Magnesium Firestarter Sticks.

[Steve_1975]

Would anyone on here recommend these? I'm thinking about getting one, which one would you recommend?

 

[vestlenning]

Keep it simple: go for the basic ferro rod and good tinder.

 

[Steve_1975]

Keep it simple: go for the basic ferro rod and good tinder.

I just looked at the Gerber Bear Grylls one. Any good?

 

[sandbag47]

Careful mentioning the bear can cause trouble

 

[Steve_1975]

Careful mentioning the bear can cause trouble

Wasn't sure.

 

[TarHeelBrit]

If you want to go with a mag bar and ferro rod you can't go far wrong with a Doan bar. Steer clear of the Chinese knock offs, no guarantee it will work when you need it.

 

[rancid badger]

I just looked at the Gerber Bear Grylls one. Any good?

No. they're overpriced ( no matter what the price is)

If you want a no nonsense but pricey(ish) piece of kit, just buy either a "Firestick" from Woodlore or else a "Light My Fire" Army model.

If you don't want to pay so much, just pick an 8cm x 8mm cheapy off ebay and stick a handle on it but use a good flat scraper blade to strike your sparks. Any ferro rod will work well enough with a decent, square edged, non serrated scraper:
[video=youtube;bc2wQ9ryts0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc2wQ9ryts0[/video]

Good luck

Steve

 

[Silkhi]

I bought one of the "cheap chinese knock-offs" just to give one a go and have to say I was fairly impressed. Over to the experts though - was just a simple test.

 

[MarkN]

I bought a Bear Grylls one and it was dreadful. I have since bought a Strike Force one from the Bushcraft store and its superb, the best I've ever had.

 

[Steve_1975]

Cheers guys, looks like ive got some research to do!

 

[vestlenning]

My latest buy from China (five 8 x 80 mm rods for 6 pounds) works just as good as a more expensive one I had from before.

 

[Whittler Kev]

I bought some......big mistake, Very rarely use the magnesium and its still sitting there when the tiny ferro bit has ran out. Better to buy a stand alone magnesium in reserve and stick to the largest ferro you can afford imho

 

[cave_dweller]

If you don't want to pay so much, just pick an 8cm x 8mm cheapy off ebay and stick a handle on it but use a good flat scraper blade to strike your sparks. Any ferro rod will work well enough with a decent, square edged, non serrated scraper:

Steve

I'm impressed with the scraper Steve. Pretty sure I've seen your demo video before and it seems to work really well. Is it home made?

 

[TarHeelBrit]

Cheers guys, looks like ive got some research to do!

Nothing wrong with research at all. I do 90% research and 10% buying. That way It saves a bunch of money on buying crap.

 

[vestlenning]

If you don't want to pay so much, just pick an 8cm x 8mm cheapy off ebay and stick a handle on it but use a good flat scraper blade to strike your sparks.

Good advise!

I attach pieces of hack saw blades to mine; always a good scraper at hand: