Firesteel super scraper

I found this small gadget and I'm wondering if anyone has tested it and can inform me of its values before I buy it?

www.survivaltopics.com

Seems like overkill. The metal match I have (from Peter Kummerfeldt's site, outdoorsafe.com)comes with a piece of metal that does just fine and produces the same amount of sparks the guy on the video gets. A pocketknife works too. I'd say, save your buck-thirty-nine.

Looks nice. Will probably pick one up. Better than the striker I have for my BSA Hot Spark. Plus, I'd rather use a striker than a knife.

Thanks for the find!

@Mike_H

Yeah, that was my thought as well, about the knife I mean, I think the fire steel damages a good razorsharp edge on a knife.

I would love to here your opinion after testing.

I live in Sweden and we do not have this item here yet, so if I want one I would have to order in of course. But, the shipping adds a bit to the cost, so I am quite hesitant at the moment to order one.

I have found the scraper for $0.89 at FireSteel.com and the chinese manufacturer JXMetals.com ( for those who would like to import this item).

I use the back of my Opinel knife which has fantastic, better than that metal scraper that comes with the firesteels. I have seen no damage to the back of my knife. Because the Opinel locks closed, it is much safer than using a sharp knife edge, which your really don't need anyway

I just use a piece of a Bahco Sandflex Hacksaw blade, it even comes with a hole at both ends to attach the paracord. It can even be used as a dual use item to allow escape from San Quentin.

I've always used the back of a knife. It doesn't make a huge difference but throwing the sparks with the back of a knife blade is a little easier if you square an inch or so of the back with a stone and leave the edge semi-sharp.

I have used the normal cutting edge of a knife but it tends to dull it and can create notches. It isn't a big deal with a cheap, semi-disposable, knife but messing up the fine working edge on your good knife is just wasteful.

I wouldn't use my blade to spark unless the situation was hairier than a sasquatch, it'll mess up a great blade edge fast.

I can't say as I have noticed a problem getting sparks with various strikers. But for a $1.39 how can you go wrong?

Just a quick idea, has anyone with a alox SAK (farmer, soldier ect) tried using the awl on a fire steel? I've read on the sosak forum that they do a pretty good job.

The back side of the saw on a SAK Farmer does an excellent job.The nice thing is you don't have to open the blade to use it,of which I think is safer...

BOATMAN
John

Greetings,

These are very good, but not really better if that makes any sense. Firesteel.com makes the best firesteels I have ever used, but this scraper dosent seem to provide any more sparks than the normal scrapers do.

Yes, they do a very good job!

Try this post. It's one thing to have a metal match or striker - but what will you use for firestarter? Incidently, anything you get from Peter Kummerfeldt is top quality and works!

http://survivalcommonsense.com/2010/02/21/cheapfiremakingfeed/

I agree on the bit of hacksaw blade or a jigsaw blade, because the little bit of saw blade can also be useful.

One point to remember about a Ferrocerium rod is that it is the material that is removed from the rod that produces the spark.

Using real flint and steel, the flint shaves a bit of the steel and it is the sliver of steel that burns. So the type of steel is very important.

With a ferrocerium rod, it is the material shaved from the rod that burns. If you lose your scraper, you can get a good spark from a ferrocerium rod with a broken peice of glass or a sharp rock (like a flint blade). As long as it is hard and has an edge, the material used for the scraper is not that critical.

Thanks John. I will have to try that. Normally, I use the awl on my farmer.

I forgot to mention that far and away the best striker I have EVER used is the Corona sharpener.

this is the only scraper (and firesteels) I use. very effective, light etc.

I don't understand these purposely made firesteel strikers, a hacksaw blade or a utility knife blade (the trapezoid type, not snap off) sharpened to 70~80° edge is as good as any you can come up with.

I'll 2nd that! Re: Aloha's reply for the Corona sharpener being the Most superior striker.It will put out a minimum of a Full Handful's worth of sparks,from a ferro rod,Regardless of what type of coating it has,On the very 1st try!& It will sharpen your knives,Axes,Machetes,Hawks,etc.Regardless of Type of steel,Hardness/Density,Straight or Serrated!Truly a Dual-Purpose tool,I'll have with me,Forever!I do recommend your Ferro-rod be larger diameter than Standard 1/4"/5mm as,This sucker will wittle,Alot more than a little,lol!

While at true value, I seen a Tungsten Carbide scraper blade that was $8 although expensive.. it is the same material used in the blast match striker so if someones got money and can afford to try them, tell us how they work!

I want to try one of these for a striker!

I have a tungsten carbide scraper, it works as well as any other striker with a sharp edge, but not any better. Stay sharp longer than steel, but nothing you can't change by a few swipes on a sharpener.