Fire lighting kit

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #270 on:** April 18, 2009, 02:03:08 AM

Tinnie – If you’re already reasonably proficient with the Swedish style rods, then you should have no problem lighting fires with the mischmetal type once you’ve learned to strike it. For a firesteel neophyte it might be easier and less frustrating to learn on a Swedish rod.

I’ve observed that although I can hold the rod further away and throw molten “gobs” at my tinder…I have a little difficulty being accurate with it. It’s really more of an issue with smaller targets, like a single Tinder-quick tab or my Trangia.

When they do land and stay on the tinder, the gobs will usually do the job…burning enough to produce a flame. Sometimes I can see a noticeably delay from the time it lands in the tinder to when it actually catches into flame…the extra magnesium in the mischmetal formula gives the gobs a little more burn time.

Due to this, there might be a small advantage when lighting coarser tinder such as the Cedar shavings (as in the photo) and shredded Birchbark…it’s a good ideal to pack it closely to encourage the gobs to land on the tinder and not fall through.

I have no complaints about the quality of the RAT firesteel handle…it is well made. The firesteel itself is held in the handle by a screw through the handle and a threaded hole on the end of the rod. Replacements are supposed to be available from RAT.

When the time comes to replace my rod I may just glue in a Swedish firesteel instead.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #271 on:** April 18, 2009, 02:31:48 AM

What are your thoughts on the Benchmite?

jzmtl · **Reply #272 on:** April 18, 2009, 02:37:41 AM

Quote from: SporK on April 18, 2009, 02:03:08 AM

When the time comes to replace my rod I may just glue in a Swedish firesteel instead.

How thick is it? I suppose you can buy generic misch steel and stick it in there instead.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #273 on:** April 18, 2009, 03:20:57 AM

Quote from: Leatherman123 on April 18, 2009, 02:31:48 AM

What are your thoughts on the Benchmite?

It's quite nice actually...I like it better than I thought I would. This is the first time I've really used it and worked well at making that pile of wood shavings. The out-of-the-box edge was surprising.

It's a bit odd at first because the blade locks open and closed...it's not designed to open one-handed. I originally thought it would make a good PSK knife, which is the reason I bought it...but needing two-hands to open it takes it out of the running as a survival kit knife for me.

It's still a nice little knife though...I just wish it were a lockback.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #274 on:** April 18, 2009, 03:24:20 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on April 18, 2009, 02:37:41 AM

Quote from: SporK on April 18, 2009, 02:03:08 AM

When the time comes to replace my rod I may just glue in a Swedish firesteel instead.

How thick is it? I suppose you can buy generic misch steel and stick it in there instead.

Yeah you could...it's the same diameter as a LMF Army...3/8". The only thing is it won't have the threaded hole for the screw.

Anthony · **Reply #275 on:** April 18, 2009, 03:33:07 AM

I've been fiddling with the RAT kit for a few days and although it's a little tougher to get a good "spark" with (have to get the right angle on the right section of striker) the globs it throws are great. The capsule is very well made and is waterproof.

The RAT striker should really shine when there's no "prepared" tinder like a pbj cotton ball or jute cord. Shredded dry grass might take quite a few heavy strikes with a standard striker, but one RAT glob and you've got flames.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #276 on:** April 18, 2009, 03:55:12 AM

Yeah, I'm on track with you

that's why I skipped the easy stuff like jute and PJCBs and went to wood shavings.

I actually lit that pile on the second strike...missed it completely on the first

jzmtl · **Reply #277 on:** April 18, 2009, 03:56:15 AM

Here's my knock off RAT, along with a generic regular firesteel. The only capsul I have was too small for 1/2" steel so it turned out to be really weird looking, and my crappy drill press scratched the heck out of it while drilling. Right now the capsul is filled with trioxane chunk/powder.

I can lit wood shaving with the regular firesteel alone but it's a lot of work/luck, however it's really easy with misch firesteel.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #278 on:** April 18, 2009, 03:58:49 AM

Have you got the hang of striking the Mischmetal rod now?

jzmtl · **Reply #279 on:** April 18, 2009, 04:03:23 AM

A little better now, but still not 100% success. The angle/pressure/speed is pretty tricky, not like regular firesteel where pretty much anything works.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #280 on:** April 18, 2009, 04:05:57 AM

I still fire off a few blanks too...

