Greetings,

I am putting together a more robust fire starting kit and at the point of purchasing a firesteel.

The current model peaking my interest is the Light My Fire Army model, though it is more difficult to locate online and isn't offered through my normal purchasing channels (actually Brigade QM has it but it's out of stock).

I did find what seems to be the nice 1/2" blank style from Going Gear, but I have never ordered from them before. This plain larger size is what I am looking for.

Does anyone use a plain larger size rod and know a good location to purchase from? I searched the past year of posts and mainly found entries on the LMF scout models.

Thanks!

I have a larger rod that isn't part of my carry gear. It's 4 inches long and 5/8 inches diameter. No handle or anything, just the rod and a TSA-friendly scraper. Picked it up from Learn to Return Training Systems for $14 a few years back.

http://www.survivaltraining.com/

Even though they don't have any gear listed on the website, they do offer a handful of select items. Inquire about the "large metal match." Take a look at the courses too, they're a top-notch group.

Standard disclaimer applies.

REI has this really beefy one from LightMyFire: http://www.rei.com/product/762947. Nice thing about REI is that they will ship for free if you pick it up at one of their stores. Of course, that's not very helpful if there's no REI around, but it is nice if you live relatively close to one. And besides what a good excuse to visit an outdoors store.

This place Base Gear has them. I have purchased from them once and they were very efficient. Their prices were good and I believe they offer free shipping for orders over $50. The Army version is $15.95.

Other than ordering from them once, I have no affiliation.

Nice call on the 4" inquiry rod, that sounds like the size I am looking for. I will send them an email.

Jim that LMF BBQ models looks just like the Army rod, just with a larger handle for backyard ease of use. I could probably saw that down or maybe even hollow out the handle and put a kit inside it! I do have an REI about 30 mins from me and I am a member.

Thanks for the base gear link also, $16 seems fair.

I emailed the author of a book where I saw a nice 4" X 1/2" plain rod and we'll see if he gets back to me on a supplier. I'll report back with my findings.

You could try these guys

http://www.ferrocerium.com/main.sc;jsessionid=1DBCB8AF0C16DD3C905213465EFE3D07.qscstrfrnt04

HERE They also have one without a hole, and many other sizes.

My REI is about 15 miles away. Not terribly far. But when I think about it, 15 miles x 2 = roundtrip, divided by 18mpg in my truck, times $3.25 per gallon for gas (gas has come down lately), =~ $6. About the cost of shipping most items directly to my house. :-(

But if I'm going to the REI store anyway to pick up other items that they carry locally, I have them ship the online-only items to the store ahead of time so I can get everything a cheaply as possible in one trip. It's always fun to go down to the REI Flagship Store in Denver anyways, just to wander around and look at everything.

The animated GIF image on their website makes me want to run for the bandaids! I've always used the "put the knife to the rod, keep the knife in place, and pull back on the rod" method. Those wild strikes with the knife just make me say "ouch"!

The large rods are rather expensive, and if you're sure you need those, well then they'll be good. I wanted some big ones awhile back, but cringed at the price and chickened out!

What I've found is, if I use palm, finger, and (opposite hand) thumb pressure, I really don;t need a long rod. THis is opposed to using arm muscles which, for me, usually ends up with the knife scattering or otherwise messing up the tinder pile.

I use the 4" x 1/4" rods from BensBackwoods.com. I think you can get 10 for about $15, bit it's been awhile so don;t hold me to that. Then I glue them into wood, bone, and antler...



Usually if I re-handle a knife or put a handle on a blank blade, I'll make the firesteel holders out of that wood.