New firesteel carry method

G

gulliamo

Joined
Nov 26, 2005
Messages
193
I posted the same on Equipped but figured I'd share here as well. Here's a new (to me) method of carrying your (really small) firesteel. It's not very effective for regular use but is quite convenient for an emergency backup. Even the smallest firesteel lasts for hundreds of lights - much more than one should need for an emergency. (Do you really need the 1/2 thick model?)

Step 1. Buy $0.95 minature firesteel

Step 2. Pull internal threads from paracord and melt ends

Step 3. Push firesteel inside (this takes a bit of work)

Step 4. Tie to keychain/knife/etc.

Pics:
20130504_075251_zps6804e762.jpg

Yes. The firesteel is inside there.
20130504_075322_zpsa789708d.jpg
 
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It's a good idea. I carried one on my keyring for a while with a similar setup. Having the long cord though would help to wrap it around your sheath etc. and makes for a secure way to carry it.
 
How about heat-shrink tubing? That would be air-tight, protecting the ferro from sweat, rain, and Summer humidity.
 
I too have done that for years, but I find that often I'll find a powdery mess if the rod has been exposed to sweat or moisture at all...
 
One Summer, a kid bought a new small ferro rod (Hot Spark) on Sunday. It went in his shorts pocket all that week of camp, forgotten. It was a hot humid week.

His mom cleared the pockets before washing the next Sunday and found --- a handle and gray powder . Sweat + time = powder and a tiny spike of remaining ferro.
 
Really? Wow. I'm going to have to test that with these. I thought (assumed) a firesteel was pretty much bomb proof. I figured that was the advantage and why they were so popular (because let's face it... they are NOT as effective as storm matches or a lighter at setting a fire in an emergency).

I may leave one soak in salt water for a week and see what happens...
 
The one in question is about 1/8" in diameter. Not sure who makes it. If you do the test, please, please report results.

I have no trouble starting a fire with a ferro rod IF I have decent tinder. The sparks, after all, are 1000's of degrees hot (F).

Having said that, matches are good if dry and lighters too if dry.

So I carry all three. ^___^

(Murphy was an optimist. If it CAN'T go wrong, it still might.)
 
wow that is very interesting. I'm going to have to try that now.

I'm sort of rough with my keys and wonder if they could break.
 
I seem to remember reading about dipping the firesteel in nailpolish or some such to protect it longer term. Downside is that you have to scrape some of the coating off when ready to use it, but doesn't seem that big of a deal.
 
Clear fingernail polish works well, and scrapes off easily when the rod is needed.
 
I like shrink tubing. It's available at walmart, lowes, home depot, harbor freight, friggin everywhere. It comes in a variety of sizes, its easy to apply, and it takes a minimal amount of work to slide the tubing on and heat it up.
I only use it on the firesteel I wear around my neck, because sweat can cause ferrocium to corrode (which isn't a big deal at all, just scrape it off and go), but it also keeps my skin from having any strange reactions to it. When you need it, just scrape off the tubing and go.

C
 
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