Using an MT as a striker for a ferro rod?

Lynn LeFey · **on:** October 23, 2013, 05:19:35 AM

A few days ago, I bought a replacement ferro rod for an exotac nanostriker.

I don't own an exotac nanostriker. I just wanted a very small ferro rod. Which, I have to say, I think it's as small as it could be with me still being able to hold onto it securely.

So, without the nanostriker, I needed something to strike it on, and went about testing various implements on the two MTs I carry every day (SOG Crosscut, and Vic Spirit X) to find a good striker.

It turns out that the only implements I could reliably get to strike on were the edges of scissor blades. No visibly wear on either the SOG or Spirit's scissors in doing it.

Anyone have better suggestions, or am I doing it as well as can be done?

Breezy12 · **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2013, 07:27:26 AM

any implement with a sharp corner on one side (90 degrees) should work... but I don't have a Crosscut or a Spirit, so I can't say for sure.

however, I can say with certainty that the back side of a LM saw creates a very nice shower of sparks.

enki_ck · **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2013, 11:21:37 AM

The back of the saw on the Spirit X is an excellent striker, well any saw actually.

ducttapetech · **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2013, 11:24:24 AM

File works good too.

sent from my mobile

styx · **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2013, 11:31:18 AM

Saw, file and awl tend to work

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2013, 11:38:02 AM

Not tried it, but hows about the bar scraper parts of the chisel on the Spirit? I'd have thought they were perfect

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2013, 04:33:31 PM

Oh, yeah, the Spirit has a chisel.

Kinda forgot to test that one.

The file didn't work for me.

I'll also try the back side of the saw.

Thanks, guys!

ducttapetech · **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2013, 04:43:35 PM

Very weird. A file will make sparks fly on all of mine.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2013, 04:50:47 PM

I could JUST BARELY get sparks from the file if I used the metal saw side.

The awl worked great.

The wire stripper (the rounded one on the chisel) was FANTASTIC.

I think we have a winner.

ducttapetech · **Reply #9 on:** October 23, 2013, 04:52:53 PM

Use the other side. Not the saw side.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #10 on:** October 23, 2013, 04:54:05 PM

I got nothing from the other side at all.

ducttapetech · **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2013, 04:56:33 PM

Wow! It most not like the file.

ducttapetech · **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2013, 05:40:05 PM

Just tried the file on my SOG Powerlock. I get very little spark. Might be a sog thing. My leathermans, swiss mts and saks files will light it up.
Used the saw on my sog and it looks like a fireworks show.
sent from my mobile

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #13 on:** October 23, 2013, 05:46:07 PM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on October 23, 2013, 04:50:47 PM

I could JUST BARELY get sparks from the file if I used the metal saw side.

The awl worked great.

The wire stripper (the rounded one on the chisel) was FANTASTIC.

I think we have a winner.

Nice one

comis · **Reply #14 on:** October 24, 2013, 05:05:05 PM

Hey, Lynn.

I had made a short video/thread about how to use/make MT to be a good scrapper for ferro rod scrapping, and it covers most of the mid sized to full sized MT of leatherman and Swisstool. Hope you like it

A short video about Multitool and Ferro rod striking

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #15 on:** October 24, 2013, 08:38:51 PM

Excellent video, comis. I subbed to your youtube channel.

I think the problem I'm having is that with such a small rod, it REALLY limits the amount of force that can be applied to the striker, so the striker needs a considerably sharper edge than usual.

At least, that's my best guess.

styx · **Reply #16 on:** October 24, 2013, 10:03:57 PM

I think even sharp rocks could work well

Gareth · **Reply #17 on:** October 24, 2013, 11:14:08 PM

IIRC I've heard the exotac nanostriker is quite a bit harder to strike than normal ferro rods, I've had a play with one and thought it was all right. I was using the proper striker though.

comis · **Reply #18 on:** October 25, 2013, 10:33:07 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on October 24, 2013, 08:38:51 PM

Excellent video, comis. I subbed to your youtube channel.

I think the problem I'm having is that with such a small rod, it REALLY limits the amount of force that can be applied to the striker, so the striker needs a considerably sharper edge than usual.

At least, that's my best guess.

Lynn,

I too have a blank rod from Exotac, but it is a little fatter(the fireROD refill 2.3"). I tested it with a Spirit lockable saw, and the spark is ok/so-so.

If you are on a look-out for ferro rod, I do recommend trying some blank rod from goinggear dot com or firesteel dot com. I had tested a few different sizes of ferro rod from goinggear, smaller one usually is less exciting in performance but still workable.

From some youtube channels, I did see good review about firesteel dot com stuff, but their website can't process my international order and I still wasn't able to get any response from them to follow my order. I do like some of their products since a lanyard hole is drilled onto the rod directly.

In terms of dimensions, some of the products from goinggear and firesteel do seem similar. And I do wonder whether goinggear source their supplies from firesteel, but that's another story.

styx · **Reply #19 on:** October 25, 2013, 12:13:34 PM

Quote from: Gareth on October 24, 2013, 11:14:08 PM

IIRC I've heard the exotac nanostriker is quite a bit harder to strike than normal ferro rods, I've had a play with one and thought it was all right. I was using the proper striker though.

I think there are even some videos where they get broken on the first try

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Using an MT as a striker for a ferro rod?

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