How To Use A Fire Starter Rod

What is a ferrous rod fire steel?:

The ferrous rod fire steel is a very engaging tool used to calorie-free fires in many different situations.

Ferrous rods and strikers take many different commercial and widely-recognised names such as: burn down steels, fire flints, burn down starters and our own Dragons Sneeze.

The name "flint-and-steel", oft given to these minor ferrocerium rod tools, is technically incorrect. The name relates to the traditional burn lighting technique of striking a piece of flint (rock) with a metallic striker. Ferrocerium has no relationship chemically to flint (rock). The association of names has originated due to both materials having been used in a similar way to create sparks to light fires.

Ferrous rods are made of ferrocerium, also known in Europe equally Auermetall. The name ferrocerium comes from its chief components: iron (ferrum) and cerium. Cerium is a highly elastic, rare earth metal, iron-grayness in colour. Cerium has a depression ignition temperature of betwixt 150 and 180 °C (302 and 356 °F).

Ferrocerium is a synthetic blend that is highly pyrophoric (capable of igniting spontaneously in air). During the striking process minor shavings are removed at high speed, this oxidizes very quickly in contact with the air, the estrus of the friction ignites the oxidized shavings and the burning metal is the spark.

Ferrocerium has been used in many different means – it is commonly used in lighters and equally fire lighters for survival, this is due to its ability to spark in adverse weather conditions.

How to choose?

Often the choice of fire steel comes down to personal preference. There are a few things to consider:

How will the tool exist held?
Many small-scale burn down steels have been designed to be lightweight and compact – ideal for survival situations. There are at present fire steels on the market that take been specially designed for easier property positions such equally the Dragons Sneeze.

Quality of ferrous rods
This is normally represented in the toll of the fire steel. If it looks the same size but is much cheaper it is likely that the quality of rod is non as good.

Oft the bigger heavier rod steels are better value for money as they are unremarkably twice every bit expensive as a smaller one of the aforementioned brand just could have up to iii times as much ferrocerium material in them.

Exploring different kinds of ferrous rod fire steels:

Below we investigate the principal designs of fire steels; looking at benefits and disadvantages with the aim of supporting you to choose the all-time i for your utilize.

Standard fire steel:

Most ferrous rod burn steels are designed in a similar way, where the rod is encased in a plastic pad at one cease. This pad is held in a pincer grip between forefinger and thumb of the less dominant mitt. The striker is as well held in a pincer grip, by the dominant hand.

Benefits: they are small and compact making them platonic for travel and survival.

Disadvantages: this grip can exist tricky to main for young children or anyone with any sort of dexterity issues.

Dragons Sneeze fire steel:

Our own specifically designed and created fire steel.

Benefits: this fire steel has been designed to overcome the dexterity difficulties that are associated with a standard steel. It has a large comfortable handle, for both the rod and the striker. The long connecting cord offers freedom of movement, and a high quality ferrous rod and striker ensure successful results. Its size makes it easier to keep track of (less likely to lose).

This fire steel has a very high success charge per unit for striking. Many leaders now but utilise Dragons Sneezes with their groups, or they always take ane available in instance an individual is struggling with a standard striker.

Disadvantages: it is non as small-scale as other tools for situations where size and weight are critical.

It is a bigger investment than many standard steels, but essentially you are purchasing 2 dissever tools. The striker can exist used fifty-fifty later the rod has worn out.

Sentinel a video sit-in of making a spark using a Dragon'south Sneeze here. Picket more Dingy Faces Dragon'southward Sneeze videos beneath.

How to employ a ferrous rod fire steel:

Below are some tips and techniques to get the most from your burn down steel.

Footstep #1 Belongings the striker and steel/rod

Place the tip of the rod into your tinder.

Position the blade of the striker over the rod with handles at right angles.

Stride #2 Creating a spark

It helps to rest the base of operations of the rod firmly in the tinder which should, ideally, be resting on a difficult stable surface.

Scrape the striker downward the rod in a long, firm stroke to create abundant sparks. Always use strokes moving away from the body and fingers to avoid cuts from the blade. Aim the sparks into the tinder and repeat these strokes until the tinder catches alight. Avoid quick flapping stokes as it often extinguishes a light that you haven't had fourth dimension to notice.

Depending on the type of tinder used the sparks will either cause the tinder to take hold of alight or volition cause an ember to form in the tinder.

Tips:

If yous struggle to get a spark, try altering the angle of the striker against the steel.

To prevent wearing out the centre part of the rod ensure y'all strike along the full length of the rod.

Agree the striker as close to the steel as possible and don't exist scared of the sparks!

Step #3 Igniting

Use the spark to ignite the tinder or to create an ember.

See how to create & maintain a fire for tips on how to build and maintain a bivouac.

Burn steels that crave a unlike action are discussed below.

Vertical strike standard burn steels:

Some burn steels have a groove that allows a more than vertical strike. The ane pictured tin can be used in both ways.

Magnesium block:

Magnesium burns at a very high temperature and so is useful in wetter weather. A magnesium block has a built in steel forth 1 border.

How to utilise:

apply the serrated border of the striker to depict long strokes forth the magnesium block on the opposite side to the flint
scrape off curly pieces of magnesium
collect magnesium on a piece of dry bark or a cotton wool pad
sprinkle the shavings over the tinder or add tinder to the magnesium
then employ the metallic striker downward the small rod attached to the other side of the cake. Frequently people use the serrated edge to strike with, which does create a expert spark, but gouges the rod thus reducing the longevity.

Pocketknife equally striker:

Often people utilise the dorsum of their knife as the metallic striker. This has the reward of a nice chunky grip that generates constructive sparks. Consequently you practise non need to acquit an additional striker if travelling light.

This technique is not frequently used with groups as the knife is used in a very exposed manner.

Dragon's Sneeze Video Collection:

Dragon's Sneeze Story

Dragon's Sneeze Interview

Starting a burn down with a Dragon's Sneeze - a sit-in by Holly & Hawthorn Wood Schoolhouse, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

Disclaimer: Muddy Faces cannot accept any responsibility for accidents or impairment that occurs as a consequence of following this activity.You are responsible for making certain the activity is conducted safely.

Source: https://muddyfaces.co.uk/activities/bushcraft-survival/fires-how-to-use-a-fire-steel