FireSteel Pics, Video, Review!

C

CanDo

Joined
Mar 10, 2006
Messages
913
Hey everyone,

For those of you who already own a FireSteel, there's nothing you don't already know. If you haven't picked one up yet, this is a must read. Many photos and a video. Right now, this is only hosted on my website, funditor.org, but it will soon be available on Klippe as well.

Spooky Pistolero, you are the "hiker who had his custom knife sheath designed with a special loop for holding [a FireSteel]" that I recently met... my way wording just sounds a bit better than "a guy I've talked to on a knife website" ;).

You can check it out here!




What do you think?

Best Regards,

CanDo
 
Anytime.


If anyone is inspired to buy a FireSteel, please do so from Get 'N' Out Survival - review wouldn't have happened without them, and the prices are good. Greg, the guy who runs it, is great to work with.
 
Great write-up and photos. (Didn't have time to watch the video)

The one problem I have encountered with ferro rods is that they corrode very fast in wet conditions if not protected with some form of laquer. Salt water especially will do a number on them. I paint mine with clear nail polish, but you could use other colors if that's what you're into. Mac
 
This seems to be the most common way for people to strike a firesteel. But, through all of the experimenting I have done, I think there is a better way.

One of the biggest problems with this method is the most of the firesteel wear happens about mid-rod. Eventually, it will weaken in the middle in break in half.

The method I use is very similar, but I don't use the firesteel handle. I choke up on, and leave only about 1 inch exposed. The striking action I do is to almost act like you are trying to strike a chunk off the end of the firesteel. Maybe the last 1/2 inch or so. This seems to do two things for me:

1) Keeps all your wear at the tip. It wears the firesteel into more of a point, and will continue to wear backwards toward the handle, for a long, long time. No breaking the firesteel in half.
2) It seems to produce a much hotter, more directed spark. I don't know the physics behind it, but it probably due to the striking motion being at the end of rod I can take more firesteel material off with the strike, and it seems to burn hotter an longer.

I have been meaning to make a video of this technique.....but it is just one of those things.

Brian
 
Very interesting Brian, I'll have to try that out. Sounds like a good subject for Klippe.

Pict, thanks for the heads up, I've been keeping mine dry and indoors. I'll have to abuse it some with regards to water and update the review.
 
Ever tried wrapping a tissue or bit of toilet paper around the striker? It catches and you have instant tinder!
 
Rockywolf said:
Ever tried wrapping a tissue or bit of toilet paper around the striker? It catches and you have instant tinder!
Click to expand...

I really like that idea. I'll have to test that out. It seems like a really simple way to get your tinder to go. The hardest part is always making sure the sparks fall where you desire.
 
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