first fire steel ignition unexpected result

[mr dazzler]

I just surprised myself by starting my first fire with a ferro rod/fire steel.
I bought a scout one some time ago but the little plated steel striker didnt produce decent spark's and I almost gave up actually . But then I read somewhere that a good knife blade will produce a shower of spark's, so I tried using the back of my opinel instead, what a difference No word of a lie it was more like a mini flame thrower. I used a 1 inch heap of oak and ash shavings and scrapings (very fine) and it was alight instantly, I couldnt believe it. I had larger stuff nearby (drawknife and spokeshave slices) and would have had the thing in full blast only I was inside the garage at the time From now on I will be lighting the woodburner with that, keep a dry oak stick by the fire place and scrape some fine tidner off it each time a light up is required. And hard wood shavings and thicker axe waste comes in very useful too, I keep tomorrows lot right by the stove overnight to make sure its bone dry to use the next day
Cheers Jonathan

PS Just on a technical note, how exactly does the ferro rod work? Is the rod semi abrasive like a grindng wheel?

 

[Longstrider]

PS Just on a technical note, how exactly does the ferro rod work? Is the rod semi abrasive like a grindng wheel?

As far as I know, "ferro" rods are basically a giant version of the sort of so called "flint" you get in a cigarette lighter. They are made of an alloy of many metals called "ferrocium" which is known to produce large, long lasting sparks. The fact that the alloy contains some magnesium helps with the longevity of the sparks. You can get sparks from a ferro rod with most substances that are harder than the ferro rod itself, but as you have found, the sharp edge of a piece of hardened steel is probably tyhe easiest and surest way to get a good shower of sparks. The rod is not an abrasive like a grindwheel. The sparks that come off a grindwheel are fragments of burning steel from the steel being ground not bits of the wheel itself.

Hope this helps you to undetstand a little more.

 

[British Red]

Good toy though aren't they. The rods themselves are available for between £2 and £5 and handles are very easy to knock up (even I can do it) so theres no excuse not to play really!

I find a piece of hacksaw blade works well if you don't like using your knife spine and a shard or flint from knapping is terrific!

Red