New Fire-Starter From TOPS !!!

Thanks for pointing it out.

The idea of press fitting the ferrocerium and the magnesium rods into a tube, instead of gluing the together, seems like an improvement. However, I'm not super-fond of magnesium as a first stage tinder. I'd have liked this concept even better if it was done with a ferro rod, a mag rod, and a fatwood rod, or with a ferro rod and two fatwood rods.

P38 makes an excellent striker? In my experience, P38s make lousy (but passable, if necessary) strikers, unless modified to have sharper, more squared edges.

The whistle? I'll hold off final judgment until we can get user reports, but I'm guessing that the Fox40 or the Storm are better choices.

The ball chain? I'd rather have it all held together with paracord.

All together, it looks like a pretty good set up, at an acceptable price. I appreciate the attempt to finesse the ferro rod and mag firestarter concept, and also that they put a couple critical devices in one package.
 
Thsi makes me laugh, I posted this thread at the same time as the Campknives thread and that is now up to post 41.....guess people aren't so worried about making fire eh !!!!:rolleyes:
 
pitdog said:
Thsi makes me laugh, I posted this thread at the same time as the Campknives thread and that is now up to post 41.....guess people aren't so worried about making fire eh !!!!:rolleyes:
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I love making fire, and enjoy this thread pointing out another item offered by someone else, but I just didn't see it until you bumped up the thread, I rarely go past page 1 sicne I check so mnay sections of the forums, and a few different forums...
 
Thanks for the link! They look like very nice tools!

Remember this a KNIFE forum......
 
pitdog said:
Thsi makes me laugh, I posted this thread at the same time as the Campknives thread and that is now up to post 41.....guess people aren't so worried about making fire eh !!!!:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I didn't see it until the bump either. Not really sure, though, that the setup is worth the cost. A scout model firesteel, some fatwood, and a fox40 would cost about as much and are known to be great tools. Add an LED and a SAK classic in there and you've got yourself a perfect neck kit for $25.
 
That's cool and would make a nice bit of insurance hanging around your neck. I may grab one.
 
As Evolute stated the magnesium is not really that effective and P38s make a poor striker.
I would like to see a ferro rod with a container in the handle for some tinder.
The whistle probaly cost them about 10 cents if they got it from China.
I like some of Tops knives but they are priced too high for the quality of their steel. Aren't most of their knives 1095?
Bill
 
looks to be the same whistle in my Adventure medical S.O.L. kit....if pulled to hard the area where the ball chain goes thru will pull out. neat lil' kit for the $
 
The whistle appears to be similar to the one I had in this article and if so, it is SOLAS Approved. It was handed out as a giveaway by a Maryland DNR Boater Safety Course. Never know though, it doesn't mean it's the same manufacturer...

It's an interesting kit, I didn't know the P-38 can opener was around during WWII, seems like something my Dad would have had on his keychain had he been familiar with it...he always had a SEARS-Roebuck (also sold by Montgomery Wards and other places like Western Auto...) four way flat screwdriver on his keychain...
 
Don Rearic said:
It's an interesting kit, I didn't know the P-38 can opener was around during WWII, seems like something my Dad would have had on his keychain had he been familiar with it...he always had a SEARS-Roebuck (also sold by Montgomery Wards and other places like Western Auto...) four way flat screwdriver on his keychain...
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The P38 and the Sears 4 way are like two peas in a pod on a key chain; a lot of use in two small packages.
 
Yeah, they really are. Does anyone know if the TOPS site is correct? That the P-38 can opener was around in WW2?
 
Nevermind... :D

"One of the more interesting things about the P-38 can opener is that if anyone knows anything about the military then they do not do anything very fast. Well the P-38 appears to be one of the exceptions to the rule. In 1942 the P-38 was conceived, designed, prototyped and went into production in less than 30 days. For the Government to do anything in less than 30 days is a phenomenal accomplishment."
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http://www.dogtagsrus.com/p-38 can opener history information.htm
 
I disagree , magnesium most definately has it's place.
( available tinder too wet , etc )

Not a bad piece of kit for under $15.


I do agree though that there are better striker ideas than a P38 , although it would be useful in more than one aspect , one cannot open a tin can with a 2 inch piece of saw blade. :D

Well , you could I guess if you really had to but... you know what I mean.
 
I never saw this thread either until now. I am not fond of magnesium, fatwood rocks as a fire starter as well as VCB's. It is all what you are comfortable with.
 
rebeltf,

I'm not sure whether you are saying that you disagree with me, but, if you read what I actually wrote, you'll see that I didn't deny that magnesium has its place.
 
pitdog said:
Thsi makes me laugh, I posted this thread at the same time as the Campknives thread and that is now up to post 41.....guess people aren't so worried about making fire eh !!!!:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Nope, not at all, warm hands and food are over rated. :p

Though, seriously, I'll stick with my swedish fire steel and matches.
 
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