A great tip that comes from Les shroud was to put the shavings on a piece of duc tape. That way, in high winds or snow or whatever, they stay in one place as you strike the fero rod. Neat trick!
Lovely Video! Sorry for the intrusion, I would appreciate your opinion. Have you heard about - Proutklarton Incredible Match Plan (erm, check it on google should be there)? It is a smashing one off guide for getting an understanding of how to survive in a disaster and make your own survival food minus the hard work. Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my good mate called Gray finally got great results with it.
Appreciate Video clip! Apologies for butting in, I would love your opinion. Have you considered - Proutklarton Incredible Match Plan (search on google)? It is an awesome exclusive guide for getting an understanding of how to survive in a disaster and make your own survival food minus the normal expense. Ive heard some super things about it and my work buddy after a lifetime of fighting got excellent results with it.
Been carrying these for years, got my first one when I was a kid growing up on a farm and camping/hunting with my dad. They do take a bit more effort in prep than a standard fero rod, but work great with damp materials and tinder. Another use for them is scraping the magnesium off and using that dust when I am making cotton pad and vaseline fire starters. I add the dust into it and dab the cotton in it and it works perfectly.
I got a few of these and made 3 modifications: Bought a couple feet of that beaded chain ( key making section - hardware store) and made longer chains, so I don't have to take the striker off and risk losing it in SHTF situation. I also wrapped the whole thing with Gorilla Tape, so I have tinder, even in wet conditions. Since the only thing that can go wrong with these is to lose the ferro rod, I ran a bead of Super Glue down both sides the rods.
Thanks for letting me know about the Magnesium Fire Starter at HFT, they are still $2.49 @ Harbor Freight Tools, I was getting them @ Walmart for $4.46.
A fiver is still a fare price for something that might be needed to save lives. After your teenage son empties your bic™, that cost $3, while trying to smoke grass you'll be happier than if you forgot to take with you.
I've used magnesium fire starters since the 1970s (on the trail, and in the backyard grill). I've used magnesium to start fires on wet wood in the snow (in the Rockies, S. Nevadas, Appalachians, Sonorans, and Alps). They work, and $2.50 is an excellent prices. Great review. Ty!
Many years ago I was out for a drive in the boonies with my family and we decided we needed a fire. I had one of those little fire starter things in the door pocket of my truck so I gave it a try. I fought and fought that little gadget but I never did get a fire. It made me mad so I started researching fire starters. Now, like you, I have made a hobby of making fire. I still have that little fire starter in my truck door pocket…I might make fire with it now!😆
Im wondering if you could store the shavings in a little satchel or maybe even like a little plastic bag u could slip in your wallet, just in case u were ever in a situation u might need to just light a fire ASAP ? Would they keep or would it be dangerous?
@@aphroditestan I've actually seen fire kits with the shavings in little ziplock baggies on amazon. I assume if you keep them contained, they won't just light up on you.
I love them. I've been using them for years. They are Light weight, waterproof. They are semi easy to use and cheap. I carry one in my day pack, one in my truck, one in my BoB. I wouldn't go on any outdoor excursion without one.
I've been carrying these in my fire kits since I was in the Boy Scouts. I have no idea why folks think they don't work, I've started fires in pouring down rain with fairly marginal and wet material with these things. One thing that I figured out pretty quickly is that even a fairly light wind will blow away the shavings pretty quickly so I make sure I am between the shavings and the wind, or I find another kind of wind break, whatever works.
They work well, I just used one 15 minutes ago t ostart a fire. One thing to keep in mind, in the wind it is hard to light anything, especially magnesium shavings.
Hey..hi. About 10 years ago, I got completely stranded on my snow machine during an ongoing winter storm, in the back country in Eastern Canada,... by myself. Heavy winds, probably -20 degrees and windy, and at least 12 miles from ANYBODY. I crashed, ...and there I was, sprained ankle, pitch black, alone, and freeking cold.. I thought that I had everything on my machine that I would need, in order to survive a situation like that. You can never make wilderness feel like home. I'm alive. I realized that people have to REALLY THINK about a lot of stuff if they decide to hit the trails by themselves..... especially at night.. I'm lucky to be alive. I missed some shit, but I managed to get enough right that I was found the next day. If I didn't have a decent LED light, a fairly good hatchet for cutting down some branches, a way, and the knowledge to start a fire during a blizzard, a length of cheap plastic rope to string a bed on a fallen tree, and a cheap mylar body blanket to keep me from freezing to death, I would have died. Just be thoughtful. Sone stuff doesn't take up that much room..... just think about what you would need. I was more prepared than most would have been. Lucky.
