fire starting machines?

langston302

langston302

Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
990
who uses what....
firesteels?
metal match?
zippo?
flint and steel?
what else?

i am real curious about the metal match? or the permenant match...how damn good are they? i have one now and its cool but how useable are they?
 
I have a firesteel thats being shipped to my house as we speak. I haven't used it personally yet, but I hear they fall into the 'easier said than done' category(like most survival gadgets). My take on it is that they are a lifeline when you become proficient at using them and definitely worth having. But it's a little more complicated than just pointing the rod at a tree and doing a quick scrape and BOOM, fire.:D

I've heard they work better once they have been used a bit, so it makes sense to practice with one in the back yard a bit to 'break it in' as well as training yourself to use one. I also think the striker/scraper that comes with most are not that high in quality - and that if you cut off a little bit of a hacksaw blade to use - they create more sparks.

I haven't tried a magnesium stick yet, the one where you have to make shavings first. But they seem like they would be hell on a blade edge(not a big concern if the shit really hits the fan, but something to consider if you are just looking for a tool to help you make fires when you camp).
 
A lot depends on where you are and what you want to do. For example, standard matches don't do well in rain, jet-type lighters don't do well at altitude, and ferro rods don't do well in high wind. Oh, and matches are about the only thing that will light my Coleman lantern.

I EDC a Boy Scout Hot Spark ferro rod. I started carrying that after seeing Cast Away with Tom Hanks. Seriously.

I also carry a refillable Solo Candle Lighter (though I'm thinking about switching to a Solo Storm for better wind operation), a large ferro rod, strike-anywhere matches in a long K&M matchcase, and Vaseline-impregnated cotton balls in my camp gear. When out in wilderness areas, the matches get replaced with REI Waterproof matches - to be safe.
 
I have actual experience with matches, lighters and the magnesium block fire starters with the "flint" on one side. The mag block to me seems to be more trouble than it's worth. . . It's kind of a pain to get a big enough pile of magnesium shavings, and they are susceptible to being blown away or scattered if you slip while trying to make sparks to ignite them. I do like using the "flint" (I'm not sure if this is the same material as the ferro rods) to light PJ cotton balls.

I think that a good pile of dry tinder and a good supply of wood shavings and small twigs to feed it as it grows are more important than the spark or flame source.
 
midnite-penguin said:
I have a firesteel thats being shipped to my house as we speak. I haven't used it personally yet, but I hear they fall into the 'easier said than done' category(like most survival gadgets). My take on it is that they are a lifeline when you become proficient at using them and definitely worth having. But it's a little more complicated than just pointing the rod at a tree and doing a quick scrape and BOOM, fire.:D

I've heard they work better once they have been used a bit, so it makes sense to practice with one in the back yard a bit to 'break it in' as well as training yourself to use one. I also think the striker/scraper that comes with most are not that high in quality - and that if you cut off a little bit of a hacksaw blade to use - they create more sparks.

I haven't tried a magnesium stick yet, the one where you have to make shavings first. But they seem like they would be hell on a blade edge(not a big concern if the shit really hits the fan, but something to consider if you are just looking for a tool to help you make fires when you camp).
Click to expand...

A tip to help you when you get your new firesteel... i find it is better if you put the steel on the material you are trying to ignite, (ie birchbark shavings) then slowly with steady pressure from your thumb try to "shave" a piece off. this is easier than trying to hold the steel above the material while you spark.

It takes some practice, but im sure you will get it. :D
 
I saw on this forum (I think) where they took a spark dohickey for a lantern and cut it down and it works great, Altho I realy like the dixie gun works machine.
 
The Blastmatch is a good place to start if you are just learning about ferro/misc metal/fire steels. Use a 100% cotton-cotton ball to catch the spark. No additives. Once you own this skill then move up to vaseline impregnated cotton balls. moss, and other natural tinders. I use a military fire steel as my personal fire starter but like I said you may want to learn with a Blastmatch. Later you can pick a favorite from the many types available.
 
oh no...i can start a fire with almost all the basic implements...i have yet to use flint and steel and bow drill or plow but i will soon, i was just wondering what everyone preference was.
 
mkhop said:
I saw on this forum (I think) where they took a spark dohickey for a lantern and cut it down and it works great, Altho I realy like the dixie gun works machine.
Click to expand...

CoghlansLanternLightermod-2.jpg


Doc
 
yeah doc i got three of those now because of you....all my kits have one with other strikers and such...

bic
lantern striker (coleman)
usaf survival striker and quik tinder
ferro rod and striker
pj cotton balls
and small fatwood sticks
all in altoids can.
 
I like using my magnesium bar, but windy situations are a pain in the ass for the shavings. I lost my boy scout fire steel, but I plan on getting one now that this thread reminded me. I do find the coleman lighter very interesting as I have seen those at wally world, so I'll probably grab one of those today to test it out. Thanks for the info, J.
 
I pack strike anywhere matches and have two firesteels in different kits. One is the magnesium bar, the other the Army Light My Fire. It is amazing what a some magnesium shavings will do for you but I mainly have that one in my open oh crap Altiods can. I use the army firesteel for all my firepit lightings. It is good tinder gathering practice. Lint works great, but I like to use gathered materials and work them for practice.

tjg
 
mkhop said:
I saw on this forum (I think) where they took a spark dohickey for a lantern and cut it down and it works great, Altho I realy like the dixie gun works machine.
Click to expand...


I read the same post and made one myself. You get one of the $2 dollar Coleman lantern sparkers and remove the bracket. What you're left with is a little L-shaped brass tube that holds a Zippo flint. Twisting a knurled knob sparks it. It works great, but wears out the flint pretty fast (a spare can be stored inside).
 
I went out to wally world and got my coleman striker. It works great! I pulled off the extra stuff and attempted to saw it shorter, but then figured it's the same lenth as my magnesium block so I left it alone. Works great, I accidentally found the spare flint in the twist part of the handle. The first flint is already half gone, but as stated above, they can be bought in little five packs for under a dollar. I could probably fit two flints in the handle, but I will try that later.
 
langston302 said:
that coleman striker is great...really easy to direct the spark...i love them.
Click to expand...

(I'm assuming when you say Coleman, you are referring to the lantern lighter?)

Glad you like them, I do as well. And, of course, with a bit of practice, they can be used one-handed.

Doc
 
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