Firefly Ferro rod.

TonySal · **Reply #240 on:** April 10, 2018, 01:56:35 AM

Quote from: FolderBeholder on April 10, 2018, 01:20:11 AM

Of those of you starting to receive them, if you want to sell just one, I'd be interested.
Hope this comment isn't inappropriate.

No at all...

ironraven · **Reply #241 on:** April 10, 2018, 02:05:28 AM

Quote from: WoodsDuck on April 09, 2018, 11:59:40 PM

Received mine today. The presentation is nice, but I haven't had time to really look at it in depth.

Or at least the post is.

WoodsDuck · **Reply #242 on:** April 10, 2018, 03:21:55 AM

Quote from: ironraven on April 10, 2018, 02:05:28 AM

Quote from: WoodsDuck on April 09, 2018, 11:59:40 PM
Received mine today. The presentation is nice, but I haven't had time to really look at it in depth.

Or at least the post is.

I just returned home. Let me get these poorly lit photos organized and I'll post momentarily.

WoodsDuck · **Reply #243 on:** April 10, 2018, 04:00:52 AM

MaverickMCS · **Reply #244 on:** April 10, 2018, 07:59:43 AM

The presentations is nice indeed. I'm anxiously waiting for tests.

Mechanickal · **Reply #245 on:** April 10, 2018, 08:36:02 AM

I'd like just 1 too

Perfect addition to my Swisschamp SOS.

WoodsDuck · **Reply #246 on:** April 10, 2018, 09:26:59 PM

Well, it fits snugly into the toothpick slot, so they nailed that

And... It makes sparks. Not as big as any round ferro rod I've tried, including ones about the same length. But if you have the angle right and strike it just so (a bit slower than I would have thought) it will throw enough sparks to light tinder. I used a 91mm SAK wood saw in my testing. Not sure if the sparks would be sufficient to get a fire going in wet conditions.
It also didn't break, which was one of my biggest concerns. The method illustrated in the manual printed on the inside of the packaging was efficient for throwing sparks and bracing the rod against the pressure of the blade;

There is more testing that can be done, obviously. But so far I'd have to give it a thumbs up.

Aloha · **Reply #247 on:** April 10, 2018, 10:13:14 PM

Pretty cool. Glad they came thru with such nice fitment. I don't mind delays especially when the end result is nice.

TonySal · **Reply #248 on:** April 10, 2018, 11:57:40 PM

Still waiting....

WoodsDuck · **Reply #249 on:** April 11, 2018, 12:25:22 AM

Nobody else here has theirs yet? I'm curious to see how their QC is, and if anyone receives a broken or poorly assembled rod. Mine shipped in a simple padded envelope, which could easily have been smashed in transit.

TonySal · **Reply #250 on:** April 11, 2018, 01:22:53 AM

Quote from: WoodsDuck on April 11, 2018, 12:25:22 AM

Nobody else here has theirs yet? I'm curious to see how their QC is, and if anyone receives a broken or poorly assembled rod. Mine shipped in a simple padded envelope, which could easily have been smashed in transit.

I'll gladly review when it gets here, I am getting eMails so I'm in, I think......

TonySal · **Reply #251 on:** April 12, 2018, 01:46:30 AM

Wait! Mr. Postman!

(Im not typing the rest, you get it)

Nix · **Reply #252 on:** April 16, 2018, 09:20:56 PM

Got mine today.

Pics to follow.....

Mechanickal · **Reply #253 on:** April 16, 2018, 09:27:57 PM

Nix · **Reply #254 on:** April 16, 2018, 09:29:25 PM

Sorry....gimme a couple minutes......

Mechanickal · **Reply #255 on:** April 16, 2018, 09:34:07 PM

I heard they actualy work...

I regret not backing it now.

What can I say? I'm not a risk taker

Nix · **Reply #256 on:** April 16, 2018, 09:45:32 PM

So the pack was nicely wrapped and came with an explanatory letter and starter piece of jute tinder. Really cute touch; and who doesn't want to make a fire right away?

The packet opens up to form a small instruction card. Good advice in a small space. They are clearly aware of some of the limitations of these 'ferrorods', but I think have solid advice on how to use them.

I immediately installed a large in a Hiker, and a small in an Executive (in honor of Chuck Yeager

).

The fit is great and, as previously speculated, relies on friction to hold the ferrorod in place. This seems adequate for these two SAKs.

They also give a little advice about using a drop of superglue to make the fit better, if the rod is loose in a SAK. I don't see the need here, but perhaps if the rod becomes shorter or thinner, that may prove useful. Time will tell.

I used the Executive's ferro rod and the nail tool to throw some nice sparks! Not a lot of sparks, but good hot ones. I haven't tried to ignite my jute....yet. I think one will need to be resourceful and skilled to use this to make a fire, but at the moment I'm confident I could get a fire started using these. I'll do a bit of experimenting and report back.

