We've all read about this. So, after gasping in pain at the prices for steel wool in the grocery store, I slip into the hardware store. And find myself confronted by steel wool ranging from 0000 to 4 in size.

Anyone have any opinions as to which works best? I got some of the 0000, but it doesn't last very long, not enough to light tinder with a light snow falling. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I watched the Hoods Woods video where he used 0000 steel wool to get a fire going with carbon steel and flint. It is one step up from fire by friction.

I think in the real world you need some PJ Cotton balls or BOF. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

"...gasping in pain at the prices for steel wool in the grocery store..."

I saw a package of it (maybe 6" x 9") at the Dollar Store last week. But I didn't need any, so I didn't look at the 0 size.

Sue

I've tried steel wool previously, but it didn't last long enough too.
I've gone on to experiment with various types of material and found that the following work quite well and will light with firesteel.
1. photocopier paper
2. toilet / tissue / news paper
3. cotton gauze swabs (sponges)
4. Cotton tape.

The trick is to hold the material on the edge of the hacksaw blade striker like charcloth on a flint and strike the firesteel down along the edge where the tinder material is. That way, the sparks will accumulate next to the tinder. Rapid repeated strikes will ignite the tinder in no time....

At work every now and then when I use steel wool to clean my kitchen equipment, I will pull out a 9 volt battery and show folks that steel will burn.

If you take very fine steel wool, 0000 will do, and get the spark started it will burn as long as you blow on it. I have had a pad burn for several minutes.

To start a fire with it build your tinder pile on top, spark an edge and blow on it an in a minute you will have a nice little fire going.

It always amazes people that steel will burn.