Porkopolis=Cincinnati?

I have had extensive practice with the "scout' version and would like to say that it just coems down to teqnuique and tinder. I can usually "light my fire" with just one strike. The one thing to realize is that the striker is actually perfect for it. It just takes time to get the exact right angle and on the right side.

you want the angle to e like this

|||| />>>>
||||------ tinder

the "/" is the angle the striker should be at reletive to the tinder. This reflects the sparks from not going as much up but more "on target". Also you should be able to read the part of the striker engraved "up" or "this side top' or something to that effect. It will make life much easier.

Hi Cedfire,

The Swedish 'Light My Fire' Firesteel Cadet model does what it says it does, gives lots of sparks to allow you to light your tinder. I like to keep a Firesteel tucked up beside a Leatherman Charge Ti along with a Fenix LOP AAA flashlight and some other bits and pieces.

How to light a candle with a Firsteel.

http://survival.michelblomgren.com/fire/09-firesteel_and_candle.avi

The Mini works great. It is ideal for keychain carry. What doesn't show very well in the pics is that the plastic handle is much THINNER than the bigger unit, not just narrower. Doesn't sound like a big diff but it has a big effect on your keyring's bulkiness.

Yep. Are you right across the river then?

I like to put Porkopolis because the only people that really know that name are people familiar with Cinti. There are probably two dozen "Queen City"s out there, but as far as I know, only one Porkopolis.

Thanks for all the great responses! I think I will be getting a couple of the Mini models to try out & put on key rings.

"I think using the edge from a hacksaw blade would use up the ferrocium quicker because of the teeth but I don't know if you would get better sparks. "
If you use the teeth of the hacksaw blade you get LOTS AND LOTS of sparks which does equate to faster usage of the ferrocium rod but is good to keep in mind when you NEED to start a fire and lost your lighter. The back side, the side without the teeth, or even better the edge of a broken hacksaw blade works great to. You do not need a carbonsteel knife to use a ferrocium rod, as when you use a true flint and steel is used it is the steel that is is being pealed off. Ues the best technology you got to do the job.
Cheers