Need a recommendation for a firesteel.

O

OpKey

Joined
Jun 6, 2011
Messages
600
I appologize if this isn't the correct forum for this sort of thing. I just figured it was. Basically, I need a firesteel for my neck knife kit. I don't want some cheap Chinese junk. I took a look at that GobSpark Firesteel, and I really like it because of the quality and all that, but I -hate- that handle on it. Plus, it's way too large to fit on my neck knife. I also looked at the LMF Scout and Army. They both seem great, but I never know actual size till I get it in my hand. I like the LMF most out of the two simply because it looks like it would fit nice on my kit. Low profile yet reliable. I just need some recommendations from you guys. I am absolutely open to any suggestions. Any brands, any handles, etc aslong as it will fit on my sheath kit. I say this, because of the GobSpark handle just doesn't look like it is small enough for what I'm looking for. I checked out several sites aswell, and I'm just not very keen on buying a $13 dollar item and having to pay shipping that is just as much as the item itself, maybe a couple dollars cheaper.

Anyways, thanks ahead of time, guys. I really appreciate it.
 
Get one from GoingGear the exact size you want? I wouldn't go bigger than 3/16" for a neck kit.
 
If you have a local Boy Scout shop they should have the BSA Hot Spark. It's a small fire steel for $3. I always carry one on my neck kit. just google it to see a picture of it.
 
Quick reply. Thanks, guys. I'll check that out, defaultuser and JTC, I don't know why I didn't think about Boy Scouts. I'll have to check that out too. Still open for more suggestions.
 
Another option is to go to Goinggear - buy a blank - and then drill a hole in the end that fits your necklace chain. I have done this before and there is no worry in doing it. If you get a small one - drill a small hole - slide a split ring (key chain ring) through it the size you want - and then hang it from your necklace.

TF
 
LMF Army and Primus firesteels are both good and pretty much the same size.

Here the Primus on a Izula for size ref:

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I've been more than pleased with my LightMyFire firesteel that can be found at most outdoor/hiking shops as well as some bigger chain stores like BassPro or Gander Mountain.
 
Thanks for all the help, guys. I forgot all about the Nanostriker, mistwalker. Would you suggest the regular one or the new XL? I'm not familiar with the differences or anything.

Also, Doc, I should have known about the China thing. I'm not against China-made stuff. Just against China-made stuff that is complete junk. :) I guess I should have been more clear, because I'm well-aware there are some China-made products that are great.

I've been looking at the LMF 2.0 Scout. Is this firesteel too small or is the Army version too big for a neck knife?
 
SDS Firesteel first fire.jpg

I received a nanostryker XL for Christmas and absolutely love it. Here is a fire that I built with my boys on New Years Eve using a small firesteel from SDS Knifeworks. Shawn is a great guy and he is a member here on the forum.
 
I've been using GoingGear's lately, but not because I like it. They're a real pain to spark and you need to have a good sized handle to put that kind of pressure on them to get them going. My arthritic hands are just too sore. Once I burn mine out I'll be sticking with LMF and maybe Firesteel.com.
 
I'm pretty satisfied with my LightMyFire in "army" size with wooden handle. The only downside is that the rod tends to slide out when doing strong strikes (this happened to my first one as well, but that was only the mini-version). But i glued it in its place and now it holds well.

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gdpolk said:
I've been more than pleased with my LightMyFire firesteel that can be found at most outdoor/hiking shops as well as some bigger chain stores like BassPro or Gander Mountain.
Click to expand...

i like this brand too; it rains sparks...having said that, i have and do use the cheep ones too; they don't rain but they do spark well enough to start tinder all the time for me...
 
OpKey said:
I've been looking at the LMF 2.0 Scout. Is this firesteel too small or is the Army version too big for a neck knife?
Click to expand...

I don't think so. The handle is going to add some bulk but the weight will be okay. I guess it depends on how you have it. If you have it like propthepolecat then yeah it's too thick. If you have them hanging on the chain/necklace next to the knife then I think it'll be fine. They do make a mini version that's about the size of the BSA hotspark but you have to glue that one into place.
 
I've got a few couple of LMF army rods and just got a scout 2.0 model. I'd go for the LMF scout. I like the LMF rods far better than any other, and the scout would be a good size for a neck kit. The new striker is a little bulky, but the whistle is nice and it is comfy and super effective making sparks.
 
Thanks alot, guys. I went ahead and ordered one of the LMF Scout 2.0 ones. I wanted to ditch the striker and just use the back of my knife, but I'll have to square the spine on my Bk14. So, I think I'll just keep the striker, and the upside is that it's two tools in one. Emergency whistle and striker.
 
functionally, no-I have a few dimestore fire rods that are just as reliable as all my others, though some are easier than others. For example, the GoingGear fire rods require a sharp, hard edge to dig deep into the fire rod, remove a large amount of material that requires alot of force and speed, but creates huge sparks that burn for a long period of time. The LMF steels don't require nearly as much force to throw many sparks, and don't do nearly as much damage to the rod itself, but the sparks are relatively short lived.
 
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