your bug out bag or whatever.

edit: They come with black anodizing now and the striker blade is some tungsten, carbide, cobalt alloy now. Pics at TadGear.

They're available at
http://www.campingsurvival.com/aufistflstan.html

They're made by Solo Scientific
http://www.soloscientific.com/aurora-fire-starter1.html
 
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Talfuchre said:
Why would you even need these to be water proof in the first place?

TF
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I think it is only important in salt water environments. I like my Aurora because it throws molten balls instead of sparks. I also like the 1/2" Going Gear misch metal also. They are robust the throw is similar to the Aurora.
 
I’ve had one for about a year now.

It does work quite well, but I find it a bit small for my every day use.

I have since put a handle on a big Ferro/Mag rod (thanks Tony) that I use as to start most of my fires.

The Aurora is a nice little set up and makes for a good back-up.

Corrosion can be a problem for these types of rods, and having a sealed unit like this is nice for long term storage (like in a BOB), especially in any kind of humid of salt air environment.

I have thoughts of filling mine with Vaseline and maybe trying to fit a cotton ball in the bottom; that might make a very nice little emergency fire starting kit.




"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike
 
Not sure if its worth the $20 to buy it... I could buy 3-4 firesteels for that price and have 5-6 times the number of fires...
 
absolutindian said:
Not sure if its worth the $20 to buy it... I could buy 3-4 firesteels for that price and have 5-6 times the number of fires...
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If firestarters were about economy, we'd all use pyrites or bow&board...

If "Misch Metal" gets you a fire more quickly and more consistently, it's worth 50 times this price in a survival kit. If you have 100% success with the normal ferrocerium rods, then you're right... but in that case you probably take the care to properly carry tinder, and could likely start a fire with flint&steel if you had to. This stuff won't give you 100% success, but it might help.

The problem that isn't solved by any firestarter (short of a tiger torch...) is moisture-proof storage of tinder. I like the RAT version for that reason.
 
JacksonKnives said:
The problem that isn't solved by any firestarter (short of a tiger torch...) is moisture-proof storage of tinder.
Click to expand...


That's the deal-breaker when it comes to starting a fire in challenging conditions. My solution was to drill out the bottom of a couple of waterproof containers and attach them to the end of my ferro/misch. rods:

firestuff.jpg


The hole is drilled so that the roughed-up rod is a very tight fit. I slip a couple of steel back-up plates (washers) on the inside and secure with J.B. Weld. The larger containers will hold two PJCBs. The little pill container on the bottom will barely hold one (which is better than none!).

If you aren't so inclined, or don't want to go to the trouble, just get some containers for PJCBs or whatever prepared tinder you prefer and little 'biners and keep everything together so you'll have everything you need in one place.

I use a disposable lighter for 99% of my fire lighting, but occasionally practice with the rods because I carry them as emergency back-up. Having good tinder makes using them almost as easy as using the lighter.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
desmobob said:
If you aren't so inclined, or don't want to go to the trouble, just get some containers for PJCBs or whatever prepared tinder you prefer and little 'biners and keep everything together so you'll have everything you need in one place.
Click to expand...

Nice setup desmobob. GoingGear sells a piece of kit similar to the one that you made which I like as well.
 
storl said:
Haha, I sold him 90% of the stuff in that picture as well. :)
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If there was a way to flip that photo over, I think you'd be able to see the Goinggear.com logo on everything but my hacksaw blade strikers! :thumbup:

And I've got another order on way right now... great place to do business!


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I really like the case built around my Aurora. I don't know how necessary it is for my usage, but it is cool! My one gripe about it is that the striker for me is really hard to use.
 
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