Best Ferro Rod device

[TeeDee]

What is the best modern firelighter Ferro rod based device you've seen or used?

And what makes it the best?

I've seen the orginal blocks of Magnesium with a Ferro rod glued in , Exotac products , A lot of the Light my Fire ones - but which do you consider is the best and why?

I'm looking for something that has the ability to contain some dry tinder in around the rod and is sealable - but that is my criteria - what is yours?

 

[gra_farmer]

The light my fire ones are the best general firesteels out there, a bit soft for my use, but still good. I am really not impressed at all with the exotac firesteels, really rubbish sparks.

I use an unknown brand Chinese firesteel from a trusted seller, which is quite hard, but I find prefect for my use. I will see if I can find a link, it has been a while....?

But going branded, the Ray Mears Woodlore firesteel is very good and would be my choice over the light my fire ones, as they are a little harder, and can really throw sparks.

 

[MrEd]

The light my fire ones are the best general firesteels out there, a bit soft for my use, but still good. I am really not impressed at all with the exotac firesteels, really rubbish sparks.

I use an unknown brand Chinese firesteel from a trusted seller, which is quite hard, but I find prefect for my use. I will see if I can find a link, it has been a while....?

But going branded, the Ray Mears Woodlore firesteel is very good and would be my choice over the light my fire ones, as they are a little harder, and can really throw sparks.

I second the RM ones - I have a couple - they definitely are hotter and fatter sparks than a LMF version.

I carry tinder in a zip lock baggie in my pocket or bag

 

[Jared]

Haven't seen anything that I thought looked a neat way of carry both rod & tinder.

 

[TeeDee]

I have an Exotac NanoSpark , which is a flint throwing rotatory wheel and a small waterproof compartment for a tinder source - this is a good idea i think but would like the same with a ferro rod being the ignition source. I may need to cannibalize an old torch body housing unless i can find a suitable suggestion.,

 

[MrEd]

I have an Exotac NanoSpark , which is a flint throwing rotatory wheel and a small waterproof compartment for a tinder source - this is a good idea i think but would like the same with a ferro rod being the ignition source. I may need to cannibalize an old torch body housing unless i can find a suitable suggestion.,

Do you want to keep the ferro-rod inside the contraption aswell? Or will it be seperate?

You could use a delrin battery case - these are water tight. Get one of the larger ones and have your ferro rod attached via a lanyard maybe??

Delrin Battery Lockers (Waterproof) ~

Cage : 5VKB6 We have a limited overrun of Delrin® Battery Lockers (Waterproof). The battery locker fits its designated battery perfectly. Brand new, never used overrun from government contract. Possible uses include: geo-caching, pet identification, emergency cash stash, water purification...

countycomm.com

You can get them from EDCgear UK (I have bought a couple) the one for CR123 sized batteries is a decent size for tinder - I use one and can take photos of you like?

 

[TeeDee]

Do you want to keep the ferro-rod inside the contraption aswell? Or will it be seperate?

You could use a delrin battery case - these are water tight. Get one of the larger ones and have your ferro rod attached via a lanyard maybe??

Delrin Battery Lockers (Waterproof) ~

Cage : 5VKB6 We have a limited overrun of Delrin® Battery Lockers (Waterproof). The battery locker fits its designated battery perfectly. Brand new, never used overrun from government contract. Possible uses include: geo-caching, pet identification, emergency cash stash, water purification...

countycomm.com

You can get them from EDCgear UK (I have bought a couple) the one for CR123 sized batteries is a decent size for tinder - I use one and can take photos of you like?

Yes please -good idea! also , I'm assuming - that floats??

 

[SaraR]

Yes please -good idea! also , I'm assuming - that floats??

from the specs they look rather lightweight, so I assume they would unless you overload them.

 

[Jared]

If want a larger capsules look at scuba divers capsules, they go up in size to holding modern day electronic car keys. Like https://dryfob.com/ though they are made in china and look to be way over priced.

The idea I have in my head, is to use fireplugs/dental rolls as tinder as come in standard sizes.
They are around <1cm diameter, and usually 38mm long. So can stack them to rough size of the ferrorod. So the "container" would look like a double barrel shotgun barrel.

