You were holding the striker wrong. Hold it flat , then slightly lift the back edge. Maybe Nathan was having an off day. We all do. He’s a really super great guy!
I know Nathan personally and he’s literally one of the most generous people I’ve ever met, his ferro rods are great, they throw molten showers. I’m not here to attack you in any way, just man to man. If you take this comment down I understand but there’s a million guys who have RU-vid channels that want free crap because they think they can promote someone’s business, here’s the straight truth. Why did you message him? Do what everyone else does, go on his eBay store and just buy one, sounds like an unnecessary slam on a guy who’s trying to run a business. Not to mention if you had a problem you should’ve direct messaged him to resolve instead of making a video about it, possibly causing someone financial hardship.
Great video. I use bayite, never have had any issues, and, I also have a couple of cheapies and they throw great sparks. I think technique and quality of the tinder bundle is more important than quality of the rod. Just my thoughts..
There is a phenomenon called "perceived value" where we actually believe things that cost more are more valuable.. The same bottle of wine will taste "different" to a person who is charged $200.00 opposed to $10.
Ferro rod is a ferro rod is a ferro rod. Nathan's striker and rod handles are what makes it. I love my matching set. Could I have made them myself? sure, but I have better things to do with my time, plus, buying them from him, supports him. I'm sure he's tired of youtuber's emailing him and wanting free shit to test out. I asked him if I could "buy" a set with matching 4 inch handles with a 3/4 x 6inch long ferro rod. He made them over the weekend, and I had them a few days later.
@@outerlimitless Yeah, I don't know what your conversation was, all you posted was his side. I used to sell custom flashlights and post them in various configurations on instagram. I can't tell you how many times u-tubers contacted me wanting a free $90 flashlight in exchange for them doing a review. Seemed like one a day, and got very tiring.
@@CaptainRon1913 I asked him if I could buy a matching set because at the time he only had miss matched sets on eBay. I asked for nothing free and wanted a matched set as I intended on using it for a video. And I read his response exactly as he wrote it. It is what it is.
I use a piece of an old, broken triangle shaped key-file that stayed connected to the file handle as firesteel striker. It even produces good shavings from an old, real hard block of magnesium, made in China and throws sparks like a volcano from every firesteel, even the cheap, real hard ones. On the other hand it is quite difficult to get shavings from any firesteel without throwing sparks. Even my old Fallknifen A1 with the back filed to a sharp 90° angle is not able to throw sparks or shaving magnesium like the file does. The piece of key file is about 6" long and half an inch in diameter, so packing size is not an issue.
The truth..if that's what this is about is the softer the rod, the more chunks of metal come off. Yes, they don't last as long, the harder ones last longer. But personally, I'd take the softer rod 10 out of 10 times. The more chunks that are flying around and bursting into flames, the better chance of completing ignition, which means a better chance of saving your life.
With them ridges in the Ferro rods they happened to everyone that actually uses their Ferro rods LOL. I found the best way to get them out as just take some sandpaper and send them down a little bit
Great Video! Yeah no difference in the ferro Rods. What amazes me is guys and their strikers. Let me give ya a huge tip an you'll thank me. You wanna make your own high quality striker like the Nathan? 2 words for ya! 1/4" Tool Bit! If you don't know what a tool bit is for I'll tell ya... it's used in the Tool and Die and machining industry. It's use on lathes and on mills (fly cutter) to cut and machine steel. They are hardend and square and make many different sizes. 1/4" , 3/8" and 1/2" and are about 2 1/2" long. You can simply make your own handle and glue in a 1/4" toolbit into it. Super cheap and easy and that's all he is doing. Nothing high tech or fancy or special. 1/4" toolbit is all that is needed. I should sell my own and glue them into Antler handles im sure guys would buy them.
Save money and stay with Bayite rods. I have $40 rods that don't work any better than a $11 Bayite from Ebay. Always get them with pre-drilled holes for a lanyard. Use a Ranger band to hold the striker and a small piece of fatwood, or cotton balls with vaseline on it in a small plastic bag, onto the rod. A neat little package that will just about guarantee a fire. It could save your life if out in the woods and become injured or lost. Thanks for the great comparison.
