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Firesteel Recomendations?

IUKE12 said:
I much prefer the misch metal firesteels over the LMF type. How long it lasts is secondary to its purpose. I have a bunch of each type and the LMF steels are gathering dust.
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I'm glad you posted this, gives me another person to ask this of. Which mischmetal steels do you use...where do you get them? I've played with the 1/4 inch firesteel dot com mischmetal ferro rod for months...trying different techniques, and I'm just nowhere near impressed enough with it to replace my LMF firesteels with them. However I have watched some videos like the ones TonyM has done using the ones from going gear and he gets completely different results using a technique I have tried with this steel over and over. I'm still trying to figure out if it is the make-up of the firesteel, the diameter, or both that is causing the different results.
 
Hi fellas, I didn't read everyone's response but I read a few. All of which I pretty much agree with. There is a difference between michmetal and regular firesteels. There is also a difference between different michmetal fire steels. My favorite mich metal firesteel is from going gear. It is worth every penny if not more. I live in a pretty wet area and occasionally get lazy with my tinder preparation. That is where the Going gear firesteel shines. It definately burns a longer and is able to get more difficult tinder lit. There is a trade off in ease of use. I am pretty decent at using both, but the accuracy of the Going gear rods is not as good as the LMF type rods.

My advise to you is to get both, just as Mistwalker said. For 8 bucks you can get my favorite rod from Going gear. The Badger

For $14 dollars you can get my favorite reg ferro rod from The Wilderness Learning Center. http://weteachu.com/merchandise1.htm

Both reliable to order from and contributing members of this community

The rods are the same exact size, the going gear will wear quicker than the the other. So thats the difference in price.

Again get both, and then you will have the best oppinion on which to use; your own..

This is them side by side.

[youtube]6OTrqA0vfss[/youtube]
 
Thanks Tony, I was waiting for you to chime in. It'll likely be after Christmas at this point but I definitely need to order a couple of Storl's mischmetal rods, and a couple from the WLC, at those prices definitely seem worth the money. Locally one LMF Army model costs me over 20 bucks.
 
I've never done a scientific study, but I've used a number of different fire steels over a number of years. So far, the Badger from Going Gear is the best I've ever used. It took me a little while to get used to it when I got it, but now I wouldn't trade it for anything: it's great.

Get one, try it out, and see if it works as well for you.
 
dawsonbob said:
I've never done a scientific study, but I've used a number of different fire steels over a number of years. So far, the Badger from Going Gear is the best I've ever used. It took me a little while to get used to it when I got it, but now I wouldn't trade it for anything: it's great.

Get one, try it out, and see if it works as well for you.
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Ok, between you and Tony I'm convinced...just have to deal with the kid's Christmas and some other things before I go buying myself anything.
 
mistwalker said:
Ok, between you and Tony I'm convinced...just have to deal with the kid's Christmas and some other things before I go buying myself anything.
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After you deal with Christmas for the little kids, treat yourself to a gift for the Big Kid. I know how you are with sparky things: you'll like it.
 
Wow. Really great responses. Thank you for the video TonyM. Well done on both counts! I can't wait to get a couple new ones and test them out.
 
mistwalker said:
I'm glad you posted this, gives me another person to ask this of. Which mischmetal steels do you use...where do you get them? I've played with the 1/4 inch firesteel dot com mischmetal ferro rod for months...trying different techniques, and I'm just nowhere near impressed enough with it to replace my LMF firesteels with them. However I have watched some videos like the ones TonyM has done using the ones from going gear and he gets completely different results using a technique I have tried with this steel over and over. I'm still trying to figure out if it is the make-up of the firesteel, the diameter, or both that is causing the different results.
Click to expand...
I use Stori's goinggear rods, Beaver 3/8X3", I would have purchased the
Badger 3/8x4", but he was out of stock when I ordered them. No regrets on the Beaver model I also purchased a few of the Squirrel model, these are 3/16x2". I got them because they were so inexpensive, also I just had to see what these tiny sticks could do. I have a few from firesteeldotcom, same size as as the Badger. I find the goingear a little bit more controlable, easier to spark, but I have to say that the firesteeldotcoms throw a meaner hunk of molten lava. Goinggear Squirrel model is a pleasant surprise, makes a great backup or psk steel, no problems getting tinder to flash with this little guy. I'm kind of surprised that the firesteeldotcom steels haven't been working out for you. One big improvement for me was getting the firesteel super striker. Results are much improved with it.
 
