Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Swiss Army Knights Forum => Topic started by: Zed on September 25, 2017, 07:32:10 PM
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Firefly ultimate Swiss army knife accessorie ,anyone see this ? It's basicaly a Ferro rod that replaced the toothpick,cool idea :tu:
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https://youtu.be/VSUU0eN8w64
Is this what you mean?
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Not bad. :clap:
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$14 for a pack of 3 :tu:
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https://youtu.be/VSUU0eN8w64
Is this what you mean?
What a great idea! I purchased a number of small ferro units with holes drilled to thread paracord through them but replacing the toothpick with a ferro rod is a better idea!
Jim
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Great idea. Where can you order them from (in the US)?
Rich
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Great idea. Where can you order them from (in the US)?
Rich
The guy is on FB he is in the U.S :tu:
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Fab idea! I'm not on FB so does anyone have an idea of the price? UK Group buy anyone?
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Fab idea! I'm not on FB so does anyone have an idea of the price? UK Group buy anyone?
Hey mags, if you can get your hands on those, please forward a few to me as well :D
Not enough countrymen here for a groupbuy...
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Fab idea! I'm not on FB so does anyone have an idea of the price? UK Group buy anyone?
Hey mags, if you can get your hands on those, please forward a few to me as well :D
Not enough countrymen here for a groupbuy...
Copy that Homey :tu:
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I put the price above :facepalm: $14 for a pack of 3 :tu:
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:facepalm: I'll get me coat.
That's not bad is it? Maybe one our US amigo's can act as a go between?
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:facepalm: I'll get me coat.
That's not bad is it? Maybe one our US amigo's can act as a go between?
:D it sounds good to me,I did ask the guy about uk postage ,he said he will look into it :tu: I would love one on my Huntsman :tu: on will be in kickstarter tommorow .
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That is very cool but I've been burnt by kickstarter before :(
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:facepalm: I'll get me coat.
That's not bad is it? Maybe one our US amigo's can act as a go between?
:D it sounds good to me,I did ask the guy about uk postage ,he said he will look into it :tu: I would love one on my Huntsman :tu: on will be in kickstarter tommorow .
Sounds interesting :popcorn:
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I'm interested.
If it is the size of the small Victorinox tweezers/toothpick it will fit the Leatherman Style CS/PS with a small amount taken off the tip.
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I'm interested.
If it is the size of the small Victorinox tweezers/toothpick it will fit the Leatherman Style CS/PS with a small amount taken off the tip.
He was saying it would fit smaller sak as well , I'll sacrifice my toothpick on my hunstman for one of these :tu:
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This is a very interesting idea. It's rare that I'm tempted to buy into a Kickstarter, but I must say I am feeling some temptation here. Will be following closely.
Does anyone have an idea how many strikes we could expect out of a ferro rod of this size before it's spent?
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Watched a guy on youtube a while back modding a fire steel to fit the slot, i wonder if its the same guy, great idea indeed, certainly good enough in an emergency..if there's a UK group buy count me in :tu:
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I also like the fact that he colored the tip lime green :tu:
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Nifty. I MIGHT get in on this kickstarter. And I'm the guy who is very allergic to crowd funding
I"d rather it replaced the pen, I use my toothpick. For my teeth.
Everyone may turn green now. :P
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I like that ferro idea :tu: :like:
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It's been done as a mod for quite some time. This guy copied the toothpick shape out of a ferro rod.
Skip to 9 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyhn_yYuTK4
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14$ for three sounds reasonable enough. I'd take three, I never liked the toothpick anyway.
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...I'll sacrifice my toothpick on my hunstman for one of these :tu:
I'd just use it as a toothpick when I'm not trying to burn down the forest with it.
I have a very small fire steel that I put in a survival tin. It works quite well with the nail file of the Classic SD that's in the tin also.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170926/99ea11085966ecb8a2c210eadb38a65c.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170926/fdc918732fa8b8c4523761559878e2fc.jpg)
It's very thin and it probably wouldn't take much to snap it in half. I question the durability of a fire steel the size of a SAK toothpick.
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He is saying $13 postage to the uk :-\ so around $27 all in :-\ I'll stick to my normal Ferro rods as have different ones including a few little ones ,shame as a great idea but too pricey for me at the monent :tu:
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It's very thin and it probably wouldn't take much to snap it in half. I question the durability of a fire steel the size of a SAK toothpick.
That's a good point, this super thin ferro rod would break very easily. I will be holding on to my money until I can see some real reviewers get their hands on these and put them to the test.
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It's very thin and it probably wouldn't take much to snap it in half. I question the durability of a fire steel the size of a SAK toothpick.
That's a good point, this super thin ferro rod would break very easily. I will be holding on to my money until I can see some real reviewers get their hands on these and put them to the test.
I would only use a Ferro rod in a diar emergency once I've drained all fire lighting resources, so hopefully it would be ok in a emergency but not a use all the time lighter :tu:
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Why replace the toothpick? I use that one quite often.
How about replacing the pen on plus-scales? Is there a mod, too?
Guess I have to do it myself.
Good idea though.
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Why replace the toothpick? I use that one quite often.
How about replacing the pen on plus-scales? Is there a mod, too?
Guess I have to do it myself.
Good idea though.
I probably use the toothpick more than the tweezers :D I wonder if he will do one to fit in the pen slot ? I guess due to not many having plus scales he had gone with the toothpick option :tu:
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I would only use a Ferro rod in a diar emergency once I've drained all fire lighting resources, so hopefully it would be ok in a emergency but not a use all the time lighter :tu:
I've heard this philosophy quite often from many people. It makes no sense to me. A "dire emergency" implies someone's (probably your own) LIFE is on the line. Literally, life and death. Why do people select questionable pieces of kit that they reserve for the moment their own life hangs in the balance? You don't see your local fire department doing this. Self-rescue gear should be stuff that has been tested in the field under dire conditions by professional warriors or rescue personnel--or in the case of most of the stuff we talk about in this forum, survival instructors. Heckler & Koch firearms aren't used by elite units worldwide because they're cheap. They're used because they are battle tested.
If I could literally freeze to death, I don't want to hope a metal toothpick will work. I want to KNOW that it has worked for others in my situation.
Sorry for the rant, but I think the opposite philosophy should be adopted. Save the questionable gear for fun camping trips when you have a backup against failure. Use something you KNOW will work when you are planning your self-rescue kit.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I would only use a Ferro rod in a diar emergency once I've drained all fire lighting resources, so hopefully it would be ok in a emergency but not a use all the time lighter :tu:
I've heard this philosophy quite often from many people. It makes no sense to me. A "dire emergency" implies someone's (probably your own) LIFE is on the line. Literally, life and death. Why do people select questionable pieces of kit that they reserve for the moment their own life hangs in the balance? You don't see your local fire department doing this. Self-rescue gear should be stuff that has been tested in the field under dire conditions by professional warriors or rescue personnel. Heckler & Koch firearms aren't used by elite units worldwide because they're cheap. They're used because they are battle tested.
If I could literally freeze to death, I don't want to hope a metal toothpick will work. I want to KNOW that it has worked for others in my situation.
Sorry for the rant, but I think the opposite philosophy should be adopted. Save the questionable gear for fun camping trips when you have a backup against failure. Use something you KNOW will work when you are planning your self-rescue kit.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ok,look I probably would never use this thin Ferro rod as for emergencys I have much bigger better ones ,but in my fire starting kit I've other options,lighter ,matches,mag glass , and 2 large Ferro rods, for me this little Ferro rod would be my last resort if i had sweet FA else, yep that's my rant over as well :D
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Gentlemen. I feel this calls for a combined Zed/Tired_Yeti 'Weekend up a mountain with only your SAK' camping challenge. Do you both accept? There's a special badge in it for the winner (whether or not it is issued posthumously). :cheers:
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Gentlemen. I feel this calls for a combined Zed/Tired_Yeti 'Weekend up a mountain with only your SAK' camping challenge. Do you both accept? There's a special badge in it for the winner (whether or not it is issued posthumously). :cheers:
Up a mountain alone sounds better :rofl:
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Gentlemen. I feel this calls for a combined Zed/Tired_Yeti 'Weekend up a mountain with only your SAK' camping challenge. Do you both accept? There's a special badge in it for the winner (whether or not it is issued posthumously). :cheers:
Up a mountain alone sounds better :rofl:
But if you have to be up a mountain, a Yeti is the right person to be with :tu:
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Gentlemen. I feel this calls for a combined Zed/Tired_Yeti 'Weekend up a mountain with only your SAK' camping challenge. Do you both accept? There's a special badge in it for the winner (whether or not it is issued posthumously). :cheers:
Up a mountain alone sounds better :rofl:
But if you have to be up a mountain, a Yeti is the right person to be with :tu:
Or not :D I guess I could get money for photos of the yeti :D
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Gentlemen. I feel this calls for a combined Zed/Tired_Yeti 'Weekend up a mountain with only your SAK' camping challenge. Do you both accept? There's a special badge in it for the winner (whether or not it is issued posthumously). :cheers:
Up a mountain alone sounds better :rofl:
But if you have to be up a mountain, a Yeti is the right person to be with :tu:
Or not :D I guess I could get money for photos of the yeti :D
That's the spirit!
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Gentlemen. I feel this calls for a combined Zed/Tired_Yeti 'Weekend up a mountain with only your SAK' camping challenge. Do you both accept? There's a special badge in it for the winner (whether or not it is issued posthumously). :cheers:
Up a mountain alone sounds better :rofl:
But if you have to be up a mountain, a Yeti is the right person to be with :tu:
Or not :D I guess I could get money for photos of the yeti :D
That's the spirit!
:D I could sell the pics and buy more Ferro rods :rofl:
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Its a neat little ferro rod. Cool idea too for a SAK. :like:
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Ok, just to continue on Zed and Yeti's posts:
A SAK is a multi function tool.
For some people the addition of a fire starting method, even though a small one, in exchange for a toothpick is a neat idea.
What is the survival essential? A good knife! It's even better when you can add a fire starting method to it.
When you're freezing to death, this little gadget MIGHT save your life. Maybe it won't work when it should, true that. But still, your chances of starting a fire with it will be higher then they will be with your toothpick.
I understand Zed's philosophy in the thought of "last resort" but I also understand Yeti's thought of "In an emergency you need to make sure you've got the best equipment with you"
Then again, Yeti, this thing won't weigh more then the toothpick and gives you another option of starting a fire.
Truth be told, I've stored a strike-anywhere-match under some SAK corkscrews just in case I REALLY need a fire, even though it gives me just 1 shot, it's still better then no shot at all. Simply because there MIGHT be times when you didn't bring your kit. Maybe because it's lost or maybe because you never expected to need it there in the first place.
Ok, the reply might be "you NEED to take a kit anywhere" but not everybody is like that, and that's fine if they choose to.
I try to take some essentials with me everywhere: SAK and/or multi, lighter, flashlight, paracord, FAK etc but there are also times in which I leave it in the car or store some alternatives in pockets, shrinking my posibilities.
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Yeah my thought was to have one on my Huntsman as that's my go to sak for camping and I can make a toothpick but I can't make a Ferro rod ;)
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its now live, folks
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/740457940/firefly-the-ultimate-swiss-army-knife-accessory
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Was looking over that kickstarter page. Wtf is up with this gif?
(https://i.imgur.com/PK5M0r0.gif)
Anyone who has ever used a ferro rod will tell you it doesn't ignite material anywhere close to that quickly.
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I wish I could believe that the mini ones, the ones designed for a 58mm, will a) provide enough purchase for striking on b) won't snap almost immediately. The video presentation is also rather over cutesy and doesn't give me much confidence.
That said, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't tempted. If only for giggles. :D If anyone is interested in doing a bulk order to the UK I'll take a pack of the mini's. I'll be there in Feb/Mar. Just tell me who to pay and how much. :)
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They have a 'pyro' and 'allspark' pack which might be cool for a bulk order. Works out at about $10 for three. Plus postage, might squeeze in at the US price for Brits after postage and assuming customs don't take their pound of flesh.
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Was looking over that kickstarter page. Wtf is up with this gif?
(https://i.imgur.com/PK5M0r0.gif)
Anyone who has ever used a ferro rod will tell you it doesn't ignite material anywhere close to that quickly.
Gratuitous use of accelerants? Fast-forwarded video editing? Filmed with a bluescreen background in the moon-landing studio? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Either way, the video does show "normal" sparking and ignition of the tinder in similar setups.
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Was looking over that kickstarter page. Wtf is up with this gif?
(https://i.imgur.com/PK5M0r0.gif)
Anyone who has ever used a ferro rod will tell you it doesn't ignite material anywhere close to that quickly.
Gratuitous use of accelerants? Fast-forwarded video editing? Filmed with a bluescreen background in the moon-landing studio? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Either way, the video does show "normal" sparking and ignition of the tinder in similar setups.
It's got gas sprinkled on it. No other way the fire would have spread so fast. Dishonest, though in keeping with regular advertisement honesty or lack thereof. :(
EDIT: they've used the same trick on all the tinder types they show. Bad taste in the mouth. Or they have invented the worlds best firesteel.
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I would only use a Ferro rod in a diar emergency once I've drained all fire lighting resources, so hopefully it would be ok in a emergency but not a use all the time lighter :tu:
I've heard this philosophy quite often from many people. It makes no sense to me. A "dire emergency" implies someone's (probably your own) LIFE is on the line. Literally, life and death. Why do people select questionable pieces of kit that they reserve for the moment their own life hangs in the balance? You don't see your local fire department doing this. Self-rescue gear should be stuff that has been tested in the field under dire conditions by professional warriors or rescue personnel--or in the case of most of the stuff we talk about in this forum, survival instructors. Heckler & Koch firearms aren't used by elite units worldwide because they're cheap. They're used because they are battle tested.
