Fire Steel - one better than another?

[Mampfies]

FWIW, got 2 devices for $2 each at a thrift store. My best guess is, they're used for lighting welding torches--'bout 7 inches long, a big u-shape handle of springy metal, a wingnut on one side that holds what I presume is a flint, a raspy horizontal bar on the other side. Can't take or post pics, sorry.

One squeeze with one of my very weak hands,
and SWEET JESUS, DID SPARKS FLY ALL OVER!

Cool!

Can fit in a hind pocket, kind of, but definitely going in the BoB and BoV.

[Exploriment]

It's my understanding that JX Metals in Shanghai manufactures most firesteels.

[111t]

To be fair to SG... This is what I think happened. For months the fire sticks had been listed as "sold out". Then I noticed them in a print catalog again and sure enough you could order them again. Sure enough though they were on back order. So basically I watch SG close enough to see whe some items go from "we don't have any" to "we're ordering some" at which point they start taking orders. I order some. So basically they take them off one truck and pack them up to send to me. In an ideal world someone would recognize that the product is significantly different and get someone who works outside the warehouse to call all the customers to explain the situation and possibly lose sales. Possibly the warehouse workers have no idea what the difference is and therefore did not perceive a problem. Since there was only one back ordered item it was an easy pick ticket no doubt. I have clearly brought the item differences to the attention of people who work at desks. Hopefully the image and description will change within the week. I got my return authorization within 20min of my email Friday afternoon.

Still sucks though.

So I tried to scrape the metal rod with the back of my svord peasant to get some shavings but it didn't work very well. One thing I've learned about magnesium bars is that the Doan machine ones... The actual NSN registered ones shave "like budda" compared to the imports. If I want a magnesium bar I buy a Doan. Period. John McCann has a great price on them at survival resources. He also has things that look like these cheapo ferro rods with magnesium. I recommend the Doan bar if you're going the magnesium bar route.

Doan bar.

http://bepreparedtosurvive.com/FirestarterProducts.htm

It's my understanding that JX Metals in Shanghai manufactures most firesteels.

It doesn't surprise me. China is the leading producer of rare earths. The "made in Sweden" ones are probably Chinese rods with Chinese glue and handles made from Chinese plastic assembled in Sweden. I should be clear. I don't have a problem with stuff made in china if it's done right. -Sent from my iPhone. The old rods were great. Costs have obviously gone up and rather than raise the price they just cheapened the product and that sucks. And I hope when SG gets mine back they send them back to the supplier with a note to kindly shove them up their a*s.

It's the free market at work.

[SpecWar]

www.firesteel.com > American Company I believe. Great products.

[Woods Walker]

http://www.firesteel.com > American Company I believe. Great products.

Yup the company is American but I don't think the firesteel blanks are made in the USA.

[111t]

Several months later. Several catalogs later. Sportsman's Guide still shows the old style ferro rods. They've had ample time to change the photo and description. I now officially blame them for unethical marketing.