How to use a Ferro rod properly is something everyone who spend any amount of time in the wild should learn along with a few other methods of fire staring like Flint and steel, friction and chemical reactions and more. For me it's not as much about Quality and more about knowing how to use it.
Dude.. you make great videos. Don't bother with the people who think differently. Forget cheap or expensive fire starting equipment... In a survival situation, If you don't know how to make and use a bow drill.. all this is useless. Getting that fire is important. How and why and when is pointless. I could have the best ferro-rod in the market, but if I'm shivering and cold and nearly unconscious and I can't strike it... its useless to me. From what I know about Ferro rods, there are basically 2 types. One softer and one harder material one. Cerium is mixed with iron and a few other elements (magnesium and some other materials) to give its characteristics. Softer ones will give off great sparks but wear out faster while harder ferro rods create less sparks but will last longer. Don't think any of this matters. What matters is how you use that ferrocerium rod. Brilliant video btw. I have just ordered Light my fire fire steel ferrorod. Have 3 of the Bayites and a few local ones that were less than 5 dollars.
I have used "budget" rods for years, including Bayite rods. I've never had a problem. There is something to be said for the fun of having decorative handles, but as far as the actual function of the rods, I don't see much, if any difference.
Yeah, from what I have been told by people more in the business there are 2 main types of rod composition, and almost all of which are sourced from the same place for the most part.
My handle is not that decorative. Some homemade firecord wrapped halfway down. and same for a lanyard/ tether. If I lose my tinder cord and its wet out, theres more right on the rod. Until then, it gives great grip. I use mostly just the tip of the rod and it gets sharpened like a pencil. I try not to get too much of the coating off. saltwater and high humidity are the only things that will kill a giant ferro. Not like you cant put oil, wax or nail polish on it. Not that ferro's oxidization is all that quick either
I have the same Bayite ferro rod and it works great, this reminds me of a blind taste test that was conducted years back , college students said Grey Goose Vodka was the best they won’t drink anything but Grey Goose guess what brand was not preferred during the blind taste test, yep Grey Goose 👍😁
I use the bayite in both that 6" and the 2 hole 1" model that i make survivorcord bracelets with. They're excellent and haven't failed me yet. Even the tiny ones last forever, if you properly bank your fires i would say it could last years of survival use. Dont buy into the gimic ferro is ferro
There is two types of Ferrocerium Rods Ferro Rods are made from Iron , Magnesium , and Cerium The more Iron the harder the Ferro ROD Nathan 4071 has the less Iron Ferro Rods and since they are softer they throw more sparks ! As for the Bayite I have no clue what the Iron content is , it may be the same as Nathan 4071 and it may not . I have both hard and soft , the hard last longer but the soft Nathan 4071 ROD throws more sparks
I like Bayite Ferro Rods also. They are my favorite ferro rods (along with EricX Light Ferro Rods on Amazon). There are many different compositions (metal recipes combining two or more metals) of ferro rods depending on the manufacture you order from. But, most of the common brands on Amazon and Ebay are simply generic ferro rods from China sold under a unique company name. See below: Fire Steel Composition: It is also known in Europe as Auermetall after its inventor Baron Carl Auer von Welsbach. Three different Auermetalls were developed: the First was iron and cerium, the Second also included lanthanum to produce brighter sparks, and the Third added other heavy metals. In the Baron von Welsbach's first alloy, 30% iron (ferrum) was added to purified cerium, hence the name "ferro-cerium". A modern ferrocerium firesteel product is composed of an alloy of rare-earth metals called mischmetal (containing approximately 20.8% iron, 41.8% cerium, about 4.4% each of praseodymium, neodymium, and magnesium, plus 24.2% lanthanum.) A variety of other components are added to modify the spark and processing characteristics. Most contemporary flints are hardened with iron oxide and magnesium oxide. Technique is important also. Remove the paint on the outside of the rod. Keep the scraper stationary and forcefully pull the rod to get the sparks you need. Of course, from time to time, I still find myself moving the striker because it seams more natural than pulling the rod against the striker. See the article below for a more in depth explanation: www.outdoorlife.com/use-these-tips-to-avoid-beginners-mistakes-with-spark-rods/ Personally, I like "David West" Homemade Fire Steels. These are awesome, easy to produce and are low cost to produce. See video below: Make A File Steel Striker out of Bastard Mill File DIY: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6LRWhrIvtS8.html DIY Fire Steel from Bastard Mill Fire: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HOPECwE-Mck.html DIY Fire Steel From File on Quartz Rock: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ez5VSBnboho.html You can learn a lot from David Wests channel regarding fire making skills. As far as a fluff maker, a small saw on a Swiss Army knife will create tiny pieces of sawdust that work extremely well with a ferro rod (example models: the Camper or the Fieldmaster). A $1 Betty Crocker brand Cheese Grater from the Dollar Tree store is pocket size and includes a small, built-in container to hold the shredded cheese. This works fantastic as a fat wood, saw dust generator when in the woods. Hope this helps. Sincerely, Jacob May 31st, 2021
Check out, "Ferro Rod Techniques from a Green Beret | Gray Bearded Green Beret", He has a great technic.Pull the rod while keeping the scraper stationary.
