Firesteel.com... firesteel, and some very wet conditions

[Mistwalker]

Well...I've only used this thing a couple of rimes to make fire since it was given to me and i think I am getting the hang of it. It throws sparks a little differently that the LMF brand firesteels so I assume it is what folks are calling "misch-metal" and, even though it is a bit like trying to light a fire by lighting a "jumping-jack" and tossing it at your tinder (which can be somewhat entertaining btw), with the molten globs of burning steel it throws I feel confident I could get fire with it when needed even under adverse conditions as long as I remember to adjust my technique accordingly.


I only had to work a couple of hours this morning so when I got off and the rains had slowed down a lot I thought why not go check out this firesteel.

I used some fatwood that I have been hauling around in the back of my truck for a week or so and it was nice and wet on the outside...I love how fatwood just doesn't absorb water...and everything around was wet to so I'll apologize now for all of the reflectivity the sky is so dark as to make the flash necessary.

I'm really liking how the spine on this Sojourner helps in fire craft, it makes scraping fuzz a breeze.

then I sliced off some nice thin curls and made my tinder pile.

Then using the beveled spine I put a good bit of pressure on the steel and held the knife in place and pulled the steel back. This took a few tries to get the spark to go where i wanted but watching them flare and bounce around was interesting.

Then I split some hickory to get to the drier insides and soon had a small fire going for about ten minutes....more than enough to let me know this firesteel will work when I need it too.

I'm still going to keep my LMF firesteels in the loops on my knife sheaths, but it's good to know that I can use the one in my truck kit effectively.



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[dawsonbob]

Good pics, Mist. I wonder if those are the same composition as the Going Gear fire steels (which is what I use)?

 

[Mistwalker]

Good pics, Mist. I wonder if those are the same composition as the Going Gear fire steels (which is what I use)?

Thanks Bob. I'm not sure, I looked on their site but it didn't say anything about misch metal like it does on going gear. But this one sure sparks like what I've heard about the ones from going gear. The only thing I really took away from their site is that according to them theirs "are the best in the world" and used by spec ops all over the world blah blah blah. It simply refers to the firesteel's chemical make-up as "ferrocerium" and breaks that down a little bit... but aren't the all ferrocerium?

 

[dawsonbob]

Maybe when I get some money I'll order one from firesteel.com and do a comparison. I think you're right: they're all feffocerium, and — according to Wikipedia — they're all misch metal, too. Just the proportions of the components vary, and some seem to have additional components to help them along. Surely someone who knows more than I can answer this burning question (sorry, couldn't help myself).

 

[Mistwalker]

Maybe when I get some money I'll order one from firesteel.com and do a comparison. I think you're right: they're all feffocerium, and — according to Wikipedia — they're all misch metal, too. Just the proportions of the components vary, and some seem to have additional components to help them along. Surely someone who knows more than I can answer this burning question (sorry, couldn't help myself).

That's funny I was just looking at the going gear site thinking the same thing.

Hmmm...maybe Joe will throw his two cents in when he returns...he likes to explain things.

 

[dawsonbob]

Expiring minds need to know! This burning question needs to be answered!

 

[Mistwalker]

expiring minds need to know! This burning question needs to be answered!

lmao!

 

[TheGame]

I like the firesteels that throw big molten globs. They are cooler to show to people, and I can get a fire with them faster.

 

[kgd]

what folks are calling "misch-metal" and, even though it is a bit like trying to light a fire by lighting a "jumping-jack" and tossing it at your tinder (which can be somewhat entertaining btw)

LMAO - thats about the best description I've seen yet about striking mische rods

 

[Mistwalker]

LMAO - thats about the best description I've seen yet about striking mische rods

Lol, it was the most accurate description I could think of

 

[IUKE12]

I prefer the misch metal over the LMF type. Once you get the hang of the m/m, ain't no problem lighting tinder with it. You really need all your ducks in a row with the LMF steels. I just ordered some strikers from goingear, anxious to give them a try. Nice hunk of fat-wood mistwalker

 

[Mistwalker]

I prefer the misch metal over the LMF type. Once you get the hang of the m/m, ain't no problem lighting tinder with it. You really need all your ducks in a row with the LMF steels. I just ordered some strikers from goingear, anxious to give them a try. Nice hunk of fat-wood mistwalker

I think I'm getting the hang of it.

