Fire ant, ferrocium fire stater for SAKs

[Scorpion Regent]

Any opinions on the Fire Ant fire steel? 



 Personally I think it's too small to be practical, but that's just me.

[Jackpine54]

I did a test when I first got one. I also used their orange tinder. 3 test and 3 fires with no problem.

The method I used was to shred the tinder and place my swisschamp saw right up against the pile, spine up. Then hold the steel between thumb and third finger with pointer finger laid on top of the steel for support. Then just draw it over the saw spine. Sparks were very impressive and tinder caught every time on second or third stroke. I like it enough to have bought several more.

[Nix]

I've tested both a Fire Ant and the Fire Fly.

Both work.

The Fire Fly is a bit delicate, and I broke the first one I tried. But, with a little practice and good technique, I think the Fire Flys work well.  ('Flys' or 'Flies'?)

The Fire Ant seems robust.

With both of these, I think good tinder becomes more important. You can be a bit careless with tinder prep when you are throwing jumbo sparks off a massive 6" fire steel. The diminutive Fire Ants & Flys require a bit more attention to tinder and set up. With both of these, I spark the tinder into flame and then either add more tinder to the flame, or move the burning tinder to my fire lay.

The little corkscrew Helix tinders sold by Tortoise are great. But the Fire Fly and Fire Ant have worked with PJB's, and waxed jute.

Small and delicate, but with good tinder and technique they work. I view them as a back up to a more robust fire-starting system, but I like 'em enough that I've added them to many of my SAKs.



Fire Ant with fluffed up gray Helix tinder.



Tinder burning long enough to grab more tinder and get.....



Fire!

[gadgetman7]

I’ve used the Firefly several times. The saw method works well but I’ve also had good luck with the wire stripper. That’s why I added one to my Compact. They can be fragile so I also use my index finger as a support. Also, I agree that the tinder is important. That’s why I use the Tortoise gear Helix tinder as well in the Compact or other knives with a corkscrew. I’ve found that I can still keep the mini screwdriver and also use the Helix.


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[Nix]

Do you sharpen the wire stripper in someway?

Vic's manufacturing process tends to round off all the edges of the tools. The Saw and the Awl are the most reliable strikers that I've found.

I do like to sharpen the inner radius of the Cap Lifter. I use a round file (chainsaw sharpener and a diamond rod) to put a sharp "90º Spine" on the inside of the cap lifter. Sharpened up, it makes a nice striker for ferro rods.

[gadgetman7]

I don’t sharpen it at all. I just use the Firefly at an angle.




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[gadgetman7]

Couldn’t upload the video. Here are two more screen captures.





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[Nix]

Nice!

[kamakiri]

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,84148.msg2095937.html#msg2095937

Practical enough for me. Been using them since spring and all summer. Even the kids have been practicing with them with some success.

Victorinox wouldn’t have added them to the official supply chain if they didn’t work.

Before I judged wether they (ants) could work at such short lengths, I tested starting fires and throwing sparks from just the tip of a firefly. That worked, so I was one of the first to join the Kickstarter campaign. No regrets and I’ll buy more if/when my supply runs out.

[GrouchoM]

Anyone use one up yet?

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[Nix]

Anyone use one up yet?

I've only tested mine. They aren't a dedicated sparker for me, just back-ups.

And I've regressed to using flint & steel.......... 

[kamakiri]

Anyone use one up yet?

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Unfortunately, not me/us. Practice for the kids cost three broken ones so far. Four if you count one that I intentionally broke to test for strength.

[Farmer X]

They aren't a dedicated sparker for me, just back-ups.

I have a mini ferro rod from Wazoo Survival Gear, which is 1 7/16 inches (36.5 mm) by 7/32 inches (5.5 mm). Though I can get it to spark and ignite tinder, there is a trick to it, and it's a little uncomfortable to hold. Luckily I tested it in my driveway before I took it into the wilderness! That ferro rod is definitely a backup for me; the Fire Ant and Fire Fly would be backups as well. I'd also prefer a ferro rod that replaces the ballpoint pen, as I'm a lot more inclined to use the toothpick...but that's just me.

[Scorpion Regent]

I've only tested mine. They aren't a dedicated sparker for me, just back-ups.

And I've regressed to using flint & steel.......... 

As a back up it makes sense, but I all ready have a back up for my 8mm ferro rod, it's called a Bic.  Backing up is good, but there's a reason my truck only has one reverse gear.  I could get one for the novelty, (it is cool.) but the micro screwdriver is going to get more use.  I could buy one to help make my hands look bigger, but large gloves are too tight as it is.  Got to say that as great as it is I am going to take a pass on this one.  I do want to thank everyone for their comments, they did help.  If you guys want to keep the party going, feel free to knock yourselves out.

[Fireman]

there's a reason my truck only has one reverse gear. 

I'll bet your truck has a spare tire and an emergency brake.  Same thing with people wanting a backup fire starter.  In my case, I carry a Firefly or Fire Ant because they are the lightest and easist to stow.  They're emergency equipment only, on hikes where I could end up stuck for the night, but it's unlikely.  Not having a tiny screwdriver is no loss at all in those situations.  They're also incredibly cool little gadgets, which is reason enough for me to buy one.   

[Jackpine54]

 

[GrouchoM]

I'll bet your truck has a spare tire and an emergency brake.  Same thing with people wanting a backup fire starter.  In my case, I carry a Firefly or Fire Ant because they are the lightest and easist to stow.  They're emergency equipment only, on hikes where I could end up stuck for the night, but it's unlikely.  Not having a tiny screwdriver is no loss at all in those situations.  They're also incredibly cool little gadgets, which is reason enough for me to buy one.   

How many spare tires do you take with you, though?

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[gadgetman7]

If you don’t use the toothpick you can replace it with the Firefly and use the Helix with the Mini screwdriver. Mine are set up that way.


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[kamakiri]

As a back up it makes sense, but I all ready have a back up for my 8mm ferro rod, it's called a Bic.  Backing up is good, but there's a reason my truck only has one reverse gear.  I could get one for the novelty, (it is cool.) but the micro screwdriver is going to get more use.  I could buy one to help make my hands look bigger, but large gloves are too tight as it is.  Got to say that as great as it is I am going to take a pass on this one.  I do want to thank everyone for their comments, they did help.  If you guys want to keep the party going, feel free to knock yourselves out.

 

Yeah, they’re not for everybody! I got them for novelty and emergencies. But what good is an emergency item if you’ve never used it or don’t have confidence that it’ll work when called on?  Bic lighters make total sense. But I’ve broken those and I’m not going to carry extras.