ESEE Fire kit vs GobSpark Armageddon Firesteel

[kgd]

Different strokes for different stokes. I tend to prefer LMF rods for how they spark, but more then the behavior, I really like the ability to customize size and thickness by purchasing blanks. I have settled for the Badger size from goinggear and just like its 4" by 3/16" thickness. Lasts a long time and the length really lets you shower the sparks onto your tinder.

Actually, I really don't use my firesteel too much other then spark lighting my alcohol stoves. When I do use it to start a fire, its sort of a no holds back scrape fest to shower my tinder with sparks and get it going. Usually, I just ignite wood shavings rather than tinder using this approach. It wears through your rod faster and gives you that 'hour-glass' effect, but it works and when I get down to starting the fire with a firesteel, I'm not usually concerned with being efficient or dainty.

The 'ever lasting gobsparker' was a great comment!

 

[d2eux]

Of these the only rod I refuse to take to the field is the FS.com rod. It was one of the first misch rods I ever got and I had trouble with it right off the bat. It was inconsistent in sparking and a lot of the time I would just scrape shavings off that wouldn't even ignite when it did spark.

Damn, I'm sorry about your crappy experience with FS.com. Just out of curiosity, how long ago did you buy the FS.com firesteel? I dont mean to play devils advocate, but from all the positive reviews (Unless they are bogus reviews made up by fs.com) maybe FS has improved their rods since.

Just aguess, but from what you're saying its sounds like I'm better off just getting the old RAT Firesteel with a misch rod as opposed to the gobspark armageddon

 

[Mistwalker]

Damn, I'm sorry about your crappy experience with FS.com. Just out of curiosity, how long ago did you buy the FS.com firesteel? I dont mean to play devils advocate, but from all the positive reviews (Unless they are bogus reviews made up by fs.com) maybe FS has improved their rods since.

Just aguess, but from what you're saying its sounds like I'm better off just getting the old RAT Firesteel with a misch rod as opposed to the gobspark armageddon

It was a couple of years ago I think. I knew then as I do now it's possible to get a bad one of anything. I've bought bad tools, bad food, bad dvds, and bad auto parts, and bad other things new in the box. It sucks but it happens, it's the customer service that matters most to me when that happens. For all I know I got the one bad ferro rod FS.com ever produced. However with the reaction I got and being told how "virtually impossible" it was for one of their fire steels to be bad I just washed my hands of it. There are simply too many other good products on the market that are backed by great customer service for me to ever justify my supporting of that particular company. I'm not telling anyone what to do or what not to do, and I'm not going to start a "dump on FS.com" ruckus over it, but every time this subject comes up I will voice my personal experiences and my opinion.

 

[shelbysguns]

Thanks Mistwalker! I was just about to order a ferrocium blank from FS.com, now I wont. Where else can I get a non-misch blank? I alreagy have a GG firesteel, and it... meh... doesn't suit my tastes. I really like the shell casing handle idea though! I just need a place to order a standard LMF-type rod. Anyone? Thanks!

 

[kage]

shelbysguns: You can get the Light My Fire blanks from Ben's Backwoods. The owner is a pleasure to deal with.

 

[shelbysguns]

Awesome! What diameter are they? Preferably in Standard? I think I need a 5/16, if I follow Jv3's post above, right? I can find any other kind of shell casing if need be though. Thanks again!

 

[pedropcola]

Hello Mistwalker, I always enjoy your posts. In fact, you had a thread about the nanostriker that convinced me to buy a couple of them. I just recently added a bunch of misch metal type rods to go along with my LMF's. I got them from FS.com and Ron made a mistake in my order. He was very quick to fix the order and shipped the correct item in a timely order and on his own dime (as he should). I only add this to the thread because my experience, like yours, is only one isolated glimpse into FS.com. Their products and prices are good and very competitive. Next time I will probably try going gear because I have heard good things about them also.

I would have zero problems or misgivings about buying from firesteel.com either though. Anyone can have a bad day. I certainly hope people won't stop buying from them, we all need as many good choices to enjoy our hobbies as we can get!

Have a great evening.

Pete

 

[Mistwalker]

shelbysguns: You can get the Light My Fire blanks from Ben's Backwoods. The owner is a pleasure to deal with.

Thanks for reminding me of that. I knew that a year ago but then drew a complete blank two weeks ago when I was looking for some LMF blanks for some custom ferro rods. As stated, I stated earlier I honestly prefer to carry both types in the woods as both have their good and bad points.

Hello Mistwalker, I always enjoy your posts. In fact, you had a thread about the nanostriker that convinced me to buy a couple of them. I just recently added a bunch of misch metal type rods to go along with my LMF's. I got them from FS.com and Ron made a mistake in my order. He was very quick to fix the order and shipped the correct item in a timely order and on his own dime (as he should). I only add this to the thread because my experience, like yours, is only one isolated glimpse into FS.com. Their products and prices are good and very competitive. Next time I will probably try going gear because I have heard good things about them also.

I would have zero problems or misgivings about buying from firesteel.com either though. Anyone can have a bad day. I certainly hope people won't stop buying from them, we all need as many good choices to enjoy our hobbies as we can get!

Have a great evening.