Try planting your scraper hand and draw the ferro rod to you. The rods are normally just different in the hardness. Harder ones last longer but a little harder to get huge sparks. Softer ones gives you less life but normally shed more material.
Type in on ebay nathan4071 ferro rods. As rods come up. Check out the seller you will find him. Then scroll down to sellers other items it thst and you will get his selection. Happy hunting.
My Bayites work as well as EVERY expensive rod I've ever used. Just some are softer, some are harder. So you must adapt your technique to the type of ferro rod you are using. The Grey Bearned Green Beret (i think that's his name has the BEST ferro rod tutorials by far) I'll recheck the name but his techniques are perfect. Again, ill recheck the name n let you know.
I feel the bayite sparks better. However like Nathan said it's all in technique I've seen people start fires with the small ferro rods they put on bracelets in one go.
Thanks for this review, subscribed. Was about to purchase some other brand of ferro rod for 2x the price of the Bayite, but after seeing these results I will just get the Bayite. You get what you pay for, but often times all that means is you get a fancy name.
It works great. Its my handle wrap on my giant baylite. Good grip, Extra firecord where it takes no space, lights on the first strike nearly every time. I also use it for tethers and lanyards. Cant lose it when its everywhere on a bunch of your gear.
I don't think it's a waste of money buying a item of the same size at a cheaper price that makes exactly the same thing, creating sparks. Even if the other one is better at making sparks, if the one you have is good enough at making sparks why does it matter? The important thing is that you can easily make fire. Fanboys and cultists have a funny way of promoting their preferences.
It looks like your bayite is throwing larger sparks to me. I would be amazed if most if not all of these “boutique “ firesteel companies didn’t buy their stock from the same supplier.
I don’t think there was any difference in spark. Who actually manufactures ferro rods? I’d have to read the list of the components and their percentages used that make a ferro rod from scratch for each rod to see if there was something attributing to varied performance. That might determine which one is better. As far as scrapers go, Dave Canterbury has a video on using ferro rods. He used a piece of broken glass that threw a big shower of sparks. He also said if your ferro rod has an attached handle, he’s never seen one that didn’t come off over time. He says to drill a hole through the handle and rod and pin it. My question is, what is the best wood for making feathers that is easy to light with a ferro rod? Is it the wood, the quality and kind of wood used, or does it come down to how fine and thin are the feathers? You’d think that the finer whispier feathers would ignite easier. If that’s the case then maybe it’s the type of blade used that is able to produce such quality feathers. You’re into the science of bushcraft because in a lot of instances, it really is a science. How to make successful, reproducible attempts at bushcraft techniques and practices.
I think I'm in this entire journey to answer the question WHY and HOW. I love to know why things behave or act like they do. And I REALLY like to learn how to adapt or control situations to the best of my ability. I think having a plan, good practice, and the general understanding is the only way to safely approach many situations, so I control as many variables as I can. Answer some questions in a controlled environment so when mother nature is mad, I can hopefully survive...haha!