The fireplug side needs to open from both ends, so can use the ferro rod as push rod to get the fireplugs out.
Add a scraper edge on the outside.

Prototype would be get some boba tea straws and stick them together.

 

[swright81076]

You can’t get much better than the Light My Fire Ferro rods (army size)
I made a video on YouTube a few years ago about the best usage. Please have a look see what you think.

As for storing tinder with it, why not just collect dry combustible material on your travels, if it’s damp it’ll dry in your trouser pockets.

 

[MrEd]

Yes please -good idea! also , I'm assuming - that floats??

Yes they do, photos in a bit

 

[demented dale]

What is the best modern firelighter Ferro rod based device you've seen or used?

And what makes it the best?

I've seen the orginal blocks of Magnesium with a Ferro rod glued in , Exotac products , A lot of the Light my Fire ones - but which do you consider is the best and why?

I'm looking for something that has the ability to contain some dry tinder in around the rod and is sealable - but that is my criteria - what is yours?

the ones from the bushcraft store. they about a fiver. really good

 

[MrEd]

Yes please -good idea! also , I'm assuming - that floats??

Okay it definitely floats, has a rubber seal as well so doesn’t let in water.

It’s about 3inch by 1 inch but I think you can get larger, it’s very light but quite tough, lanyard hole on the lid

 

[slasha9]

I have one of these





UST Ultimate Survival Technologies StrikeForce w/ Tinder Fire Starter

I got mine years ago but I can't find a UK supplier. They have a fearsome firesteel and a couple of esbit(?) tablets in the handle

Hth

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

I'd forgotten about the UST. I recall Gerber had a version and I had one in black and it was my first firesteel.

Good handles, sharp scraper and one of the best spark rods I've had.

Came with wet fire tinder in a sealed compartment. I lost mine somewhere in the distant past.

Anyone got one to sell... This version looks out of production?

 

[Jared]

YouTube just recommended a video of this, a ferro rod version of a rope lighter.

PREPARED4X Survival Torch Fire Starter (Large/Small)

THE ULTIMATE ALL-IN-ONE FIRE STARTER TOOL! At Prepared4X, we’ve created our patented Survival Torch to be a head above the rest, for the highest-quality function and design you’ll find on the market. Made with 6 x ½ inch premium quality Ferrocerium, this fire starter instantly produces a shower...

prepared4x.com

 

[1 pot hunter]

What is the best modern firelighter Ferro rod based device you've seen or used?

And what makes it the best?

I've seen the orginal blocks of Magnesium with a Ferro rod glued in , Exotac products , A lot of the Light my Fire ones - but which do you consider is the best and why?

I'm looking for something that has the ability to contain some dry tinder in around the rod and is sealable - but that is my criteria - what is yours?

All ferro rods are good it’s tinder that’s important a curled peice birch bark with its skin finely shaved takes a tiny spark n combusts instantly start from bottom so flame catches curled bit

 

[TeeDee]

All ferro rods are good it’s tinder that’s important a curled peice birch bark with its skin finely shaved takes a tiny spark n combusts instantly start from bottom so flame catches curled bit

not true and not the question i posed,

 

[Brizzlebush]

On the cheap, would a vitamin tube do the job? One of the ones that have those fizzy jobs in?
Nick (Hidden Valley) did a match pot with one. I can't find it at the moment.
You can wrap it in inner tube for extra tinder, and probably fit a ferro rod without a handle inside, with extra tinder?

Weighs almost nothing, as a tube, and is waterproof. I put mine in the sink to make sure!
You could even get lucky and find one in a recycling bin if you don't want the cost, or the vitamins (and their alleged health-benefitting properties)!

 

[crosslandkelly]

On the cheap, would a vitamin tube do the job? One of the ones that have those fizzy jobs in?
Nick (Hidden Valley) did a match pot with one. I can't find it at the moment.
You can wrap it in inner tube for extra tinder, and probably fit a ferro rod without a handle inside, with extra tinder?

Weighs almost nothing, as a tube, and is waterproof. I put mine in the sink to make sure!
You could even get lucky and find one in a recycling bin if you don't want the cost, or the vitamins (and their alleged health-benefitting properties)!

That's what I use. They are great for making mini fishing or first aid kits too.
I keep about 3feet of gaffer tape on mine.