Generic Ferro Rod Follies

[Thomas Linton]

Got a couple of ferro rods off ePrey.

This one . . .

Came in a box that closely suggests Light-My-Fire. Note "Army." But low-wage translator used. Instead of "patented product," we get "paterted prounct Counterfeit reserved'" No company name. No country of origin (CHINA). Phony patent number.

Sparks OK, but not to close to LMF standard.

The other one performs about the same, but the box insists, "Free Tinder in Handle." Handle is solid plastic.

So just acceptable for kids to use for practice

I hope that those who rely on this sort of product at least see if it works. There have been generic CHINA magnesium bars (imitation Doan Tool) with so much aluminum and so little magnesium that their shavings will not catch fire from the sparks generated by the attached ferro rod.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey Thomas, I kind of got the impression from this that all ferro rods come from China. Is that not the case?

Doc

 

[Thomas Linton]

Hi, Doc.

China may be the source of each and every ferro rod, but not all ferro rods are created equal. The MMF "Army" threw lots more sparks with the same scraper as compared to these two items.

My bottom line, after laughing at the "paterted prounct Counterfeit reserved," is just that it's wise to try out critical gear before needing it.

 

[co556guy]

Just because something was produced in China, doesn't mean it's good OR bad, from only that information.

The I-phone was made in China. Do you consider that to be a quality product?

The difference is the QC that the company ordering products made there holds the manufacturer to. Just like in the US. You don't get a good product just by locale, you get it by educated workforce that is provided with proper tools and quality materials. Then you QC the products so that you reduce the number of oops that get out the door. That doesn't change no matter what country you are working in.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Just because something was produced in China, doesn't mean it's good OR bad, from only that information.

The I-phone was made in China. Do you consider that to be a quality product?

The difference is the QC that the company ordering products made there holds the manufacturer to. Just like in the US. You don't get a good product just by locale, you get it by educated workforce that is provided with proper tools and quality materials. Then you QC the products so that you reduce the number of oops that get out the door. That doesn't change no matter what country you are working in.

AS I said, "My bottom line, after laughing at the "paterted prounct Counterfeit reserved," is just that it's wise to try out critical gear before needing it."

 

[gadgetgeek]

Good note to test all gear, heck even a reputable company could have a bad QC day, so storing any gear without testing would be asking for trouble.
As for the cheap firesteels, it could be that batches that have a poorer mix, get sold to these companies for sale, and only the good ones go to LMF. Could be that the cheap ones are done minus one of the ingredients, or with a cheaper one to save money. I'll let you know how the ones I ordered do, I think I ordered different ones, (but on the bay, anything can happen right?)

 

[Thomas Linton]

These "Survive" branded products are sold by a number of vendors, most in China.

 

[upnorth]

I found some cheapies that really rip up a good spark with a chunk of hack saw blade.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1004198-Ferro-rods

 

[JD Mandrell]

I found some cheapies that really rip up a good spark with a chunk of hack saw blade.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1004198-Ferro-rods

I had the same experience as chopsuey9999 with the Coghlan's firesteel, it sparks great, but after just a few weeks the steel came out of the handle. I left it that way, because its large enough to use it without a handle and stores in a sheath "kit" easier.

 

[daizee]

That doesn't look like a US company contracting to China with bad QC.
It looks like a Chinese company trying to imitate a reputable product and selling it in the non-China market, false package claims and all.
Big difference, IMO.

One of my favorite translations from years ago was: "Warning! Nisk of Electaic Smock!" But yours is a serious contender for top honors.

 

[upnorth]

I had the same experience as chopsuey9999 with the Coghlan's firesteel, it sparks great, but after just a few weeks the steel came out of the handle. I left it that way, because its large enough to use it without a handle and stores in a sheath "kit" easier.

Pretty much the same experience here. Had a rod fall out of its glued retainer. I just zip tied the rod to my Becker necker sheath.

 

[plumberroy]

Pretty much the same experience here. Had a rod fall out of its glued retainer. I just zip tied the rod to my Becker necker sheath.

I've had the handle come off light my fire brand steels

 

[gadgetgeek]

I've made the handles come off..... big vicegrips and a hacksaw work well. it was always a fair bit of work though. not like you can't still use them, so its not that big a deal to me.

Just got one of my generic steels from the bay. it was a blank, no handle. Just a quick couple strikes with the back of the saw on my Swisstool (sharp square spine) pretty reasonable sparks. not gobby, but strong enough to get some sparks to last from just above waist height to the ground. About the same as the old LMF I have.

 

[gadgetgeek]

Just got the other firesteel in. Its the biggest I found with a handle(8mmx90mm). It also came with a striker. the striker has very fine teeth on one side, and man does it rip off sparks. again, about as good as my older LMF and Primus steel, so I'm quite pleased with it. Not bad for a couple of bucks. I should now have enough firesteels to last a couple decades! I handled up the blank by gorilla gluing some gutted line green para to it. Nothing fancy, just enough to get a better grip.