Whats your opinion on the magnesium firestarters

[TDahlgren]

Go buy a couple cheap large toothed hacksaw blades. Bend/break off a 2-3" section, drill a hole in the end, then attach to the lanyard of the mag block.

By scraping that little blade down the edge of the mag block you can quickly create a generous amount of shavings. That hacksaw blade will also create a massive shower of sparks from the mishmetal rod (although doing it this way will drastically reduce it's useable lifespan.)

 

[x39]

But they are only for back up to my first choice, a BIC.

Bics are convenient, I carry one too and it's the first thing I grab when I need flame. Where the mag block out shines the Bic is in very cold temps. I have been in conditions where my hands were so cold I lost the ability to manipulate the striker on my Bic. The mag block doesn't require the use of fine motor skills (easier to use in early stages of hypothermia) and can be used with gloves on.

 

[nick-nack]

I like my little cheapo version I got from walmart. I have been thinking about drilling out a hole in the block to shove a a straw filled with pj cotton balls(hold the flame a bit longer). I dont have a drill press or bench vice so I dont want all the flammable shavings near my hand.

Dont worry about the shavings... I picked one up and it wasnt for me so i drilled through it and collected all the shavings for alternative tinder. Not flare ups unless you have any flame or strong sparks near it.

 

[Bushman5]

i have a love hate relationship with the mag bars. mostly with trying to get shavings. I found clamping the bar into a vice,and using an old jack plane works wonders for getting shavings, i catch them in a plastic pail and pour them into a waterproof tin , mixed with sawdust and pitch pieces, or i melt wax and mix them into the wax and make a candle.

 

[StretchNM]

StretchNM, could you tell how the ferro rod was originally held in place? Could it be repaired with adhesive?

Yes, it was glued into the groove in the mag block. I could've just epoxied it back in there but, instead, we just chucked both pieces into my daughter's backpack and I gave her a new one that I'd been saving. If I remember right, it's a press-fit too, so after spreading the epoxy, it needs to be clamped to force it into the groove.

 

[knifeman65]

Stretch, I haven't had one come appart yet, but now that I know you did I'll keep a close eye out. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[pict]

I´ve never had one come apart either. I imagine if they took a hard hit on the corner of the rod it could happen. Even so, the individual parts still retain their function.

I have had Bic´s come apart in a variety of ways. I have had matches get wet too. Broken Bic parts and wet matches really are useless. Of all the firelighting systems out there the straight up ferro rod is probalby the most durable but salt water will corrode them without mercy. For long term storage you really do need to protect ferrocerium with nail polish or laquer of some kind. The Doan Tool is about as durable as a D battery, but I´ve had batteries blow up on me from time to time. Bottom line, carry multiple means to make fire in several locations in the pack and on the body and check your kit before heading out. Mac