magnesium fire steel

A

andrew7978

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
Messages
664
I have a ferro magnesium firestarter (ferro rod, mounted in magnesium block). Anyway I have only used it for a short time and the ferro rod has already been worn down to the level of the ferro rod. Has anyone else seen these things wear out this fast? Also do real flint and steel wear out slower? thanks.
 
The magnesium block should wear faster than the ferro rod. That's why the magnesium block is so much larger, if that's the US GI issue model you have been using. What are you scraping it with?
 
I am striking it with a knife. The ferro rod has even developed ridges in it, I guess from uneven striking. So now when I strike it small shavings of magnesium break off and burn instantly which is hot near the hands. I believe the brand is Liberty Mountain. I also have a problem getting shavings off of the block with a knife, especially in the quantity shown on the box in the below picture. Any suggestions for that? Heres a picture of it:

rod.jpg



Should I get a standard issue US Army one?
 
You say your using a knife to scrape and strike the magnesium,the edge of the knife of the spine? I never use the edge,I either use the square spine of the saw on a sak or mora or a piece of hacksaw blade with the plain side ground flat.You actually get better results with a good square edge than a razors edge.

If you use light pressure and get the mag dust to light with few strikes,the rod should last quite awhile if not as long as the magnesium.
 
I was using the blade of the knife. Maybe I should try the spine. I am also pressing down pretty hard.
 
Hey Andrew...


andrew7978 said:
I have a ferro magnesium firestarter (ferro rod, mounted in magnesium block). Anyway I have only used it for a short time and the ferro rod has already been worn down to the level of the ferro rod. Has anyone else seen these things wear out this fast? Also do real flint and steel wear out slower? thanks.
Click to expand...

Well...

I believe that most if not all of these tools are made by Doan Tool in Ohio, so I don't think there is any difference what so ever from brand to brand..

I think that it's more the way you are using the tool than the tool itself...

Using the edge of a knife, vs. the spine of a knife is going to have different results..

How many times have you scraped the ferro rod on this particular tool...?

As far as real flint and steel..

A steel striker should last you a lifetime, or at the very least MANY years.. The actual flint depending on how you strike it and how many times you've striked it can wear out very easily.. Your mileage may vary..

I have however seen someone who has nearly wore out the back of a CS SRK from using it so much to strike fires...

I have one Doan tool that has been scraped a thousand times or so and it has Alot of wear... I use the edge of a knife on it though...

I wouldn't worry about it..Get a Swedish Firesteel Army model firesteel and another $7.00 Doan tool, and just keep at it...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
I would say I have used it maybe 30 times with about 25 strikes each time because I am just learning how to use it. Don't know if thats a lot or not.
 
Hey Andrew..

750 times give or take..
Umm thats alot,, but not overly excessive.. also depends on how hard you are scraping as well..

Any chance you could take a good picture of it ??

I think if I tried I could wear one down quite a bit in 750 + - scrapes...

It's kind of like asking:

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop ??

All depends.. :)

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
andrew7978 said:
I would say I have used it maybe 30 times with about 25 strikes each time because I am just learning how to use it. Don't know if thats a lot or not.
Click to expand...

I don't mean this to come off sounding critical, but am I missing something? What is there to learn? Scrape off the magnesium, scrape the ferro rod - fire.

Doc
 
Hey Doc..

I think he knows how to use it,, but rather was asking if the wear on his ferro rod is normal..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Are you scraping the ferro rod or actualy striking it with the knife this will make a big diffrence in the life of the tool (scrape only)
 
Hey guys, I really appreciate all the help you are providing me. BTW I do now how to use it (scraping it with a knife blade), I am just wondering why it is wearing down so fast. I looked it up and it is made by Doan Tools. Here are the pics you asked for Eric.

firesteel1.jpg


firesteel2.jpg
 
YIKES! :eek: Andrew, that looks like someone has been sawing across the rod and magnesium horizontally, instead of lengthwise.

-- FLIX
 
that looks like it was scraped with adamantium!

that is either defective or you are applying way too much pressure i would think.
 
i am no expert or anything but i have always got a fire going with this tool and some dry grass. i take a sak and hold the blade perpindicular to the mag. and make shavings. i shave the sparker with my sak held again perpindicular and make a quick swipe into the pile. it usually only takes a swipe or two for ignition which gets the grass going. this is a good sized pile of grass by the way so i burns long enough to catch some bigger twigs on fire.
 
Hey Guys...

Andrew....

Yaa thats an official Doan Tool alright...

The chew marks on it concern me a little to how you are holding your Scraper..
Looks as though you are holding it a little too much on a 90.. Try more on a downward 45-60 degree angle and you won't chew the hell out of it..

If you are going to use the blade of a knife,, for God's sake use a Crappy knife or the spine if you can help it...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
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