Fire striker review

[Mike8472]

In the summer I commissioned Andy (Everything Mac) to make me a striker.
I was after a striker that incorporated a blade in it; so I could cut and prepare tinder with the one tool so no need to rummage around for a knife saving precious time if you are cold and wet and need to start a fire in a hurry.
I stumbled across a picture on the internet one day and that was the design that gripped me.
I sent Andy the picture and dimensions and this is the finished result.

After getting back off my hols at the beginning of September I have had a few chances to test it out and it works a treat. I added it to my existing fire kit that lives in my rucksack permanently.

 

[maddave]

Looks great.... I bet it could be pressed into use as a small knife too

 

[Seoras]

Andy has made a beautiful steel for you Mike.,

I do like the idea of the blade and the way he has curled the steel so you can have a decent handle.

 

[Mike8472]

the cutting edge is convexed for durability. If push came to shove it could be pressed into service as a knife but I really only use it to prepare the tinder; scraping fatwood sticks, fuzzing up fungus etc.
The curved handle also serves to protect my fingers from the flint. I have on occasion got a little over zealous with my flint and taken chunks out of my thumb and fingers with it.

 

[Silverhill]

That's a real original multi-functional take on a classic. I love it!

 

[DFCA]

Hi
That looks like a nice little kit you have there

What else is in the tin, cant help my curiosity as to what other people carry for fire starting!

ATB
Dave

 

[Mike8472]

On the left of the tin is a Swiss army knife. Then next to it is a Doan US military magnesium block with a paracord lanyard and carbide scraper attached (so I don't blunt my knife on scraping it), wrapped around it are a couple of inner tyre bands that keep the scraper and layard tidy and out the way. to the side of the Magnesium black is a couple of tampons and some cut down fatwood sticks.
On the bottom layer underneath this stuff is a couple of the match packets from the Brit ration packs, some charcloth and some fatwood shavings and birch bark in individual little self seal bags.

 

[Claudiasboris]

Nice little fire kit. Great idea for the striker!

Claudiasboris

 

[Everything Mac]

he he - Glad you like it Mike. its a damn fine little tool - even if I do say so myself.
Couldn't believe the price of the thing in the link you sent me!

I made something very similar not that long after I sent yours out Mike; though it ended up as just a knife as opposed to a striker as the cutting edge would have been too close to fingers.

Thanks for the review!

All the best
Andy

 

[Everything Mac]

I'll probably do a run of these if I can get enough interest.

Andy

 

[DFCA]

I would love one of these - in a run or as a single.

How much are we looking at for one and where do I sign to say yes please

ATB
Dave