Fire Steel Sources and Size Prefs?

Uh, Doc . . . how does that thing work? Where does the spark come from? How do you actuate it? Inquiring (but unimaginative) minds want to know!

Maybe that's what my ray gun needs!

-- FLIX
 
FLIX said:
Uh, Doc . . . how does that thing work? Where does the spark come from? How do you actuate it? Inquiring (but unimaginative) minds want to know!

Maybe that's what my ray gun needs!

-- FLIX
Click to expand...

Hey FLIX,

(Looking only at the bottom part of the diagram) the brass tube on the left that ascends toward the right at a 45 degree angle contains the flint and the spring, the tube on the right, ascending to the left at 45 degrees has a knurled knob at the bottom which you turn quickly. This shoots the sparks out at the top (juncture of the 2 ascending tubes) where you see the sparking wheel.

This description is probably a lot more complicated than the actual tool.

If you're still not sure, next time you're in a Walmart or equivalent, check in the camping section. Once you see it, it will become painfully obvious, or, let me know, and I'll make another diagram.

I just made it tonight and I really like it. Cheap, small, lightweight, dependable, don't need a knife or anything else to make it spark.

Doc
 
I just got the 1/4" thick firesteel from County Comm. tonight. The scraper is the same one that comes with the Light My Fire models. I have been looking for a larger diameter firesteel, but shipping to my area is hellacious. I bought a really nice belt sheath for their little radio, which is just the right size for a PSK, the firesteel, which is on sale right now, and a neat little folding razor blade, and the whole package cost me less than just a firesteel from elsewhere. The firesteel throws wicked sparks with the back of the saw on my Leatherman Wave. The end of the little razor works very well as a scraper also. All in all, I am thrilled with the 3 items I got. The little sheath is made of very nice materials. I was going to start a new thread to tell everybody about these, but it tied in just fine here. You ought to take a look. With the sale price on the firesteels, the flat rate shipping is still almost better than free, and you can get all the other little gidgets they have. Sorry about the enthusiasm, but the newness has not worn off yet.
 
Doc,
At backpacking stores you find those lantern sparkers hanging in with the fire making stuff. I guess it's an "underground" knowledge thing.
I walked right by them, never gave it a thought. thanks.
 
Wapiti, my second to what Dale W and Any Cal. said about the strikers at Countycomm. I received mine today. It is the scout model, the rod is 1-3/4 x 1/4". I was afraid it would be too small for me, but it isn't, throws great sparks.
Also got the little LED lights and 100' mil-spec 550 paracord.
 
FLIX said:
Iuke12,

Thanks for pointing us to the eBay source. I've come up with a couple of firestarter ideas (non-ray gun based!) that I wanted to prototype so I ordered a pack of these. The guy is just a few minutes from my office! Cool beans!

-- FLIX
Click to expand...
My pleasure Flix, the guy treated me right, the sticks are the real deal. Let us know how you make out with your firestarter ideas, sounds interesting.
 
Thanks to everyone for their help.
I had a few other items to pick from Countycomm, so will add the firesteel to the list to try it out.
I do want to get one of the larger ones from one of the other sources, but will have to wait a bit (or come up with some more stuff to get) to justify the shipping.

Thanks again,
Brome
 
SkunkWerX said:
Doc,
At backpacking stores you find those lantern sparkers hanging in with the fire making stuff. I guess it's an "underground" knowledge thing.
I walked right by them, never gave it a thought. thanks.
Click to expand...

(talk about reviving old posts :rolleyes: ) Last night I was playing with the modified lantern lighter. Results - tried to ignite jute fibres with fuel depleted Bic - no go (could be me, though) - with modified lantern lighter - no problem, probably because of larger/hotter sparks, and the most important point I wanted to make is that people have posted before that one advantage to certain sparker assemblies is that you can use them one handed. So it is with this one.

Doc
 
Amazon has the larger model (12,000 strikes) with an oak handle for ~17 dollars.

The ones at county comm are the 3000 strike model, which is adequate, IMO, but I still like to get the big one. Mishmetal is brittle, and I worry about it breaking.
 
I have recently broken two of the smaller Fire Flash rods. So in my opinion, use the largest sized rod you can find.
 
County comm has sales all the time so keep checking their site. On sale they sell the smaller scout for 5 bucks. At that price I bought a bunch. Since these things are breakable and prone to corrosion if left around moisture (ie those paracords they always put on them, I put it away one night with the paracord slightly wet and it corroded a good little indentation away overnight) I prefer to have a couple smaller ones rather than one larger, especially at three times the cost. I also bought those 1 dollar LEDs, they aren't bad and at that price I am putting them all over the place.

pete
 
Rescue Mike said:
Just so we are clear.. You just want the flint rod.. Right?

If that's what you are looking for, check here..
http://www.epcamps.com/4in_Flint.html

This is a 1/2" diameter 4" length rod, and needs no handle. This is what is issued to the SERE instructors at Fairchild AFB, and should last you decades. I use mine every week, and I may need to replace it.. In about 10 years!
Click to expand...


+1 on that! Same rod, same place.

My kid may wear it out after I'm gone, but I doubt it.

Rob
 
Does anyone recall seeing a fire starting device was a magnesium rod and scraper in-one?

All was required was the user to take the cap off, point the magnesium rod downward and push the body of the striker down and it scraped and shed a shower of hot sparks onto the tinder. Upon releasing downward pressure the magnesium rod would spring back out.

Was I halucinating or does anyone else remember those things?:confused:
 
PBJ- it was made by Gerber I think and called the Blast Match? It is fairly big though, I think I have one at home, will have to check.
 
PBJ said:
Does anyone recall seeing a fire starting device was a magnesium rod and scraper in-one?

All was required was the user to take the cap off, point the magnesium rod downward and push the body of the striker down and it scraped and shed a shower of hot sparks onto the tinder. Upon releasing downward pressure the magnesium rod would spring back out.

Was I halucinating or does anyone else remember those things?:confused:
Click to expand...

That is the Ultimate Survival Blastmatch. I have one. If you have a firm surface where you can put it right on top of your tinder, it works very well. It is a ferrocerium rod, not magnesium.
 
About a week ago I recieved one I ordered off Ebay. It is .4" x 4". It is the first time I have ever used one larger than 1/4". The sparks it makes are quite a bit larger than the smaller ones, and last longer. I was able to light bond paper directly with it once or twice.
 
Rescue Mike said:
Just so we are clear.. You just want the flint rod.. Right?

If that's what you are looking for, check here..
http://www.epcamps.com/4in_Flint.html

This is a 1/2" diameter 4" length rod, and needs no handle. This is what is issued to the SERE instructors at Fairchild AFB, and should last you decades. I use mine every week, and I may need to replace it.. In about 10 years!
Click to expand...

I wonder if that would fit in the handle of a large Reeve One-Piece?
 
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