Firesteel recommendations?

[Wallenstein]

I've been practising with a Light My Fire Scout firesteel - works really well with the striker but it can be a bit fiddly to use with a knife. I show the cubs how to use it quite a lot, and they struggle to get enough purchase on the short length to get the sparks firing.

I've read that not all "firesteels" are equal - so can anyone recommend a high-quality brand? I'm after the Army size that LMF do - happy to use them unless someone can suggest a better source!!

Thanks loads - all suggestions welcome

 

[Tadpole]

I've been practising with a Light My Fire Scout firesteel - works really well with the striker but it can be a bit fiddly to use with a knife. I show the cubs how to use it quite a lot, and they struggle to get enough purchase on the short length to get the sparks firing.

I've read that not all "firesteels" are equal - so can anyone recommend a high-quality brand? I'm after the Army size that LMF do - happy to use them unless someone can suggest a better source!!

Thanks loads - all suggestions welcome

I'd go for the Army version, you will at least get great sparks with light my fire, which is more than I can say for some other brands.

 

[Celt_Ginger]

I agree. Light My Fire ones seem to give the best and most consistant results

 

[Kepis]

http://www.firesteel.co.uk/

 

[Seoras]

Use pieces of flint instead of the small scrapers or knives.

Flint I find helps to give of a much stronger shower of sparks when using the smaller types of fires teels. Also it is easier for the kids to use. Make sure you have a strong sharp edge to the flint.

George

 

[crazydave]

problem with the light my fires is the strikers, make your own or grind off the silly shapes to make the supplied one better.

 

[Ogri the trog]

I've been practising with a Light My Fire Scout firesteel - works really well with the striker but it can be a bit fiddly to use with a knife. I show the cubs how to use it quite a lot, and they struggle to get enough purchase on the short length to get the sparks firing.

Wallenstein,
If you're getting strong sparks with the striker, then I might suggest that the geometry of the knife might be lacking. Make sure there is a square corner on the spine and not a rounded corner.

That said, it might be a lot safer to have the Cubs use the supplied strikers.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Wallenstein]

Thanks all - I can throw sparks with my SS clipper, but the short length of the Scout firesteel means the cutting edge starts quite close to the hand (which makes some of the cubs a little nervous). Would rather give them a bit more space to play with!

I'll hunt around for a LMF Army - think they're about £10+p&p online?

Seoras - I like the idea of using flint, will see if I can dig some out to practice

 

[crazydave]

get one of the 10x100mm ones off ebay, good long length to strike on. get a cheap steel ruler and use that as a striker. plenty to hold which will keep even small hands happy as you can be extravagant with your stroke. you can make a handle for it or stick the end into a man made cork which should hold it well enough also a bit cheaper than an lmf and the same size as the original issue rods.

you can trim a bit off the ruler to make a striker for the little lmf. b&q had some in for 50p in their by the till bargain racks.

 

[Tadpole]

I've bought firesteels of ebay, twice, and both time they were rubbish, one would not spark at all, and the other would spark occationally but you could not control the spark enough to get it anywhere neat the tinder. at a fiver each I'd have just as well spent the money on a decent light my fire, and know that I'd have a good steel that would do the job.

 

[jungle_re]

A bit of old hacksaw blade makes a fantastic stricker

 

[Osprey]

I have used both LMF steels and www.firesteel.co.uk steels with scout groups and forest school groups and have found that the children get better sparks off the LMF ones as they are softer. Personally I am happy to use both, but when teaching kids it is important that they succeed in getting lots of sparks.
I agree with Wallenstein that the children find the supplied strikers too short and next forest school session I plan to use some lengths of hacksaw blade with duct tape handles. I will let you know how it goes

 

[crazydave]

I've bought firesteels of ebay, twice, and both time they were rubbish, one would not spark at all, and the other would spark occationally but you could not control the spark enough to get it anywhere neat the tinder. at a fiver each I'd have just as well spent the money on a decent light my fire, and know that I'd have a good steel that would do the job.

my lmf lives in its pouch for emergencies as it would have to be an emergency to use it. I use the ebay one all the time as its a good rod and I like the length as you can strike from either end to even out the wear. given the choice I like the sak saw back or the file for striking

the lmf does remind me of what the americans call a metal match and has been in use since the 50's the softer compound means you can scrape a pile of shavings like you would a magnesium block. this accounts for the excessive and bad wear I see on some of the ones dangling on peoples belts and sheaths.

if you dont want your ebays ones I'll take them off you

 

[redneck]

have to agree about the ebay ones being totally naff, don't waste your money on them you'd be better putting the extra to it and getting a steel that you can rely on. Get the LMF ones

 

[Nonsuch]

I've bought firesteels of ebay, twice, and both time they were rubbish, one would not spark at all, and the other would spark occationally but you could not control the spark enough to get it anywhere neat the tinder. at a fiver each I'd have just as well spent the money on a decent light my fire, and know that I'd have a good steel that would do the job.

Agree about the firesteels from Ebay. No spark at all or just one massive spark that flies of into the distance ! Best use for them is scrape them down into shavings and use a proper firesteel to light them......

 

[Tadpole]

if you dont want your ebays ones I'll take them off you

Pm me your address and they are yours, for free.

 

[ridge rover]

I used these two items on my last trip. I think both places ship overseas, but I'll tell you guys a secret!



The rod is no ordinary Ferro rod. I'm not sure what its made of, but its heavier than other Ferro rods. 2 sizes are sold. I have this rod. The other rod is bigger and twice the price. By itself, its hot! http://survival.instantestore.net/pd_large.cfm



This striker is what I used with the above rod. Together, it doesn't get much hotter than this! The secret is to check hardware or garden supply places for this item or you can order it. The website owner wrote the book "Build the Perfect Survival Kit." he told me he ships everywhere! If you order, check out his water bags also. Excellent! Here's the link to the striker. Scroll down to the "Corona Ultimate Striker" http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/FirestarterProducts.htm#Corona Sharpening Tool

 

[Fraxinus]

I like the Aurora firesteel inthe above link http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/F...rpening%20Tool That could find a home on my keyring if I can find a supplier in the UK.

I use one of Ray Mears branded ones that I got as a present it hasn't let me down yet and you can shave some off it to make the spark longer lasting.It even works with a Leatherman s/s knife blade ( the file works a bit better though! )

 

[VtBlackdog]

LMF Army, all the way. I can light a Q-tip on the first strike 90% of the time with mine...it seems much more sparky than the Scout.

 

[crazydave]

Pm me your address and they are yours, for free.

will do in a bit, I'm only up the road, do you want anything swapsy wise?