I have a question on a fero rod I just purchased.

Would something advertised as "Firesteel, Army Model - Made in Sweden" but labeled on it's handle as "FireFlash" be the authentic model made by Light My Fire that I was expecting to get? The firesteel looks similar to the picture on the Light My Fire website, but it's not identical. The striker is different, as is the cord (missing the plastic piece on the end), and the handle is dark green. Could be an older version possibly (I wouldn't care about that).

I would not have given this a second thought nor questioned the authenticity of the firesteel, except that other items on this same order were not as described - I'm starting to question the integrity of the seller.

If anyone knows the answer to this, would you please reply? Thanks.

A picture of your firesteel would assist.

My Swedish firesteels are in two sizes, a 1/4" diameter rod and a 3/8" rod.

Both versions have a contoured plastic thumbpiece in black or dark green plastic and are embossed

"FIRESTEEL"

They also make an oval wood handled version that is not marked.

The scraper design has changed over the years from a simple flat oval metal scraper to a wide contoured version that is also stamped (but I do not have one of those with me today to verify with what).

This is a large Swedish Military Firesteel





This one is green, but it is hard to tell



Does the steel you got work? If it works and is as large as a these FireSteels I am guessing you are OK even if it is a different actual retailer.

Does it work? If so, that is all that is really important. You can get the real Army model firesteel at The Mossineer in SLC, Ut for about $17. Definately the real thing. The scout model is also sold as the Kershaw firesteel and is available for under $8 in the US, I got one at Knives Plus on the web.
One thing to know about the steels, once you scrape off some of the protective coating when using it, they corrode rapidly to disappear into dust after time. Once you use the steel, coat it with laquer or nail polish, clear. That keeps it safe and ready to go and it won't corrode away. I have an original "Metal Match" from 30 years ago, never used and I gave it an extra coating. Still in perfect shape. I had bought another at the same time and used it, mostly to light a white gas backpack stove. It corroded away in a year or so without a protective coating. Lighter flints do the same thing after the coating is scraped off. The little sparkers in the PSK will also eventually corrode away if used once. Not sure how long they last after use. I like the CountyComm firesteel, compact and a good price too. They are great guys. Hope some of this babble I am making helps <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Kershaw (the knife company) sales the Fire Steel’s with their name on one side and Fire Steel’s name on the other side. I got mine at Smokey Mountain Knife Works but it should also be available at their web site www.eknifeworks.com for about $9.
I did not like the new stamped striker that they come with and now use a piece of Saws All blade. I also looped it up with 550 cord as I did not trust that little plastic piece to hold up long. I also wrapped the top of the striker with grip tape to keep it from rattling so much.

I took some pics of the fero rod, but unfortunately I did not first look at the details of this board to find out that you must have personal webspace to host the pics on. Unfortunately, I do not.

I'm sure the firesteel will work. I just received it today and will try it out soon. However, being a newbie I wasn't sure if the "official FireSteel" brand was superior to others. So I paid over twice as much as for a different model at another dealer, thinking the extra money might buy me a better quality firesteel given that this one was advertised as the "Swedish army model". But now I don't know if (1) there really is any difference, and (2) if I was ripped off.

[EDIT]
After writing the paragraph below, I heard back from the dealer. They plan to send me the good paracord to replace the fiber-core stuff. So my faith in the dealer has been restored and I no longer am concerned about the firesteel - which I never really had much of a reason to suspect, except in concert with the paracord issue. Thanks to all who helped by responding.
[/EDIT]

I feel I was ripped off on the paracord. I received the fiber-core cheap stuff instead of what I paid extra for, and was advertised thusly:

[EDIT]
... truncated remainder of original comments about ordering 550 vs. delivery of cheaper stuff ...
[/EDIT]

(Left to Right)
Metal Match, FireSteel "Army" Model, USGI DOAN, Military Match II.



BTW, I took the original cord and striker off of the Swedish FireSteel.

Schwert,
Now you know you can't post a picture like this and not expect to raise some interest. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />




I'd sure like your words and perhaps more pics regarding:

*the silver container (on the right)
*the Nick Wheeler knife
*the match case with the compass on the top

Thanks,
Hutch4545

<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The silver container is a stainless steel pill fob. It was a gift from a forum pal a few years ago. If you Google up "pill fob" a bunch of on-line drugstore type places will show up and these can be had in numerous sizes. I have this one which is about 7/8" in diameter that will hold plenty of aspirin or other pills and a smaller diameter one also. I recently saw some at "Walgreens" drug store for $5 that looked to be chrome plated steel...not quite as high quality but not at all bad for the money.

Here is an image of my smaller one. It holds a stack of aspirin tablets. It is on my keyring with a BSA hotspark and the purple case is a Bison aluminum capsule stuffed with vaseline/cotton tinder.

The Nick Wheeler knife is a Scandi ground AKS version with California Buckeye Burl. I have an article on this knife and its flat ground mate over at JM-Outdoors. This project with AKS has not yet started so I recommend you contact Nick directly for more information. Nice knife, one I wish I had not had to return.

http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=175

The orange Matchcase is one made by Keith Lunders of K&M Industries in Idaho. This is a powder-coated aluminum case with a double-O-ring plug and a Brunton compass. Keith has had plenty of difficulties with sourcing small reliable compasses lately and right now these cases cannot be had. However he has recently found Suunto jeweled compasses and will soon be starting production once again. Keith has been making matchcases like this for about 20 years in brass and anodized aluminum. I think they are about the best matchcase made. After Keith again starts production he has asked me to help represent them. I think they are top kit and I will be making it known how to get them just as soon as he gets the compasses again. I will have a slight vested interest in these so PM me if you need more information.

Here are the brass and aluminum recent versions.



and a matchcase evolution shot. This includes a GI plastic case, a 120 film can, an Everdry (my Grandfathers) and a series of K&M cases from about 1989 to the 2002. (I like matchcases <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />)

WOW!! Very nice, I need some pill fobs and matchcases ASAP!

On this side of the pond they don't seem that common - or maybe I haven't looked hard enough...
Anyway the one site I have found pill boxes on is Magellans. In fact the site is full of overpriced items - the postage charge really kills...
They have been on my wishlist for months but I haven't been able to justify spending so much on so little..

http://magellans.co.uk/store/Health___Vitamin___Pill_OrganizersFV512?Args=