ferrocium vs mischmetal,who prefers what and why?

CUTS LIKE A KRIS said:
One thing to ask- Are most of you guys striking forward with your striker (it seems that way)? I was always taught to keep the striker still and stroke the ferro/MM rod backwards to control the sparks and to not ever touch the tinder- important in real survival/ hypothermia conditions (although I have never had to use one in those conditions). I still always pull backward- both LMF and RAT steel work this way, I have not tried other MM.
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Very good method that I use as well,protecting the tinderpile from moving hand.
 
Wing-Man said:
Has anyone else had any experience with mischmetal?
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I have a few LMF ferro rods and a whole bunch of mischmetal rods from Storl (Going Gear) and Asia, via eBay. I like them both, but tend to have more faith in the mm. Almost all of my mm rods are attached to an aluminum capsule which holds at least two pj cotton balls, and all of my packs and bags contain some kind of tinder: fatwood, pj cotton balls, parafin cotton balls or fire straws (pj cotton balls sealed in a section of large plastic drinking straw).

I almost always use a Bic when camping, but I do also use both kinds of rods regularly to stay proficient. The mm rods can be frustrating to get a spark from initially, but once you get things right, they really throw some hot, long-lasting stuff!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
desmobob said:
I have a few LMF ferro rods and a whole bunch of mischmetal rods from Storl (Going Gear) and Asia, via eBay. I like them both, but tend to have more faith in the mm. Almost all of my mm rods are attached to an aluminum capsule which holds at least two pj cotton balls, and all of my packs and bags contain some kind of tinder: fatwood, pj cotton balls, parafin cotton balls or fire straws (pj cotton balls sealed in a section of large plastic drinking straw).

I almost always use a Bic when camping, but I do also use both kinds of rods regularly to stay proficient. The mm rods can be frustrating to get a spark from initially, but once you get things right, they really throw some hot, long-lasting stuff!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
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All I have experimented with those types is the LMF small rod, then some magnesium an d flint style ignition. I just got done making up some Vaseline cotton balls, I got some of those round orange match holders from "the giant chain store" and took the matches out. Did you know on those containers that it is a common misconception to use the piece on the bottom as a match striker? I actually did it myself until I realized that it was a coated flint lol.
 
I have a Primus ferro rod that I use quite a lot. With the right striker (small TiN coated tungsten carbide cutting insert from one of the lathes at work) I can get sparks that bounce around for a few seconds. Fatwood shavings and birch bark are my favorite tinders and light with 1-5 strikes.

I use the tip of the rod to hold down my tinder and scrape down slowly.
 
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