Tested New Firesteel with Firestraw

Guyon

Guyon

Biscuit Whisperer
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Mar 15, 2000
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I keep at least one or two firestraws in my rigs for "just in case." Pretty simple to make... they're just petroleum jelly impregnated cotton balls stuffed into straws that are sealed at each end. Makes for an easy, compact way to transport some emergency tinder. Anyway, I got some new firesteels in today for my "do it all" rigs, and I decided to test one of them. Here was the process...

Got the materials out of the sheath pouch. :thumbup:

Firestraw1.jpg


Slit one side of the straw with my Leatherman blade.

Firestraw2.jpg


Separated out the cotton fibers.

Firestraw3.jpg


Presto. The pile of PJ-impregnated cotton lit with the first spark shower I laid down. The approximately 3.5" firestraw's contents burned for just shy of 2 minutes.

Firestraw4.jpg
 
Just ordered a few of those fire steels from CountryComm... Sweet pics!!
 
Cool idea never, thought of that.I'll make some of those for my spec-ops tomorro if I get a chance.
 
That is awesome. I love using my Sweedish Firesteel. I'll have to try your fire straw set up. Looks good amd compact. ;)
 
shigawire4sure said:
Cool idea never, thought of that.I'll make some of those for my spec-ops tomorro if I get a chance.
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Big straws from McDonald's or Sonic have a bigger diameter than your average store-bought straws. :thumbup:

To seal the ends, just pinch with a pair of needle nosed pliers and heat/melt the plastic together with a lighter.

Once you've sealed one end and packed in the PJ-impregnated cotton (a small dowel helps), you might find it useful to clean the open end of the straw with a cotton swab (Q-tip). If you don't clean off the petroleum jelly a little bit, it's harder to get the second end to seal.
 
wayne37 said:
Six bucks each , man that is a deal , up here there fetching $ 14 a piece.
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You can check out the firesteels here. As with all the firesteels I've handled, you have to get through the outer coating, but it only takes about 10 or so scrapes. After that, you get a nice shower of sparks every time. I didn't hit the cotton pictured above until I had a consistent shower going with each strike. As noted, it lit on the first attempt.
 
Very good info Guyon, definately a necessary tool/setup for anyone going outdoors :thumbup:
 
Thanks a lot, Guyon. You just got me in trouble with the woman. I can't look at that site without buying about 37 gadgets. :D I'm down for 4 firesteels and 5 of the little clip-on LED lights.

That's a nice neat little setup you have there. I would imagine you could keep that packed in a sheath or pouch for a good long while without any problem. :thumbup:
 
Are yo usealing the rod back up after using?

They will oxidize.

I put a coating of clear nail polish on, then a piece of shrink wrap to protect.
 
thatmguy said:
Are yo usealing the rod back up after using?

They will oxidize.

I put a coating of clear nail polish on, then a piece of shrink wrap to protect.
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I imagine mine have oxidized in the past and I've simply scraped through the oxidation to get to the active ferrocium. Does waste some of the rod though. Good tip on the clear coat. :thumbup:
 
truthseeker said:
Thanks a lot, Guyon. You just got me in trouble with the woman. I can't look at that site without buying about 37 gadgets. :D
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No kidding!! I picked a couple of their pry bar thingies (small and large), and a few paracord accessories, some Grim-Loks and something else that I have already forgotten what it was. Went there initially JUST for the Fire Steels only... DOH! :o
 
Wow...cool website! Great prices! And not more than a few miles from where I live. Shipping shouldn't take too long.;)
 
Great thread, Guyon! :thumbup: Now I'm off to the CountyComm site to fill up my Christmas stocking.... :D

A girl needs a knife...
 
Guyon,
Thanks for the link to that website. They have some great gear there and it doesn't cost that much! Awesome, thanks again!

Luke
 
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