Hey, did I mention the Firefly tips really do glow in the dark?

Nix · **Reply #257 on:** April 17, 2018, 12:21:49 AM

So, I thought I'd test one of my new FireFly ferro-sticks.

I cheated a bit in setting up my fire: jute twine (supplied), dry paper with a few drops of veggie oil, and some fat wood (resinous pine). I did this primarily so the flames would last long enough to snap a photo (I have no intention of building a big fire.). So here's my set up:

I initially thought I'd fluff up the jute, and then hold it and the FireFly together while throwing a spark (not much different from using flint and steel.). Much to my surprise this didn't work very well, even though I was getting some great sparks from the FireFly!

So I put the jute bundle down by the paper and proceed to strike the FireFly......¡SNAP!

I broke the FireFly.

The instructions warn you to support the Firefly, which I had done initially, but when I switched technique, I forgot and applied too much pressure to the flat and it broke clean in two. I'm putting this down to user error.

However, with the broken tip, I was still able to throw some good sparks, light the jute, and make a fire:

Lesson learned (I hope).

Overall, I think this is a good product for a situation of 'last resort'. It needs to be used with care. But it will work. I'm still happy with these.

Aloha · **Reply #258 on:** April 17, 2018, 12:27:09 AM

Not bad at all.

Heck if in the process you happen to break the ferro rod and still get a fire I'd certainly call that a win.

FolderBeholder · **Reply #259 on:** April 17, 2018, 12:35:33 AM

Quote from: Aloha007 on April 17, 2018, 12:27:09 AM

Not bad at all. Heck if in the process you happen to break the ferro rod and still get a fire I'd certainly call that a win.

Agreed! Sure beats rubbing two sticks together.

Will it fit in the tweezer slot?

Nix · **Reply #260 on:** April 17, 2018, 12:37:55 AM

I gotta agree with you guys. I'm calling it a win. It's a cold and rainy day. I was in a dry spot and the jute was dry, but not the easiest day to light a fire. I'd say that in a pinch the FireFly is way better than two sticks under these conditions.

Aloha · **Reply #261 on:** April 17, 2018, 12:49:49 AM

These ferro rods are really neat. Love the GITD tips. Such fun little addition to any SAK. Great job to the designers.

Mactire404 · **Reply #262 on:** April 17, 2018, 12:49:53 PM

Quote from: Nix on April 16, 2018, 09:45:32 PM

Hey, did I mention the Firefly tips really do glow in the dark?

Thanks a bunch. I'm all out of SAK money and now I need them

TonySal · **Reply #263 on:** April 18, 2018, 01:15:56 AM

Ok, they're here.
Wanted to do both the FF and TP in Huntsman plus back scale, but the one I got, the channel was too small for the TP?

Aloha · **Reply #264 on:** April 18, 2018, 01:21:24 AM

Quote from: TonySal on April 18, 2018, 01:15:56 AM

Ok, they're here.
Wanted to do both the FF and TP in Huntsman plus back scale, but the one I got, the channel was too small for the TP?

Any work around?

TonySal · **Reply #265 on:** April 18, 2018, 01:29:29 AM

Quote from: Aloha007 on April 18, 2018, 01:21:24 AM

Quote from: TonySal on April 18, 2018, 01:15:56 AM
Ok, they're here.
Wanted to do both the FF and TP in Huntsman plus back scale, but the one I got, the channel was too small for the TP?

Any work around?

TonySal · **Reply #266 on:** April 18, 2018, 01:32:17 AM

Quote from: TonySal on April 18, 2018, 01:29:29 AM

Quote from: Aloha007 on April 18, 2018, 01:21:24 AM
Quote from: TonySal on April 18, 2018, 01:15:56 AM
Ok, they're here.
Wanted to do both the FF and TP in Huntsman plus back scale, but the one I got, the channel was too small for the TP?

Any work around?

oh I dont know A007, I guess that thin plus slot is for the little pen and I don't feel like cutting and modding. Maybe I'll hide a TP or that tinder piece under the saw....

Aloha · **Reply #267 on:** April 18, 2018, 01:35:52 AM

Ah yes pen slot.

TonySal · **Reply #268 on:** April 18, 2018, 01:43:30 AM

Quote from: Aloha007 on April 18, 2018, 01:35:52 AM

Ah yes pen slot.

...and no pen, that would be like that 4 letter word W O R K.
Now to make some sparks!

jalind · **Reply #269 on:** April 18, 2018, 02:04:06 AM

Pen slot in "Plus" scales is slightly curved, following the curvature of the scales edge. This flexes the pen slightly for interference fit and retention. The SwissCard does the same thing with its pen slot that's nearly identical in curvature (if you have one, hold it up to a bright light). A ferro rod is brittle and has no appreciable flex. I don't believe the Plus scales pen slot would work with one because of that curvature.

John

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

Firefly Ferro rod.

Donations

Community Links