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AR15.COM
4/21/2009 7:08:10 PM EDT
Does anyone have any experience with the Swedish Fire Steel Scout Fire Starter?? Any pros/cons?  If not, what steel fire starter are you using/recommend?
4/21/2009 8:17:00 PM EDT
[#1]
works fine, but a little small, I went with a 1/4" fire steel instead. The smaller one gets thin and breaks easy.

I would toss that striker and replace it with a jigsaw blade, it bends too easy.
4/21/2009 10:27:01 PM EDT
[#2]
I have a steel sized similarly to the Army fire steel. It works well as a firesteel, but that doesn't mean that much. A firesteel works to generate sparks, which is OK for some things, but isn't really preferable for every situation. A bit better plan might be to keep a Bic lighter, a firesteel, and a small amount of tinder. All three together won't take up much room, and can add a lot more flexibility in terms of use and time required. If you would like, check out the review on firestarting tools http://thetopgearpicks.com/Common%20Firestarting%20Tools.html
4/22/2009 6:58:29 AM EDT
[#3]
I use either the top edge of my issue pilots survival knife or the file on my Gerber 600 to strike it as the steel it came with was/is crap.  I have acouple of these & they have suited just fine for afew years now.  I wear one around my neck with 1 dog-tag & one dog-tag "blank" that I use as a signal mirror device.

Pathfinder
4/22/2009 9:25:46 AM EDT
[#4]
I have that exact one, and I like it.  But I have not used any others to compare it to.  It goes with me all the time.
4/22/2009 4:56:08 PM EDT
[#5]
Any locking or fixed blade knife with a squared off, uncoated, spine will work. I have had decent results with both my moras and Spyderco endura.

I made my firesteels with some 1/4" ferrocerium rods I picked up for about $1.50 each shipped on ebay.
4/24/2009 2:24:16 PM EDT
[#6]
I have used this to good affect.  Just expect for it to take about a month to get it.  But you cant beat the price.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12305
4/24/2009 5:20:15 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
I have used this to good affect.  Just expect for it to take about a month to get it.  But you cant beat the price.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12305



Sportsman's Guide has those for $14 for 3.  You can get them in about a week.

Pathfinder
4/25/2009 2:08:30 PM EDT
[#8]
Cheap Fire Steels

I prefer the 1/4" x 2 1/2" / 3".  It's easy to make a handle and as others said, hacksaw blade works great for a striker.

4/26/2009 2:59:28 AM EDT
[#9]
I got the scout too and they work good.  The ones I got from Ebay which is similar to dealextreme works the same.  It's cheaper and supposed to last longer due the 1/4 size rod.  

Sorry for the high jack but do bigger ferro rods make bigger sparks or they just last longer?

556man
4/26/2009 10:19:21 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have used this to good affect.  Just expect for it to take about a month to get it.  But you cant beat the price.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12305



Sportsman's Guide has those for $14 for 3.  You can get them in about a week.

Pathfinder



Id rather buy from a company in Hong Kong then Sportsman warehouse.  Sorry.,
4/26/2009 11:19:20 AM EDT
[#11]
If you're looking to buy just the blank Ferro rods, check out my buddy Tracy
Haven't found any place that beats his prices. Quality is great, customer service is even better. Tell him Mike sent you.
4/26/2009 7:27:33 PM EDT
[#12]
I like the bigger ones better (a bit easier to strike)
but I do have this one, I keep it in my canteen kit as a backup.