Holtzman's Ferro Rod | Fire Starter Heavy Duty 6-Inch x 1/2" Ferrocerium Rod Fire Starter Kit - Survival Magnesium Flint and Steel Set with Paracord & Scraper - Lightweight Emergency Camping Tool

This company is knocking it out of the park. I bought a neck knife and this magnesium fire started. Both are great quality. Will be buying from again. Outstanding products 👏 👍

BLUF - This rod will start a fire. It is easy to use and I would rely on it being my only way to get a fire started in ideal or slightly adverse conditions. I have used cheaper rods to start fire with cotton/petroleum balls so I am pretty sure this would work in the rain as well.The kit comes packaged nicely in a cardboard box with a foam insert. Although it could come in a plastic bag and it wouldn't make a difference to me as long as it works.I started with a rather large bird's nest of dead, slightly damp grass and a piece of charcloth I made. I stuck the charcloth in the middle of the bird's nest, scraped the paint of the rod into the bird's nest and mad two strokes on the rod with the provided striker and the charcloth created an ember. With a little air provided in the right spot the bird's nest was in flames in not time. In my haste to try out the rod I had not collected enough small wood to get a fire going to I basically let the bird's nest burn up as I collected some tinder for the nest attempt. On second attempt I could not get the provided striker to work at all. I inspected the striker and realized one of the edges was rolled over and that caused the striker not to work. I first though that was an issue with the striker but then thought maybe it was an intentional design. So holding the striker at a light angle and using the rolled edge of the striker I was able to throw enough sparks on the charcloth to create an ember for the second time. Took me three strikes this time. I assume it is because I hadn't scraped a little of the rod onto the charcloth like I did the first time. This time I was prepared and was able to get the fire rolling.I found out about this product on a FaceBook add. I typically do not click on these adds but I have a slight obsession with fire starters and wanted to try this one. They offered a $14.95 Amazon gift card if you purchased this item for $16.95 so I got the kit for 2 bucks. Worth every penny and yes they did give me my gift card.I made my charcloth out of an old pair of bluejeans and a candy tin. Simply cut the cloth (100% cotton) into squares to fill the candy tin (Altoids), poke a hole in the top of the tin, drop the cloth into the tin, close it up and lay the tin on some hot coles. The cloth will burn inside the tin and smoke will roll out of the hole. Once the smoke stops pull the tin out of the fire and allow the tin to cool off. Inside will be charcloth. The idea is to get a spark on the charcloth to create an ember then use that to ignite a bird's nest.I will say the only negative here is I purchased a ferro rod kit from a big box store and have had the same success and the rod was cheaper. however this rod is substantial and should last a long time. I have also used rods that put out way more sparks but for twice the price for the rod only. Also, there are no directions so if you don't know how to use one of these rods you may want to do a little internet search before using to make sure you are successful. As with any survival equipment practice with it, make sure it works and you can use it before you have to use it in a survival situation.

Great product

EXACTLY AS ADVERTISED! BUY IT!

It's easy to strike and has a decent size spark to it!