Scrappy,

Tests and reviews by others, such as Old Jimbo, seem to show that there are, indeed, quality differences between the cheap magnesium firestarters and the brand name ones. I can't speak to that from personal experience, since I've only extensively used the name brand (Doan).

Magnesium can work, but, in my opinion, is inferior to alternatives such as fatwood.

A firesteel and fatwood are, in my experience, the best combination of reliability and ease of use, for firestarting. Additionally, tinder-quik is the best man-made tinder, in my experience and my tests.

You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various firestarting tools and tinders, on this page:

http://www.mikespinak.com/articles/Essays/e996thepsk.html

And you can read in depth about using a firesteel, and little bit about preparing and igniting wood tinders, on this page:

http://www.mikespinak.com/articles/Essays/e994firesteelhowto.html

Rainwalker is right that it's worth learning how to make a friction fire, too. However, friction firemaking and man made firemaking tools should not be viewed as exclusive alternatives. They are complementary, to cover your bases as well as possible for the widest range of circumstances.

I totally agree, it never hurts to have more than one way to get a fire going... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

The cool thing about learning Friction Fire making is, once you've learned it, you don't necessarily have to carry the gear for that, only a backup or two just in case everything is soaked... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I use a piece of hacksaw blade to shave the magnesium. It works great.

i will buy a doan.

so my fireflash must just be cheap because i bought the real fire steel today and lit 2 fires already. i thought fire flash was good quality and all fire steels weren't that great but i was wrong

the boy scouts of america sells a good firesteel knock off for just 2.50

evolute,
thank you for the links

I’ve figured out a great way to make magnesium shavings that I don’t ever hear anyone else mention. I’ve found the fastest way to make shavings is to use the file on my Leatherman. It is a metal file after all, and magnesium is a metal. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I wouldn’t use a knife to scrape the flint as it messes up the edge. I think a piece of hacksaw blade works very well. You can make shorter pieces of hacksaw blades by tightening them in a vise, and bending back and forth until it snaps. Then you can clean up the edges with some sandpaper or a rough knife sharpening stone. If you don’t have a hacksaw blade, any 90 degree edge of metal will work. You can also use the spine of a knife if the corners aren’t rounded. I’ve heard the Doan brand ones are really good. Cheaper ones can sometimes have the flint rod come unglued from the magnesium, especially if dropped. And the flint rod is more important than the magnesium, and is more easily lost.

I like large flint rods. The larger the rod, the hotter and more abuntant the sparks will be. If it’s a matter of life or death, this can be very important. Also, a larger flint rod will last longer and start more fires than a smaller one. I really like my Gerber Strike Force firestarter. The flint rod is like a ½ inch thick. Inside of the case it cotains a commerically made firestarter. I also attached a heavy duty stainless steel magnum pill fob to the end. Inside I jammed in 7 jumbo cotton balls. It has an o ring to keep them waterproof. I also cut a finger sized piece of fatwood, and attached it to the firestarter with a rubber band. I’ll put some pics of it below.

Here’s another link you might find useful: Tips for Fast Fires with Flint & Steel

Strike Force with pill fob of cotton balls


With finger sized piece of fatwood that I attach with a rubber band.


Here is where I attempted to start a fire using only the flint rod, and some shredded inner tree bark with no other tinder source. This would be more difficult with smaller flint rods, because they wouldn’t be able to produce a large hot shower of sparks needed to ignite such a coarse material.


And success! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />


I hope this was helpful. And, while I’m posting pics…how about a couple of a fire I made with my flint rod. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Me.


Closeup. I like to use the full size version as wallpaper sometimes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

andy, i should have know you would have some good advice. i will look for the fire starter. i also believe the firesteel army version is pretty big. it lasts four times as long as the scout version so i figure it has to be bigger and the scout version is pretty good size

andy,

i realized your fire starter is made by ultimate survival and they also make a spring loaded one hand version which i am already waiting for in the mail. now i am excited to get it

Mine says it’s made by Gerber. Maybe they sold the license to make it? The only issue I’ve heard with the one-handled models is they’re not very sturdy, and can break if you’re too rough with them, especially in cold weather when the plastic is more brittle from the temperature.

The advantage of the Blast Match is that it can be used one handed. If the SHTF and breaks your arm, you can get plenty of sparks out of the Blast Match using just one hand.

The Strike Force and the one handed Blast Match were both produced by Survival Inc. They also produced the Star Flash signal mirror, Wet Fire tinder, and the Saber Cut Saw. Then Survival Inc. went belly up. No more Strike Force or Blast Match. There was gnashing of teeth and rending of garments among Survival Inc. fans. Perhaps Gerber got the rights to produce the Strike Force in the confusion.

Eventually Chris Venti purchased the assets of Survival Inc. and founded Ultimate Survival Technologies. They are now producing everything Survival Inc. did and more.

wow, i didn't know that
i am waiting for the deluxe kit to arrive. they look like serious gear