For kindling pencil shavings work great. A few pencils and a cheap kid’s pencil sharpener will keep you in tinder for a good long while, and they pack super easy.
This is great! I picked up one yesterday out of curiosity. I used the little hack saw the wrong way (as if I was trying to saw a pipe). It didn't go well. I tuned in here today to see if lighting a fire with one of these was even possible, so - wow! Messing around, I set the bar on fire with a propane torch to see if I could get it to burn; it did! I always tell my kids, if your in the wild, the best way to start a fire is with a bunch of newspaper, some kerosene, and a self starting propane torch. Haha!
Thanks for your review. I tried one a year or two ago, and see now I didn’t scrape enough off ahead of time, and naturally, blamed the (HARBOR FREIGHT) fire starter. I got a fire finally but struggled from what I remember. Cool channel, very practical video, thanks
I’d like to add that in a survival situation....resources are key .....get used to minimalism. Just enough finite resource magnesium quarter sized flat is just as effective as the half dollar amount you stacked.....keep in mind as you scrape start from one side to evenly to the other otherwise you’ll end up breaking the ferro rod on day 3
They work! We carry one when we go hunting. The trick is to shave a good amount of magnesium like you showed in the video, I use a knife instead of the hack saw blade.
I always those were more gimmicky than useful, but was properly introduced to them while taking a class with Cody Lundin. For exactly the reason you demonstrated one is in my little kit - thank you Cody. I’m not very accomplished using a piece of hacksaw blade so I have a proper scrapper on mine connected by a cord long enough that I don’t need to disconnect them. Thank you for this demonstration.
I also carry a striker and a pack of flints. The strikers are made of aluminum and weigh almost nothing. The flints are so tiny, you have to be careful not to lose them. When you need a spark with little effort, a striker and flint will do the trick.
Add a handle to the fire starter and it’s easier to use. Take a 1” diameter dowel and cut a 3/8” wide groove in the end, deep enough to put a #6 stove bolt through the hole in the chain hole. I made several 1911 pistol style grips from 1”x4” and bolted to the fire starter. Scouts get a kick out of seeing me light the campfire with my pistol.
Great video! I've got a few of these things and they do work pretty well. Throw a couple of hard candies in whatever pouch you keep this in - something to help ward off the chill while you get your fire going.
@@andyhiett2734 You could use any kind of sugar. Hard candies are cheap and easy to carry. Your body burns the sugar pretty much immediately as energy, helping to maintain your core temperature while you go about getting that fire started. I'm assuming you've done some climbing/hiking/hunting and need the fuel.
@@steveowens398 oh ok. Gotcha. I always like to keep a little baggie of deer jerky to chew on if I need a quick "warm me up" while I'm hunting or camping.
I picked one of these up a few years back. Think it was actually branded by Coleman. Not going to lie it works pretty well. If you have some damp tinder the magnesium should get it started. It's a little tedious to scrape all that stuff off but it's inexpensive and it works. Never hurts to have backup options. Especially for only a few $.
Love it ! Too many folks have poo poo'd these too much. I've used them for years, and they work. The magnesium isn't always needed, but if it's super humid it comes in real handy.
I'm glad I watched this, I wrongly thought the ferro-rod was the only part that made the fire, since I couldn't make sparks fly from the part you scraped from. I see now that the whole thing is used to make a fire. I'm going back and buy some more!!! I'm so glad I watched this that I'm thumbs upping you and subscribing too.
Hello from Los Angeles, California. . . And thank you for this review!!! For many years I've been unsure about this Harbor Freight product. I am now convinced to get this for my young nephews who just moved up onto the BSA from Cub Scouts. This will surely teach them patience and and how to prepare to start a fire.
If you drill another hole or two in the bloc, you can scrape the magnesium flakes by "drilling" with a knife. Also, scrape some magnesium in advance into the case you keep the fire maker device in. Put the powder in a pieces of waxed paper & TP. practice a few times before relying on it. When proficient carry it and a butane lighter.
