Disappointed

315

315

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Dec 2, 2017
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A couple of years ago I bought several of the little fire steels that go in the toothpick slot on a Swiss Army Knife. While they are a novelty I thought it could come in handy. I went to pull one out the other day and the little plastic tip came off. It took a little effort but I was able to get it out without removing the scales. I checked several of the other Swiss Army knives that I had put them into and every single one of them except two had the plastic tip come off. I even had a couple of spares in the little plastic case they came in and when I picked one of those up the plastic tip came off. Not exactly sure what’s going on, but it’s like the material just disintegrated at the end where the plastic was connected. Somewhat disappointed because I like the idea of having the ability to get a fire or a gas stove going if my igniter wasn’t working properly.

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Hey mate you sent me a knife a bit over three years ago with a blue mini fire steel in the corkscrew.

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Mine broke about a month after I got it. The ferro rod just fell out without any use. Was this the same brand?
 
That sucks. I also put them in my Vic’s. Are they the firefly brand ones?
 
315 315 Thanks for the update on the side tool version.
sonofwilfred sonofwilfred Thanks for the warning on the corkscrew version.
I was trying to decide which variation to get.

I believe I will just take them off my shopping list, and get a ferro rod that I can hang from my neck, or put in a belt pouch, instead.
For what they charge for either variety, they should not fall apart inside a month or two.

Does anyone know if the Fire Ant kindling stored in the corkscrew decomposes over a short time?
 
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I keep things for a reason. Sometimes I dont know that reason but the reason why I keep things becomes clearer in the future... I just found the ferro rod I spoke of earlier.

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XJ-linux said:
I've had those sitting in my Amazon "save for later" for years now. Thanks for posting. I think I'll probably look elsewhere. Bic makes a nice lighter...
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Or a Zippo/Related zippo fuel/kerosine type lighter. A can of zippo fluid or a key ring zippo fuel container (or a bottle of charcoal starter) takes little space in a pack, and  probably is more likely to get a fire going in wet conditions than a ferro rod or flint and steel, when the kindling is wet.
 
XJ-linux said:
Everyone should own a Zippo. Just in case, IMHO.
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I have a related, even though I quit smoking near 20 years ago. I keep it (and a can of Zippo fuel) in my backpack.
I also have 2 Zippo in one of the company storage trailers. I doubt I will see them (and everything else I have in those trailers) agian.
I might buy a new basic brushed brass Zippo for field use, for camping, and a BIC bbq/oven/water heater lighter, for starting the kerosine lantern I have.
 
That sucks. I wear glasses so I keep a mini-screwdriver in my SAKs (it also fits some of my gun sights).

I was tempted buy some of these tiny ferro rods, but when I saw them in person I was underwhelmed. There are loads of decent ones which are big enough to be comfortable to use (and much more durable), while still being small enough to carry everyday.

I also keep Bic lighters handy everywhere. Such a handy and affordable tool,

Thanks for the warning, though.
 
Well.. I have several of these fire fly fero rods on my sak's and will be keeping an eye. Thanks for the heads up. Have you contacted the company to inquire about warranty?
 
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