Bottom line is know your gear and test or use it at home in a safe environment before you go out into the wilderness and rely on it to survive any kind of fire starter will do the trick once the user knows it well enough to be able to use it effectively 🔥 🔥🔥🪵🪓🌲
I love how he isn't scared to admit that his technique was flawed and he corrected it over time and pointed out what was wrong at the same time he's educating well learning himself great video
I've bought Bayite ferro rods off both eBay and Amazon. All of them throw sparks just fine, so I'm good with the cheap stuff. I would try not to worry too much about the comments that you're doing it wrong, or wasting your money. If you're getting sparks off your ferro rod, you can't be doing too much wrong, and you haven't wasted your money if you're getting what you need - sparks.
Any of them will work just fine. I've bought a lot of different ones and they've all worked. The people telling you that you wasted your money more than likely wasted theirs buying pretty much the same thing with a handle added.
I agree with this. No matter what kinda ferro rod I'm using, a 10 dollar Amazon rod or a $65 REI Premium job, the striker seems to be more important. My technique and the quality of my striking edge make the biggest difference in my experience.
Agreed and all due respect , he didn't create his own ferro rod company with a new magical chemistry . Strikers made from ceramic and high speed tool steel used with lathes is not exactly rocket science . I did it over 40 years ago .
@@makerofmanythings8447 This ferro rod worship got stupid years ago and it's amusing how many individuals think using a ferro rod requires talent . Zippo lighter + spare flints with extra fuel in an eye drops bottle and common book matches . The ferro is for backup . 3 ways to start a fire and try starting a fire in freezing rain with a ferro rod after spending 10 minutes prepping the tinder . ATB
@@QuantumPyrite_88.9 Thats NOT me, you've got it backwards bro, all I carry is a fatwood farro rod firestarter with 6 foot of firecord that I make. all of the rest of the fire making implements are for yuppie, snowflakes, but that's just me, with all do respect.
I use Bayite Ferro rod all the time. Don't think Nathen Ferro rods are any better. You just paying for him to put a handle on it. Don't let people fool you into believing there is a difference. Keep up the good work brother
Any ferro rod you use expensive or cheap will end up with ridges if you use them enough. The Baylite rods are fine and are an excellent value. To me that Nathan 4071 is just too chunky. You can remove those ridges with some light filing. In the end who cares as long as you have a ferro rod with you and it starts a fire when you need it to.
I've never, not once had a problem starting a fire with my Bayite. I think 99% of them come from China anyhow, so there's no sense in arguing which is best.
This has become my favorite channel. Your honest, sincere and have a teachers heart. You don’t claim to be all-knowing, but your knowledge is extremely helpful. Keep up the great work.
Thank you...I appreciate that. I truly try to look at things objectively and produce videos based upon my experience and to relate it to how it might apply to others. Sometimes long winded, yes...but I try to be complete! Thanks for watching!
Super glue a small flathead nail to the end of the ferro rod for a full scrap stroke or drive the nail into the edge of the fat wood for a base platform. Use a drill bit the same size as the nailhead and drill an indentation into the bottom of the ferro rod. Place the indentation on the nailhead for stability
He probably gets tons of calls from RU-vidrs asking for products/samples/freebees. The fact that most ferrocerium rods in the same class perform pretty much the same suggests that there is not a lot of incentive for him to be giving his product away other than increasing his public profile. Ergo, "I don't do social media".
You could try pulling the rod away from the tinder pile while bracing and keeping the scraper stationary, instead of stabilizing the rod and driving the scraper downward towards the tinder pile, where you run the risk of smashing and scattering it at the end of your sparking stroke.
I have never had a problem with cheap ferro rods. At least Nathan was honest that it’s not the rod that makes the difference, it’s the user’s preparation of tinder and technique in producing sparks.
