What metals throw sparks from a fero rod?

R

RWT

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Mar 15, 2011
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I am curious what metals will throw sparks from a fero rod. I ask as I have one on my keychain. Will keys work? How about a titanium mini pry bar I see advertised here often. Buttons from my jeans? Zipper? Key ring? Prior experience is appreciated.

This will keep me from spending an hour in the 100 degree heat testing everything but the titanium out.
 
Any metal or non-metal will throw sparks from a ferro rod if it's sharp and hard enough. All the scraper does is break off small pieces. These small shavings ignite spontaneously in air (a property called pyrophoricity).
 
It just has to be very hard and have a sharp edge. Most keys are non ferrous and relatively soft. Any hard sharp steel will work from my experiences, as will sharp-edged flint and chert. I just carry a nano striker on my key chain. It has an on-board striker.
 
Hacksaw blades are good. Carbon steel moras work well. the spine of the saw blade on my leathermans works good too.

Best bet is to try it for yourself. The items you have access to to strike a firesteel will vary from what others have in subtle ways that could make the difference between surviving the night next to a fire or freezing to death hours before rescue.
 
Coopsta said:
Any metal or non-metal will throw sparks from a ferro rod if it's sharp and hard enough. All the scraper does is break off small pieces. These small shavings ignite spontaneously in air (a property called pyrophoricity).
Click to expand...
This.
 
I just use a rock my nephew gave to me. It's my good luck rock, and it happens to strike a ferro rod great.
 
Hardness is the key, even if it's sharp. I've been unable to make sharp aluminum edges throw even the tiniest spark off a ferro rod.
 
I may end up with the wiggy bar on my keychain. I may give an old ford key a try to see how it works.
 
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