Thanks, wait till I post pics from the hike I just came back from. I found a nice stump and dropped it off at my brothers. I hope this keeps him from saying anything when I swipe another piece or two of his firewood

 

[storl]

Thanks Bob. I'm not sure, I looked on their site but it didn't say anything about misch metal like it does on going gear. But this one sure sparks like what I've heard about the ones from going gear. The only thing I really took away from their site is that according to them theirs "are the best in the world" and used by spec ops all over the world blah blah blah. It simply refers to the firesteel's chemical make-up as "ferrocerium" and breaks that down a little bit... but aren't the all ferrocerium?

I believe they are the same and yes, they are all ferrocerium, just different mixtures of the alloy.

Maybe I should put on my site that CIA field agents, US Military SERE trainers, Les Stroud, etc. (all true) have bought and used mine. Nah, I think I'll stick with my current description.

The mischmetal rods vs LMF are a personal preference thing, which is why I sell both. The mischmetal rods will have longer lived burning globs, but they take a bit more finesse to use. Once you have the technique down, I think they are a lot more useful because they can light more tinders. If you know that you will always have PJ cotton balls though, then the LMF ones are not a bad option. You just won't be able to produce sparks that shoot out 10' in front of you.

I personally use the Sparkie because I am lazy and it is stupid simple to use.

 

[dawsonbob]

Storl, forget the CIA field agents, US Military SERE trainers, Les Stroud, etc.. Your mischmetal fire steels work for me: now that's an endorsement (best one I could come up with right now, anyway). You can't beat the Badger.

 

[Mistwalker]

I believe they are the same and yes, they are all ferrocerium, just different mixtures of the alloy.

Maybe I should put on my site that CIA field agents, US Military SERE trainers, Les Stroud, etc. (all true) have bought and used mine. Nah, I think I'll stick with my current description.

The mischmetal rods vs LMF are a personal preference thing, which is why I sell both. The mischmetal rods will have longer lived burning globs, but they take a bit more finesse to use. Once you have the technique down, I think they are a lot more useful because they can light more tinders. If you know that you will always have PJ cotton balls though, then the LMF ones are not a bad option. You just won't be able to produce sparks that shoot out 10' in front of you.

I personally use the Sparkie because I am lazy and it is stupid simple to use.

Lol, I'd say it's like guns and knives...all of the good ones have likely been used by all of them, but for some that is a great reason to buy it even if they don't know anything about it personally.

I did notice those big globs just burning away while sitting on the soaking wet bark. In fact the one that lit the tinder landed on the wet bark at the outer edge of the tinder pile. I really liked that a lot.

I know I need a little more practice with it....which I played with it some more last night out at my brother's house... but I can definitely see it's usefulness in adverse conditions. I need to check the going gear site to see if you have any in 3/8 diameter x 3 to 3 1/2" long to fit my sheaths.

 

[dawsonbob]

Mist, the 3/8" by 4" inch one is called the Badger, and it works great. It's the best I've ever used (disclaimer: I haven't used all the fire steels in the world, but I've tried more than a few).

 

[Calebklyne]

ive had some pretty crazy sparks off of my lmf but iv also never tried other ones to compare to, but i would say ive had some close to ten feet

 

[Mistwalker]

Mist, the 3/8" by 4" inch one is called the Badger, and it works great. It's the best I've ever used (disclaimer: I haven't used all the fire steels in the world, but I've tried more than a few).

COOL! Thanks for that info Bob.

ive had some pretty crazy sparks off of my lmf but iv also never tried other ones to compare to, but i would say ive had some close to ten feet

For me it's not the distance...I seldom try to light my fire from ten feet away...it is the size of the sparks these fire steels throw and how hot and how long they burn. If and when I get to where I can control them better these will be my preferred firesteel I think. Living in a rain forest I need any edge I can get.

 

[resinguy]

That's a good looking knife. Who made that?

 

[cssims]

Funny you bring up the Firesteel.com firesteels. I had bought the Scout Version w/aluminum handle and one of their strikers about 3 weeks back. Joe did try it out on Wednesday, but I honestly can't remember what he thought about it. Been a long week. He'll probably come across this soon. I'll post pics of mine tomorrow. Also bought 2 of the magnesium rods they sell or you can see it at their site.