If I could literally freeze to death, I don't want to hope a metal toothpick will work. I want to KNOW that it has worked for others in my situation.
Sorry for the rant, but I think the opposite philosophy should be adopted. Save the questionable gear for fun camping trips when you have a backup against failure. Use something you KNOW will work when you are planning your self-rescue kit.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Having a background in mountain and desert S&R, couldn't agree more! :2tu:
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Was looking over that kickstarter page. Wtf is up with this gif?
(https://i.imgur.com/PK5M0r0.gif)
Anyone who has ever used a ferro rod will tell you it doesn't ignite material anywhere close to that quickly.
Gratuitous use of accelerants? Fast-forwarded video editing? Filmed with a bluescreen background in the moon-landing studio? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Either way, the video does show "normal" sparking and ignition of the tinder in similar setups.
It's got gas sprinkled on it. No other way the fire would have spread so fast. Dishonest, though in keeping with regular advertisement honesty or lack thereof. :(
EDIT: they've used the same trick on all the tinder types they show. Bad taste in the mouth. Or they have invented the worlds best firesteel.
Yeah, I just watched their video and the claim to have a special blend of "rare earth metals" that is both stronger than traditional ferrocerium rods, and also softer so it won't damage your knife blade. Isn't that a tad contradictory? :think:
I am still tempted to back it, because I want to test it. But I also want to wait for them to ship and for someone to test these out and post a video on youtube.
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...(whether or not it is issued posthumously). :cheers:
ROFL!!!!
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Was looking over that kickstarter page. Wtf is up with this gif?
(https://i.imgur.com/PK5M0r0.gif)
Anyone who has ever used a ferro rod will tell you it doesn't ignite material anywhere close to that quickly.
Unless it's computer graphics, it looks like the tinder has been doused with with a highly flammable accelerant. Maybe Coleman fuel or gasoline? As a teenager, I've lit trash fires in our burn barrel with gasoline and they flashed like that--although a bit bigger and scarier. LOL!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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It's very thin and it probably wouldn't take much to snap it in half. I question the durability of a fire steel the size of a SAK toothpick.
That's a good point, this super thin ferro rod would break very easily. I will be holding on to my money until I can see some real reviewers get their hands on these and put them to the test.
I'm with these guys. :cheers:
I'm not currently doing anything in my life that necessitates me carrying a firesteel of any kind, but if I was, I would want something more substantial than this. Better than nothing? OK, fair enough, but there comes a point where something becomes too compromised. This is like carrying one plaster/bandaid as a First Aid Kit. That;s still better than nothing, but I am sure most people here would decide that if they wanted a FAK, they would want more than that one item. If I decided I wanted to have a firesteel on me, I would want more than this ;)
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If think the problem these days is some folk are using a Ferro rod all the time even though it's a emergency item to use once you have no more means of starting a fire, this thin Ferro rod possibly will be crap but if it's all you had then even crap might start a fire,who knows as we havnt tried it,like I said I've bigger better Ferro rods in my kit to use once my lighter and matches are gone, I would rather have this tiny rod as back up instead of the toothpick as in the wilds it's easy to make a toothpick but not a Ferro rod, but hey we are just going around in circles :rofl: it's a shame he couldn't send out a few test models :D
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I bought this old Browning knife some time ago just because it had a built in ferro rod. Kind of a Huntsman with a ferro rod instead of a corkscrew. Same diameter as the Exotac Nanostriker (3/16" I believe), so replacement rods are available. It's a press fit so that it can be removed and used. The knife was made in Germany. :cheers:
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I bought this old Browning knife some time ago just because it had a built in ferro rod. Kind of a Huntsman with a ferro rod instead of a corkscrew. Same diameter as the Exotac Nanostriker (3/16" I believe), so replacement rods are available. It's a press fit so that it can be removed and used. The knife was made in Germany. :cheers:
:tu: that's cool and a better diameter rod :D always better I've been told :rofl:
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I bought this old Browning knife some time ago just because it had a built in ferro rod. Kind of a Huntsman with a ferro rod instead of a corkscrew. Same diameter as the Exotac Nanostriker (3/16" I believe), so replacement rods are available. It's a press fit so that it can be removed and used. The knife was made in Germany. :cheers:
:tu: that's cool and a better diameter rod :D always better I've been told :rofl:
It's a bit short though....... :rofl:
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I bought this old Browning knife some time ago just because it had a built in ferro rod. Kind of a Huntsman with a ferro rod instead of a corkscrew. Same diameter as the Exotac Nanostriker (3/16" I believe), so replacement rods are available. It's a press fit so that it can be removed and used. The knife was made in Germany. :cheers:
:tu: that's cool and a better diameter rod :D always better I've been told :rofl:
It's a bit short though....... :rofl:
That's what she said :rofl:
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PfrZed....😜
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This is a very cool little ferro rod!
I've been thinking about making one myself, but at $14,- for three I might reconsider and order a set.
I like the fluorecent head and glow in the dark is always a plus.
Imagine this on stayglow scales... :drool:
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Just registering interest for any potential UK group buy!
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I'd like to hold back, see it reviewed, and make up my mind, but it's a kickstarter thing. Will we be able to buy it later, or is this it? :think:
Still, I'm in for an Australian group buy. :tu:
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UK Group buy is still on? I'll be in London and Swindon end of October.
Worst case scenario I can ask someone for reposting it (at least from UK it skips customs - for now).
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PfrZed....😜
:rofl:
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a local Philippine dealer ordered 64 of these. I'll be getting some when they arrive and try to post a review here :tu:
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I signed up for the kickstarter. Seems like an excellent back-up option to have available in my SAK. I will have enough to thoroughly test the product and give some away to people I've already given SAKs to...
Interesting claims about the material they're using. I have a bunch of very slim firesteels I obtained from firesteel.com that are approximately the same thickness as the Firefly and those work nicely; if they do have an improved material then so much the better.
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I bought this old Browning knife some time ago just because it had a built in ferro rod. Kind of a Huntsman with a ferro rod instead of a corkscrew. Same diameter as the Exotac Nanostriker (3/16" I believe), so replacement rods are available. It's a press fit so that it can be removed and used. The knife was made in Germany. :cheers:
I like that idea. I'd like to see Victorinox replace the corkscrew on some models with this.
I'd love to see a mod for this. I've never modified a SAK myself so I think it'll be a long wait if the world waits for *me* to come up with one. That said, this has really sparked my interest.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I bought this old Browning knife some time ago just because it had a built in ferro rod. Kind of a Huntsman with a ferro rod instead of a corkscrew. Same diameter as the Exotac Nanostriker (3/16" I believe), so replacement rods are available. It's a press fit so that it can be removed and used. The knife was made in Germany. :cheers:
I like that idea. I'd like to see Victorinox replace the corkscrew on some models with this.
I'd love to see a mod for this. I've never modified a SAK myself so I think it'll be a long wait if the world waits for *me* to come up with one. That said, this has really sparked my interest.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's been done before by someone on here I think. :think: :tu:
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I bought this old Browning knife some time ago just because it had a built in ferro rod. Kind of a Huntsman with a ferro rod instead of a corkscrew. Same diameter as the Exotac Nanostriker (3/16" I believe), so replacement rods are available. It's a press fit so that it can be removed and used. The knife was made in Germany. :cheers:
I like that idea. I'd like to see Victorinox replace the corkscrew on some models with this.
I'd love to see a mod for this. I've never modified a SAK myself so I think it'll be a long wait if the world waits for *me* to come up with one. That said, this has really sparked my interest.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's been done before by someone on here I think. :think: :tu:
Found it! Spork60's "Hotspark Tinker". I think that this is V1, and he got up to V2 or V3?
http://www.swissarmyknights.com/articles/2005/111-hotspark-tinker
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I bought this old Browning knife some time ago just because it had a built in ferro rod. Kind of a Huntsman with a ferro rod instead of a corkscrew. Same diameter as the Exotac Nanostriker (3/16" I believe), so replacement rods are available. It's a press fit so that it can be removed and used. The knife was made in Germany. :cheers:
I like that idea. I'd like to see Victorinox replace the corkscrew on some models with this.
I'd love to see a mod for this. I've never modified a SAK myself so I think it'll be a long wait if the world waits for *me* to come up with one. That said, this has really sparked my interest.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's been done before by someone on here I think. :think: :tu:
Found it! Spork60's "Hotspark Tinker". I think that this is V1, and he got up to V2 or V3?
http://www.swissarmyknights.com/articles/2005/111-hotspark-tinker
This idea is cool :tu:
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Fire is the most important survival skill you could have. The more options and skill you have the better your chances. I already have ferrous rod toggles on my SAK's for emergency's and I do practice with them. They are the worst and most awkward fire steels I've ever used. But they work and I never notice them on my SAK so they're not in the way.
I well definitely be trying some of these out. Imagine a Rambler that starts fires. It would have great potential for mini PSK.
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I backed the Kickstarter project. It looks like it is only 30% funded at this point, so it's not clear that it will actually come to fruition. If everybody waits to see how it turns out first......
Cool idea though. I'd love to have one of these for my Hiker and Huntsman -- my most commonly used SAKs for hiking/camping/fishing.
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Fire is the most important survival skill you could have.
Depends where you live and the time of the year actually. The obsession with constantly needing fire does seem strange to those of us living in hot desert climates. :D
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Fire is the most important survival skill you could have.
Depends where you live and the time of the year actually. The obsession with constantly needing fire does seem strange to those of us living in hot desert climates. :D
Agreed. :tu:
Even here in the UK, you have areas which get tinder dry in summer, or peaty ground underfoot so the fires spreading are a potential hazard. Also, much of the UK is open moorland, where there simply aren't the fuels to build a fire with. This is without taking into account that even if it isn't raining now, it probably was not too long ago, and everything is too bloody wet to be of any use.
I'm a big believer that you should plan your kit based on suddenly regaining consciousness in the middle of nowhere at dusk or later, already tired, cold, dehydrated and disoriented, and then realising that you've lost the use of an arm or leg due to injury. NOW you're in a proper "how the smurf do I get out of this?" scenario. Don't rely on fire being a tool at your disposal, it may not be safe or practical. Aim to survive until help comes with what is in your pack WITHOUT having the luxury of fire, then should fire be safe and practical, it is a bonus. Far too much emphasis is placed on fire in my opinion.
YMMV subject to location and prevailing conditions.
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I would take that to mean that the material is less brittle than the standard blend, which would also make sense that it would be a bit softer.
Yeah, I just watched their video and the claim to have a special blend of "rare earth metals" that is both stronger than traditional ferrocerium rods, and also softer so it won't damage your knife blade. Isn't that a tad contradictory? :think:
I am still tempted to back it, because I want to test it. But I also want to wait for them to ship and for someone to test these out and post a video on youtube.
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Fire is the most important survival skill you could have.
Depends where you live and the time of the year actually. The obsession with constantly needing fire does seem strange to those of us living in hot desert climates. :D
Fire = signaling, water purifying, light just for starters. I live in the desert of SE Washington. And yes most of the year you would be just fine W/O fire over night till about this time of year. Personally in July/August when only cools off to high 80's low 90's at night I still want a fire if for nothing but the sicological
comfort it gives
Just my view of the world.
My back yard.
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It's got gas sprinkled on it. No other way the fire would have spread so fast. Dishonest, though in keeping with regular advertisement honesty or lack thereof. :(
EDIT: they've used the same trick on all the tinder types they show. Bad taste in the mouth. Or they have invented the worlds best firesteel.
I asked, no accelerant was used in the video demonstration of tinder lighting, just "very dry good quality tinder".
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Seems more useful than the toothpick or tweezers to me. I might put one on both sides. I put myself down for a larger pack so i'll have enough to go in all my knives and extra when they wear out. Now if I could just figure out how to get one on the alox :)
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The military put me though a few survival courses. Each one emphasized fire-making as a skill.
One of the courses was up on a mountain in sub-zero weather with brutal wind chill and feet of snow. Fire was no luxury. No fire, meant no potable water. Sure, I can tell you, when it's -40ºF a hot fire feels pretty darn good. And try to brew a decent cup of tea without some sort of fire or variant thereof. I've been to the desert; fire is good there too.
Is fire always necessary? No, not really. Certainly if one is trying to stay concealed, fire is likely to be a liability. But my experience has taught me never to go anywhere without the ability to make fire. We don't always get to pick our survival situations and moments.
Homo erectus was only able to evolve into Homo sapiens because of fire. We are literally the children of the fire.
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The military put me though a few survival courses. Each one emphasized fire-making as a skill.
One of the courses was up on a mountain in sub-zero weather with brutal wind chill and feet of snow. Fire was no luxury. No fire, meant no potable water. Sure, I can tell you, when it's -40ºF a hot fire feels pretty darn good. And try to brew a decent cup of tea without some sort of fire or variant thereof. I've been to the desert; fire is good there too.
Is fire always necessary? No, not really. Certainly if one is trying to stay concealed, fire is likely to be a liability. But my experience has taught me never to go anywhere without the ability to make fire. We don't always get to pick our survival situations and moments.
Homo erectus was only able to evolve into Homo sapiens because of fire. We are literally the children of the fire.
:salute: respect mate :tu:
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I fully agree that fire can be a game changer, and can improve your status and management options immensely. Heat, light, cooking, purification, signalling, solace - I get it, I really do. However, I still say that if you need fire, your kit has already failed you, because if you can't make it due to injury or immediate environment, you're screwed. That's why I think people should plan to not need it so far as is reasonably practicable. Reliance on something that you don't already have in your kit, and cannot 100% guarantee to be able to source, make and use, irrespective of heath, or environment is not sound planning in my own humble opinion. I always carry some form of fire starting kit. I have never had to use it, because my kit has always dealt with everything life has thrown at me .... so far ....
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It's been done before by someone on here I think. :think: :tu:
Found it! Spork60's "Hotspark Tinker". I think that this is V1, and he got up to V2 or V3?
http://www.swissarmyknights.com/articles/2005/111-hotspark-tinker (http://www.swissarmyknights.com/articles/2005/111-hotspark-tinker)
You are a hero to mankind!
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I asked, no accelerant was used in the video demonstration of tinder lighting, just "very dry good quality tinder".
Nope. Dry tinder doesn't flash, sorry. Solids do not burn and liquids do not burn. Only gases burn. Combustion of a solid happens when that material is heated enough to begin releasing combustible gases. They want me to believe that a single spark from a toothpick sized source heated a wad of wood shavings to the point of flashover? Sounds great! But I happen to have a college degree in this stuff and I know that it's just not true. There were fumes of an accelerant involved.
Unless by "good quality tinder" they mean they are using something other than dry wood.
I've used this steel and the Classic SD nail file to light a Vaseline saturated cotton ball.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170927/ebd654370db3e65e7808ff603eb2789a.jpg)
It immediately ignited on the first spark, but it didn't flash.
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flash[/b], sorry. Solids do not burn and liquids do not burn. Only gases burn. Combustion of a solid happens when that material is heated enough to begin releasing combustible gases. They want me to believe that a single spark from a toothpick sized source heated a wad of wood shavings to the point of flashover? Sounds great! But I happen to have a college degree in this stuff and I know that it's just not true. There were fumes of an accelerant involved.
Unless by "good quality tinder" they mean they are using something other than dry wood.
I've used this steel and the Classic SD nail file to light a Vaseline saturated cotton ball.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170927/ebd654370db3e65e7808ff603eb2789a.jpg)
It immediately ignited on the first spark, but it didn't flash.
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Are you referring to the video or the GIF? The GIF is obviously just a few frames and does not show the full sequence. The video does show ignition of several different types of tinder.
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That's why I think people should plan to not need [FIRE] so far as is reasonably practicable. Reliance on something that you don't already have in your kit, and cannot 100% guarantee to be able to source, make and use, irrespective of heath, or environment is not sound planning in my own humble opinion. I always carry some form of fire starting kit. I have never had to use it, because my kit has always dealt with everything life has thrown at me .... so far ....
I basically agree with you, Trad. Be prepared.
I do want to ask you, though, if you go camping or out for a picnic, do you take a stove of some kind with you? I like camping and picnicking and will take a stove along (white gas, alcohol, isobutane). So, I often don't need a fire. Nevertheless, I often end up making a fire to keep my better half warm and entertained. And S'mores just aren't the same when cooked over an isobutane stove. :D
If you have a stove with you, I'm going to argue that you are essentially using fire (I've used a ferro rod to light a stove, too!). Yes, you are better prepared and don't need to forage for fuel, but you're still using fire. Or else your tea is going to suck. :cheers:
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That's why I think people should plan to not need [FIRE] so far as is reasonably practicable. Reliance on something that you don't already have in your kit, and cannot 100% guarantee to be able to source, make and use, irrespective of heath, or environment is not sound planning in my own humble opinion. I always carry some form of fire starting kit. I have never had to use it, because my kit has always dealt with everything life has thrown at me .... so far ....
I basically agree with you, Trad. Be prepared.
I do want to ask you, though, if you go camping or out for a picnic, do you take a stove of some kind with you? I like camping and picnicking and will take a stove along (white gas, alcohol, isobutane). So, I often don't need a fire. Nevertheless, I often end up making a fire to keep my better half warm and entertained. And S'mores just aren't the same when cooked over an isobutane stove. :D
If you have a stove with you, I'm going to argue that you are essentially using fire (I've used a ferro rod to light a stove, too!). Yes, you are better prepared and don't need to forage for fuel, but you're still using fire. Or else your tea is going to suck. :cheers:
Absolutely! :tu: However, for me it still comes down to having it in your pack, not having to go "foraging" for it. Day hike, it's probably a Jetboil, but I might have a back up hexamine type stove (I know that stuff is vile, but it's another fire in the pack in case the Jetboil dies) if a hot drink is important. The nearest I would come to having to forage for fire stuff would be a Wild Woodgas Stove .... but again, I'll have some form of back up stove. If I'm liable to need it, I take it with me, not hope it just happens to be there when I need it. It comes back to the waking up disoriented and injured thing, when you really NEED it, you don't have the time or strength to improvise, so make damn sure you already have it
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...The video does show ignition of several different types of tinder.
I don't doubt that it will work. As I had mentioned, I successfully used a small fire steel with a small SAK on several occasions.
My issue was that most of us know what it looks like to use a fire steel and it's not necessary to take artistic liberties to "hype" it. My concern from the beginning is simply about the longevity of the rod.
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Fire is the most important survival skill you could have...
You may be right. I suppose some might argue with you that the ability to find and purify water might be the most important survival skill. Because of the benefits of heat and signaling, fire certainly ranks up top.
The saying goes, "You can survive 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food"...any longer and life begins to suck really hard. So if you've got about 3 hours or less (in theory) to protect yourself and keep yourself warm and dry, fire starting skills are a priority for certain.
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The military put me though a few survival courses. Each one emphasized fire-making as a skill.
One of the courses was up on a mountain in sub-zero weather with brutal wind chill and feet of snow. Fire was no luxury. No fire, meant no potable water. Sure, I can tell you, when it's -40ºF a hot fire feels pretty darn good. And try to brew a decent cup of tea without some sort of fire or variant thereof. I've been to the desert; fire is good there too.
Is fire always necessary? No, not really. Certainly if one is trying to stay concealed, fire is likely to be a liability. But my experience has taught me never to go anywhere without the ability to make fire. We don't always get to pick our survival situations and moments.
Homo erectus was only able to evolve into Homo sapiens because of fire. We are literally the children of the fire.
Fire and tools, right?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170928/9905f6895e98dda01ada99fa184b8bd6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170928/fb5d695dd65a6ae008e6512b28757fe5.jpg)
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The military put me though a few survival courses. Each one emphasized fire-making as a skill.
One of the courses was up on a mountain in sub-zero weather with brutal wind chill and feet of snow. Fire was no luxury. No fire, meant no potable water. Sure, I can tell you, when it's -40ºF a hot fire feels pretty darn good. And try to brew a decent cup of tea without some sort of fire or variant thereof. I've been to the desert; fire is good there too.
Is fire always necessary? No, not really. Certainly if one is trying to stay concealed, fire is likely to be a liability. But my experience has taught me never to go anywhere without the ability to make fire. We don't always get to pick our survival situations and moments.
Homo erectus was only able to evolve into Homo sapiens because of fire. We are literally the children of the fire.
Fire and tools, right?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170928/9905f6895e98dda01ada99fa184b8bd6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170928/fb5d695dd65a6ae008e6512b28757fe5.jpg)
I love those scales. :D
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The military put me though a few survival courses. Each one emphasized fire-making as a skill.
One of the courses was up on a mountain in sub-zero weather with brutal wind chill and feet of snow. Fire was no luxury. No fire, meant no potable water. Sure, I can tell you, when it's -40ºF a hot fire feels pretty darn good. And try to brew a decent cup of tea without some sort of fire or variant thereof. I've been to the desert; fire is good there too.
Is fire always necessary? No, not really. Certainly if one is trying to stay concealed, fire is likely to be a liability. But my experience has taught me never to go anywhere without the ability to make fire. We don't always get to pick our survival situations and moments.
Homo erectus was only able to evolve into Homo sapiens because of fire. We are literally the children of the fire.
Fire and tools, right?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170928/9905f6895e98dda01ada99fa184b8bd6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170928/fb5d695dd65a6ae008e6512b28757fe5.jpg)
I love those scales. :D
So do I; I wish they're mine
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Fire and tools, right?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170928/9905f6895e98dda01ada99fa184b8bd6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170928/fb5d695dd65a6ae008e6512b28757fe5.jpg)
WANT!
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Those scales rock!
(Pardon the pun. :-[)
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Those scales rock!
(Pardon the pun. :-[)
Groan :D
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Those scales rock!
(Pardon the pun. :-[)
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Having a ferro rod is not a bad idea in itself, but giving up any of my existing scale tools to make room for it? Ain't gonna happen. :salute:
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Ok, just to continue on Zed and Yeti's posts:
A SAK is a multi function tool.
For some people the addition of a fire starting method, even though a small one, in exchange for a toothpick is a neat idea.
What is the survival essential? A good knife! It's even better when you can add a fire starting method to it.
When you're freezing to death, this little gadget MIGHT save your life. Maybe it won't work when it should, true that. But still, your chances of starting a fire with it will be higher then they will be with your toothpick.
I understand Zed's philosophy in the thought of "last resort" but I also understand Yeti's thought of "In an emergency you need to make sure you've got the best equipment with you"
Then again, Yeti, this thing won't weigh more then the toothpick and gives you another option of starting a fire.
Truth be told, I've stored a strike-anywhere-match under some SAK corkscrews just in case I REALLY need a fire, even though it gives me just 1 shot, it's still better then no shot at all. Simply because there MIGHT be times when you didn't bring your kit. Maybe because it's lost or maybe because you never expected to need it there in the first place.
Ok, the reply might be "you NEED to take a kit anywhere" but not everybody is like that, and that's fine if they choose to.
I try to take some essentials with me everywhere: SAK and/or multi, lighter, flashlight, paracord, FAK etc but there are also times in which I leave it in the car or store some alternatives in pockets, shrinking my posibilities.
You know I wasn't attacking Zed. As I said, I've heard many people from Amazon reviews to various websites to people I've met all speaking about getting a piece of gear for survival that they wouldn't trust during a routine day. Unless the intent of the piece, such as a matchstick, is for it to be used only once; I think we should look for gear they we'd expect to be up to the rigors of daily use. That's really all I was saying. If I don't think it could handle normal use, it would scare me to rely on it (whatever "it" is) in an emergency.
For the record, I never said that I wasn't going to buy one of those if/when they become available. I may wait for the canaries to come out of the coal mine first, though. Then again, I may buy one and use it once a day or for a couple of weeks to see how it holds up.
The downside to carrying this would that after I kill and eat a bear with my SAK, I won't be able to clean my teeth...without throwing sparks!
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Ok, just to continue on Zed and Yeti's posts:
A SAK is a multi function tool.
For some people the addition of a fire starting method, even though a small one, in exchange for a toothpick is a neat idea.
What is the survival essential? A good knife! It's even better when you can add a fire starting method to it.
When you're freezing to death, this little gadget MIGHT save your life. Maybe it won't work when it should, true that. But still, your chances of starting a fire with it will be higher then they will be with your toothpick.
I understand Zed's philosophy in the thought of "last resort" but I also understand Yeti's thought of "In an emergency you need to make sure you've got the best equipment with you"
Then again, Yeti, this thing won't weigh more then the toothpick and gives you another option of starting a fire.
Truth be told, I've stored a strike-anywhere-match under some SAK corkscrews just in case I REALLY need a fire, even though it gives me just 1 shot, it's still better then no shot at all. Simply because there MIGHT be times when you didn't bring your kit. Maybe because it's lost or maybe because you never expected to need it there in the first place.
Ok, the reply might be "you NEED to take a kit anywhere" but not everybody is like that, and that's fine if they choose to.
I try to take some essentials with me everywhere: SAK and/or multi, lighter, flashlight, paracord, FAK etc but there are also times in which I leave it in the car or store some alternatives in pockets, shrinking my posibilities.
You know I wasn't attacking Zed. As I said, I've heard many people from Amazon reviews to various websites to people I've met all speaking about getting a piece of gear for survival that they wouldn't trust during a routine day. Unless the intent of the piece, such as a matchstick, is for it to be used only once; I think we should look for gear they we'd expect to be up to the rigors of daily use. That's really all I was saying. If I don't think it could handle normal use, it would scare me to rely on it (whatever "it" is) in an emergency.
For the record, I never said that I wasn't going to buy one of those if/when they become available. I may wait for the canaries to come out of the coal mine first, though. Then again, I may buy one and use it once a day or for a couple of weeks to see how it holds up.
The downside to carrying this would that after I kill and eat a bear with my SAK, I won't be able to clean my teeth...without throwing sparks!
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:salute:
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I'm in for the lowest tier. Three of the large ones for $17 shipped. I'm somewhat comforted by the fact that this person/group has a previous successful project with mostly satisfied backers. That said, I have a hunch January 2018 is rather optimistic for reward deliveries if production is starting in December. Assuming all goes well and I get mine, I will test one of the three to destruction. I've used very small ferro rods before, and they do work. This will be the thinnest though, so we shall see.
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I have a ferro rod thats not quite as thin as the fire fly, I'll have to dig it out to my bin of stuff. I like the idea of this ferro rod a lot. I think carrying a pill fob with something like tinderquick would be a nice addition. A pill fob is small enough to not be cumbersome to add to ones daily carry.
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I have a ferro rod thats not quite as thin as the fire fly, I'll have to dig it out to my bin of stuff. I like the idea of this ferro rod a lot. I think carrying a pill fob with something like tinderquick would be a nice addition. A pill fob is small enough to not be cumbersome to add to ones daily carry.
Very good idea. For a budget alternative you could even pack some cotton soaked in petroleum jelly.
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I'm a big believer that you should plan your kit based on suddenly regaining consciousness in the middle of nowhere at dusk or later, already tired, cold, dehydrated and disoriented, and then realising that you've lost the use of an arm or leg due to injury.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/a2cff8267f90a0ba59b9f12d7f85e972.jpg)
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Here is my ferro rod. Not as small as the firefly ( 58mm in pic ). I like the nano striker myself. I got a knock off and yes its fiddly but nicely made. I keep tinder quick within. My go to is always a lighter when out hiking but I do carry a Ferro rod.
