Can someone school me on firesteel and firestarters

rc3mil said:
Geez Dizwolf, what do you do for a living lol. You have everything RAT makes :D
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Pay cash for everything, and what you save in interest, lets you buy toys :) I also budget to live within my base pay, and work a significant amount of OT.

Haven't got a backpack :) Did grab a Junglas, but haven't posted photos just yet. The firestarters are the best I've used, and that's having tried a bunch. I tack one onto each of my orders so I can keep 'em all over. HINT: they're the -best- grill starters I've ever had :) Looks cool too when you do it at a party.
 
To anyone thats ever ordered firesteels from goinggear.com.
Are they good with shipping times? How long did you have to wait to get your items?
 
rc3mil said:
To anyone thats ever ordered firesteels from goinggear.com.
Are they good with shipping times? How long did you have to wait to get your items?
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i ordered a plain misch metal rod and a few strikers last night and it shipped today via usps. they have an in-stock counter on items so that's nice to know before ordering.
 
_woo_ said:
I am a complete NOOB to firesteel and different types of firestarting tools. Can someone please give me a rundown of what i want? Maybe a good link or something. I don't have any type of firestarter other then matches and lighters. Thanks!
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There are several types out there and people all have their opinions on which is best. Some prefer mischmetal...some prefer the harder LMF type. I have a pretty good collection of them going and could tell you my opinions on all of them but you're never really going to know what you personally prefer until you experiment a bit. Personally I don't think there is a better full sized ferro rod out there yet that is better than the ESEE fire starter. It gives you a great handle, a water proof storage area, and a compass...along with some useful tips. Yes the new ones are a bit harder than some folks are used to but I really like it. I'm one of the odd ones that prefers to use the edge of my knife rather than the spine because it throws better sparks and gets the fire started quicker, and I don't do it to entertain myself...I'm either doing it to teach or experimenting with a new tinder. I suggest since you are new to this you get a knife or striker just for your firesteel and practice a good bit, but once you learn what tinders will and won't ignite easily then usually one or two sparking is all it takes to ignite the tinder if you've done your prep right. Also I like the ESEE fire starter for the one handed method, it has a great grip. If you just want to learn about how they work go on line and order some blanks from one or two of the vendors that or members here. They don't cost much and you'll learn more in a few days of playing with them than you'll get out of any thread. But as far as taking one to the field, in my opinion you won't find a better one than the ESEE fire starter.
 
I have purchased various ferrocerium rods over the years. Personally, the slick-looking, well-put-together striking rods don't work well for me. The strike area is too small. YMMV.

I much prefer buying just the rod itself and getting one that is longer. I carry the 3/8" x 4" or the 3/8" x 5". I'd prefer a smaller diameter but couldn't find the 4" or 5" in 3/16" or 1/4".

I'd also suggest lots of practice with it. These rods produce more sparks once you get past the initial outer casing. Don't bring a brand new rod with you when you may need to call upon it. Bring one that has been used and the outer surface removed from use.

Just do a search for ferrocerium rods and you will find various retailers who sell them.
 
I've used the ESEE kit, an Izula and some bark to start a few fires. No "synthetic" tinder needed. I think it works pretty well.
 
they all work about the same. more technique than type of steel. yeah the misch metal throws fun little globs of molten metal, but the others produce flame just as well.
these are all 4" x 5/16" bought thru some online source or another. doesnt take too long to whip up a batch, and they are great trading fodder at rendezvous and other skills gatherings. just differe nt bits of wood scrap from the shop. rosewood, maple burl, osage orange. tho the pic doesnt show it, i typically add some shock cord and a length of an old used hacksaw blade for the scraper. always add a bit of brass for the lanyard hole as it tends to keep the wood from checking.
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these particular ones are all gone but just did up another batch of 8 or so earlier this week. heading to a rendezvous this weekend. hopefully trade a couple for a skunk skin i will use for an arrow quiver.
have a great weekend everyone. hope ya'll are able to get outside in this fine fall weather.
 
I'll add that you should research various forms of tinder & such if you're going to learn to use a flint-striker. Cottonballs work very well (if you have them). Sock lint & lint from jogging
clothing is also good. Nylon cord fuzz. Hair (Stinky). Finely shredded tissue paper. Dried weeds of just about any kind (roll it up into a bird's nest). Plant pith (if dried very well).
I'm sure there are more. Also, petro-jelly works well in conjunction with some of these, it
tends to burn longer. Hope I could help.

Dark Seraphane

Almost forgot--I've managed to use coffee creamer, too. Not safe to throw straight on a fire, though.
 
I really like the ones I got from firesteel.com
Great strikes, and lights every time.
My girlfriend and I were practicing making fire from firesteels, and for camping, we've settled on dryer lint and these "Magic Fire Startes" that are just cotton wrapped in parafin wax. Not the most bare essential and not "all natural", but it's quick, and cheap.
I'm not at all good at making feather sticks yet... need a LOT more practice, and need to learn better technique...
 
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