Does anybody know why the prices at Firesteel.com went way up? They priced themselves out of the market. At least for me they did.

Try Lake Samish trading post on ebay,I've been buying from them for a Long time,much cheaper-same product,Xlnt service!Standard disclaimer-No Affiliation though a Happy customer,I am!

How do I get there? I searched Ebay without success.

I sure did notice that, almost double on some items and over double on some others. Can't understand why but I'm afraid I am done at these prices. I am set on ferrocium firesteels for awhile. I did want one of the huge ones as a gift, but there is no way at the present price. Bummer!

Only an email to firesteel.com may tell you why their prices have gone up unless someone here has inside info.

In the past I have purchased firesteel rod blanks from Goinggear.com and a cursory check of some of their comparable product and prices are a bit, but not much lower then firesteel.com.

Look up the chemical composition of these rods.

Then, Google "rare earth" and "China" :-0

Ouch! That's quite a bump. I'm set pretty well but I still planned on getting a few more. Guess I might pass now.

I bought a handful of these a few years ago and they work perfectly. As good as any other I have tried. They have gone up too but still very affordable and free shipping worldwide.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/wilderness-survival-fire-sparkle-blade-cutter-tool-large-32760

Good post Doug. Found this interesting info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_earth_element

The firesteel ranger is the same size as the swedish firesteel and yet still 1/3 the price. still affordable to me. Most retail firesteels in my local stores are priced higher at 10-15$ and usually are the same size or smaller.

Good point, Frisket. They're still a good deal, maybe they were underpriced before. They're certainly good steels and the customer service is top notch.

thank you very much for this; they have just found a new customer!!

Oh

I see you are talking about me. I registered here a while back and forgot where I was. .

But I'm the guy at LakeSamishTradingPost DotCom

If folks would stop buying those hybrid car batteries, maybe us flint sellers could keep up with the outrageous price changes in rare earth metals

My Chinese factory is small and seems quite timid when it comes to making different sizes, so we pretty much just order what they have on hand.

Then, one of my biggest flint customers and magnesium suppliers had an explosion in his plant; one of his guys wound up in the hospital with 3rd degree burns. You shouldn't smoke in a magnesium factory, BTW. But, if you do, don't throw your spent match into the chip barrel.

OK, nuff said. I'd love to hear from any of you and I promise to follow this board more closely from now on.

Keep warm

2Ton Bob

Wow - I hand't looked at Firesteel.com in a few months. Those are astounding price increases!

I bought a bunch from them last fall. At this rate of firesteel inflation they may deserve a place in the safe next to the Krugerrands.

Think I'll double up on the Bic lighters -- still running about $1 each?

I've been meaning to order some of their smaller firesteels to test for a project. After a couple of years of procrasti


nation, this thread finally provided the push that was needed. Firesteels were ordered, a confirmation message was received that day and the firesteels arrived about a week later (cross-country).

Still a good deal, considering what they do!

I didn't think this question is worthy of a new thread:

Has anybody ever took a hacksaw to shorten a ferro rod? I have some rods that are about 4", and I want to cut one for a kit. I don't want to ruin a good rod if it's a dumb idea.

Talk too kevingg, Im sure he does for his BSB.

Yeah, I have cut a few down (from firesteel.com) in order to put handles on them. No issues with sparks if that's what you were wondering. Now using a drill to make a lanyard hole is another story. Don't attempt that around anything flammable.

I have shortened one with a hacksaw. I put it in a bench vise and it worked just fine. Sparked a little though.

Sorry to reanimate an old thread, but upon reflection their products are so good that I'll deal with the increase. Since the OP I've bought six more products from them. The service is great and they offer some really crazy-innovative products (if you haven't checked since the first post, look at their Fire Toggles).

Yeah, the increase sucks but at least the products are as good as anything out there, IMO.