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!