Pete

Pete,

I know it was just one isolated incident, and it is bad for others to judge a company based on one incident or the word of any one individual. However I just had to throw my own experiences into the mix just as it was only right that you did. Sharing info and experiences is what this forum is about. Maybe the man was having a bad day, we all have those... or maybe he has learned something over the last couple of years. Dealing with people for 25 years as a carpenter and cabinet maker I got several lessons in customer service over the years. Still, being treated like an idiot sure left a bad taste in my mouth. In the end it did work out in my favor though. I learned about Going Gear whose physical store is only a half-hour's drive away.

I am glad you are happy with both the gear you purchased and the service you received, after all that is the desired result :thumbup:

 

[shelbysguns]

I just bought an Otter GG firesteel on a whim anyways, because I don't think the LMF army model is 5/16. Anywyas, I forgot about Ben's Backwoods, Now I know where to find a good price on an Etowah tarp! They finally got Zebra billys in stock, too! Thanks Kage!

 

[bigbadboom]

For what its worth , I bought a gobspark armageddon from fs.com , its an absolute cracker of a steel , and the best 1 Ive tried yet.

It was a total bargain even with international shipping , being only a few dollars more than the elcheapo ones they sell in the store. + magnesium tubes and carbide stikers are affordable too.
My other choice was the aussie survival tool ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_7SGyuYVUo ) locally made but waaaay waaaaay smaller and 3 times the price. you just about use the whole thing up practicing.


The Rat steel looks cool but how much are they ?

 

[Gaurdian_A1]

Maybe i am the only one here, but IMHO i dont like how short the striking surface is on the esee firesteel, and i found that i had to put more effort into it to get a good shower of sparks and my going gear, or LMF and coghlans rods ( the best for your money IMHO).

I replace my esee rods with the LMF army rod. much better for me. I have no issues with misch or ferro rods. but the ESEE seemingly has the hardest firesteel ive ever used, i really have to put effort into it for it to work well. I used the spine of my SRK and it worked pretty damn good, but still had to remove as much metal as i could. I also tried an LMF striker, it works OK but you really need to tourque on it.

i dont think i am doing anything wrong, because for the last two years i havent lit a single fire without a firesteel...LMF GG.com and coghlans..but the ESEE seems to be the black sheep of the family until the firesteel itself gets replaced.

 

[kage]

Not to derail this post but I have to agree with Guardian A1 about the Coghlan firesteels. For $5 you can't beat it.

I've been wanting handless firesteels with a hole drilled in them (tried drilling one myself, but it was more of a fireworks display than I wanted) for a minimal kit like a survival necklace or survival baldric. I've only been able to find them from FS.com, but hadn't purchased one because of the mixed reviews. Now I think I'll have to give the Armageddon blank a try. Thanks!

 

[Mistwalker]

As I have said I have never tried the Armageddon, and I probably never will unless one of my friends buys one. However I do personally love the ESEE firestarters. They gave a large hollow handle that can either hold a small minimal survival kit, or can be simply dedicated to tinder for fire starting in bad weather.

I've never had any issues with not getting sparks.

.

 

[Mistwalker]

And I like how the large handle offers a good grip when used one handed.


Bamboo shavings

Fatwood

I bought my first ESEE fire starter, I played with it for a week, and then I bought two more.

.

 

[Gaurdian_A1]

well i'm stumped mistwalker. I used the cutting edge of my esee 3 and it chipped a little, enough to catch my fingernail, so i never did it again. The spine of my SRK does a decent job, but ive found the ESEE firesteel just doesnt compare to what else is offfered on the market in price and functionality.

i am a die hard ESEE fan, but i am not afraid to say somthing isnt working for me. I will keep useing it. but when i go out into the sticks, unless the firesteel itself is replaced with an LMF or going gear rod, the ESEE doesnt come with.

the body of the ESEE firsteel is what attracted me to it in the first place. brilliant innovation on ESEE's part. You know, i could be striking the ESEE steel wrong, i guess we cant exclude that possibility of my predicament...but i highly doubt it.

 

[Mistwalker]

well i'm stumped mistwalker. I used the cutting edge of my esee 3 and it chipped a little, enough to catch my fingernail, so i never did it again. The spine of my SRK does a decent job, but ive found the ESEE firesteel just doesnt compare to what else is offfered on the market in price and functionality.

i am a die hard ESEE fan, but i am not afraid to say somthing isnt working for me. I will keep useing it. but when i go out into the sticks, unless the firesteel itself is replaced with an LMF or going gear rod, the ESEE doesnt come with.

the body of the ESEE firsteel is what attracted me to it in the first place. brilliant innovation on ESEE's part. You know, i could be striking the ESEE steel wrong, i guess we cant exclude that possibility of my predicament...but i highly doubt it.

Hmmm, the new rods in the ESEE firestarters are harder than a lot of rods...harder than the old RAT fire steels from what I've heard. The hardness of the ones I have is one of the reasons I do like them. I have used the edge of my Izula, my 3MIL, and my RC-4 on numerous occasions with no ill effects at all. Is it possible you just got a harder rod or a bad one maybe?

If you decide to get rid of yours email me, maybe we can work a trade or something.