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I'm a big believer that you should plan your kit based on suddenly regaining consciousness in the middle of nowhere at dusk or later, already tired, cold, dehydrated and disoriented, and then realising that you've lost the use of an arm or leg due to injury.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/a2cff8267f90a0ba59b9f12d7f85e972.jpg)
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I think that might be a big too heavy for me to lug about, and the functionality seems rather limited :whistle:
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I'm a big believer that you should plan your kit based on suddenly regaining consciousness in the middle of nowhere at dusk or later, already tired, cold, dehydrated and disoriented, and then realising that you've lost the use of an arm or leg due to injury.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/a2cff8267f90a0ba59b9f12d7f85e972.jpg)
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I think that might be a big too heavy for me to lug about, and the functionality seems rather limited :whistle:
I have to admit to thinking along the lines of 'just how many mini bic's could I carry for the same size/bulk/weight' when looking at these kinds of solutions where you need to carry a rod, tinder and striker.
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Why replace the toothpick? I use that one quite often.
How about replacing the pen on plus-scales? Is there a mod, too?
Guess I have to do it myself.
Good idea though.
I probably use the toothpick more than the tweezers :D I wonder if he will do one to fit in the pen slot ? I guess due to not many having plus scales he had gone with the toothpick option :tu:
I think the idea behind this is that it's easier to improvise a toothpick than it is to improvise tweezers or a pen.
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Why replace the toothpick? I use that one quite often.
How about replacing the pen on plus-scales? Is there a mod, too?
Guess I have to do it myself.
Good idea though.
I probably use the toothpick more than the tweezers :D I wonder if he will do one to fit in the pen slot ? I guess due to not many having plus scales he had gone with the toothpick option :tu:
I think the idea behind this is that it's easier to improvise a toothpick than it is to improvise tweezers or a pen.
Guys come on. If you are in the woods and cannot go without a toothpick or make one then...........
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I'm a big believer that you should plan your kit based on suddenly regaining consciousness in the middle of nowhere at dusk or later, already tired, cold, dehydrated and disoriented, and then realising that you've lost the use of an arm or leg due to injury.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/a2cff8267f90a0ba59b9f12d7f85e972.jpg)
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I think that might be a big too heavy for me to lug about, and the functionality seems rather limited :whistle:
I have to admit to thinking along the lines of 'just how many mini bic's could I carry for the same size/bulk/weight' when looking at these kinds of solutions where you need to carry a rod, tinder and striker.
Mini bic is great. Tinder can be sourced from lint on out clothing or a small swatch of our clothing. With so many mind sets on "what if" I find there is no right or wrong. Whatever suits you and you can effect fire if need be then great.
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One mans thoughts. Also read the comment from Far North Bushcraft and Survial. This guy is from Alaska and has IMO a great channel.
Video on the lighter starts at 5:30ish
https://youtu.be/M-AR_6yRI9A
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Another mans thoughts. Like I said, do what you are comfortable with. Practice that skill like 50ft said, in the worst case scenario.
https://youtu.be/nX040jETvdA
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...thinking along the lines of 'just how many mini bic's could I carry for the same size/bulk/weight' when looking at these kinds of solutions where you need to carry a rod, tinder and striker.
You shouldn't need to take tinder with you, IMO. That's what the SAK is for. Just process material you find in the wild.
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Mini bic is great. Tinder can be sourced from lint on out clothing or a small swatch of our clothing...
Be careful with that plan. Many of our modern clothing has been treated to be fire resistant. I harvested dryer lint to use as tinder. I put a match to it to test it, nothing. Put a butane lighter to it, nothing. A few wisps of smoke, but it never ignited. Apparently, many of my clothes are fire resistant to comply with California title 19 (I *think* that's the right code). I'd suggest intentionally wearing non-flame resistant clothing when going out in the bush if you plan to use your threads for tinder. Sounds crazy to intentionally wear combustible clothing, but that's what you'll need if you want to use your pocket lint or lose threads as tinder.
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One mans thoughts. Also read the comment from Far North Bushcraft and Survial. This guy is from Alaska and has IMO a great channel.
Video on the lighter starts at 5:30ish
https://youtu.be/M-AR_6yRI9A
Maybe I'm a little biased because I lived in Alaska for 32 years (grew up there. I guess you could call me an Alaskan), but generally I listen when Alaskan outdoorsmen talk about bushcraft. Less than 1/10 of 1% of the land mass of Alaska is inhabited by man. It's very rural and very wild up there and the climate is rough. So Alaskan bushmen tend to know what they're talking about. Excluding myself. I'm sure I know much less than many of them. In any case, thanks for sharing the video.
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Interesting,,
JR
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Mini bic is great. Tinder can be sourced from lint on out clothing or a small swatch of our clothing...
Be careful with that plan. Many of our modern clothing has been treated to be fire resistant. I harvested dryer lint to use as tinder. I put a match to it to test it, nothing. Put a butane lighter to it, nothing. A few wisps of smoke, but it never ignited. Apparently, many of my clothes are fire resistant to comply with California title 19 (I *think* that's the right code). I'd suggest intentionally wearing non-flame resistant clothing when going out in the bush if you plan to use your threads for tinder. Sounds crazy to intentionally wear combustible clothing, but that's what you'll need if you want to use your pocket lint or lose threads as tinder.
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Great point. I'm thinking the cotton bandana I always carry would suffice as tinder. I never actually thought about other clothing so thanks for your post.
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I have yet to experience conditions where my mini bic and tiger tim wafer firelighter combo have failed me. Extreme cold, extreme wind, extreme wet.
Been in lots of situations where, if I'd just had my ferro rod on me, it would have been insufficient or more time-consuming.
That being said, I carry (and use) both.
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Incorporating Ferro rods as a backup to your lighter is not a bad Idea. Giving up another function however is a personal decision that should not be taken lightly.
I for one like the idea of the Firefly. Its is a cool concept that many will find usefull, but its not for me.
I have already incorporated 2 mini rods in my edc. The first is on my OH Trekker, notice the middle bead. The lanyard is long enough to reach the spine of the saw to use it without removal.
The second are those cheap fire starter buckles. I'm too cheep to replace my edc watches and a new band costs half as much as a new watch. So I have braided bands on both my Timex Expedition and Casio Forester (pic).
Those more than serve my needs in the event of a Bic or Zippo failure.
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I have already incorporated 2 mini rods in my edc. The first is on my OH Trekker, notice the middle bead. The lanyard is long enough to reach the spine of the saw to use it without removal.
That is a very nice lanyard! It's the first time I see a firestarter bead in a setup I like! I'm going to make one of those too.
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Incorporating Ferro rods as a backup to your lighter is not a bad Idea. Giving up another function however is a personal decision that should not be taken lightly.
I for one like the idea of the Firefly. Its is a cool concept that many will find usefull, but its not for me.
I have already incorporated 2 mini rods in my edc. The first is on my OH Trekker, notice the middle bead. The lanyard is long enough to reach the spine of the saw to use it without removal.
The second are those cheap fire starter buckles. I'm too cheep to replace my edc watches and a new band costs half as much as a new watch. So I have braided bands on both my Timex Expedition and Casio Forester (pic).
Those more than serve my needs in the event of a Bic or Zippo failure.
Efficient way to carry ferro rods :like:.
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Ive fit the smallest firesteel firesteel.com sells, into the back drawer of the Ti scales I make. Its small, but does work fine.
This idea on the surface seems ok, but...
1. This is too thin to not snap easily. Much thinner than the thinnest rod Ive used, and have had that snap. This would snap after a few uses.
2. The toothpick is retained in the scale not by friction but by a little riser catch on the toothpick body. As soon as that was used and no longer there how would the firesteel be retained? It would just fall out. (this is the reason I dont want to make Ti toothpics, too fiddly)
3. The video of it in use if very deceptive. That is not what a firesteel looks like in use, nor creating fire. Maybe he had lighter fluid on his tinder?
On a traditional SAK, Id just look to attached some type of firesteel to the keychain ring. There are longs of small ones with various options. Google keychain firesteel.
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1. This is too thin to not snap easily. Much thinner than the thinnest rod Ive used, and have had that snap. This would snap after a few uses.
2. The toothpick is retained in the scale not by friction but by a little riser catch on the toothpick body. As soon as that was used and no longer there how would the firesteel be retained? It would just fall out. (this is the reason I dont want to make Ti toothpics, too fiddly)
3. The video of it in use if very deceptive. That is not what a firesteel looks like in use, nor creating fire. Maybe he had lighter fluid on his tinder?
I think you are asking the right questions. I think to prevent it from breaking you have to scrape the firesteel on the side, not the top or bottom.
That way the depth of the material is thicker. Nor will the catch be worn down as quickly.
I do like the concept though, I'll be waiting for the reviews. If it's good I will order a set.
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I've used a very small steel. 2 inches long and very thin. As you know, with each use, some of the bar is lost as you scrape it. My concern is a SAK toothpick sized steel will get whittled away in no time.
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I've used a very small steel. 2 inches long and very thin. As you know, with each use, some of the bar is lost as you scrape it. My concern is a SAK toothpick sized steel will get whittled away in no time.
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Yup. Wouldn't be so bad if you could use it from the end rather than the side, like the wheel on a lighter does. Nail file maybe? :think: Probably not, but I can't think of any other way to avoid thinning it out further
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I would agree it will wear down pretty fast and break or lose its grip in the slot, at the end of the day though if its for survival most of the time you would just need to light one fire anyway, certainly in my case where i'm never too far away from civilisation.
I am not knowledgeable about such things but isn't the advice to stay put and await rescue? of course there are a multitude of reasons why you sometimes cant do that and that's assuming someone is coming to rescue you but its got to be better than blindly wandering around the forest, also iirc the old timers used to carry their fire with them? be it a hot coal in a bucket or a smouldering mushroom, maybe an art we need to re learn.
I plan to get one when they are on general release depending on reviews but its not something i would use a lot, however i will go along with the old adage, its better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it :tu:
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I am not knowledgeable about such things but isn't the advice to stay put and await rescue?
Generally however that requires that you have also followed another important rule - tell someone where you're going!
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I would agree it will wear down pretty fast and break or lose its grip in the slot, at the end of the day though if its for survival most of the time you would just need to light one fire anyway, certainly in my case where i'm never too far away from civilisation.
I am not knowledgeable about such things but isn't the advice to stay put and await rescue?
It depends on how long you're lost. Lofty Wiseman recommends relocating after about one week (if I recall correctly) because, he says, your location will become soiled with your waste and depleted of food and maybe even water.
That said, once you start a fire, there are several techniques for transporting fire. Our ancestors used these methods and Les Stroud demonstrated one in one episode of Survivor Man (don't remember which episode, sorry). If I remember it (I'm not in a location where I can look it up right now), you can wrap embers in a wad of punk wood and moss and carry a warm, smoldering bed of coals. Stroud safely carried embers for several miles doing this without getting burned and was able to fan a fire at his new campsite.
If you have to travel at night--NOT ideal--you'd want to carry a torch anyway. Stroud demonstrated that also. Once at his new site, he simply set up his fire pit and started it with the torch.
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It depends on how long you're lost. Lofty Wiseman recommends relocating after about one week (if I recall correctly) because, he says, your location will become soiled with your waste and depleted of food and maybe even water.
Like all absolute generalities, it's a very vague rule of thumb. But I will say that if SAR hasn't found you in a week and all you have a tin kit and a SAK, well...
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...if SAR hasn't found you in a week and all you have a tin kit and a SAK, well...
You'd better have a strong will to survive and epic survival and bushcraft skills. And you'd better keep reminding yourself that your ancestors somehow managed it with primitive tools. Our chances would be poor, but we cannot give up.
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I want one or twelve...
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You'd better have a strong will to survive and epic survival and bushcraft skills. And you'd better keep reminding yourself that your ancestors somehow managed it with primitive tools. Our chances would be poor, but we cannot give up.
Yes, please note the emphasis. I'm competent, not "epic". You'd have to have lived that life style from birth, or at least spent years in intensive and immersive study. I'd also ask you to keep in mind that the archeological evidence shows that they died of old age by the time they were 40. Assuming they weren't part of the majority that died due to illness, infection, or starvation before puberty.
I'd also point out that if you are somewhere where SAR can't find you within a week, you really screwed up something or pissed off the gods if you only have an SAK and a tin kit. :P If you can follow a rough compass bearing for three days, you'd be hard pressed south of the 60th parallel to NOT find a road.
More realistically, if you have a SAK, preferably a 111 becuase every bit counts, and one of these in your PFD or on a neck lanyard, if you lose the canoe or your pack, this gets you to dawn. Stack the deck, hope you never need it.
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You'd better have a strong will to survive and epic survival and bushcraft skills. And you'd better keep reminding yourself that your ancestors somehow managed it with primitive tools. Our chances would be poor, but we cannot give up.
Yes, please note the emphasis. I'm competent, not "epic". You'd have to have lived that life style from birth, or at least spent years in intensive and immersive study. I'd also ask you to keep in mind that the archeological evidence shows that they died of old age by the time they were 40. Assuming they weren't part of the majority that died due to illness, infection, or starvation before puberty.
I'd also point out that if you are somewhere where SAR can't find you within a week, you really screwed up something or pissed off the gods if you only have an SAK and a tin kit. :P If you can follow a rough compass bearing for three days, you'd be hard pressed south of the 60th parallel to NOT find a road.
More realistically, if you have a SAK, preferably a 111 becuase every bit counts, and one of these in your PFD or on a neck lanyard, if you lose the canoe or your pack, this gets you to dawn. Stack the deck, hope you never need it.
