ESEE Fire Starter Came Today Yaaaaaay!!

In a side by side (striking) comparison the misc metal on my Rat Firesteel doesn't feel substantially softer than my regular firesteels.
Maybe the Rats mischmetal rods are harder than other misch rods?
The mischs do require one to pay more attention to technique though.
 
tholiver said:
In a side by side (striking) comparison the misc metal on my Rat Firesteel doesn't feel substantially softer than my regular firesteels.
Maybe the Rats mischmetal rods are harder than other misch rods?
The mischs do require one to pay more attention to technique though.
Click to expand...

I guess there are probably different grades of each type, but to me of the mains ones I've messed with; Going Gear, Exotac, and F.S.dotcom, all advertised as misch, are a good bit softer (and with the FS.com being waaaaay softer) than say the LMF and Strike Force type.

How old is your fire starter? I read a while back that they had changed away from the misch but not how long ago.

.
 
Glad to see you got the ESEE ferro rod. I figured it would only be a short time before I saw one in your hands :)

Albeit, I prefer mischmetal, but that is just personal preference.
 
Wanderlust said:
I know the feeling. I've got the firesteel but every time I read one of these threads I keep itching for a HEST.
Click to expand...

Yeah...well I get those same itches when I see the new 3 mil......


TheGame said:
Glad to see you got the ESEE ferro rod. I figured it would only be a short time before I saw one in your hands :)

Albeit, I prefer mischmetal, but that is just personal preference.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've been trying to get one for some time now. Every time I had the money I couldn't find it in stock....every time I found it in stock I really couldn't afford it at the time.

I started with the harder ones so I'm fine with it as is.
 
Those kits are nice.

I've only kept from getting one due to the fact that I have two strikeforce units and tinder tabs plus a badger from goinggear. As well as a lot of prepared cottonballs in a couple kits, and my flint and steel kit etc.

Got firemakin pretty well covered.
 
wildmike said:
Those kits are nice.

I've only kept from getting one due to the fact that I have two strikeforce units and tinder tabs plus a badger from goinggear. As well as a lot of prepared cottonballs in a couple kits, and my flint and steel kit etc.

Got firemakin pretty well covered.
Click to expand...

Well... fire Starting does seem to be one of my favorite areas to obsess over :) ...but I've been wanting one of these since they first came out.
 
mistwalker said:
I guess there are probably different grades of each type, but to me of the mains ones I've messed with; Going Gear, Exotac, and F.S.dotcom, all advertised as misch, are a good bit softer (and with the FS.com being waaaaay softer) than say the LMF and Strike Force type.

How old is your fire starter? I read a while back that they had changed away from the misch but not how long ago.

.
Click to expand...
All i know is that its at least 5 months old, the guy i bought it off never said specifically when he bought it.
Has the regular RAT RC SERE logo on it and is kinda olive drab in color.
The RAT-1 folder he sold with it was old enough to have the old style one-sided user-removable thumb-stub.
I think he said he bought them around the same time.
 
I am guessing here but I believe the ones with the screw holding rod in is misch and the newer epoxy in rods are standard ferro rods ? I may be wrong though ?
 
I went for a walk in the woods behind the house this evening and started the first fire with it. I was right...I do really like this fire starter! The sun was getting low so the lighting wasn't the greatest but it was clear that spring here in this rain forest is well under way. Honeysuckles are blooming.

IMG_4393.jpg


IMG_4387.jpg





The prolific Poison Ivy is back...

IMG_4391.jpg





I have no idea what this is, I just liked the lighting and balance of the shot...

IMG_4395.jpg





I used a piece of a really large dead Pine tree....that's all fatwood...for tinder, and some dry Cedar limbs for fuel and had a little fire very quickly.

IMG_4399.jpg


IMG_4400.jpg
 
Had a friend over to help me with some photos today...in the process I ended up showing him how well the ESEE fire starter works. The series of shots pretty much speaks for itself. I reeeeally like this little jewel.

IMG_4793.jpg


IMG_4801.jpg


IMG_4802.jpg


IMG_4803.jpg


IMG_4805.jpg
 
Loosearrow said:
Can you replace the ferro rod as needed?
Click to expand...

No...on the new ones it's epoxied in.

But it's a hard ferro rod, so unless you're a wilderness skills instructor and use it for class or are a ferro-fire adict it should last you a really long time. :)
 
Not being able to replace the firesteel is complete and utter bollocks. Basically your left with a nice piece of aluminum tube with a stub of firesteel stuck in it.

I had planned to buy about ten of these for my various kits, and to use as zipper pulls on my bags, but if i cannot replace the firesteel when i need to, FORGET IT.

^
( no offense to anyone, its just my opinion )

I go thru a lot of firesteels, demonstrating the technique to people, using it myself, a basic Scout firesteel lasts me a weekend or two.
 
Last edited:
I'll say it again: BEST.REVIEWS.EVER.

:thumbup:

Loved the BK7 revisited as well (Just got a 7! Great knife)
 
Bushman5 said:
Not being able to replace the firesteel is complete and utter bollocks. Basically your left with a nice piece of aluminum tube with a stub of firesteel stuck in it.

I had planned to buy about ten of these for my various kits, and to use as zipper pulls on my bags, but if i cannot replace the firesteel when i need to, FORGET IT.

^
( no offense to anyone, its just my opinion )

I go thru a lot of firesteels, demonstrating the technique to people, using it myself, a basic Scout firesteel lasts me a weekend or two.
Click to expand...

Dang Bushy, your scraping the fire out of those things! Pun intended. I have a BSA Hotspark on my keychain that I use to start just about every fire around here. I grill at least two or three times a week, and have a campfire down by the water once a week. The Hotspark I have now is at least a year old, and still has almost half it's mass left. A rod the size of that ESEE deal would last me a long, long time. Even as my primary fire starter!
 
planned obsolescence in gear irritates the hell out of me. Its a waste of money for the consumer (which = great profits for the company).

Originally, i could see the cool factor of this firesteel/tindertube. works great for a PSK where you may not use it every day or several times a day. But for someone who (had) planned on buying a bunch for daily use, then finding out the ferro rod cannot be replaced, its not so good. I might buy one for kicks and giggles, but will end up making my own on the lathe, with replaceable ferro rods.

sorry Mistwalker, didn;t mean to sidetrack with a rant :)
 
Nice review, as usual, Brian.

I have not personally seen or handled this item so I'm going only on pictures I've seen. While the size of the "capsule" portion must be welcome as a comfortable handle and tinder compartment, it seems too big for pocket or neck carry. Also, it appears to be too bulbous to attach a knife sheath. I'm curious how people carry this firestarter.

Do you guys carry it inside a pouch? Any other ideas?
 
It seems that a blend of elements from this firestarter and the ExoTac would be ideal. Since you have both, could you put them in a drawer for a while and maybe play some Barry White? :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top