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Brand new Firestarter

Don Rearic said:
Actually, ferrocerium, according to sources I have read online, already contains magnesium. Also, the "flint" rod in both the Aitor JKII and Brewer Explorer knives from the 80s and a US Military Survival Kit that I have owned and bought second-hand have all disintegrated to dust as if they had a very high magnesium content as well. If someone can get the original source for a ferrocerium rod, they could specify that there is more magnesium in it. I don't really think this is necessarily anything new.

They work though! :)
Click to expand...
Humidity is not kind to ferrocerium. Finding it being reduced to white powder is a common experience with "Hot Sparks" and Doan Tools. Hence, the advice to keep them coated with something like nail polish - especially where you've scraped them.




Besides, you can use the nail polish to look cute. :D
 
Hell Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!

Someone needs to contact solo scientific and suggest that they offer larger sizes and bare rods.
 
Don Rearic said:
Actually, ferrocerium, according to sources I have read online, already contains magnesium. Also, the "flint" rod in both the Aitor JKII and Brewer Explorer knives from the 80s and a US Military Survival Kit that I have owned and bought second-hand have all disintegrated to dust as if they had a very high magnesium content as well. If someone can get the original source for a ferrocerium rod, they could specify that there is more magnesium in it. I don't really think this is necessarily anything new.

They work though! :)
Click to expand...

Here you go. I pull the composition straight off of a manufacturer's information. According to them, a regular firesteel has 3-4% magnesium.
 
While I'm sure it works, I'm also interested in details on the composition and manufacture of the rod, and if the increased levels of magnesium have any effect on durability / longevity after long term storage and/or use in adverse conditions.
 
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