I just bought two today hehe! Sir, your channel has just earned another Sub! Looking forward to see more of your Survival on Purpose vids! 👍🏻 thank you.
Not bad. I bought a couple and used old 1/4 inch bit with drill press on very slow speed to fill up couple of old waterproof pill bottles with shavings. One other pill bottle has ferro rods and strikers. Just a plan ahead thing to save time. Works fantastic. Keep drill speed slow to prevent friction.
I received one of these magnesium ferro rods from uscca and never bothered to use it. You taught me something because I thought the magnesium was just a grip on the tiny ferro rod😢. Thank you
When I worked at a wastewater plant we were cleaning out the grit chambers and my shovel uncovered a Doan's stamp dated 6/84 Aviation. Found it in 2000 and it worked fine. Still in my pocket. Shame Doan's went out of business. Hard to believe if they were supplying the military
I have used one for years and just a few magnesium shavings are needed, especially if you scrape them into a piece of birch bark, folded wax paper etc.
Great video and presentation... I’ve had one for almost 8 years just to play with, the rod does wear down but it took awhile for that.. they’re not expensive so $3-4 will get a new one.. I still use it to scrape the mag because I have other rods.... I would have used some of those pine needles in the background
I have edc'd several different brands of those on my keyring,and the ferro rod always comes unglued and becomes lost. They work well otherwise. It's best though to carry one in a pouch,pocket,or in place of the sharpener on a knife sheath.
I keep mine inside a backpacking setup that I have I also always keep a few single use super glue pouches not only for gluing cuts but incase something like this happens.
Geez! Great video, Bryan. Next time I am at Harbor Freight I'll pick up about 10 of those things. Good to have and give away, too. BTW, caught you on CTM. Good job, Patriot.
Did you think so? I didn't think I did so well. I was sleep deprived due to spending several nights with my Dad in the hospital before he passed away. Maybe they'll give me a 2nd chance one day.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose I'm sorry for the passing of your Dad. My deepest and heartfelt condolences to you. I'm always deeply saddened when I hear about the loss of ones parent(s). For some reason, it always affects me very deeply whether it's a stranger or soneone I know... 😢
Buy a DOAN Magnesium Bar that's issued to the USAF $14 ... No comparison. These are Tin, Aluminum, and Magnesium that flakes not shaves off like real Magnesium
Check out a real DOAN Magnesium Bar that's issued to the USAF. $14... These cheap ones are Tin, Aluminum, and Magnesium... It should shave off in strips not small flakes.
I have that exact same one from harbor freight. It is junk but in a pinch it'll start a 🔥. It is worth tossing in your bag. When going out into the wild
glad you posted this, brian. i, too buy the harbor freight "magnesium" starters when they go on sale. i've never had luck with any of the cheapie magnesium blocks (doan's does work great btw), but what i do is: put that block in a vice and then knock out the little ferro rod with a center punch, small phillips, etc... i put one in pretty much every bag own. i even have one in my wallet. it's not my primary ferro, but it makes an amazing backup rod and they take up hardly any space at all... HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EVERYONE!
@@msa3595 cheap ones work but in a Survival situation or time being a factor you want 100% magnesium... Easy to shave, burns longer and in rain, and I have both cheap and DOAN... One of each in each BOB... I live in OR so quality in rain/wet conditions is my main concern. Times like summer or dry weather ill use the cheap ones... But nothing else but DOAN in winter. Not to mention time... It takes maybe 30sec to a min for the do an when its nearly triple the time to gather enough flakes from these... And if you dont have a sharp edge or use a corner on the bar it gets harder to flake of the cheap bars. And these metals used to blend these cheap bars will wear out your knife or sharp edge much faster than the soft Magnesium. Im upgrading to a long thick raw manesium bar and a long thick Ferro rod for my fire kits on a lanyard. Its a Little more expensive but will last that much longer. If i had to travel all winter bugging out i will want a kit to last.
