Ferro rods...

[Pict]

I have had very good results with the can opener of my SAK and the backside of the serrated blade on my Leatherman Wave. The Leatherman blade makes the ferro rod spark like the 4th of July...

I've toyed with the idea of filing a small, sharp edged half-moon notch in the spine of a knife near the handle. I think this would give maximum contact with the round rod and also concentrate the shower of sparks.

Many knives have a small set of grooves at the base of the blade to provide grip for the thumb. As long as they have sharp edges many of these will produce a shower of sparks as well. They will do "hacksaw" type damage to the rod. Mac

[Mr_Yarrow]

Where do I get a Ferro rod from? I saw one on Bear Claws site but wasnt sure if that was the same thing you were talking about in this thread.

What are they made of that makes them ignite in themselves, (the scrapings), as well as sparking when struck by a sharp edge?

Also, given there combustible nature, howe would you advise sawing through one if I wanted to make it small enough to fit a certain container etc?

Ta

[Gary]

Where do I get a Ferro rod from? I saw one on Bear Claws site but wasnt sure if that was the same thing you were talking about in this thread.

What are they made of that makes them ignite in themselves, (the scrapings), as well as sparking when struck by a sharp edge?

Also, given there combustible nature, howe would you advise sawing through one if I wanted to make it small enough to fit a certain container etc?

Ta

Mr Yarrow, the rods arent combustilble by themselves they wont burst into flame.

They are an amalgamation of various metals which when struck create a very hot spark.

You could saw on ein half and you will get loads of sparks as you saw but it wont ignite the rod.

[fastbreak]

Also, given there combustible nature, howe would you advise sawing through one if I wanted to make it small enough to fit a certain container etc?

Their "combustable nature" requires considerable friction to create ultra fine shavings and heat. The rod can not burst in to flame, even if you put it on the fire, but rather like magnesium filings, very small particals will burn very brightly and with intense heat.

I wouldn't advise sawing a ferro rod in half. The sparks you produce will drive you mad.

The trick is to put the length of rod that you want to use in a leather lined bench vice. Tighten the vice, grip the bit of rod sticking out with a pair of pliers and snap it off.

It works a treat.

Have fun

Mike

[Mr_Yarrow]

cool, ta for the advice?

so where do i buy one? are the swedish fire steels you see sold everywhere nowadays the same thing?

[Damage1978]

It official these things are now gadgets. See HERE

[Gary]

cool, ta for the advice?

so where do i buy one? are the swedish fire steels you see sold everywhere nowadays the same thing?

To the best of my knowledge they are start att he same source (manufacturer) so all rods are the same only the packaging and prices differ!

[Burless]

Erm....stupid question....what, exactly, does a tungsten carbide burnisher look like?!!?

Burless

Ps Smile, it makes people wonder what you've been up to!

[shannon]

also anyone try using a spider web when one can be found to keep tinder together in one spot it works

[Biddlesby]

Great idea!

I've been trying this technique, only just managed to get a bit of loo roll to light after about 10 strokes. Am getting plenty of sparks - but my rod was being worn down with no fire when i tried newspaper and printer paper. I must be doing something wrong but I wish i knew what!

[narsil]

you will struggle to light newsprint or printer paper with a ferro rod, those papers are very smooth so there are no little fibres to catch the sparks. A useful trick with any difficult tinder is to roll or ball it up and then scrape it with a knife to get a fine powder which should light very easily, bit of an effort but worthwhile if thats all you've got.

[Biddlesby]

I was not trying to light the paper merely by showering sparks on to it, I was putting it inbetween the knife and the firesteel, as in Martyn's first post, in which he says it is possible and implies it is easy .

[alces alces]

OT

i think i may have found the best tinder of all

socks

i manged to light it with one strike
slight problem was it was still on my foot
strangely i just felt a warm sensation on my foot
and than i saw the flame and waved my foot frantickly in the end it went out

and i still have the sock in question

[MotorbikeMan]

OT

i think i may have found the best tinder of all

socks

i manged to light it with one strike
slight problem was it was still on my foot
strangely i just felt a warm sensation on my foot
and than i saw the flame and waved my foot frantickly in the end it went out

and i still have the sock in question

[Bogflogger]

Superb!