Couple things: 1. Nathan4071 seems like a really nice guy. I just bought a striker and 8x1 inch rod with handle and he is making me a matching set. What's my secret? I was flexible about when its done or what it looks like... he is a busy guy, but he produces good quality product. He won't have time for a custom job, but that does not mean you can't get a matching set from him if you are flexible with its looks and delivery schedule. 2. As far as ferro rods go, the correct one for you is the one you have with you. I got a little 1 inch rod and striker threaded on my shoe laces, why? Because it is with me all the time and using that would be much easier than trying to get bow drill going when stranded on an empty island. 3. Why should anyone buy the premium rod like he 1"x8" from Nathan? Basically if you either want one or you noticed that you have FAD (Firesteel acquisition disorder). If you keep buying fire stills, because this on is longer and that one if fatter and the that one is something else... just get yourself the biggest, badest set you can get and quench your thirst.
You maybe got him on an off day. I have had him drill holes for me in ferro rods. He made me a set.i cannot speak more highly of Nathan. He's a very generous and friendly guy. I know he went through some health challenges a while ago and was in alot of pain. Maybe it was during this period and he wasn't able to use his lathe at the time. Have you tried again in communicating about a matching set. He's a stand up guy from my experience.
The handles ALWAYS come off. Better to use gorilla tape for handle, it can be used as emergency tinder. Also far cheaper. Uberleben also has fabulous ferro rods and are my first choice.
Generally speaking, if the ferro-rod was made in America, Canada or Western Europe, it is probably a good rod. IF the rod was made in Asia (china, indonesia, etc) or Eastern Europe, it is probably crap. Most Americans, Canadians and West Europeans still have pride in their work. most non-Japanese asians get paid 25-cents per day so they don't care about quality, seeking to make the rod as cheaply as possible.
Thanks for that….I’ve bought a few ferro rods from nathan4071 and they are great, and so are the others from other vendors…..the thing about Nathan is he has longer ones of different sizes that others don’t offer. The bayite rods work the same…I subbed to your channel…your videos are getting better, thank you! Keep up the good work. The chatter marks on the rod make no difference, if your know what your doing….Nathan’s rods will do this also….
The trouble is of course is all those armchair experts,and others who follow all the other sheep that believe anything they are told or read in adds. Trust your own trials and judgment. Best wishes from the UK.
There are quite a number of them. I am pretty active in testing gear and still have my apprehensions about spouting fact without demonstrating my findings. Thanks for watching!
Eric there is nothing wrong with the Bayight ferro rods (except they are made in China!) I have Bayight 1/2 x 6 rods as well as higher priced rods. The biggest differences between ferro rods, besides the sizes, is that some are softer metal and others are harder metal. This affects the amount and quality of the sparks. Softer metals produce "gobs" of sparks, but get worn out "faster". IMO using a striker/scraper that has very sharp edges and it big enough to fit the hand is also another key element. And yes, there are many techniques to using a ferro rod.
You nailed it...composition of materials does make a difference. You'll see I have a video coming soon on Fiber Light products...it gets into rod composition a bit. Thanks for watching!
I understand some ferro tods are soft and some are hard. The Bayites are soft and wear faster, but make bigger showers of sparks. The hard ones last longer, but don't throw as many sparks, just enough. I think both of them do the job well. It's just a matter of preference. I think developing a good technique for the one you pick is more important than the rod itself. Also selecting and processing tinder is important as well.
_I've got a plethora of ferrocerium rods including Nathan4071 rods. My technique is pretty much down to pat now but brother Nathan's rods do have a nice soft easy to scrape mishmetal. They give off a gob of molten sparks. I have several of his rods and the only real competitor mixture wise is those orange handled ones on ebay for $5. They have a similar soft mishmetal but don't come in the variety or with the custom handles that Nathan makes. I like Nathan as a person and his custom rods and strikers are excellent._
It stays sharp. thats the big part. Needle files work pretty well too. I use one as a ferro striker/ emergency sharpener. The lathe bit should be hard enough to sharpen knives too though.
