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Bike frames are supposed to be a little soft so that they can flex under stress. A magnesium bar is a solid chunk of magnesium. It'll naturally be a little harder than a bike frame, B.
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Coghlan's Magnesium Bar mini-review
- Thread starter Shoki
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Bike frames are supposed to be a little soft so that they can flex under stress. A magnesium bar is a solid chunk of magnesium. It'll naturally be a little harder than a bike frame, B.
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I don't see what the big problem is with the Coughlan's bar, I've successfully started a decent fire with it. The Magnesium isn't soft, but I managed to get enough shavings off to get a flame going without too much effort.
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Made in china does not = bad quality actually, in a great many cases it does, judging by the number of food and other goods recalled that happens almost weekly, here in Canada. I don't like to make these claims without facts and figures, so I did a quick search and, well see for yourself, the results , just because there is a problem with the mag-bar. True, trouble with the mag bar doesn't substantiate that claim, but a lot of other things do.
And I don't see how the problem is sovled, we still don't know what is wrong with the mag-bar ?
Having said the above, I want to correct your assumption- you assumed that I was suggesting that the mag bar quality suffered because it was made in China, not so. I was suggesting that since the location of manufacture had changed, a change in quality could have been introduced.
I'm wondering if you are being so defensive, because (a) you an Asian gentleman, or (b) because you are involved in a company that trades with or manufactures in China. I want to point out that I am in no way suggesting anything negative about the Chinese people, but rather the standards set by manufacturing and/or the government in China.
As far as Chinese goods go, I try as much as possible to buy things manufactured in North America. I have relatives and friends out of work because of work being shipped to other countries. Is this fair of me? Maybe not, but that's how I feel.
I don't post a lot but I do read alot on the forums and I've come to enjoy an respected you opinion (Even agreeing with you more then disagreeing).
I'm glad I could be of some entertainment
I've come to expect more from you then a cheap one liner like this. (China = Bad)Sorry you're disappointed, but they are your expectations, not mine.
If I'm getting this wrong I would appreciate it if you could explain it better, so that I might understand
Getting back to the mag-bar, the fact that they have changed where they manufacture it from the USA to China would satisfy my curiosity as to why the quality has declined. However, since I was going to do this for myself and dawsonbob, if he would like, I will still do the comparison. If not, since you don't post very often, as you mentioned above, and since I believe you would like to make a positive contribution to this discussion, please feel free to take on the test yourself.
Doc
Flip over your keyboard, what does it say ? and how is that working for you
It says "Made in Thailand". Works fine.
Thank you for elaborating on that Doc, I somehow missed that Coghlans mag bars used to be made in USA and only recently had changed location.
I knew it was sounding rather defensive when I wrote it, it was not meant to be.
At times I have trouble finding the right ...words when I'm making a response on a subject.
And I don't have a dog in the race, I'm from Denmark and my only involvement in the discussion is that I own a single well used Doans mag-bar, which I find to be a good fire starting device. (After I got used to it ).
I'll decline the mag-bar comparison, I believe you to be the more competent in this area, and I'm satisfied to be a lurker on these boards.
It says "Made in Thailand". Works fine.
Doh :foot:
But it would have bee a cool point if it had worked
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I was playing with my Coghlans bar today. It seemed to work decent. I think I would like to procure some magnesium from a water heater and JB weld a mischmetal stick to it and get globs to light the mag. That could be over-kill though. I'm fairly adept at overkill.
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Doc, I'd still love to see this comparison between the Doan's bar and the Coghlan's bar, if only to finally put the debate to rest. It could be the fight of the decade ("In this corner Doan's, weighing in at...").
If I can get out to somewhere that sells the Coghlan's brand, I'll take a shot at it, too: a new Coghlan's vs one of my trusty old Doan's bars. Between us we should be able to come up with something definitive. Besides, a.) I'll end up with another mag bar and, b.) it'll be fun.
As to the other little discussion going on, I don't know that there's much difference in quality because of where a product is made. I do, however, think that there's a great difference in quality depending on which manufacturer's name is on the product. A good company is going to insure a quality product no matter where they have it manufactured. Having said that, I try to buy only products made in the USA (or Canada). This, unfortunately, is becoming increasingly difficult nowadays (go ahead, try to buy a television or microwave made in North America: see what I mean?).
where in the heater is the magnesium located?
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I've tried two different Coghlans Mag firestarters, and have to report the same results
as the OP.
Haven't tried a Doan yet though, so won't rule them out as a backup firestarter.
Echoing Bushmans question, I'd like to know where the magnesium in a water heater is
as well.
as the OP.
Haven't tried a Doan yet though, so won't rule them out as a backup firestarter.
Echoing Bushmans question, I'd like to know where the magnesium in a water heater is
as well.
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The advice of Cody Lundin in his excellent book 98.6 Degrees - The Art Of Your Ass Alive! that when dealing with items for your PSK, buy two, practice the hell out of the first, and pack the second, seems appropriate!
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Normark did a thread about it some time back. Maybe a paying member can do a search for you.
dawsonbob - I'm going to be in the vicinity of MEC today, so depending on what time they're open till, I may be able to pick one up. My test will be between an old Coghlan's (made in the USA) and the new Chinese one. As pict would say, more apples to apples.
Hawkings - my keyboard (Logitech) was made in China and it works well, however, I've never had one made in North America to compare it with, and, of course, probably never will.
Doc
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Those mag blocks are heavy, relatively speaking. On one pan of an old fashioned balance put a mag block and the hacksaw piece others have mentioned. On the other pan place a zip lock bag and start piling vaseline saturated cotton balls. See how many cotton balls it takes to equal the weight of one magnesium block.
I know which ones I will pack if I'm having to carry all my gear on my back.
I know which ones I will pack if I'm having to carry all my gear on my back.
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elkins 45>>
Yes...but PJCB's don't light themselves....that's part of what the Magnesium bar is for.
My little Coghlin's bar is actually pretty light. My flint & steel kit weighs more than it does.
Yes...but PJCB's don't light themselves....that's part of what the Magnesium bar is for.
My little Coghlin's bar is actually pretty light. My flint & steel kit weighs more than it does.
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OK, I managed to get to MEC today and pick up a mag bar. There's another little twist to the plot, but I'll save that until I do the comparison, which will be tomorrow or Sunday.
I think I'll also start a new thread, to make it less cluttered.
Doc
I think I'll also start a new thread, to make it less cluttered.
Doc
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Doc, if I can get out I'll try to get a Coghlan's bar myself. Even if I can't, I might take some pictures of the technique I use to make magnesium shavings with a Doan's bar. I rather suspect that we all have different ways of doing that, and the problems some people are having may stem more from technique than from deficiencies in the bars.
If I can get this done, I'll contribute to your new thread (assuming you don't mind, of course).
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Hold off on buying another one, db, save a couple of bucks, unless there's something I don't cover or something you need to try yourself.
As far as contributing to my thread, of course, everybody's welcome.
Doc
I've never had a problem with the Coghlan Mag Bar. No trouble getting a fire started with it. I think it's mainly a matter of technique.
When someone starts out, they have trouble even getting a decent spark to light a Vasoline soaked cotton ball, after a while, you can light bark with a spark. Then you progress to lighting a featherstick with nothing but a firesteel. Just practice.
When someone starts out, they have trouble even getting a decent spark to light a Vasoline soaked cotton ball, after a while, you can light bark with a spark. Then you progress to lighting a featherstick with nothing but a firesteel. Just practice.
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