Quick question about firesteels

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Nov 30, 2009
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ive seen a lot of talk about different firesteels. im looking to get some for camping. here is what im wondering, what are the differences between a misch rod and a standard LMF ferro rod. which one has worked better in your experience. pros and cons? and for misch metal is there any difference between going gear firesteel and firesteel.com firesteel? thanks
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=726727&highlight=misch+metal+lmf
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=715749&highlight=misch+metal+lmf
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=711166

Misch rods throw globs of sparks, but are harder to spark. LMF ones throw sparks that don't last as long, but are easier to spark.


There's some links within those links that'll help as well, this has been discussed quite a bit.


I tend to prefer the LMF one, as it's easier to spark, and you don't need to strike hard and fast like with the misch metal ones, which tends to either send my tinder flying, or if I try and control it, the sparks I get aren't any better than what I'd get using an LMF rod.

I still practice with the misch ones a little bit, and my rods are just blanks, so I might try making a handle for them to see if it makes it any easier to use. I still haven't found the misch ones will make it any easier to ignite hard to light tinders though.
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=726727&highlight=misch+metal+lmf
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=715749&highlight=misch+metal+lmf
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=711166
Misch rods throw globs of sparks, but are harder to spark. LMF ones throw sparks that don't last as long, but are easier to spark. There's some links within those links that'll help as well, this has been discussed quite a bit. I tend to prefer the LMF one, as it's easier to spark, and you don't need to strike hard and fast like with the misch metal ones, which tends to either send my tinder flying, or if I try and control it, the sparks I get aren't any better than what I'd get using an LMF rod. I still practice with the misch ones a little bit, and my rods are just blanks, so I might try making a handle for them to see if it makes it any easier to use. I still haven't found the misch ones will make it any easier to ignite hard to light tinders though.


6shooter, if I am not mistaken, I thought that the misch rods were better to use IF your tinder was damp or wet because the "sparks" lasted longer. I have always used the LMF brand, but just recently purchased some misch rods from Going Gear, but have not had a chance to try them. I thought Mistwalker, Circket Dave, or Pitdog did a review of them, could be wrong though. How hard were the rods to use without a handle on them?
Be safe.
 
They are supposedly better to use for damp/hard to light tinders because the sparks last longer. But, you need to strike them hard and fast to get them to throw good sparks, and in doing so, for me, I tend to scatter my tinder. Whereas with the LMF types, you strike them hard, but can drag the striker down slowly to create a shower of sparks. If I was better at striking the misch ones, I'm sure I'd have better results.

They are certainly useable without a handle, but having one does help. I started carving one out tonight, so we'll see how much it helps soon. I want to get one of the ESEE firekits and swap out the rod for a longer misch metal one. I also played around with one of my misch rods and was getting some pretty good results, so I guess I'm getting the hang of em. Perhaps one will replace my LMF rod as my favourite soon enough.
 
The LMF rods will produce a bright flash easily, like a lighter. The sparks do not last as long or seem as hot. The ferro rods from Going Gear are my favorite. Takes a little effort to learn the best technique and speed of the scrape. Get close to your tinder bundle and point the end of the rod into it. Position your striker and jerk back on the rod without moving the scraper and a shower of molten globs will fall directly into the pile. Hotter spark that lasts longer will like the tinder easier. I am actually an old school flint and steel man using charcloth. I am use to dealing with just a few sparks.
 
They are supposedly better to use for damp/hard to light tinders because the sparks last longer. But, you need to strike them hard and fast to get them to throw good sparks, and in doing so, for me, I tend to scatter my tinder. Whereas with the LMF types, you strike them hard, but can drag the striker down slowly to create a shower of sparks. If I was better at striking the misch ones, I'm sure I'd have better results.

Depending on the tinder and length of the rod it will work better if you pin your tinder in place with the rod then strike it.
 
I can't tell much difference between rod types for practical purposes.

And I really have no idea what people are talking about when they say Misch Metal ones are harder to spark...if there is any difference they are softer and easier to scrape.

With my going-gear one it seems marginally easier to make huge sparks that live long enough to bounce off the ground. But I'm not sure that translates directly into usefulness.
 
I love the Misch Metal rods I got from Going Gear. I use that and a cheap model about equally, and I have to say it is easier to use the one from Going Gear to get a fire. That said, it really depends on if you can control the sparks or not. On an off day, the Mischmetal is much better to me, as the sparks last longer. On a normal day, they all serve the purpose. (Ones that work, anyway)
 
I must admit that I prefer the misch firesteels. Out in the woods the other day I had to resort to cotton wool balls to light some damp woodand tinder (didn't work though). I first tried with the LMF: loads of sparks from the back of the knife, but none caught. Out came the (big) misch 'steel and a few strikes later saw big gobs lighting up the cotton wool.

By the way, my favourite places for firesteels are GoingGear, Firesteels.com and DealExtreme (no connection to any, etc).

Claudiasboris
 
Depending on the tinder and length of the rod it will work better if you pin your tinder in place with the rod then strike it.

That's what I do, but I don't get the sparks I'd to get, or that I think I could be getting when I use the misch rods. But, like I said, I've been practicing with em a bit and getting better results. And once I get a handle on one, it'll give me a better grip and a little bit more useable rod space.
 
I can't tell much difference between rod types for practical purposes.

And I really have no idea what people are talking about when they say Misch Metal ones are harder to spark...if there is any difference they are softer and easier to scrape.

With my going-gear one it seems marginally easier to make huge sparks that live long enough to bounce off the ground. But I'm not sure that translates directly into usefulness.
They are softer and easier to scrape. The difference to get them to flame on is the speed and pressure with the scraper. It takes some practice. Sometimes if not done right, you will just shave off metal with no spark. You have to be quicker about the scrape. That is my experience with the ones that I have used in the past.
 
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