This kind of was my point originally, for me that Ferro rod would be a last resort ,if i was going somewhere this extreme I would have a good kit, but if I had a sak in my pocket and some how lost my entire kit I would rather have that Ferro rod over a toothpick that I could make out of a bit of wood ;)
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I came across this pic online.
It's a SAK platform where a pipe has been built in.
(http://s1.insidehook.com/HighKnife_Inlin_1489419236.jpg)
I thought "replace that pipe part with a switchable firesteel and that thing would be AWESOME!"
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I'd also point out that if you are somewhere where SAR can't find you within a week, you really screwed up something or pissed off the gods if you only have an SAK and a tin kit. If you can follow a rough compass bearing for three days, you'd be hard pressed south of the 60th parallel to NOT find a road.
You've made a couple of references to having nothing but a SAK and a tin kit. Why would anyone knowingly venture far out with only a tin kit? Even Lofty Wiseman doesn't suggest that. I think that unless you fell off of a cloud into the middle of nowhere and survived, you'd probably be within just a few miles at the most from a road or manmade structure if you're traveling with only a SAK and a tin. The people who would do that wouldn't have the knowledge to survive anyway. Sounds like a very unlikely scenario to me.
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I'd also point out that if you are somewhere where SAR can't find you within a week, you really screwed up something or pissed off the gods if you only have an SAK and a tin kit. If you can follow a rough compass bearing for three days, you'd be hard pressed south of the 60th parallel to NOT find a road.
You've made a couple of references to having nothing but a SAK and a tin kit. Why would anyone knowingly venture far out with only a tin kit? Even Lofty Wiseman doesn't suggest that. I think that unless you fell off of a cloud into the middle of nowhere and survived, you'd probably be within just a few miles at the most from a road or manmade structure if you're traveling with only a SAK and a tin. The people who would do that wouldn't have the knowledge to survive anyway. Sounds like a very unlikely scenario to me.
I think you're both saying that it would be silly (or you really stuffed up somewhere) if you had only those items with you out in the wilderness. :think:
You do get the odd person going to extremes to 'test' themselves.
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I came across this pic online.
It's a SAK platform where a pipe has been built in.
(http://s1.insidehook.com/HighKnife_Inlin_1489419236.jpg)
I thought "replace that pipe part with a switchable firesteel and that thing would be AWESOME!"
I suspect that is your SAK. What are you smoking in it? :pok:
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I came across this pic online.
It's a SAK platform where a pipe has been built in.
(http://s1.insidehook.com/HighKnife_Inlin_1489419236.jpg)
I thought "replace that pipe part with a switchable firesteel and that thing would be AWESOME!"
I suspect that is your SAK. What are you smoking in it? :pok:
Non smoker ;)
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I came across this pic online.
It's a SAK platform where a pipe has been built in.
(http://s1.insidehook.com/HighKnife_Inlin_1489419236.jpg)
I thought "replace that pipe part with a switchable firesteel and that thing would be AWESOME!"
I suspect that is your SAK. What are you smoking in it? :pok:
Non smoker ;)
You bake it into brownies then Nick? :D
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I came across this pic online.
It's a SAK platform where a pipe has been built in.
(http://s1.insidehook.com/HighKnife_Inlin_1489419236.jpg)
I thought "replace that pipe part with a switchable firesteel and that thing would be AWESOME!"
I suspect that is your SAK. What are you smoking in it? :pok:
Non smoker ;)
You bake it into brownies then Nick? :D
I'm so puzzeled right now... :shrug:
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The SAK you pictured with the pipe is for smoking illegal substances (I imagine :D ). Sync was wondering if it was your DSAK (drug SAK). When you said you are a non-smoker, I wondered if you bake your illegal substances into brownies. Sorry for the confusion. OR you may just be confused because you are currently as high as a kite. :D
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The SAK you pictured with the pipe is for smoking illegal substances (I imagine :D ). Sync was wondering if it was your DSAK (drug SAK). When you said you are a non-smoker, I wondered if you bake your illegal substances into brownies. Sorry for the confusion. OR you may just be confused because you are currently as high as a kite. :D
Man you guys go far fetched...
You sure you kept off the pipe?
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I'd also point out that if you are somewhere where SAR can't find you within a week, you really screwed up something or pissed off the gods if you only have an SAK and a tin kit. If you can follow a rough compass bearing for three days, you'd be hard pressed south of the 60th parallel to NOT find a road.
You've made a couple of references to having nothing but a SAK and a tin kit. Why would anyone knowingly venture far out with only a tin kit? Even Lofty Wiseman doesn't suggest that. I think that unless you fell off of a cloud into the middle of nowhere and survived, you'd probably be within just a few miles at the most from a road or manmade structure if you're traveling with only a SAK and a tin. The people who would do that wouldn't have the knowledge to survive anyway. Sounds like a very unlikely scenario to me.
I think you're both saying that it would be silly (or you really stuffed up somewhere) if you had only those items with you out in the wilderness. :think:
You do get the odd person going to extremes to 'test' themselves.
It's quite possible I suppose for the unprepared whose car dies out on them with a dead battery far from civilisation just as their phone battery dies. No way to charge phone, nothing in the car but a couple of cans of coke and some sandwiches and they're a non smoker so no lighter. Most do not carry a pocket knife or know how to use one.
That said the above person is probably a teenager who went for a long drive with friends and anyone as unprepared as not to have any gear in the car is very unlikely to have any kind of survival skill set either.
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Last night we watched all the episodes of Creek Stewart's new show SOS how to survive. If you haven't seen it yet it's about real survival stories and what could they have done different. In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference. It definitely reinforced my belief not to leave the house w/o Cordage, fire and a SAK. If you're into that kind of show check it out. I personally learned alot watching them.
The one about the family stranded in the Oregon cascades in their car for days w\o any winter clothes was a little sad but very educational.
http://weathergroup.com/shows/sos-how-survive
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Last night we watched all the episodes of Creek Stewart's new show SOS how to survive. If you haven't seen it yet it's about real survival stories and what could they have done different. In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference. It definitely reinforced my belief not to leave the house w/o Cordage, fire and a SAK. If you're into that kind of show check it out. I personally learned alot watching them.
The one about the family stranded in the Oregon cascades in their car for days w\o any winter clothes was a little sad but very educational.
http://weathergroup.com/shows/sos-how-survive
I saw that episode too. Really sad ending. I learned several things from that episode as well.
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...In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it[/u] would have made a huge difference...
This. Know how to use it. Instead of grabbing a lighter the next time you need to light your BBQ or fire pit why not grab a firesteel? Know how to find tinder and make a fire with that.
Practice by playing :D
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...In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it[/u] would have made a huge difference...
This. Know how to use it. Instead of grabbing a lighter the next time you need to light your BBQ or fire pit why not grab a firesteel? Know how to find tinder and make a fire with that.
Practice by playing :D
Agreed! Before I quit smoking I would practice lighting tinder with a ferro rod to light my smoke. Having a nicotine fit while trying to light a fire was a good way to simulate stress.
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...In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it[/u] would have made a huge difference...
This. Know how to use it. Instead of grabbing a lighter the next time you need to light your BBQ or fire pit why not grab a firesteel? Know how to find tinder and make a fire with that.
Practice by playing :D
Agreed! Before I quit smoking I would practice lighting tinder with a ferro rod to light my smoke. Having a nicotine fit while trying to light a fire was a good way to simulate stress.
:rofl:
Really good motivatior. "Can't reliably make fire with only a ferro rod? No smoke for you!"
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...In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it[/u] would have made a huge difference...
This. Know how to use it. Instead of grabbing a lighter the next time you need to light your BBQ or fire pit why not grab a firesteel? Know how to find tinder and make a fire with that.
Practice by playing :D
My kids love lighting a fire camping with a Ferro rod :D it's more fun than using a lighter ;)
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It really is a fun way to light fires. I carry flares in my vehicle and I bet they'd be better than a lighter any day. Actually see for yourself.
https://youtu.be/sA2NfR_RQBI
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It really is a fun way to light fires. I carry flares in my vehicle and I bet they'd be better than a lighter any day. Actually see for yourself.
https://youtu.be/sA2NfR_RQBI
They love the ones you sent mate :salute: they have them on there lanyards with there champions :salute:
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Glad they are enjoying them :D. With the fat wood they have all they'll need to get fire going.
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Glad they are enjoying them :D. With the fat wood they have all they'll need to get fire going.
There saving there fatwood for our next camp trip ;)
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Glad they are enjoying them :D. With the fat wood they have all they'll need to get fire going.
There saving there fatwood for our next camp trip ;)
:tu: Fat wood is good stuff. Lots of pine trees here so we like to hunt for it. I also take the hardened sap from the pines as well. We've made some cool tikis melting it onto the pinecones. Heres a neat video.
https://youtu.be/Gq7pyVxLP1s
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Glad they are enjoying them :D. With the fat wood they have all they'll need to get fire going.
There saving there fatwood for our next camp trip ;)
:tu: Fat wood is good stuff. Lots of pine trees here so we like to hunt for it. I also take the hardened sap from the pines as well. We've made some cool tikis melting it onto the pinecones. Heres a neat video.
https://youtu.be/Gq7pyVxLP1s
I like fatwood hunting, it's legal in the uk ,I think :facepalm: :rofl:
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:rofl:
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:rofl:
As long as I chop it down with a axe with a 3inch blade that doesn't lock ;) :rofl:
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:rofl:
As long as I chop it down with a axe with a 3inch blade that doesn't lock ;) :rofl:
Thats about what I do. I use a small hatchet and saw. We had some devastating fires and there were a lot of trees cut down. When we go hiking in the mountains we scavenge as much as we can find.
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:rofl:
As long as I chop it down with a axe with a 3inch blade that doesn't lock ;) :rofl:
Thats about what I do. I use a small hatchet and saw. We had some devastating fires and there were a lot of trees cut down. When we go hiking in the mountains we scavenge as much as we can find.
The camp site we go to has a fire pit and the girls love scavenging wood,I send them off while I do the hard stuff ;)
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In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference.
But not as much as a mini bic or two? I still think that tiny ferro rod is just asking for trouble and a lighter is better than a ferro rod most of the time.
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In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference.
But not as much as a mini bic or two? I still think that small ferro rod is just asking for trouble and a lighter is better than a ferro rod most of the time.
I´m carrrying a ferro rod AND a mag bar AND two mini Bics. And I know numerous spots where to find KKokolis´ Greek mushroom tinder, fat wood, or birch bark.
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In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference.
But not as much as a mini bic or two? I still think that small ferro rod is just asking for trouble and a lighter is better than a ferro rod most of the time.
A lighter is a great primary fire source which I would personally would rather have than a ferro rod. That being said I think whats being overlooked possibly is "another option". Sure we can carry several lighters. 3 mini Bics would be really easy to carry but I dont see those as "other options". I see this little ferro rod as a possible option for some. We sell need to see someone test it rather than the maker/seller. I'm pretty proficient with a ferro rod but I'm also using a 6 inch by 1/2 inch one :rofl:.
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I've used a ferro rod many, many times, and it's always a 2" rod with no handle. I've never even owned one bigger than that :shrug:
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In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference.
But not as much as a mini bic or two? I still think that tiny ferro rod is just asking for trouble and a lighter is better than a ferro rod most of the time.
If you check the BICs frequently. Over time, BICs can leak on their own and run out of fuel. The ferro rod will work as expected when needed. Seems best to have both, IMO.
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I'm pretty proficient with a ferro rod but I'm also using a 6 inch by 1/2 inch one :rofl:.
We need a picture!!! :D
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In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference.
But not as much as a mini bic or two? I still think that tiny ferro rod is just asking for trouble and a lighter is better than a ferro rod most of the time.
You are 100% right. I carry a ligher how ever it's not uncommon for me to loan it out and not get it back but not notice till the next day. With my luck one of those days well be the day I really need a fire. That's why I have ferro rod toggles on my SAK lanyard.
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At work one night I had a cigar but had no lighter or matches :facepalm: but I had my tin with a Ferro rod and vasiline covered cotton wool :D so as to say I smoked that night ;)
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I'd also point out that if you are somewhere where SAR can't find you within a week, you really screwed up something or pissed off the gods if you only have an SAK and a tin kit. If you can follow a rough compass bearing for three days, you'd be hard pressed south of the 60th parallel to NOT find a road.
You've made a couple of references to having nothing but a SAK and a tin kit. Why would anyone knowingly venture far out with only a tin kit? Even Lofty Wiseman doesn't suggest that. I think that unless you fell off of a cloud into the middle of nowhere and survived, you'd probably be within just a few miles at the most from a road or manmade structure if you're traveling with only a SAK and a tin. The people who would do that wouldn't have the knowledge to survive anyway. Sounds like a very unlikely scenario to me.
I think you're both saying that it would be silly (or you really stuffed up somewhere) if you had only those items with you out in the wilderness. :think:
You do get the odd person going to extremes to 'test' themselves.
Hey, guys, look at this. Speaking of going to Mars with nothing but a SAK and a tin, how about going out with NOTHING...
http://m.chron.com/news/texas/article/Texas-couple-survives-being-stranded-6-days-in-12276084.php
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In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference.
But not as much as a mini bic or two? I still think that tiny ferro rod is just asking for trouble and a lighter is better than a ferro rod most of the time.
Why?
Why do you think a ferro rod is asking for trouble?
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In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference.
But not as much as a mini bic or two? I still think that tiny ferro rod is just asking for trouble and a lighter is better than a ferro rod most of the time.
Why?
Why do you think a ferro rod is asking for trouble?
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I said 'that tiny ferro rod'. Not 'a ferro rod'. Relying on this little thing is asking for trouble. All you need is for it to snap and you have no solution. I'm a big believer in the philosophy of backups and a backup solution that you would prefer not to have to fall back on is no solution. It's Murphy laughing at you. Learnt that the hard way through life.
