I will also, if I can find them, an RD6, RD7, and RD9 orginals only.

OK, I'm new to this Firesteel stuff. What is a good size to get? Any other info would also be great. Thanks.

the biggest one you can find. stick it in the tinder, don't hold it above. scrape down hard and slow so there are sparks bouncing around, not gone once they fall. use a large, comfortable scraper so you can really lean into it.

check evolute's website for details.

it's just a good way to start a fire, fast, simple and easy (you just need good tinder to throw your sparks into like cotton balls soaked in vaseline is good)

the bigger the rod, the more strikes you can get, last longer (as in thousands of more strikes) but it may not be as easy to carry in a sheath, pouch or other easy carrying place but I still like the 1/2" by 4" ones;

but any size will work fine, try out a smaller diameter one, give it a work out and you'll know.

The RD4 is one beefy knife. Much heavier than I expected. As far as firesteels go, I just carry a weatherproof lighter. It would start a fire under water.

The postman also brought me a Bravo-1 that I traded for. That was a surprise. It made it from Oakland, CA to Chantilly, VA in 2 days.

I have several size bic lighters too, blast match, nato matches, magnesium bar, and a several sizes of ferro rod. The theory is many forms of starting fire, in case your in it for the long haul! a ferro rod will last you years, can you say that for the fluid type lighters?!

They are not a bad thing to have in a survival situation. Definitely not my first choice for starting a fire though. I had to do it too many times in the rain in Boy Scouts.

Cool, thanks alot. What about this fatwood stuff? Any good for tinder? Are there different kinds? How does this MayaSticks/Dust hold up?

it's great tinder Shaolin, try some if you get a chance, lights easy/fast

Which one the fatwood stuff? Or this MayaSticks/Dust? Can I make/find my own fatwood?

It is always nice to find a nice pine fatwood stump in the woods