Lone Wadi: "Endeavor to persevere..." Great movie! Btw, as an afterthought I picked up the same $2.50 magnesium block at Harbor Freight. The thing surprised me at how well it works! I guess sometimes, cheap stuff *does* do what it's supposed to 😏
Catch the flakes in a piece of bark, white birch or cedar is best. I use the teeth to scrape the magnesium and the flat for the ferro rod. You did it right with the big pile of shavings. The ones I used with my Scouts, years ago, were a low quality magnesium and did not take a spark well. By making a big pile, chances of lighting are increased. The best tinder for spark lighting is a cotton ball with some petroleum jelly lightly rubbed into it. I use the cotton from a pill bottle when I open a new one(a Scout is thrifty). Keep the treated cotton in a little zip lock bag. When needed, just pull off an end of the cotton. The stretched fibers sticking out will take a spark easily and the jelly will burn nicely. Good Luck, Rick
A great tip that comes from Les shroud was to put the shavings on a piece of duc tape. That way, in high winds or snow or whatever, they stay in one place as you strike the fero rod. Neat trick!
Take fatwood and baton. Drive FW into stump, ignite from the bottom.
Turns FW into a slow burning torch. Uses less FW and gives off taller flame!
Love this Les Stroud tip. Thanks for sharing!
Lovely Video! Sorry for the intrusion, I would appreciate your opinion. Have you heard about - Proutklarton Incredible Match Plan (erm, check it on google should be there)? It is a smashing one off guide for getting an understanding of how to survive in a disaster and make your own survival food minus the hard work. Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my good mate called Gray finally got great results with it.
Appreciate Video clip! Apologies for butting in, I would love your opinion. Have you considered - Proutklarton Incredible Match Plan (search on google)? It is an awesome exclusive guide for getting an understanding of how to survive in a disaster and make your own survival food minus the normal expense. Ive heard some super things about it and my work buddy after a lifetime of fighting got excellent results with it.
Excellent tip
Been carrying these for years, got my first one when I was a kid growing up on a farm and camping/hunting with my dad.
They do take a bit more effort in prep than a standard fero rod, but work great with damp materials and tinder.
Another use for them is scraping the magnesium off and using that dust when I am making cotton pad and vaseline fire starters. I add the dust into it and dab the cotton in it and it works perfectly.
Cool idea
You scrape into a pile the correct way I hope. Unlike this human, correct?
As soon as you said “I like fire”, I sub’d!
A fellow pyro.
exactly the same story here :)
Same here 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Heheheh, yeah! Fire! Fire!
Me too!
I got a few of these and made 3 modifications: Bought a couple feet of that beaded chain ( key making section - hardware store) and made longer chains, so I don't have to take the striker off and risk losing it in SHTF situation. I also wrapped the whole thing with Gorilla Tape, so I have tinder, even in wet conditions. Since the only thing that can go wrong with these is to lose the ferro rod, I ran a bead of Super Glue down both sides the rods.
Magnesium burns even while wet infact even better due to its chemical activity and the evolution of hydrogen
Thanks for letting me know about the Magnesium Fire Starter at HFT, they are still $2.49 @ Harbor Freight Tools, I was getting them @ Walmart for $4.46.
A fiver is still a fare price for something that might be needed to save lives. After your teenage son empties your bic™, that cost $3, while trying to smoke grass you'll be happier than if you forgot to take with you.
That's a CRAZY price 👍
This is the original Vietnam war style mag fire 🔥 block.
Bought one today at harbor freight for $1.99
I just got mine today for $1.69 they are really a hidden gem with a bargain like this
I got one for 1.39.
...how long are we gonna keep this up 😆
I've used magnesium fire starters since the 1970s (on the trail, and in the backyard grill). I've used magnesium to start fires on wet wood in the snow (in the Rockies, S. Nevadas, Appalachians, Sonorans, and Alps). They work, and $2.50 is an excellent prices. Great review. Ty!
Thanks. I appreciate it.
Man I’ve loved fire since I was 4 even tho my house burned down I just love camping and the outdoors so much I can’t stand but love fire!
They can most certainly be an extremely intelligent way to start a fire 🔥 but then again so is a bic lighter ☺️🔥!!!!
Many years ago I was out for a drive in the boonies with my family and we decided we needed a fire. I had one of those little fire starter things in the door pocket of my truck so I gave it a try. I fought and fought that little gadget but I never did get a fire. It made me mad so I started researching fire starters. Now, like you, I have made a hobby of making fire. I still have that little fire starter in my truck door pocket…I might make fire with it now!😆
*As long as you have time (when you are stranded you may be fighting cold/freezing conditions), take time to prepare your fire well!*
All about preparation.
Im wondering if you could store the shavings in a little satchel or maybe even like a little plastic bag u could slip in your wallet, just in case u were ever in a situation u might need to just light a fire ASAP ? Would they keep or would it be dangerous?
