I've heard some say to paint the ferrocerium rods with clear nail polish to prevent them from corroding over time.

When referring to magnesium firestarters (magnesium block, ferrocerium insert) do you coat just the ferrocerium, or do you coat the magnesium as well?

Thanks-

Magnesium can develop a white powdery surface. Yes, you can coat it. Given the difficulty producing shavings in the field , a secure container of preshaved magnesium soves both issues.

i have seen MG fire starter in a completely diffrent package. I can't remeber the brand name, but they make a bottle with magnisium shavings and a rod attached to the lid. They are way bigger than a normal magnisium firestarter.

Globetrotter.de is selling one under the name "Ortec Instant Fire Tool".

thats the one i ment !

I went googling for shaved magnesium, and ran across this first, from Wikipedia:

"Solid magnesium bars are impossible to ignite under normal conditions (you need a welding torch, and even then it's quite difficult), and are thus very safe to carry. Magnesium powder and shavings are pyrophoric (they oxidise rapidly when exposed to the air). It is dangerous to carry pre-shaved magnesium — at best, it loses potency, at worst, it can spontaneously catch fire and is then nearly unquenchable."

Is it simply mixing with oxygen that makes them catch fire spontaneously? So... pour out of bottle into cleared fire ring, and wait? I wouldn't think there was too much chance of spontaneous combustion within the bottle...

Sue

I have a small ferrocerium rod attached to my keychain. I "coated" it with a piece of heatshrink tubing. This made a formfitted secure cover that provides great protection but can be slipped off without hassle.

<img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Field testing time again.

Susan is absolutely correct, I own magnesium ribbon, and lighting it with a normal lighter (ie. bic or zippo) it takes about 30 seconds to get hot enough to ignite. When I use a blow torch it ignites within about five to ten seconds.

I seriously doubt a bar of magnesium could ignite in any situation other than direct contact with fire for about a minute.

Also, do not look directly into burning magnesium, it burns very brightly and could damage your eyesight.

Frank