Can someone school me on firesteel and firestarters

I am in Ohio part time and Indiana part time. I am will be buying stuff form goinggear.com. If you get a pic of the whole set up post it! Be cool to see.
 
shotgunner11 said:
As was mentioned, the ESEE firekit is also fantastic, allowing you to store dry tinder and other small supplies in the handle. Keep in mind that the ESEE firekit no longer comes with a misch firesteel but a regular one of the same size instead.
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Thanks for that, I gotta get one!
 
here it is...
it looks like the light my fire :D :D

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I use an Aurora firestarter but I don't like the striker it comes with so I cut a notch into the spine of a Mora Clipper that fits the rod perfectly. This combo throws sparks really well. Very fast and reliable.
 
carspidey said:
thank you :)

I was going to post a little video yesterday of that steel working but couldn't... I might be able to do that later today...

I tried it on a piece of cotton (just the cotton) and it lit it on the first try! It's awsome...

I ordered the striker : http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=350

I ordered this rod: http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=5

And I ordered this whistle: http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=12

After I made the handle... I run a piece of paracord through the handle's hole, through the striker's hole, and then tied it to the whistle (actually, the whistle joins the two ends... btw, you have to remove the inner strands of the paracord...)

If you need to see this, i'll do my best to get a picture today (don't have a camera so i have to go over to my brother's :D)

Total cost for this, without the time to make the handle, about 7 dollars...

BTW, where is your location...?
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How did you find that rod worked out for you? Is it easy to strike?
 
I have alot of fire methods
the ESEE Fire kit is great at starting fires and storing what-nots in handle...
LMF makes a great product as well from Mini, Scout,Army Ferro rods with Striker....
I'll snag a picture tonight of my fire steel set up for you.. but for now here is the one I just add a new rod too


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I found the LMF Scout too small for my hands, and opted for the Army model.

Do consider number of strike lifetime of the item - this may influence which model you select.

Regarding use, there are many, many videos on YouTube of various makes and models that you can watch in action to see the relative size in-hand as well as the approximate technique involved in using them.

I've got:
LMF Scout (small-ish, good back-up in my 72hour bag)
LMF Army (perfect size, mounted on my RC5 sheath)
Firesteel.Com Ranger (small-ish, ferro rod came out and needed to be re-epoxyed, in wife's 72 hour bag)
Firesteel.Com Armageddon (good size, in my car)
Emergency steel and mag from Izula kit (small, but very pack-able - in my leatherman case (EDC).

Summary:
LightMyFire (LMF) - a little pricey compared to competition; can be found at LOTS of stores (the Army model was not carried by REI, BTW); good handles (chunky, but good grip in-hand); cheap nylon lanyards (replace with 550 cord); decent spark throw with accompanying striker
Firesteel.Com - great cost-to-value ratio; comes with special striker, magnesium rod, ferro rod, and 550 cord lanyard; great spark throw; bundle can offer challenges with traditional firesteel loops
Izula Kit ferro/mag rod - came with kit; compact; no striker included; easily stored in wallet, folder sheath, on key chain, etc.

Additional note - if you don't learn the proper way to harvest/collect/build a tinder bundle, nurture a flame, and set/feed a fire in various weather conditions the best firesteel may only provide pyrotechnic special effects as you die of exposure. :-)
 
tarditi said:
Additional note - if you don't learn the proper way to harvest/collect/build a tinder bundle, nurture a flame, and set/feed a fire in various weather conditions the best firesteel may only provide pyrotechnic special effects as you die of exposure. :-)
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amen.
for getting the initial flames:
begin with cottonballs/vaseline at home
then go to birch bark or fatwood at home

then try that with birch bark / fatwood you collect in the field :)
a 100 times over and make sure it works all the time.

learn how to use different kinds of tinder/kindling and how to prepare and use them, believe me, you'll have loads of fun :thumbup:
 
I love the RAT kits.... Tony, I've GOT to try the longer steel...but it looks so silly right now. I giggle every time I see that, but I love the idea. Here's a shot showing some of the color variations of green.

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Before anyone asks....I do use 'em.... just seems I scrape opposite the logos...
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what was the reason for the esee fire kit to switch from the misch metal to regular ferro rod? i've been using lmf for awhile now and just got the original esee fire kit. i'm very impressed with how hot the globs of spark the misch metal produces!
 
JV3 said:
what was the reason for the esee fire kit to switch from the misch metal to regular ferro rod? i've been using lmf for awhile now and just got the original esee fire kit. i'm very impressed with how hot the globs of spark the misch metal produces!
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The misch is certainly better. The downside though is it's apparently a pain to produce, and Jeff and Mike have said they had issues with keeping a reliable source for it. I've noticed some variation in the consistency of the misch from rod to rod, so that would seem to support that.

However, the ferro rods DO make fire. I'm sad to see the misch go, but it's still my favorite firekit.
 
gundude73 said:
yeah it looks to be pretty versatile, i am toying around with the idea of getting one, :D
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I broke my FS's plastic, I made hole, I keep on string, but firerat has been in use from bbq fires to fires for warmth :) I love mine, and havent had any misgivings except my wife used its shape for a dirty joke...and commented Esee should make a LONGER handled one :X;P
 
Dizwolf said:
The misch is certainly better. The downside though is it's apparently a pain to produce, and Jeff and Mike have said they had issues with keeping a reliable source for it. I've noticed some variation in the consistency of the misch from rod to rod, so that would seem to support that.

However, the ferro rods DO make fire. I'm sad to see the misch go, but it's still my favorite firekit.
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thanks. good thing i ordered another one of the original. these things are addictive to play with!
 
Dizwolf said:
I love the RAT kits.... Tony, I've GOT to try the longer steel...but it looks so silly right now. I giggle every time I see that, but I love the idea.
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:D I had the 6" and a few 4" lying around so I opted for the big'un for the giggles of it.... works good just alot of misch metal to piddle with :thumbup:
 
texastonydobbs said:
is the right word for it...
I'll get pics tonight to show the sickness for firesteels and counter parts LOL :D
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i was going to put a warning: "if you have carpet and a wife, go outside to play with the fire kit" :o no wife yet but i have black spots on the carpet. d'oh!
 
Something I learned about striking a firesteel recently...

Using the sharper edge of the striker throws a lot more fire than using the flat!

A lot more. ;)
 
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