@@aphroditestan I've actually seen fire kits with the shavings in little ziplock baggies on amazon. I assume if you keep them contained, they won't just light up on you.
You can get them at Dollarama in Canada!
I love them. I've been using them for years. They are Light weight, waterproof. They are semi easy to use and cheap. I carry one in my day pack, one in my truck, one in my BoB.
I wouldn't go on any outdoor excursion without one.
Thank you, i just bought 4 of the same kind and was looking for a video of how to use one and i happened across your video. Very helpful
I've been carrying these in my fire kits since I was in the Boy Scouts. I have no idea why folks think they don't work, I've started fires in pouring down rain with fairly marginal and wet material with these things. One thing that I figured out pretty quickly is that even a fairly light wind will blow away the shavings pretty quickly so I make sure I am between the shavings and the wind, or I find another kind of wind break, whatever works.
I saw an episode of Naked & Afraid. Guy wasn't scraping the magnesium so only threw sparks at tinder. He failed at fire.
"I will endeavor to persevere..." That's my go to quote as well! Great video.
They work great for $2.50 it’s a winner I’ve used before many times 👍🏻
They work well, I just used one 15 minutes ago t ostart a fire. One thing to keep in mind, in the wind it is hard to light anything, especially magnesium shavings.
Hey..hi. About 10 years ago, I got completely stranded on my snow machine during an ongoing winter storm, in the back country in Eastern Canada,... by myself. Heavy winds, probably -20 degrees and windy, and at least 12 miles from ANYBODY. I crashed, ...and there I was, sprained ankle, pitch black, alone, and freeking cold.. I thought that I had everything on my machine that I would need, in order to survive a situation like that. You can never make wilderness feel like home. I'm alive. I realized that people have to REALLY THINK about a lot of stuff if they decide to hit the trails by themselves..... especially at night.. I'm lucky to be alive. I missed some shit, but I managed to get enough right that I was found the next day. If I didn't have a decent LED light, a fairly good hatchet for cutting down some branches, a way, and the knowledge to start a fire during a blizzard, a length of cheap plastic rope to string a bed on a fallen tree, and a cheap mylar body blanket to keep me from freezing to death, I would have died. Just be thoughtful. Sone stuff doesn't take up that much room..... just think about what you would need. I was more prepared than most would have been. Lucky.
I just bought one of these and thank you for helping me not look silly tomorrow when I try it camping
For kindling pencil shavings work great. A few pencils and a cheap kid’s pencil sharpener will keep you in tinder for a good long while, and they pack super easy.
Magnesium pencil sharpeners are available on Amazon
I love these also, hint, put the striker on a course grinding wheel and get a sharp edge with a heavy burr, it scraps better and throws better sparks.
This is great! I picked up one yesterday out of curiosity. I used the little hack saw the wrong way (as if I was trying to saw a pipe). It didn't go well. I tuned in here today to see if lighting a fire with one of these was even possible, so - wow! Messing around, I set the bar on fire with a propane torch to see if I could get it to burn; it did!
I always tell my kids, if your in the wild, the best way to start a fire is with a bunch of newspaper, some kerosene, and a self starting propane torch. Haha!
Thanks for your review. I tried one a year or two ago, and see now I didn’t scrape enough off ahead of time, and naturally, blamed the (HARBOR FREIGHT) fire starter. I got a fire finally but struggled from what I remember. Cool channel, very practical video, thanks
I’d like to add that in a survival situation....resources are key .....get used to minimalism. Just enough finite resource magnesium quarter sized flat is just as effective as the half dollar amount you stacked.....keep in mind as you scrape start from one side to evenly to the other otherwise you’ll end up breaking the ferro rod on day 3
Great video. I love when the budget items work. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching.
They work! We carry one when we go hunting. The trick is to shave a good amount of magnesium like you showed in the video, I use a knife instead of the hack saw blade.
I love me some harbor freight. Headed up to one in an hour, making a tool haul run. Thanks Brian.
Thank you for making this video. : ) I bought one of these and have never used it. I like that you real-timed the scraping. : D Great video.