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Only looked at first and last pages. Novel idea, as a backup. If you notices in the video he doesn't use much force. He's probably wore down a flat-spot before taking the videos. Can say the smaller the ferrocerium rod the more brittle it becomes - specially when you are cold and in a hurry.
Have an Exotac nanoStriker and the ferrocerium rod has broken nearly every time on the threaded section. It's 5mm thick and about 1.5" long. Last camp outing ended up breaking out the magnesium block and using its ferrocerium steel to get some sparks a flyin' and getting me back to warm status.
That magnesium block's fire steel came unglued and had to empty the glove compartment hunting for the thing. :ahhh
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I can't wait till these firefly ferro rods ship to see exactly how well or not they work. Anyone know when they'll be getting theirs?
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I've signed up but no definite news on release yet, not on the latest update mail from yesterday at any rate. I believe they were initially saying January 2018.
What I'm thinking about to mitigate against the breakage risk is to use a small plank or stick to hold it against with my other thumb while scraping it with the steel.
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In most of the situations a small ferro rod and the skill to use it would have made a huge difference.
But not as much as a mini bic or two? I still think that tiny ferro rod is just asking for trouble and a lighter is better than a ferro rod most of the time.
Why?
Why do you think a ferro rod is asking for trouble?
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I said 'that tiny ferro rod'. Not 'a ferro rod'. Relying on this little thing is asking for trouble. All you need is for it to snap and you have no solution.
Oh OK. I got you. I didn't read that carefully enough, I guess.
I agree. The size of the ferro rod scares me. It may work, but it may not. If you are scared and desperate, your adrenaline might be flowing and you'll be more heavy-handed than usual. If you're feeling chilled, your fine motor skills will be diminished and you may be clumsy and heavy-handed. There are plenty of real world scenarios where you could accidentally break this thin rod. If that happens, you'd better be ready and able to make a bow-drill system. Good luck with that.
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What I'm thinking about to mitigate against the breakage risk is to use a small plank or stick to hold it against with my other thumb while scraping it with the steel.
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I think this should probably be the general philosophy of use for this tool. Prepare your fire pit and your kindling, take a piece of kindling and lay the steel against that and use it similar to the way those magnesium bars with the embedded rods are. As long as the piece you're using isn't some soft, rotten, punk that breaks it should be OK.
I think you have a good idea there.
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Hey, guys, look at this. Speaking of going to Mars with nothing but a SAK and a tin, how about going out with NOTHING...
http://m.chron.com/news/texas/article/Texas-couple-survives-being-stranded-6-days-in-12276084.php
Amazing story. They are lucky to survive. Though I think the guy'd be glad to be dead...
"I told Gerry, 'Sweetheart, this doesn't sound right.' And he said, 'No it's OK' ... He wanted to continue. See, us women know better,"
He's never going to hear the end of this. Imagine the couple in a car a few years later :D :
guy: We'll go left here, were nearly there.
woman: No, Gerry, it's right. This doesn't sound right...
guy: No, it's OK.
woman: Do you remember when we nearly died Gerry?
guy: *sigh*
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I've signed up but no definite news on release yet, not on the latest update mail from yesterday at any rate. I believe they were initially saying January 2018.
What I'm thinking about to mitigate against the breakage risk is to use a small plank or stick to hold it against with my other thumb while scraping it with the steel.
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Exactly. This is how I envisioned a way to use it so as not to break it.
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So... Im in too, dont really use a toothpick or really need to start a fire, but if I'm carrying a Tool, I think it should have a fire rod, we'll see, a clutz like me can test it in the kitchen sink, level of wife's yell will determine success. LOL
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So... Im in too, dont really use a toothpick or really need to start a fire, but if I'm carrying a Tool, I think it should have a fire rod, we'll see, a clutz like me can test it in the kitchen sink, level of wife's yell will determine success. LOL
:rofl:
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Hey MM, need a piano pounder? Lol
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Very interesting idea, I've thought from time to time how to hide a ferro rod in a SAK....I still have one way that I have in mind that has not been tried yet I still might play with.
The zipper toggles work for now and with the cord that is used to keep them on the SAK its quick to mount them to a stick when your fingers are freezing so you don't have to worry about your fine motor skills when trying to light a fire.
I may get a pack of these to try, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have them on micro survival kits with the SAKS that are in there.
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Yeah, Wolf, I got a set of these on Amazon. The set I got has VERY small holes. I was able to thread boot laces through them, but I have some Hi-Viz guywire paracord type line that I was going to make lanyards from and that rope was too wide to fit through the holes. I have seen some firesteel toggles on Amazon that are a tad bit larger that might work.
As far as the toggles I got, they work well! I stood up and stroked the steel with the back of a carbon steel blade and it threw a shower of white hot sparks that landed on the concrete and burned for about one and a half seconds before going out. That's plenty of time to ignite good, dry tinder.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171024/d27f76f09baef0094ae4a0b8d4e59e51.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171024/5e8e40f33aed8b1b466eb9d187c88126.jpg)
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Any word if their project got up and running?
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Was looking over that kickstarter page. Wtf is up with this gif?
(https://i.imgur.com/PK5M0r0.gif)
Anyone who has ever used a ferro rod will tell you it doesn't ignite material anywhere close to that quickly.
Gratuitous use of accelerants? Fast-forwarded video editing? Filmed with a bluescreen background in the moon-landing studio? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Either way, the video does show "normal" sparking and ignition of the tinder in similar setups.
It's got gas sprinkled on it. No other way the fire would have spread so fast. Dishonest, though in keeping with regular advertisement honesty or lack thereof. :(
EDIT: they've used the same trick on all the tinder types they show. Bad taste in the mouth. Or they have invented the worlds best firesteel.
Hi guys! This is Eric, creator of the Firefly. Thank you to those here who have supported my project so far! I was told that some people were having trouble believing that the Firefly is really as good as the video shows. I've seen several comments like the ones above and I just wanted to chime in and help clear things up for you.
First of all I want to say that I'm flattered that you think I'm using accelerants because it is real un-doctored video footage of the Firefly in action. I promise you that I did NOT use any accelerant on any of the tinders. So I will agree with you that we have "invented the worlds best firesteel". :D I certainly think so, we spent a lot of time and money tailoring the mix just right, and since it will be with me all the time it is a firesteel I will actually use! :climber:
Second, I do want to clarify that I did cut to where the spark ignited the tinder in some parts of the videos, not in an attempt to deceive, but to make the video shorter and more exciting. Though I never had to attempt more than 10 times to get the fire lit on any of the tinders used, most were actually lit the first or second time. We are an honest company that makes really cool outdoor gear, we have already completed one successful Kickstarter campaign that was much more complex than this one and all rewards were delivered to our customers, many of which are repeat backers. We have a curated website where you can actually purchase our previous Kickstarter projects product, check it out: LINK REMOVED
Third, I also want to clarify that I live in California which tends to be drier than other parts of the world and that makes natural tinders easier to light. Also, in the GIF it appears to ignite very fast. This is due to the fact that GIFs are compiled of very few frames and many frames had to be cut out to get the GIF down to a smaller reasonable size for the web. This was not an attempt to deceive either. That particular strike did actually flame up very fast because I had a lot of fine dry grass tinders on top.
Fourth, I have made some real time videos of the Firefly in action for you to see for yourself, I'm hoping these links are allowed on here, if not please let me know.
Realtime Firefly sparking demonstration: LINK REMOVED
Drop test and sparking vs typical firesteel: LINK REMOVED
Please help share the Firefly with others if you can, we have more stretch goals we want to meet for some cool additions (to be announced soon).
Thanks again guys, if you have any further questions about it please let me know! For the quickest reply you can message me on my Kickstarter campaign page: LINK REMOVED
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Hi Eric.
Sorry to have to pull your links, but they are in violation of our forum policies on advertising.
As this is a privately owned and members funded forum we can't allow you to advertise for free here.
We have members paying for the privilege to advertise and allowing you to do so for free wouldn't be fair to them.
If you're wanting to fund your project, check out our Crowd Funding subscription.
If you have any more questions or would like arrange options for advertising, please contact Grant Lamontagne, the site owner via email.
Nice to have you with us, but don't advertise anymore until you've made arrangements to do so with the forum owner.
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Hi Eric.
Sorry to have to pull your links, but they are in violation of our forum policies on advertising.
As this is a privately owned and members funded forum we can't allow you to advertise for free here.
We have members paying for the privilege to advertise and allowing you to do so for free wouldn't be fair to them.
If you're wanting to fund your project, check out our Crowd Funding subscription.
If you have any more questions or would like arrange options for advertising, please contact Grant Lamontagne, the site owner via email.
Nice to have you with us, but don't advertise anymore until you've made arrangements to do so with the forum owner.
:oops: Sorry guys, didn't mean to break the rules. Just trying to provide some helpful answers to questions and concerns people had, not trying to advertise as word about it was already on here. Thanks for letting me know, it won't happen again.
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I dunno, cutting the footage and gifs to show the firesteel lighting first time every time, it may not be an attempt to deceive but it does deceive. It is, to my mind, false advertising, exciting perhaps but still false. By your own admission your product cannot achieve what you have shown it to achieve.
Just my uneducated opinion of course. I have no idea what the norms within the industry are, etc. If the others feel that I am incorrect then I'll shut up. :)
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:shrug: It's an advert. ALWAYS take whatever the manufacturer claims with a pinch of salt.
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So is this item being sent out soon or what?!
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Well, soon... the latest word is end of January.
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Gentlemen. I feel this calls for a combined Zed/Tired_Yeti 'Weekend up a mountain with only your SAK' camping challenge. Do you both accept? There's a special badge in it for the winner (whether or not it is issued posthumously). :cheers:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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If it actually worked, where could store the removed toothpic, not your Edc draw, :whistle: on the SAk?? Depends on the tool layers?
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I cut the end of a spare, it seems to fit under the corkscrew..... meh, we'll see...
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The debate of Bic vs. ferro rod makes me wonder, does anyone know how the size of this firefly rod compares to the ferro rod that's actually in a Bic lighter?
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So... if I got a replacement scale with a spot for the pen, I could have a toothpick and Firefly?
...dont use the toithpick much, woun't need to start fires much either! :ahhh
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:whistle
:waiting....waiting. ...
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The debate of Bic vs. ferro rod makes me wonder, does anyone know how the size of this firefly rod compares to the ferro rod that's actually in a Bic lighter?
Erm......there is no ferro rod in a bic lighter...
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Erm......there is no ferro rod in a bic lighter...
What do you think the sparker uses?
Bics and most welding torch lighters use very small and hard ferro rods.
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The debate of Bic vs. ferro rod makes me wonder, does anyone know how the size of this firefly rod compares to the ferro rod that's actually in a Bic lighter?
Erm......there is no ferro rod in a bic lighter...
I gave heard of keeping empty Bics, top part?
to use as a spark for tinder. ...
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The debate of Bic vs. ferro rod makes me wonder, does anyone know how the size of this firefly rod compares to the ferro rod that's actually in a Bic lighter?
Erm......there is no ferro rod in a bic lighter...
As others have pointed out, yes, there is a little ferro rod in the bic striker mechanism.
Check out this thread... 'Lynn tests the 'Micro Fire Starting Kit' lighter hack".
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,74717.0.html
And to answer the original question, the rod in a brand new lighter is, I'd guess, about a quarter inch (6mm).
The Firefly is MUCH bigger. But the lighter is essentially perfectly optimized for efficient spark throwing. It will give you like 12,000 strikes. HOWEVER, those are pretty tiny spark showers, and require REALLY good tinder to catch. I think the Firefly would do much better for catching things other than cotton balls and tinderquiks.
EDIT: in the video linked in the thread I mentioned above, the notes in the video say a brand new rod in a lighter is 7.5mm long. I don't l know if that's 100% accurate, but it doesn't sound far off.
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I'm comming a little late on the thread, but I'll throw my 2c.
I think it's a nice item to have. If I need to make fire and I have to choose between the Firefly and nothing, I would stick with the Firefly. Like others pointed, a toothpick can easily be crafted in seconds, whilist fire can be a pain in the @$$ w/o propper tools. Even if you get very few strikes before it breaks, I think that it's still more useful than the toothpick.
But if you still need the toothpick and want the Firefly and the tweezers, how about some plus scales? :D
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Perhaps there is an alternative.
The Victorinox Traveller has a back scale with three slots: toothpick, tweezer and pen.
(http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rw6G4c8KNsg/T5sTmGVpR-I/AAAAAAAATRU/_ExzeF5x5Q0/s800/Red%2520Voyager-02.JPG)
Traveller rear scale
On some modern translucent scales rear scales the third-slot is visible. Some cellidor scales also have the third slot, but those are not visible when assembled.
So, if you have a set of those scales you can file out the opening for the third slot and you have yourself a pair of scales with room for an extra tool.
If you replace the normal tweezers with the Firefly you can put a new (smaller) tweezer in the new third back slot.
I'll see if I have a pair of scales with the 3rd slot when I'm back home and make a photo.
The small tweezers are available for the Traveller models.
(http://www.sakwiki.com/show_image.php?id=3020)
Victorinox Traveller with all scale tools
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Perhaps there is an alternative.
The Victorinox Traveller has a back scale with three slots: toothpick, tweezer and pen.
(http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rw6G4c8KNsg/T5sTmGVpR-I/AAAAAAAATRU/_ExzeF5x5Q0/s800/Red%2520Voyager-02.JPG)
Traveller rear scale
On some modern translucent scales rear scales the third-slot is visible. Some cellidor scales also have the third slot, but those are not visible when assembled.