Very nice video 🎉 I’ve used other cheaper rods(not yours) they always seemed hard. I do have a Nathan4071 rod and it seems to me it’s softer. I’m no pro. He seems like a really nice person. Thanks for your comparison. I learned something today. 🇺🇸🔥
What an absolute load of infantile crap. A cheap Ferro rod and the backside of a broken hacksaw blade has been working for me for the last 40 years of hunting, camping, fishing. It's 100% technique and kindling not a fancy toy as Nathan himself stated. I've also never actually met one of these ferro rod experts in the woods either, go figure.
I personally like the cheaper one just because it doesn't have the giant handles on it. I just like a simple Paracord handle and usually the spine of my knife unless i decide to get fancy in that case i have a piece of 1/2 square stock filed to a 90° on each corner with a Paracord handle. Great video and thanks for your honesty and letting people know that it just takes practice.
Interesting! I don't see the point of a striker to be honest. Unless I washed away on an island nake with only my ferrorod, I'll always have something with an edge that can strike. IME, back of a knife of folder saw for example are actually much better striker than other options. Rods typically come with a basic striker (Just in case I guess). But carrying a separate one that's as big as the rod itself? Not convinced!
People are being ridiculous. If you don't want ridges, use your scraper at a 45°angel or tilt your ferro rod at a 45° angle. And if you don't believe me, NATHAN taught me that n he was spot on. Ignore the trolls.
Hate the fanboys not the product. Valuable lesson from this vid. Nathan ferro rods aren't accessible to anyone in the world especially in Asia while Bayite is but I dont have any of them. What I have are the Chinese versions. Gotta work with what you can get your hands on and afford. Low quality rods will still spark using your fire scrapers. I never really liked any youtube vid but I love the way you debunked those cult fanboys.
David West uses bayite, so no need to pay more! Plus how many places make ferro rods? Nathan is getting his from the same sources. Also, the striker, while looking nice and working well looks to bulky for me when a knife spine works well, or any number of slim materials.
I carry a bayite rod with a one inch gorilla tape handle on my belt every day. I've never had a problem lighting tinder with it that wasn't the tinder's fault.
It just comes down to how much magnesium is present in the rod, making it harder or softer. There are pros and cons to having more or less magnesium, and different striking techniques work better with each as well. Nathan was honest and correct in stating that it comes down to technique. If one knows how to use a ferro rod and striker properly, they can start a fire with essentially any type of rod and striker if both are functional.
Ignore those internet trolling keyboard ninja warrior, If it work, it works. I have the exact same rod for years but I use a Corona carbide sharpener (Corona AC 8300) as a scrapper. I cut the sharpener/scrapper in half and drilled a new hole on the handle for a lanyard to the rod.
Skill set is everything with ferro rods and marginal tinder's. I don't care what rod I use with the right tinder I will have a fire. I have 50 + large ferro rods and I'm successful with all of them.
Don't let brand/type fan boys kill your spirit. As many will tell you it does mostly come down to technique and preparation the Ferro rod used or composition have little to do with it. In fact based on research I have done, there are only about 3 factory's in the world that even make ferrocerrium, all in China and all have almost the same formula and recipe. Only difference is in amount of magnesium which dictates the hardness. So basically there is hard or soft and that is it
The Bayite is good if used correctly. And I have many as I can stock up for a rainy day. I would rather have a case of Bayite set back _____ than two or 3 of the $$$$ ones.
I prefer the bayite ones myself Also I don’t like the idea of having to carry a scraper when my knife should do that. Bottom line people are so dumb, both rods start fires relatively easy.
Hmmm I just got some cheap 1/2in rods went out in the woods cut a branch drilled it and stuck it on the rods a bit of personalization and bam matching stuff = cost my time.
Both of your rods ar the same and the rods at not the problem your problem is That You strike it the wrong lay if You want to do it Right then go to the Pathfinders School Founded by Dave Canterbury
The best ferro fire starter ever produced is a Lightning Strike Fire Starter . It is expensive at $65. But there is not another ferro rod fire starter that is its equal. Prove me wrong.
Just keep an eye out for a buck on the side of the road hit by a car or I’ve found old skulls in the woods. Or hunt for you and you’ll have meat too. Take the antlers and make your own matching set with a better material than wood. And don’t listen to people, you always have the ones that half way know what they’re talking about and wanna sound more intelligent!
