Coghlans mag block and ferro rod

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Buck268

Joined
Nov 5, 2006
Messages
1,864
While I was at Dunhams today I picked up a magblock/ferro rod combo just because I've been curious as I've heard mixed results with them. I'll probably go out and see what I can get lit up with it later on, but for now I noticed the spark shower is rather...pathetic :jerkit:

Now, I was using my S30V Native, and I've heard stainless isn't the best for a striker. Should I expect better results with a carbon bladed knife/hacksaw blade? Any tricks you guys can recommend to getting the best results as well as longest life from this thing?
 
The only problem I've encoutered with the Coughlans mag blocks is that the glue holding the ferro rod in is not very good. I pry out the rod and lay in some epoxy or Gorilla Glue.

As far as the spark, hacksaw blade seems to work the best, but any semi sharp steel edge should through enough of a spark to light the magnesium.
 
tknife said:
The only problem I've encoutered with the Coughlans mag blocks is that the glue holding the ferro rod in is not very good. I pry out the rod and lay in some epoxy or Gorilla Glue.
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I have heard of this:confused:. Been using them 30 yrs and never had a problem.

Skam
 
Cool link Evolute. Good tips of striking technique.

As for the glue, I certainly can't say for sure but it does seem to be glued on decently well. At least well enough for me, for now.
 
I prep my ferro rods with a small flat needle file (though a whetstone will work). The needle file throws a lot of sparks, I suspect it would do a better job than a hacksaw blade, the only problem is how to carry it (no hole in the file for a cord to pass through), you can get them fairly cheap at most hardware stores.
 
sunshaker said:
I prep my ferro rods with a small flat needle file (though a whetstone will work). The needle file throws a lot of sparks, I suspect it would do a better job than a hacksaw blade, the only problem is how to carry it (no hole in the file for a cord to pass through), you can get them fairly cheap at most hardware stores.
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Anyone know if this method would wear down the rod faster than the standard hacksaw method?
 
WOW. just tried the old hacksaw blade and what a difference! SHOWERS sparks; very nice. Now to take the old doggers out in the woods and make a nice little fire.
 
storl said:
I thought the Coughlan's ones were made by Doan?
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I've heard the same thing, it was posted on this forum not long ago (somthing like which mag block is best)the problem with the ferro rod falling off the mag block was fixed many years ago another urban legend that won't die
 
Buck268 said:
WOW. just tried the old hacksaw blade and what a difference! SHOWERS sparks; very nice. Now to take the old doggers out in the woods and make a nice little fire.
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Yeah, I was impressed by the difference as well, especially when I used the blade side. Although I want to try and modify the other side so that it works better and won't wear down the rod as fast.

I also still have to test out the Ka-Bar Large Bowie that arrived yesterday and see how the back side of that knife draws a spark.
 
Not sure if anyone else has found this to be true, but I found I can scrape a lot more magnesium off and at a much faster rate if I scrape with the side opposite the teeth. It seems to make sense since more of the blade would be in contact with the bar, but it took me some trial and error to figure that out. As far as throwing sparks, I haven't noticed much of a difference when alternating between sides. I get a big shower regardless.
 
Hey Guys....

Buck..

The type of steel your knife is made of makes Absolutely NO difference What so Ever..
Has nothing to do with the knife at all...

All of the mag blocks that you see, whether they are Coleman, Coughlans or what have you are ALL made by Doan Tool in Ohio..

This is Straight from the owners mouth to my ear.

The only thing I can think of why the ferro rods are coming off is either a bad batch of glue, or they use a different glue than they do on the military ones...I've used these for years and haven't had a problem with one coming off...

If you use the hacksaw teeth on the ferro rod, you will for sure decrease the life of the rod. The sharpened spine of a knife or a cheapo folder works well....

When the magnesium side of my bar gets chewed up,, I square it off with a file.. Try not to put nick marks in the magnesium, curley shavings ignite best...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Thats interesting that they are all made by the same people... I am a little curious why the hacksaw blade works so good and my knife doesn't (it has a very squared off backside).
 
Hey Guys..

Buck..

It's because the hacksaw blade is sharper than the spine of your knife..

What kind of knife is it..?

Even though the spine is squared off,, the edges may not be as sharp as it could be...

You could always use a file or something to sharpen the spine.. Personally I would just use something else or make one out of a Sawzall blade...

I just made two scrapers from an old beat up Sawzall blade I snagged out of my nephews toolbox...
These work the best in my opinion...

I'll take a picture for you..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Another good striker can be found on the file included in most mutitools & SAKs :thumbup:.
 
Personally, my fave firesteel striker is the awl on my Victorinox Soldier or Wenger Standard Issue -- sharp enough to get great sparkage without chewing up the ferrocerium as badly as does something toothy like a hacksaw blade.
 
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