While going through US Navy SERE training in 1999, this is what we were trained to use. I would scrape the hell out of that thing with the cutting edge of my KA-BAR... LOL... I've started a few fires with that ole magnesium block and still have it, although the ferro rod is wearing down quite a bit. It's nice to have as a last resort in the event any of my other quick starters run out or fail for whatever reason.
When in windy conditions wrap a piece of duct tape around a stick, sticky side up, then scrape magnesium or plastic or fat wood on to it then it doesn't go anywhere.
I've had many cheap Chinese-made Ferro rods in different sizes and they all worked fairly well. The Chinese made "magnesium" bars however, are another story. I've never found one that was as good as the original Doan magnesium bar.
The mag bar is part of the aircrew survival vest. It needs to be useful as a fire starter… yet be basically inert while being transported on the said aircraft. There are plenty of easier fire starters, but at the end of the day it stores indefinitely and is a lot easier than a bow drill.
Roughly ten years or so back I was in Harbor Freight and saw the magnesium bar/ferro rods. I had never used one so I got one to play around with. One thing I have found that makes them easier is to unroll a dry cotton ball and shave the magnesium on it. The shavings will largely get stuck in the fibers and not blow away. The cotton ball, of course, takes a spark easily but burns up quickly. The magnesium ingnites and burns a little hotter and longer. Do I have one in my fire kit? Nope. Would it be better than rubbing two sticks together? Being that I have yet to master friction fire, yes - but I have other things.
I grabbed one of those magnesium starters because i found it in the dollar store, i figured i'd give it a shot for $1.25 (CAD). I messed with it on my workbench and that was enough for me to realise i dont want to pack it but i've been considering doing Chris' egg carton and wax fire starter things but adding the shavings just to use up the magnesium block
I have those pegs for years I carry them for car camping when the ground is compacted and very hard Use them with a mallet Excellent piece of kit I also have played with the magnesium as a kid Serious survival? Not really
Low grade magnesium? Seems that way. Not as intense as it should be. I've never used one, but after watching you, I'd crush some of the leaves, pine needles, etc,, surround 3 sides with tinder, scrape the magnesium into the leaves then strike, then put the leaves over it, maybe crush them slightly. Build from there. Personally I'd look for better quality magnesium, except the pure stuff, it's really nasty. Ever wonder which gets hotter, magnesium or lithium?
At my Harbor Freight those fire starters are $1.99. They sell the SAME thing on Amazon for $8.99!!!!! THE EXACT SAME THING!!!! Shop around for the best price and quit blindly buying things on Amazon!
Buy harbor freight plastic tent stakes, use knife to shave off plastic from tent stake,Put magnesium shaving on plastic shaving = excellent fire starter in wet or snow. Corporals Corner channel hint