I always those were more gimmicky than useful, but was properly introduced to them while taking a class with Cody Lundin. For exactly the reason you demonstrated one is in my little kit - thank you Cody. I’m not very accomplished using a piece of hacksaw blade so I have a proper scrapper on mine connected by a cord long enough that I don’t need to disconnect them. Thank you for this demonstration.
That magnesium bar, a Mora Heavy Duty knife, and a Bahco Laplander saw makes you king of the woods.
All righty then ;-)
I also carry a striker and a pack of flints. The strikers are made of aluminum and weigh almost nothing. The flints are so tiny, you have to be careful not to lose them. When you need a spark with little effort, a striker and flint will do the trick.
I got one many years ago but I didn't know how to use it and I always wanted to know how it worked.
Keep up the good work
I literally just bought one from harbor freight yesterday! Thanks for answering my question without even asking 🔥
Thank you so much for ALL you do for the the community!!!
Thanks for the support!
Thanks for this video I've decided to start caring a stump in my bug out bag
Me too,thanks for the heads up.wouldnt burn long without the stump
;-)
I never leave home without a stump.
Grey Silverback Every thinking man should follow your advice.
That's a ridiculous idea, personally I just carry a 10lb flamethrower a gallon of gasoline.
Wow that was very helpful I've got 3 or 4 in each vehicle thank you Brian 😊
Really good video. Great video for the first couple of moments when I thought you were Eric Clapton :)
Found one of these today in my garage and knew what it was but NOW, I know how to use it...THANK YOU!
Add a handle to the fire starter and it’s easier to use. Take a 1” diameter dowel and cut a 3/8” wide groove in the end, deep enough to put a #6 stove bolt through the hole in the chain hole. I made several 1911 pistol style grips from 1”x4” and bolted to the fire starter. Scouts get a kick out of seeing me light the campfire with my pistol.
Great video! I've got a few of these things and they do work pretty well. Throw a couple of hard candies in whatever pouch you keep this in - something to help ward off the chill while you get your fire going.
How do hard candies ward off chill?
@@andyhiett2734 You could use any kind of sugar. Hard candies are cheap and easy to carry. Your body burns the sugar pretty much immediately as energy, helping to maintain your core temperature while you go about getting that fire started. I'm assuming you've done some climbing/hiking/hunting and need the fuel.
@@steveowens398 oh ok. Gotcha. I always like to keep a little baggie of deer jerky to chew on if I need a quick "warm me up" while I'm hunting or camping.
Thanks for info. I bought 2 like yours from Walmart and I know they'll work now.
Great pointers and excellent demonstration ~ Thank You !!!
I bought 1 last Friday, I will definitely keep it handy!
Fair and honest reviews..... That's what we love about you sir!!! Blessings 🙏
Thanks. I appreciate it.
Lone Watie said that...excellent statement.
Great video. I have my original magnesium fire started, over 30 years old, still works.
Indeed
Honestly, I never thought they worked. You convinced me. Thanks.
Glad I could help
I had one. Worked great.
I picked one of these up a few years back. Think it was actually branded by Coleman. Not going to lie it works pretty well. If you have some damp tinder the magnesium should get it started. It's a little tedious to scrape all that stuff off but it's inexpensive and it works. Never hurts to have backup options. Especially for only a few $.
Why do you need to say "not going to lie"?
@@user-zr6pl6nb6z it's just a colloquialism
Just bought this today at the harbor freight for $1.99. Can't wait to use it.
I like them. They’re great for a backup fire starter. They’re small and light and easy to tuck away in your bag in case of an emergency
I agree
Love it ! Too many folks have poo poo'd these too much. I've used them for years, and they work. The magnesium isn't always needed, but if it's super humid it comes in real handy.
looks like it
I have had one of those for years, never used it, thank you for the demonstration.
Dude! You gotta try that stuff out. Some things will fool you.
I'm glad I watched this, I wrongly thought the ferro-rod was the only part that made the fire, since I couldn't make sparks fly from the part you scraped from. I see now that the whole thing is used to make a fire. I'm going back and buy some more!!! I'm so glad I watched this that I'm thumbs upping you and subscribing too.
Hello from Los Angeles, California. . . And thank you for this review!!! For many years I've been unsure about this Harbor Freight product. I am now convinced to get this for my young nephews who just moved up onto the BSA from Cub Scouts. This will surely teach them patience and and how to prepare to start a fire.
I'm glad it helped.