So, if you have a set of those scales you can file out the opening for the third slot and you have yourself a pair of scales with room for an extra tool.
If you replace the normal tweezers with the Firefly you can put a new (smaller) tweezer in the new third back slot.
I'll see if I have a pair of scales with the 3rd slot when I'm back home and make a photo.
The small tweezers are available for the Traveller models.
(http://www.sakwiki.com/show_image.php?id=3020)
Victorinox Traveller with all scale tools
Great Mac Thanks :salute:
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Perhaps there is an alternative.
The Victorinox Traveller has a back scale with three slots: toothpick, tweezer and pen.
(http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rw6G4c8KNsg/T5sTmGVpR-I/AAAAAAAATRU/_ExzeF5x5Q0/s800/Red%2520Voyager-02.JPG)
Traveller rear scale
On some modern translucent scales rear scales the third-slot is visible. Some cellidor scales also have the third slot, but those are not visible when assembled.
So, if you have a set of those scales you can file out the opening for the third slot and you have yourself a pair of scales with room for an extra tool.
If you replace the normal tweezers with the Firefly you can put a new (smaller) tweezer in the new third back slot.
I'll see if I have a pair of scales with the 3rd slot when I'm back home and make a photo.
The small tweezers are available for the Traveller models.
(http://www.sakwiki.com/show_image.php?id=3020)
Victorinox Traveller with all scale tools
Great Mac Thanks :salute:
Thanks again Mac, I could buy plus scales too, that's if the FF ever arrives......
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When do these ship? End of January was last I heard......
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They had some setbacks with the manufacturing and delivery dates have been pushed back.
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Ahhhh...well...in due time....we hope. :D
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We'll see.
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zzzzz Waiting zzzzźz :think:
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Yawnnn... :whistle: any real info...
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Yawnnn... :whistle: any real info...
It's full of pictures and thus a bit awkward to copy/paste here, so have a link;
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/740457940/firefly-the-ultimate-swiss-army-knife-accessory/posts/2095730
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Yawnnn... :whistle: any real info...
It's full of pictures and thus a bit awkward to copy/paste here, so have a link;
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/740457940/firefly-the-ultimate-swiss-army-knife-accessory/posts/2095730
Thanks WD :cheers:
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Do I detect the faint aroma of a scam?
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I dont think so. Might be something that wafted over from the saks and coffee thread.
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Do I detect the faint aroma of a scam?
Nah there's usually two lots of excuses on a kickstarter before it becomes obviously a scam.
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I'm fairly confident they'll deliver, eventually. Though I'm not entirely convinced of the usefulness/quality of the product. As a backer, I hope it doesn't suck. As a skeptic, I'm not going to bank on it.
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I'm fairly confident they'll deliver, eventually. Though I'm not entirely convinced of the usefulness/quality of the product. As a backer, I hope it doesn't suck. As a skeptic, I'm not going to bank on it.
I agree Wduck, had a good Idea with trouble mass producing.... We'll see.
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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/740457940/firefly-the-ultimate-swiss-army-knife-accessory/posts/2118753
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:whistle: :whistle: :whistle:
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:rant:
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:shrug: It's an advert. ALWAYS take whatever the manufacturer claims with a pinch of salt.
Yup, that's what I do. Take whatever the manufacturer claims with a pinch of salt. I discover most of them lie! This one in particular:
(https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/65c484a0-8e28-4280-bd15-0501e5f8fc3d_1.1fbf5c3aa001b2490606fcdb253adfe9.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF)
:whistle:
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:shrug: It's an advert. ALWAYS take whatever the manufacturer claims with a pinch of salt.
Yup, that's what I do. Take whatever the manufacturer claims with a pinch of salt. I discover most of them lie! This one in particular:
(https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/65c484a0-8e28-4280-bd15-0501e5f8fc3d_1.1fbf5c3aa001b2490606fcdb253adfe9.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF)
:whistle:
Which bit is the lie? the no salt, no sugar or the crunchy? It looks like a smooth one to me
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:shrug: It's an advert. ALWAYS take whatever the manufacturer claims with a pinch of salt.
Yup, that's what I do. Take whatever the manufacturer claims with a pinch of salt. I discover most of them lie! This one in particular:
(https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/65c484a0-8e28-4280-bd15-0501e5f8fc3d_1.1fbf5c3aa001b2490606fcdb253adfe9.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF)
:whistle:
Which bit is the lie? the no salt, no sugar or the crunchy? It looks like a smooth one to me
I took what they said with a pinch of salt and it didn't taste salt-free...
:whistle:
:pok: :pok:
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Why is it Crunchy Valencia PB...? :think: Valencia is one if the 5 major Spanish cities and they make no peanut butter there ???
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Why is it Crunchy Valencia PB...? :think: Valencia is one if the 5 major Spanish cities and they make no peanut butter there ???
That's what they want you to think...
:pok: :pok:
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:shrug: It's an advert. ALWAYS take whatever the manufacturer claims with a pinch of salt.
Yup, that's what I do. Take whatever the manufacturer claims with a pinch of salt. I discover most of them lie! This one in particular:
(https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/65c484a0-8e28-4280-bd15-0501e5f8fc3d_1.1fbf5c3aa001b2490606fcdb253adfe9.jpeg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF)
:whistle:
Which bit is the lie? the no salt, no sugar or the crunchy? It looks like a smooth one to me
I took what they said with a pinch of salt and it didn't taste salt-free...
:whistle:
:pok: :pok:
I'm cutting back on salt, I'll take it with a pinch of vodka..... :drink:
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Now back to our show, Where the F are the Fire Fly rods we supported? :rant:
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The most recent update estimated they'd ship the first or second week of March, which we've just passed. I think their original estimates were quite ambitious, as it seems this is a whole new area of manufacturing for them. One of the many pitfalls of crowdfunding I guess.
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maybe they shared fate with the Firefly TV show... :whistle:
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maybe they shared fate with the Firefly TV show... :whistle:
Or they just went up in flames...
:whistle:
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(https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--S4NuZmnY--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/t5xg72iqojgslygw59rh.jpg)
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Should I even ask anymore :rant:
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Does the money get refunded if a project fails?
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Excerpts from the March 22nd update for backers only;
After some color powder shipping delays, many test shoots, and waiting our turn in queue for manufacturing we have finally been able to get all the details correct and the first Firefly batch is now in production.
The final test run formula of the ivory color turned out very nice. Here is a picture of samples of the two final colors as they will be produced. We've set Fireflies at different angles in the picture so you can see how they are firmly attached to the custom flint steel by injection molding.
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/020/631/633/b4ddc8be8c14c003a0d395266d5aa22f_original.jpg?w=639&fit=max&v=1521693915&auto=format&q=92&s=3d3d141594f274d8b85647adff765e62)
The first production batch run will be completed by mid week next week. This first run will fulfill all of the January reward orders and the second run will start immediately after.
We plan to start shipping on Friday of next week when the first batch of completed Fireflies arrives to us. We will ship out all of the January rewards first and then work our way down the list until we finish with the April orders. There are over 3,000 orders to ship out so it will take some time but we hope to have all rewards shipped out by the end of April if all goes well.
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I still don't see how those are going to stay in the slot. Current toothpick has a bump that holds it in.
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I still don't see how those are going to stay in the slot. Current toothpick has a bump that holds it in.
Willpower?...
:whistle:
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I still don't see how those are going to stay in the slot. Current toothpick has a bump that holds it in.
Willpower?...
:whistle:
The force!
Well I guess the answer is friction. Which will get less as you use it.
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I still don't see how those are going to stay in the slot. Current toothpick has a bump that holds it in.
Willpower?...
:whistle:
The force!
Well I guess the answer is friction. Which will get less as you use it.
I awlways prefer friction over realirty, so...
:whistle:
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I still don't see how those are going to stay in the slot. Current toothpick has a bump that holds it in.
Willpower?...
:whistle:
The force!
Well I guess the answer is friction. Which will get less as you use it.
I awlways prefer friction over realirty, so...
:whistle:
:rofl:
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I still dont think we're gonna get to find out! :rant:
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Let's see. The latest update mail to backers has it that the January rewards have started shipping...
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Yes, saw the email.
Not that I ever doubted them.... :whistle:
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Received mine today. The presentation is nice, but I haven't had time to really look at it in depth.
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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.
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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... :tu:
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Received mine today. The presentation is nice, but I haven't had time to really look at it in depth.
:worthless:
Or at least the post is. :P
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Received mine today. The presentation is nice, but I haven't had time to really look at it in depth.
:worthless:
Or at least the post is. :P
I just returned home. Let me get these poorly lit photos organized and I'll post momentarily.
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(https://i.imgur.com/oalH1ud.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kyB49mY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GBITEM9.jpg)
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The presentations is nice indeed. I'm anxiously waiting for tests. :D :drool:
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I'd like just 1 too :whistle:
Perfect addition to my Swisschamp SOS.
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Well, it fits snugly into the toothpick slot, so they nailed that :tu:
(https://i.imgur.com/ilGm68c.jpg)
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;
(https://i.imgur.com/5nh5plq.jpg)
There is more testing that can be done, obviously. But so far I'd have to give it a thumbs up.
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Pretty cool. Glad they came thru with such nice fitment. I don't mind delays especially when the end result is nice.
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Still waiting.... :rant:
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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.
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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......
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Wait! Mr. Postman! :whistle:
(Im not typing the rest, you get it)
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Got mine today. :tu:
Pics to follow.....
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:popcorn:
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Sorry....gimme a couple minutes......
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I heard they actualy work...
I regret not backing it now. :facepalm:
What can I say? I'm not a risk taker :whistle:
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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?
(https://i.imgur.com/Zxzd47r.jpg)
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/G98ckwB.jpg)
I immediately installed a large in a Hiker, and a small in an Executive (in honor of Chuck Yeager :salute:).
The fit is great and, as previously speculated, relies on friction to hold the ferrorod in place. This seems adequate for these two SAKs.
(https://i.imgur.com/R4XR03j.jpg)
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? :tu:
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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:
(https://i.imgur.com/PxcH0A4.jpg)
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. :facepalm:
(https://i.imgur.com/PtmYVaD.jpg)
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:
(https://i.imgur.com/qyeWrtn.jpg)
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.
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Not bad at all. :tu: Heck if in the process you happen to break the ferro rod and still get a fire I'd certainly call that a win.
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Not bad at all. :tu: 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?
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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. :D
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These ferro rods are really neat. Love the GITD tips. Such fun little addition to any SAK. Great job to the designers. :like:
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Hey, did I mention the Firefly tips really do glow in the dark? :tu:
Thanks a bunch. I'm all out of SAK money and now I need them :facepalm:
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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? :rant:
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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? :rant:
Any work around?
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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? :rant:
Any work around?
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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? :rant:
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.... :think:
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Ah yes pen slot.
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Ah yes pen slot.
...and no pen, that would be like that 4 letter word W O R K.
Now to make some sparks! :salute:
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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
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Ah yes pen slot.
l have plans for the pen slot...
(the rattail file from the Minathor)
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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
Correct John, the TP would not bend but is also too wide. Meh..... :cheers:
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... and you SAKsperts can please advise me, which blades besides the saw blade back have the edge to make sparks?
Not having much luck with my collection.... :salute:
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Small blade :whistle:. Yeah yeah, this may not be popular but seeing how this ferro rod would be last ditch.....
Can opener may work as well. Certainly would ease the excitement over using the small blade ;). The backside awl should also work. Pretty much whatever has a sharp edge in my experience works well. I love the saw blades spine tho. Works really really well.
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Small blade :whistle:. Yeah yeah, this may not be popular but seeing how this ferro rod would be last ditch.....
Can opener may work as well. Certainly would ease the excitement over using the small blade ;). The backside awl should also work. Pretty much whatever has a sharp edge in my experience works well. I love the saw blades spine tho. Works really really well.
Ah ha! Awl backside, let's try...........
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Small blade :whistle:. Yeah yeah, this may not be popular but seeing how this ferro rod would be last ditch.....
Can opener may work as well. Certainly would ease the excitement over using the small blade ;). The backside awl should also work. Pretty much whatever has a sharp edge in my experience works well. I love the saw blades spine tho. Works really really well.
What about the scissors? They have an edge and don't do anything the small blade can't do. Save your more useful small blade/awl edges and sacrifice the redundant edge to the cause?
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The awl works well and it spares your blade.
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Also if you are outdoors a small sharp rock works fine. Or broken glass. On standard fero rods anyhow I assume same for these. On a test sakbi made with fero rod I squared off the top of the can opener tool so it had a crisp corner and that scraped well.
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Thanks for the hints! :cheers:
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I've tried:
Saw
Executive nail file
Can opener
Awl
Awl seem good. Saw is easiest to use.
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I've tried:
Saw
Executive nail file
Can opener
Awl
Awl seem good. Saw is easiest to use.
Yes, thanks Nix, best for my Huntsman outdoors.
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:tu:
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Small blade :whistle:. Yeah yeah, this may not be popular but seeing how this ferro rod would be last ditch.....
Can opener may work as well. Certainly would ease the excitement over using the small blade ;). The backside awl should also work. Pretty much whatever has a sharp edge in my experience works well. I love the saw blades spine tho. Works really really well.
What about the scissors? They have an edge and don't do anything the small blade can't do. Save your more useful small blade/awl edges and sacrifice the redundant edge to the cause?
For sure. I'd use anything that worked in an emergency. :salute:
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This just in, from my state of the art testing lab, (downstairs bathroom):
On the can opener tool, the little notch by (under) the small screwdriver works too!
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This just in, from my state of the art testing lab, (downstairs bathroom):
On the can opener tool, the little notch by (under) the small screwdriver works too!