Leatherman123 · **Reply #281 on:** April 18, 2009, 04:43:13 AM

I take it the RAT firestarter is not meant for recreational use; only in survival situations!

jzmtl · **Reply #282 on:** April 18, 2009, 04:51:57 AM

I don't see why not, except the price is high. You could buy misch firesteel blanks thou which is cheaper.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #283 on:** April 18, 2009, 05:43:29 AM

Replacement rods are supposed to be available for the RAT, though I haven't seen them yet.

I've been buying 6" rods from Going Gear and cutting them in half to put my own handles on...cheap rods = more practice.

jzmtl · **Reply #284 on:** April 18, 2009, 06:16:20 AM

Going gear is where I bought mine from as well.

Anthony · **Reply #285 on:** April 18, 2009, 02:55:56 PM

I've found that you may have to strike the same area on the rod 2-3 times, shaving off little curls, to make a small flat area before the next strikes actually ignite. The more surface area you're scraping against, the better chance you'll get a light.

I might buy some spare rods from goinggear...is this metal easily drilled/cut?

sardauker · **Reply #286 on:** April 18, 2009, 04:05:21 PM

Quote from: Corrugated on April 18, 2009, 02:55:56 PM

I might buy some spare rods from goinggear...is this metal easily drilled/cut?

Just do it underwater

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #287 on:** April 18, 2009, 04:26:50 PM

I've not tried drilling any myself, but I've read where others have done it. I have hacksawed them in half...used to worry about wetting them down...now I just do it dry and enjoy the fireworks

jzmtl · **Reply #288 on:** April 18, 2009, 08:13:05 PM

It's very easy to cut, just do it on a non-flammable surface. Actually I cut mine slowly with hacksaw and it didn't spark at all, did save all the shavings to light up later thou.

However when I had to thin out one end on belt sander to fit into the spy capsul, well let's just say the smoke alarm in the next room went off...

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #289 on:** April 20, 2009, 04:03:50 AM

Playing with the new camera I just got...

Going Gear rods with Yew and Maple burl handles I put on...to match some knives I have.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #290 on:** April 20, 2009, 08:09:39 AM

Feel free to send me the maple one

Tinnie · **Reply #291 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:13:29 AM

Damn I wish I had a site that would sell bulk rods

Great stuff you got there Spork

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #292 on:** April 25, 2009, 01:35:51 AM

Quote from: Micky d on April 20, 2009, 08:09:39 AM

Feel free to send me the maple one

It's for my EnZo...

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #293 on:** April 25, 2009, 09:27:09 AM

Quote from: SporK on April 25, 2009, 01:35:51 AM

Quote from: Micky d on April 20, 2009, 08:09:39 AM
Feel free to send me the maple one

It's for my EnZo... (Image removed from quote.)

You didn't have to make it a whole set your sending, I'm touched

I'll pm you my addy

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #294 on:** April 25, 2009, 07:50:18 PM

nuphoria · **Reply #295 on:** April 25, 2009, 08:03:23 PM

They are really lovely Spork, I need some decent size blanks to play with.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #296 on:** April 25, 2009, 08:43:17 PM

Thanks

Best keep an eye on yours when Mike is around

nuphoria · **Reply #297 on:** April 25, 2009, 09:46:43 PM

Quote from: SporK on April 25, 2009, 08:43:17 PM

Thanks (Image removed from quote.)

Best keep an eye on yours when Mike is around

He's seen mine but I think it was much too small to tempt him

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #298 on:** April 25, 2009, 10:40:38 PM

Quote from: nuphoria on April 25, 2009, 09:46:43 PM

Quote from: SporK on April 25, 2009, 08:43:17 PM
Thanks (Image removed from quote.)

Best keep an eye on yours when Mike is around

He's seen mine but I think it was much too small to tempt him

As if I'd participate in thievery

nuphoria · **Reply #299 on:** April 26, 2009, 01:27:31 AM

Quote from: Micky d on April 25, 2009, 10:40:38 PM

Quote from: nuphoria on April 25, 2009, 09:46:43 PM
Quote from: SporK on April 25, 2009, 08:43:17 PM
Thanks (Image removed from quote.)

Best keep an eye on yours when Mike is around

He's seen mine but I think it was much too small to tempt him
As if I'd participate in thievery

I think you'd steal the odd heart given the chance

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