If you drill another hole or two in the bloc, you can scrape the magnesium flakes by "drilling" with a knife. Also, scrape some magnesium in advance into the case you keep the fire maker device in. Put the powder in a pieces of waxed paper & TP.
practice a few times before relying on it. When proficient carry it and a butane lighter.
OR just carry a butane lighter. 😁
Love your enthusiasm for starting a fire keep up the good work
I just bought two today hehe! Sir, your channel has just earned another Sub! Looking forward to see more of your Survival on Purpose vids! 👍🏻 thank you.
I like the lesson you give to your boy scouts. When you think you have enough go ahead and get three times more. Preparation is King.
Yes it is
Funny I've had one of those for years and didn't know the right way to use it Thanks!
Bought one on a whim. I haven't tried it yet. I'm glad I bought it now. Thanks
I bought one a while back, I haven't used it yet. I was going to teach my grandkids how to use it. At least now I know it works. Thanks for the video.
Not bad. I bought a couple and used old 1/4 inch bit with drill press on very slow speed to fill up couple of old waterproof pill bottles with shavings. One other pill bottle has ferro rods and strikers. Just a plan ahead thing to save time. Works fantastic. Keep drill speed slow to prevent friction.
Good idea
Thanks for the video. I was on the fence about the cheaper ones
Glad I could help
Thank you for sharing this information
Walmart sells them in their camping section. I bought one, but never tried it. I’m glad they work.
ALways test your gear. That's why this one has been in a box on my shelf for a few years, because I had not tested it.
I was at harbor freight yesterday.. they had them on sale.. Only like a hand full left. I’m going to go buy them all.
I apreacieate your honesty on things you test.
I try
I received one of these magnesium ferro rods from uscca and never bothered to use it.
You taught me something because I thought the magnesium was just a grip on the tiny ferro rod😢.
Thank you
When I worked at a wastewater plant we were cleaning out the grit chambers and my shovel uncovered a Doan's stamp dated 6/84 Aviation. Found it in 2000 and it worked fine. Still in my pocket. Shame Doan's went out of business. Hard to believe if they were supplying the military
I am surprised this worked so well. Thanks and take care.
Thanks for the demo. I have several of these and never thought much of them. I'll have to make good use of them in the future!
Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for..
Picked one of these up at my local hardware store. Great tool! I keep in my tinder box with twigs and dry pine needles.
Very cool!
Have one , never used .Now a believer.
I have used one for years and just a few magnesium shavings are needed, especially if you scrape them into a piece of birch bark, folded wax paper etc.
Great video and presentation... I’ve had one for almost 8 years just to play with, the rod does wear down but it took awhile for that.. they’re not expensive so $3-4 will get a new one.. I still use it to scrape the mag because I have other rods.... I would have used some of those pine needles in the background
Nice. Fire started immediately. Good tool to have. Thanks.
Carry a spare ferro rod to use with those, the ones on the block usually fall off and are lost. Great video.
Thanks
Not in my experience...
That happened to me. I just glued a big wooden bead on one end for a handle and but the rod in a separate smaller fire kit.
I have edc'd several different brands of those on my keyring,and the ferro rod always comes unglued and becomes lost.
They work well otherwise.
It's best though to carry one in a pouch,pocket,or in place of the sharpener on a knife sheath.
I keep mine inside a backpacking setup that I have I also always keep a few single use super glue pouches not only for gluing cuts but incase something like this happens.
Holy crap thought it was gonna explode with all that
I always wanted to learn this , than you for sharing ❤
Very good. Thank you very much
Thx Bryan!
I had one of thoz but no idea where it is now...
I use a Ferro rod.
me too
Geez! Great video, Bryan. Next time I am at Harbor Freight I'll pick up about 10 of those things. Good to have and give away, too. BTW, caught you on CTM. Good job, Patriot.
Did you think so? I didn't think I did so well. I was sleep deprived due to spending several nights with my Dad in the hospital before he passed away. Maybe they'll give me a 2nd chance one day.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose CTM ppl are good ppl, Bryan. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We will all be united again one glorious day.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose I'm sorry for the passing of your Dad. My deepest and heartfelt condolences to you. I'm always deeply saddened when I hear about the loss of ones parent(s). For some reason, it always affects me very deeply whether it's a stranger or soneone I know... 😢
Buy a DOAN Magnesium Bar that's issued to the USAF $14 ... No comparison.
