Purchasing a Firesteel

I'd like to purchase a Firesteel. It's a metal match with a plastic top, kind of like a car key. I don't seem to find them in stores or easily on the web. It seems like a small and reasonable firestarter. Smaller and lighter than a G.I. magnesium block. Can anyone tell me where to get some or why I may not want one?
 
Hi B-prepared,

The firesteel you're looking for is probably the Light-my-fire Large Military Firesteel from Sweden.

Our club has in the past sold a bunch that we had left after supplying our scouts to Blade Forum members.

At the moment we don't have them anymore but are planning to get another 50 to 100 firesteels but this may take some time.

In the mean time try Jeff Randall ( http://www.jungletraining.com ) he has the same firesteels for a good price.

By the way these large firesteels now come with an attached metal scraper on the lanyard.

Happy New Year,

Bagheera

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J

Jimbo

Joined
Aug 10, 1999
Messages
546
Hi:

The ferrocerium rod you mention is probably the middle one as shown here:
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/5404/survival/all5.jpg
This is the smaller model. Bagheera was sending the larger model across from Europe at a good price - if you do a search you'll find his posts.
The small one works fine except for when you you work with damp natural tinders when a bigger spark from a larger rod would be handy. The plastic tab is also a little bulky for pocket carry when you consider the size of the rod.
The best overall rod for throwing the largest spark and also being very portable is Greg's which also has a good price.
http://secure.sawshop.net/ssurvival/products/index.htm

You can even get a 1/2" rod from:
http://www.epcamps.com/page349.html
but be warned that it's a lot heavier than the size would suggest. The price is super though.


 
Thanks for the help! I have examined all the sites you suggested and links they provided. This sure helps get me on track for making an informed choice. Obviously you folks have saved me a lot of research and misspent $$. Thanks again and I wish you the best for the new year.
 
Ron Hood (www.survival.com) sells a 2" ferrocium rod that is much thinner (diameter) than the ones pictured above, like a really thick pencil lead. It seems it isn't just the surface area of the rod, but also its composition that matters because this very small rod throws off as many if not more sparks than its bigger brothers (I have the military Mg block and the rod with the lanyard & steel scraper too and I have compared them).

When I first used one, I thought it was going to break (too thin) from the pressure of the scraper on the flint. I've used my original rod about 2 dozen times now to start a tinder and it has never broken no matter how hard I've scraped it. I haven't tried to just break it with my fingers, but I've ordered a few more and when I get them I'll post a more formal review.

These firesticks have the advantage of being exceptionally small and so fitting into very small nooks in your survival kit. They are $4 if purchased in quantities of 2 or more, and they go down to $3 at a dozen, not a bad price for buying a bunch and spreading them around - make great christmas gifts. I'm not associated with Ron by the way, just a satisfied customer. If any one knows of a still less expensive place to buy these, let me know.


 
The firestarter I use is a Boy Scout model that fits on a keyring. You can buy them at any Boy Scout supply store. Check the yellow pages, or contact a Boy Scout troop leader to find out where they buy their stuff. I think they sell for around $5.00. They are well worth it. Smaller and more durable than the G.I. magnesium block.
 
The Boy Scout model sells for a little less than $2 around here. I have one on my keychain, but I think a bigger one might be nice to have.
 
I got a dozen of those ferrocium rods from Ron & Karen Hood ($3 each plus shipping). Wanted to see if I could just break one with my fingers and the answer is yes I can. But while they can be broken if you deliberately try, they do not seem to break when used as fire starters no matter how hard you press down on the rod with what ever edge you use to scrape them.

I'm taking the 11 I have left and distributing one to each of my jump packs, my 3 day overnight kit, my first aid kit, etc. I'll still have 5 or 6 left after that which I'll probably give away as christmas presents this year.
 
I use a piece of flint and steel.eg: the back of a knife. It seems too work fine. I file worked some knives, but they work smooth.
 
Hi HM,

I sold the SERE 2000 to an Scouting friend who didn't mind the asymmetrical grind and the finish flaws.
I must confess he didn't have to pay half of what they cost over here in Holland so he was quiet happy
biggrin.gif


I lost money not only on the knife but also about $15 calling with Al Mar 3 times and each and every time the telephone lady promissed me she would page .... and he would give me a call back! Once I stayed up till almost 2-2:30 am as there is a 9 hour time difference between Holland and Oregon!
Nobody ever bothered to call back so I finally got p.ss.d and sold the knife.

However I bought one back from a BF member out of Florida and hopefully it will already be on it's way to my friend in San Diego who will take care of further shipping by company FedEx overnight mail
smile.gif


This one seems to be grinded strait and super sharp without cosmetic flaws on the blade as "starter"
frown.gif

I'm quiet peculiar when it commes to my knife, I like to make scratches on them myself and not have them when I take them out of the box from the factory.

Best scouting wishes Bagheera

Bagheera

PS Our club still has some large Military Firesteels left but not to many anymore
smile.gif



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Bagheera, I am glad to hear that you successfully solved the problem even without any help from the company. That certainly does not help the reputation of their customer service.
Anyway, I wish you more joy with the new knife.

HM
 
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