firesteel

Where were you a month ago? Tried that with my brand spankin' new Swamp Rat M6 and I'm still working the divet out of the blade. And I did try the spine first. That won't work without taking the coating off even if it works then. My solution killed several birds with one stone however. A leatherman micra. It's got several different areas to strike with and the usuall acutremants(sp?) of a leatherman to include a tiny little flat head that keeps my eyeglass screws from falling out.;) I keep it tied to a leash on a ferro rod tucked into my M6 sheath.
 
And shotgun brings up a good point, mutli-tools now abound.

Back in the old days of the magnesium and flint (fero rod), the military trained, in their survival schools , shave off some magniesium with your blade, and strike using your knife blade.
Well, it's funny how this stuff gets engrained in us. Creatures of habit I guess.

But as Shotgun has point to, even the small multi-tools have files, and all sorts of metal edges to strike with.

I personally like the file for both shaving magnesium, it makes nice little pieces, and for striking the rod.
 
Just curious here....

Are these types of fire starters (Fire steel/flint rod/mag block, etc.) actually a preferred method of starting a fire when other methods are available? I can see how they could be very handy in a pinch, but I've found them to be kind of impractical.

I just pulled out my flint rod/mag block thingie that I've had for 20+ years (looks like a crusty battery post on my '73 pickup now). Still works fine, but I always found that it wasn't the easiest thing to use compared to other ways I generally go about getting a fire started. I do keep it with my camping stuff just in case, but that's about it.
 
Vee3, by no means it is the #1 preferred.
It's whatever you are comfortable with. Most will tell you they can't beat a Bic Lighter for fire. It's just too easy to pack one.

But the idea of having, at minimum, 2x ways to make fire is important, more or less mandatory. Your bic lighter could be lost, leaked out it's butane because it was packed so that it was depressed allowing the fuel to escape, things like that.

Many others here will tell you 3x or even 4x ways to make fire is prudent.
It's too easy to store some water-proof matches and the small mag block.

The feature of the small mag block is durability, portability, and, magnesium will light and burn even when wet. A soaken wet fero-rod need only be wiped on your shirt or pants, and it will again yield sparks. Th mag bolck also has a long lifespan.
Brush yours off, and keep it with you, it's a good 2nd method to make fire if you find yourself with a dead Bic and wet matches.
 
Vee3 said:
Just curious here....

Are these types of fire starters (Fire steel/flint rod/mag block, etc.) actually a preferred method of starting a fire when other methods are available? I can see how they could be very handy in a pinch, but I've found them to be kind of impractical.

I just pulled out my flint rod/mag block thingie that I've had for 20+ years (looks like a crusty battery post on my '73 pickup now) Clean it up and coat it with clear nail polish.. Still works fine, but I always found that it wasn't the easiest thing to use compared to other ways I generally go about getting a fire started. I do keep it with my camping stuff just in case, but that's about it.
Click to expand...

Skunk is right about the problems when it rains. I know a guy who swamped their boat while fishing up in northern Ontario. They got soaked, and it was raining. They spent a night out in the woods, miserable -wet and cold. I asked him why he didn't start a fire. His reply was there was no way to dry out his Bic lighter with all the humidity in the air and, of course, no dry clothes to use. To see what I mean, immerse a Bic lighter in the water for a short while and see if you can get it to light when the sparker wheel is wet.

In the boonies, you should almost have as many different ways to start a fire as you have knives. :rolleyes:

Doc
 
I can certainly see where one could come in handy (And I will indeed dust mine off and be more mindful of it).

I was just wondering while looking at this thread if it was a common item to use in everyday situations. Some seem to use them more often than what a "survival" tool would warrant. In the case of having one around for that purpose, I would think any piece of sharp metal would do the job without needing a specialized blade for it. I always have a knife or three available, and in a survival scenario I wouldn't be much worried about chipping the blade on one of them.
 