Wow, my bad, suck as a scientist! The wire bender/stripper notch seems to throw sparks too! :salute:
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Upgraded my Victorinox Swiss Champ XLT.
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Just popping my head in this thread to ask a question, haven't read it all so apologies if it has been asked or answered before!
Do we have any sense of how many uses one might expect out of this ferro rod? It seems very thin. Also, does it seem at all brittle and liable to snap in half after it has been used a bit and thinned out?
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... and you SAKsperts can please advise me, which blades besides the saw blade back have the edge to make sparks?
Not having much luck with my collection.... :salute:
I put a 90 degree edge on my cap lifter and it works great!
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Just popping my head in this thread to ask a question, haven't read it all so apologies if it has been asked or answered before!
Do we have any sense of how many uses one might expect out of this ferro rod? It seems very thin. Also, does it seem at all brittle and liable to snap in half after it has been used a bit and thinned out?
I dont have an answer since I don't own one but, I can imagine in an emergency, once would be very welcomed. I'd think one could get a few( 3 or so ) uses however this is more emergency type thing so again once might be its role. I'd carry a pill fob with a tinderquick or something very similar to make catching a spark a lot easier. Thats my 2c worth.
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Just popping my head in this thread to ask a question, haven't read it all so apologies if it has been asked or answered before!
Do we have any sense of how many uses one might expect out of this ferro rod? It seems very thin. Also, does it seem at all brittle and liable to snap in half after it has been used a bit and thinned out?
I dont have an answer since I don't own one but, I can imagine in an emergency, once would be very welcomed. I'd think one could get a few( 3 or so ) uses however this is more emergency type thing so again once might be its role. I'd carry a pill fob with a tinderquick or something very similar to make catching a spark a lot easier. Thats my 2c worth.
It comes with a little strand of tinder - cute.
Yes, they say, hold it against a forefinger to strike it. Not many SAK edges are 90 degree enough IMHO, which is a bit disingenuous if you don't have the SAK they demonstrated.
It does work, as a cool addition/ gimic, I just dont think its for survival.
Ill give it a try this weekend and see whats up. So far B-
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The saw blade spine on SAKs is brilliant for striking a ferro rod.
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The awl is exceptional on a ferro rod from my experience.
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The ones I use in my drawer Saks are 58 cents. I bet if you glued a head on one you could fit it in the pen slot. Very similar diameter.
http://firesteel.com/firesteel-micro/
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The saw blade spine on SAKs is brilliant for striking a ferro rod.
Yes, that seems to be the best.
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Just got mine... they fit well in the SAKs at least.
Not so in the extra scales (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,73762.msg1593189.html#msg1593189) I added to the ST300VX though - the tool slots are too narrow, seems the Fireflies are wider than the T&T by quite a margin, and I used the T&T as templates for the design of the scales. Will have to redesign them (again ::) *sigh*)...
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Just got mine... they fit well in the SAKs at least.
Not so in the extra scales (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,73762.msg1593189.html#msg1593189) I added to the ST300VX though - the tool slots are too narrow, seems the Fireflies are wider than the T&T by quite a margin, and I used the T&T as templates for the design of the scales. Will have to redesign them (again ::) *sigh*)...
I know, was planning on using the Plus scale too....
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So, the tortoisegear website is still saying pre-orders? Are you guys kickstarter beneficiaries? Or are orders being fulfilled?
I use the toothpick more than the tweezers, so I too would rather have it fill the tweezer hole :/
Charles.
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So, the tortoisegear website is still saying pre-orders? Are you guys kickstarter beneficiaries? Or are orders being fulfilled?
I use the toothpick more than the tweezers, so I too would rather have it fill the tweezer hole :/
Charles.
Charles, right now I dont know WTF
It does work, good??
Ah.. whatever, do what you like and try it let us know !
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I was a Kickstarter backer, so don't know what the deal is with regular orders. Given the delays, it seems likely they're deep into back orders now.
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Are you guys kickstarter beneficiaries? ....
I use the toothpick more than the tweezers, so I too would rather have it fill the tweezer hole :/
Charles.
Yes, and I agree that some more flexibility might be hoped for...
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Are you guys kickstarter beneficiaries? ....
I use the toothpick more than the tweezers, so I too would rather have it fill the tweezer hole :/
Charles.
Yes, and I agree that some more flexibility might be hoped for...
Yes, I was and as Duck says, must be backorders- went over by months!
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Must be the scales, falls right out of two of mine.
Will use a piece of clear tape, fire would be for emergency only anyway..... :rant:
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... and also, not much luck with anything but the SAK saw back ...
Could be me......
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Must be the scales, falls right out of two of mine.
Will use a piece of clear tape, fire would be for emergency only anyway..... :rant:
Uh... oops, holding SAK up to the light, I could see the scale was not snapped all the way. So I fixed and the FF is in ok- still not the best item, but I want to be fair....my fault on this one...
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...and I take back the previous apology... picked up Huntsman and Tinker, fell right out, brand new! Temp and humidity changes? Lowering to C- real fast.
Tests continue...
Comments guys? :rant:
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... and also, not much luck with anything but the SAK saw back ...
Could be me......
Given the idea of the FF, I think it would be best suited to carry in a SAK with saw. While I'm not saying its the best idea the small blade could work too. If in an emergency I'd have no problem striking a ferro rod with my knifes edge.
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...and I take back the previous apology... picked up Huntsman and Tinker, fell right out, brand new! Temp and humidity changes? Lowering to C- real fast.
Tests continue...
Comments guys? :rant:
While the temperature here in SoCal is relatively stable we do get change. I've not had any issue with any scale tools on my SAKs. Does the FF easily fit or is there some resistance when putting into the space. I wonder if a bit more resistance would have been better? For example, on my Swisschamp, the pen has some resistance both withdrawing and inserting, same on my CT29. Might be some sort of slight bend in the pen but its a positive feel and never an issue of the pen coming out.
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...and I take back the previous apology... picked up Huntsman and Tinker, fell right out, brand new! Temp and humidity changes? Lowering to C- real fast.
Tests continue...
Comments guys? :rant:
While the temperature here in SoCal is relatively stable we do get change. I've not had any issue with any scale tools on my SAKs. Does the FF easily fit or is there some resistance when putting into the space. I wonder if a bit more resistance would have been better? For example, on my Swisschamp, the pen has some resistance both withdrawing and inserting, same on my CT29. Might be some sort of slight bend in the pen but its a positive feel and never an issue of the pen coming out.
You are correct about how the pen retains. Its not the pen that is bent though its the channel. If you look down the pen slot on a plus back scale when removed you can see its not straight.
SO..
Pen - retained by bent channel in scale
Tweezer - retained by spring opening force of tweezer
Toothpick - retained by little notch that is part of the toothpick that engages in the plastic slot
This is why from the beginning I said it wasn't a good method for retention to just rely on friction. Told the maker that too, noone cared. I still recommend just getting a firesteel meant for carry on a keyring and put that on a sak keyring. More practical and wont be lost. There are tons of options for that.
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Thanks :salute: don't think it was really meant for a SHTF situation, novelty idea...I think Vic would have come up with something if they thought it viable option.
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...and thanks Syph and Aloha for responding to the new guy.
:salute:
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Thanks Syph. I'll have to look at my plus scales more closely.
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Thanks :salute: don't think it was really meant for a SHTF situation, novelty idea...I think Vic would have come up with something if they thought it viable option.
Can you find some method for better or more secure retention? Its still a neat idea but you certainly don't want it to fall out.
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Thanks :salute: don't think it was really meant for a SHTF situation, novelty idea...I think Vic would have come up with something if they thought it viable option.
Can you find some method for better or more secure retention? Its still a neat idea but you certainly don't want it to fall out.
I suppose you could put a tiny piece of clear tape over it... :think:
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I ordered a variety pack of these and have been disappointed. I'm not having much luck using these in any if my SAKS.
They either won't go in at all it will slide out if they do go in.
Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk
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I ordered a variety pack of these and have been disappointed. I'm not having much luck using these in any if my SAKS.
They either won't go in at all it will slide out if they do go in.
Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk
... and only decent striker seems to be the SAK saw... :rant:
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Got one to stay on my Huntsman plus scales by putting the scale tools in the wrong slots, can't tell...unless you look closely.
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Thats a simple work around. Hope it stays put. I sure hope fire fly is listening to the feed back. I still thing the idea is neat.
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I dunno A007, you're too nice, all these issues... think we should get on the net and swat this Firefly?
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I dunno A007, you're too nice, all these issues... think we should get on the net and swat this Firefly?
:rofl:
I hoped they would have tested and tested on a lot of SAKs. New and used. Come on fire fly people are you listening?
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I have one in the Swisschamp which hasn't fallen out yet. And I'd even taken that scale off for opening the slot for the short tweezers and put it back on. The slot for the long tweezers on the other scale is now occupied by the toothpick after a minor filing off of its head.
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I was able to get one into my Executive. I'd imagine that as you use it, it will get loose fitting in the cavity.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180805/f21d652cc09452c9efe4e641ba24f302.jpg)
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After all the mods and work arounds, does it make a damn fire like in their video?!?
If not.... SWAT !!
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I've grown very fond of tinder quick or wet fire. Easy enough to carry and well worth the time to find a way to carry them. One spark should be enough in an emergency even from this firefly. I bought some cheapo ones and they worked well enough. I also have some wicked storm matches. Good gosh they are hard to put out.
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I've grown very fond of tinder quick or wet fire. Easy enough to carry and well worth the time to find a way to carry them. One spark should be enough in an emergency even from this firefly. I bought some cheapo ones and they worked well enough. I also have some wicked storm matches. Good gosh they are hard to put out.
...007, are you actually in Hawaii. If be real careful during storms.
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I've grown very fond of tinder quick or wet fire. Easy enough to carry and well worth the time to find a way to carry them. One spark should be enough in an emergency even from this firefly. I bought some cheapo ones and they worked well enough. I also have some wicked storm matches. Good gosh they are hard to put out.
...007, are you actually in Hawaii. If be real careful during storms.
I'm in California, thank you tho. :salute:
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Going back to the pen in my Huntsman plus scales.
Not putting things in backwatds to prevent the FF from falling out or tape to hold it in, not suitable for real emergencies anyway imho.
Swat the FF
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Has anyone actually tried this? I've not as yet.
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Might be a case of really neat idea in theory but in a practical application not so much. On a side note, these make more sense to me :tu:. Or something similar.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PSGOH3C/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00PSGOH3C
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I got spark but only from the Huntsman saw back 90 edge. Only tried tissue paper, didnt work but not the best tinder. Something up with their video or correct tinder was used.
Yes I've seen the toggles recommended by outdoor types :)
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Attach the toggle to any outdoor gear and you are good to go. Heres what I like. Its a clone of the Nanostiker. I added a piece of "tinder quick" type cotton. Its super flammable with just a spark. I also keep jute in a small hank handy. The clone nano striker is small enough IMO to keep on a keychain. Its also not threatening looking. No-one would know what it was.
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Attach the toggle to any outdoor gear and you are good to go. Heres what I like. Its a clone of the Nanostiker. I added a piece of "tinder quick" type cotton. Its super flammable with just a spark. I also keep jute in a small hank handy. The clone nano striker is small enough IMO to keep on a keychain. Its also not threatening looking. No-one would know what it was.
That looks like a nice set up. And as long as it works, thats all that matters! :like:
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Thanks. Its been great in trying out and testing. I was curious more than anything. I was also very curious about the FF but after this thread I think I'm over it. I like a few ways to start fire. Lighter, ferro rod, storm proof matches.
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Thanks all! :cheers:
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Ferro Vanadium is produced from Vanadium Sludge & usually available in the range with V: 50-85%. Ferro Vanadium acts as universal toughener, enhancing and rust preventive additive for steels like high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel, tool steels, as well as other ferrous-based products. Origin of Ferro Vanadium is mainly India and China.
Moderator edit: link removed
Sorry to have to pull your link, but it is in violation of our forum policies on advertising. :salute:
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So far, falls out of most of my SAKs but that's ok, only the back edge of the saw blade has enough angle to spark it anyway.
My opinion- great idea, does not work entirely as advertised...
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I was in the kickstarter and got a pack of 3 full size strikers. So far they have fit my knifes no problem, haven't had the issues with falling out.
Up until I read this, I would have highly recommended this for a Victorinox SAK enthusiast. They are a little small but can definitely throw enough sparks to start a fire in a survival situation. The metal file is definitely the best tool to strike with, and the wood saw is second best. And you do have to be careful because of the size, but with a little practice it's not bad.
I too actually use the toothpick and wish there was another option on where it can be stored, but I always seem to have a second knife or tool on me.
But for the price I think it's a neat add on for your EDC SAK. Just my opinion, but as a backup plan for having fire, this is a great little product. I would still bring my bigger ferro rod if I knew I was going to starting multiple fires but this will work in a pinch.
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I was in the kickstarter and got a pack of 3 full size strikers. So far they have fit my knifes no problem, haven't had the issues with falling out.
Up until I read this, I would have highly recommended this for a Victorinox SAK enthusiast. They are a little small but can definitely throw enough sparks to start a fire in a survival situation. The metal file is definitely the best tool to strike with, and the wood saw is second best. And you do have to be careful because of the size, but with a little practice it's not bad.
I too actually use the toothpick and wish there was another option on where it can be stored, but I always seem to have a second knife or tool on me.
But for the price I think it's a neat add on for your EDC SAK. Just my opinion, but as a backup plan for having fire, this is a great little product. I would still bring my bigger ferro rod if I knew I was going to starting multiple fires but this will work in a pinch.
???
On my Executive, the toothpick remains and this device replaced the tweezers.
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Oh on the smaller size I guess it could go either place. But on the bigger size I might have to file the end down to make it fit flush as it is shaped perfectly to replace the toothpick.