Need a recommendation for a firesteel.

[Mistwalker]

You might have a problem there. It seems like most, if not all are made in China, as seen here. You have to scan down a bit.

Doc

Yep, because for now all active cerium mines are in China. As the price continues to go up that may change though. I'm sure other are evaluating the merit opening mines elsewhere.

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.

That was put into a nut shell pretty well, you can tell we've had this discussion a couple of time eh?


The quick wearing of the misch is definitely one of its drawbacks, but the fact that it can be scraped into shavings pretty much like a magnesium block as an initial tinder material to help ignite other tinder materials that will burn when damp with a little help, such as cedar bark, is a definite plus...at least in my opinion.

That's another reason I like having the nano XL on my neck knife kit. It's a 1/4" misch rod that's sealed from all the salts in the sweating I do here (summer heat indexes of 114F and 95- 100% humidity), or trips to the coast so I can wear it without worry and I can store it without worry. It gives me an ample handle to work with if my hands are cold, has it's own striker to save the edge on my knife and does not require the weakness of the stress riser of a squared spine, but being soft misch it will also work fine with the edge of my knife if my hands are cold or finger tips are injured without dulling the edge as much as a harder rod, weighs very little (0.95oz), and rides on my neck knife kit very nicely. Yes, initial purchase is a little more than some, but rods are replaceable and the spares are reasonably priced. I think it's worth it for what is gotten.

and yes the same setup will work for the BK-14 because that's the same sheath.

.

 

[PayetteRucker]

That first shot is a real doozy, Mistwalker.

 

[DevilsKnob]

+1 for both the Exotac Nanostryker, and the Polystryker. Both good pieces of kit.

 

[Mistwalker]

That first shot is a real doozy, Mistwalker.

Thanks, I thought it was pretty cool

+1 for both the Exotac Nanostryker, and the Polystryker. Both good pieces of kit.

I think so too, I have a polyXL and it's a pretty awesome ferro rod with a striker that really throws some sparks.

 

[dialton]

I have had the LMF's for years but recently bought a Nano XL after reading Mistwalkers thread. If you are looking for a compact, all in one product to put with your necker, I dont see how you could go wrong with the Nano. I bought extra replacement rods when I ordered it to save on shipping down the road. It is very well made, compact, and I love the striker being part of the neat little package. Yes its more than you will pay for some others but worth it. It's the bomb IMHO.

 

[Woods Walker]

Is there such a difference in the quality from brand to brand?

I think they're all made in the same place but the LMF is not the same so might not be from China. Not 100% sure on any of that however.

 

[ivan51]

Hey Mist what all is in your neck knife kit? looks like a good setup

 

[Mistwalker]

Hey Mist what all is in your neck knife kit? looks like a good setup

It's not an extensive kit really, just some basics.

BK-11
Sheath by Marion David Poff
stream light nano
nanoXL
ceramic rod
small fishing kit with flies and spider wire weights
signal mirror
20mm Button compass

 

[JV3]

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.

thanks for saving me from typing all that

The quick wearing of the misch is definitely one of its drawbacks, but the fact that it can be scraped into shavings pretty much like a magnesium block as an initial tinder material to help ignite other tinder materials that will burn when damp with a little help, such as cedar bark, is a definite plus...at least in my opinion.

yup, i like that it functions as a magnesium bar replacement too. nice pics, btw!

 

[Mistwalker]

yup, i like that it functions as a magnesium bar replacement too. nice pics, btw!

Yup, gotta love tools that multi-task Thank you!