I spend a lot of time in a canoe and have magnesium/flint bars stashed everywhere, it is the most fool proof waterproof firestarter I have found, but under normal conditions, like everyone else, I use a Bic. Chris
 
I like to use the ferro rod to start fires even when I have multiple "easier" means at my disposal. I just like the practice. My hunting buddy approached with a propane torch while I was working to get the fire started. Almost had to hurt him. . .:D

-- FLIX
 
I almost always have a couple of ferro rods on me, and a bic lighter in a small Otterbox (along with spare batteries for the flashlight, minimal first aid supplies, etc). I also always have a film canister full of vasoline cotton balls. I have this even when I'm just wandering around town.

If I ever need to get a fire started, I'm gonna do it damn it! The pyro in me will not be denied. :D

By the way, I'm with Flix. I prefer to use my ferro rods to start the fire. Like he said, I like the practice. Plus, I think starting a fire with a ferro rod is a really cool way to do it.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
In the boonies, you should almost have as many different ways to start a fire as you have knives. :rolleyes:
Doc
Click to expand...

Doc, We call that "A Bakers Dozen!" :D :thumbup:

Runninboar just nailed the phrase "Foolproof"
Snow, rain, wind, whatever, magnesium burns super-hot (4500°F) and will catch wet wood, tinder, or your coat on fire without much trouble.

I like Flint&Magnesium as the ultimate back-up.
Should be in evey serious outdoorsman's pack.
 
SkunkWerX said:
Doc, We call that "A Bakers Dozen!" :D :thumbup:

Runninboar just nailed the phrase "Foolproof"
Snow, rain, wind, whatever, magnesium burns super-hot (4500°F) and will catch wet wood, tinder, or your coat on fire without much trouble.

I like Flint&Magnesium as the ultimate back-up.
Should be in evey serious outdoorsman's pack.
Click to expand...


skunk-- well said....:thumbup: :thumbup: i always have at least 3-4 ways to start a fire while in the woods.....

i love the mag. blocks.. i have 3-4 right now, all stashed away in seperate places.... it doesn't get much better than that for a back up...

mike
 
i have read of a guy looking to reduce the volume of his mag block for even more compact storage. he cut it in half and then cut it in half the other direction, so he had half the length of the ferro rod, and half the thickness of the mag block. all of the effectiveness with a quarter of the size.

personally i found that the mag block was useless, so i stuck mine in the freazer for a couple of hours and then threw it at the driveway a couple of times. the ferro rod popped right off, and that is what i carry now. the mag just took way too long to take off a large enough pile of to do anything useful with, and it burned way too fast. it basically was a waste of time for me, but i see how others may find it useful. i find it a more productive use of space and weight to carry cotton and wax paper in the external velcro pouch of a small digi cam case i keep my kit in on my belt.
 
Has anyone else here had trouble with their ferro/magnesium rods corroding? A few years back while in on the Olympic coast, I had to cross a rain bloated river in the surf. I'm guessing it was the salt water that did it, but within a few days time the magnesium and ferro were both corroded enough cause concern. Anyone have any ideas? I was thinking of maybe clear nail polish or laquer, something that will scrape off easily when its called into service.

One more thing, if your looking for hacksaw blades to mate with your ferro/mag rod. Get the cheapies, they have a higher carbon content. The premium super cut anything high $ cobalt and moly blades don't seem to produce half as many sparks.
 
i actually just went out and picked up a slider razor simliar to the one i posted before for $.99. it sparks great, and i have seen a good idea for a firestarting technique used with one of these types of knives.

here is the video that i pulled that example from before:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mUwlCFTdnhk
some good stuff, and they seem to know what they are doing, except for dragging thier nice sharp mora down a ferro rod.

here is that trick with the razor:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gqJi8coXzq4&mode=related&search=

i bought one almost exactly like the one he uses, but it is ACE brand. plus if the razor dulls, i can pull out the slider and flip it around so i can use the sharp end.
 
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