Magnesium Fire Starter Thoughts

[Joben]

I seem to recall the packaging warning that you shouldn't carry around dust or shavings.

Considering how fast and hot loose flakes burn and how easily they take a spark i would be a little worried about that too...

 

[martino910]

Actually its very easy to do. I find that the saw/awl from a sak (soldier, farmer) etc...is best. What I do is to hold the block and scrape/draw up towards me slowly - the result is fine twirls of magnesium.Just gather them carefully or direct where they falll. One strike from the steel and hey presto!(using the saw/awl to strike). The twirls take like 10 sec to generate the amount able to take the flame.
And hey its the initial flame that most important in any case. your tinder/kindling must be ready for ignition so to speak. And yes im using the coghlan's mag bar

 

[RedbeAR15]

Why shave at all - just buy a roll of the magnesium tape and take a section or two with you - I got some from my college chemistry professor a long time ago, but used most of it in dorm room experiments

http://shop.chemicalstore.com/navigation/detail.asp?id=MGRIB

 

[Bushman5]

^ that i like............its usefull too in urban survival for emergency lock removal