IUKE12 said:
I use Stori's goinggear rods, Beaver 3/8X3", I would have purchased the
Badger 3/8x4", but he was out of stock when I ordered them. No regrets on the Beaver model I also purchased a few of the Squirrel model, these are 3/16x2". I got them because they were so inexpensive, also I just had to see what these tiny sticks could do. I have a few from firesteeldotcom, same size as as the Badger. I find the goingear a little bit more controlable, easier to spark, but I have to say that the firesteeldotcoms throw a meaner hunk of molten lava. Goinggear Squirrel model is a pleasant surprise, makes a great backup or psk steel, no problems getting tinder to flash with this little guy. I'm kind of surprised that the firesteeldotcom steels haven't been working out for you. One big improvement for me was getting the firesteel super striker. Results are much improved with it.
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I'll definitely be getting some from Storl, I've heard and seen too many good things not to. I may have just gotten a bad FS dot com steel...happens with mass produced items all the time...I'm still studying it to make sure if it's it or me...I'll know more when I get one from going gear and try it.
 
anybody use the rat cutlery fire kit? it is mischmetal with a really cool aluminum storage tube.
I ordered a spare rod for it to play and practice and the thing will burn a hardwood floor with the molten chunks if you use a sharp scraper. Tried it in the condo, bad..... but it blends with the dog scratches.
I will have to throw goinggear some business from the looks of it.
 
Brad "the butcher";7558624 said:
anybody use the rat cutlery fire kit? it is mischmetal with a really cool aluminum storage tube.
I ordered a spare rod for it to play and practice and the thing will burn a hardwood floor with the molten chunks if you use a sharp scraper. Tried it in the condo, bad..... but it blends with the dog scratches.
I will have to throw goinggear some business from the looks of it.
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Where did you order the spare rod/ is it threaded for the RAT set-up?
 
I've got them all (blastmatch, strike force LMF and a couple going gear misch rods. The going gear stuff is the best IMO. It's all cheap enough to buy a few different things and play with them. If I could only have one in my pack I'd take one of the going gear misch rods that are about 4" x 3/8" ( I forget the exact size). Those and some PJ cotton balls are damn near fool proof.

Most of the time though the Bic works just dandy. :D
 
CSG said:
I've got them all (blastmatch, strike force LMF and a couple going gear misch rods. The going gear stuff is the best IMO. It's all cheap enough to buy a few different things and play with them. If I could only have one in my pack I'd take one of the going gear misch rods that are about 4" x 3/8" ( I forget the exact size). Those and some PJ cotton balls are damn near fool proof.

Most of the time though the Bic works just dandy. :D
Click to expand...

Gotta Love Bics, best and most reliable disposable lighter out there.
 
Fire is damned important. That is why I'm probably so overequiped in that area.

My favorite firesteel for years has been the Strikeforce. The reason being the large diameter rod with the integral striker. I have lit more types of tinder than I can list with that thing.

I have one of the 3/8 x 5" michmetals from goinggear.com on the way. As to ife expectancy.
My first Srikeforce had to get stolen before it wore out and that was after 6-7 years of use.

Just a side point. Once you get a fire going learn how to make a tinder bundle to allow you to keep making fire from that original fire. Then these things really last a long time.

Plus Carry more than one way to start a fire, I always carry at least three. At this moment they are K&M matchcase full of matches, Strikeforce firestarter, lighter.
 
I have several different ones (LMF, Blastmatch, GoingGear Misch and Sparkie). All work well, but a little different.

Blastmatch is foolproof but heavy.

Sparkie is easy too and lighter.

LMF take little short strokes to make sparks. Pretty easy and good for short rods.

Misch rods take a long stroke to work properly so it is easier if you have a long rod. I think 3" minimum. 4" better. I like the Hedgehog, 1/4" by 4".

GoingGear sells a little striker for $1.79 that works well and weighs nothing. Not as cool as using your knife but then you don't have burn marks on your knife to clean off. ;)
 
Mossyhorn.

The blastmatch is the one handed operating version of the strikeforce firesteel. They are of the hard type and will throw a shower of sparks. I use the strikeforce and it works very well.

I have one on the way from goinggear.com that is of the other type. Just to try it out and see how they work.

The blastmatch is supposed to work very well and I have never heard any bad reports on it. I prefer the strikeforce due to its having even less which can go wrong with it.
 
Well I have some LMF fire steels and a handful from Going Gear. I like the ones from Going Gear the best. I like the longer burn time of the globs. When you order the blanks buy some extras, play with one, make some gifts out of the others. I have some of the thinner ones as well. They will tuck well into a pilot survival knife pouch with a chunk of fat wood. Take very little space in an altoids tin with flint and steel. Without a fixed handle on them they tuck anywhere, but easier to loose. If they were to only get 50 strikes, I would be happy with the product.
 
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