These are Tin, Aluminum, and Magnesium that flakes not shaves off like real Magnesium
Yes it's good to have a couple of them.
Thanks Bryan. I had a bad opinion of Magnesium Fire Starters; not sure why.
I'm glade you made the video and changed my mind.
I did too and I don't know why either. Probably because it seemed a little tedious.
Check out a real DOAN Magnesium Bar that's issued to the USAF. $14... These cheap ones are Tin, Aluminum, and Magnesium... It should shave off in strips not small flakes.
I have that exact same one from harbor freight. It is junk but in a pinch it'll start a 🔥. It is worth tossing in your bag. When going out into the wild
I had one of these things in scouts 20+ years ago, I was shocked back then at how well they worked. Totally worth it, especially for $2.50!
Bic lighter is way easy
@@Boycott_Wendys Yea but the magnesium is more reliable
Outside in woods to survive it go down size to a dime size , u save it for next time u see
Depends on conditions
I have used them many times and they always work for me .
cool
I'm glad I saw this video. That Magnesium Bar works well for me. Thanks for Sharing.
Got mine from harbor freight too
good video. a lot of people may not like the tools but there is some good stuff at harbor freight
Sometimes
These bars are great to pair with a fire cord lanyard and some fatwood. I keep a similar kit in my haversack most if the time.
Cool
I own atleast five of them! They are like gold...worth more than their worth esp in an emergency to start a fire 🔥
WHen you need a fire gold ain't gonna do it
The best tool in my bug out bag hands down in any weather.
Different strokes...
glad you posted this, brian. i, too buy the harbor freight "magnesium" starters when they go on sale. i've never had luck with any of the cheapie magnesium blocks (doan's does work great btw), but what i do is: put that block in a vice and then knock out the little ferro rod with a center punch, small phillips, etc... i put one in pretty much every bag own. i even have one in my wallet. it's not my primary ferro, but it makes an amazing backup rod and they take up hardly any space at all...
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EVERYONE!
I've been using those for years. They are an integral part of my bugout bags and emergency car gear. There really is nothing better.
Buy a real DOAN Magnesium Bar that's issued to the USAF... $14. These are junk... Real magnesium is what you want.
@@nickw3657 I'll give the a shot, but in all seriousness I've never had an issues with the cheap ones. Maybe I'll do a comparison video?
@@msa3595 cheap ones work but in a Survival situation or time being a factor you want 100% magnesium... Easy to shave, burns longer and in rain, and I have both cheap and DOAN... One of each in each BOB... I live in OR so quality in rain/wet conditions is my main concern.
Times like summer or dry weather ill use the cheap ones... But nothing else but DOAN in winter.
Not to mention time... It takes maybe 30sec to a min for the do an when its nearly triple the time to gather enough flakes from these... And if you dont have a sharp edge or use a corner on the bar it gets harder to flake of the cheap bars. And these metals used to blend these cheap bars will wear out your knife or sharp edge much faster than the soft Magnesium.
Im upgrading to a long thick raw manesium bar and a long thick Ferro rod for my fire kits on a lanyard. Its a Little more expensive but will last that much longer. If i had to travel all winter bugging out i will want a kit to last.
Thanks Brian for Another quality video thanks for sharing keep up the good work brother 👍
Thanks 👍
Lone Wadi: "Endeavor to persevere..." Great movie!
Btw, as an afterthought I picked up the same $2.50 magnesium block at Harbor Freight. The thing surprised me at how well it works!
I guess sometimes, cheap stuff *does* do what it's supposed to 😏
I never rated these, I do now! Terrific, thank you.
I'm glad it helped.
Thanks I just put it in my bug out bag!
Catch the flakes in a piece of bark, white birch or cedar is best. I use the teeth to scrape the magnesium and the flat for the ferro rod. You did it right with the big pile of shavings. The ones I used with my Scouts, years ago, were a low quality magnesium and did not take a spark well. By making a big pile, chances of lighting are increased. The best tinder for spark lighting is a cotton ball with some petroleum jelly lightly rubbed into it. I use the cotton from a pill bottle when I open a new one(a Scout is thrifty). Keep the treated cotton in a little zip lock bag. When needed, just pull off an end of the cotton. The stretched fibers sticking out will take a spark easily and the jelly will burn nicely. Good Luck, Rick