In a Hurry? – Here’s Our Top Pick
Last update on 2024-04-18 at 21:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why Do I Need a Ferrocerium Rod?
A Ferrocerium Rod can be one of the most useful items of bushcraft kit you own and carry.
It is the most reliable source of ignition bar none in my eyes, if you have your Ferro rod and a piece of metal to strike it with, chances are you can light a fire. I have one on my car keys as an EDC as it is so small there is no reason not to carry one.
A ferrocerium rod can produce 3000° Celsius sparks in any weather condition, even if the rod its self is soaking wet, freezing cold, high altitude, so provided you have some half-decent dry tinder you stand a strong chance of starting a fire with a Ferro rod.
See our natural tinder guide HERE.
Should a Beginner Buy a Ferrocerium Rod?
Yes! Fire lighting skills are something you should always be learning in bushcraft, and you should also learn not to rely on only one or two methods of starting a fire.
You should also practice with different tinders and using various ignition sources on each to learn how they react.
If you have not yet tried a Ferro rod, I would highly recommend you get one and start to practice using it. Practising with a ferrocerium rod can be great fun once you have mastered the strike.
- Meet the Artisan Fire Starter, it’s more traditional in style and…
- The Artisan also comes with a piece of natural fatwood. Fatwood…
- Includes hardwood wood-turned handles, designed to be easily…
- The Ferro Rod is made using Forest Fundamentals Ferrocerium; the…
- Our Stealth Fire Strikers are made from heat-treated Stainless…
- BUILT-IN EMERGENCY WHISTLE with grip-friendly design, safe and so…
- FIRE STARTERS ARE BUSHCRAFT TOOLS that light your fire like a pro…
- UP TO 12,000 STRIKES AT 3.000° C our firestarter camping…
- BPA-FREE 96% BIO-BASED PLASTIC handles, magnesium ferro rod fire…
- FIRE STARTING KIT BY LIGHT MY FIRE survival tools made in Sweden…
- WATEPROOF FLINT & STEEL FIRE STARTER – 65mm (2.55in) long and…
- ERGONOMIC GRIP HANDLE & STEEL STRIKER – designed and tested to…
- FLUORESCENT PARACORD makes this ferro rod a perfect gadget for…
- GREAT GIFT IDEA – the ferrocerium rod can also be used by…
- FLAT PROFILE PERFECTION — This literally changes everything….
- BEST FERRO BLEND, PERIOD — Überleben’s Sånft-korr…
- LENGTH; SIX FULL INCHES — With a 6” long runway, by 1/2”…
- FULL GRAIN LEATHER LANYARD — Details matter. For multiple…
- HASSLE FREE GUARANTEE — If you’re not stoked, we’re not…
- HIGH-QUALITY MAGNESIUM ALLOY FERRO ROD: 5 “inch (12.5cm) total…
- DOUBLE MULTI-FUNCTION SURVIVAL PARACORD ROPE: Contains 7 inner…
- HANDCRAFTED HARDWOOD HANDLE: Designed with ease of use and…
- MULTI-TOOL STRIKER: Multi-Tool striker designed to give you a…
- ✔ GET YOUR FIRE STARTER KIT 100% RISK-FREE: If the Ferro rod…
- VERSATILE FIRE STARTER: Enjoy fire-starting anytime and anywhere…
- EASY TO USE: Our mini fire starter is a must-have adventure tool!…
- COMPACT & CONVENIENT: Designed to be sleek and compact, our…
- CAUTION: DELIVERS EXTREMELY HOT SPARKS: This firesteel will…
- HARDWOOD HANDLE: Designed with ease of use and functionality at…
Last update on 2024-04-19 at 07:59 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How Long Does a Ferrocerium Rod Last
A small ferrocerium rod will last approximately 3000 strikes and light 100s of fires if not 1000s. Tho a larger can easily last double that!
What Is the Best Striker for a Ferrocerium Rod?
A piece of High carbon steel with a sharp 90-degree angle provides the best sparks from a Ferrocerium Rod.
The back of a bushcraft knife is often used to strike a Ferrocerium Rod.
What Can Be Used to Strike a Ferrocerium Rod?
A piece of High carbon steel is generally the best to strike a Ferrocerium rod, but what else will work?
- Broken glass
- Flint
- Hacksaw blade
- Most other hard and sharp objects can usually throw a spark from a Ferro rod
Are Ferrocerium Rods Waterproof?
YES! A Ferrocerium rod is a chunk of metal, so it’s 100% Waterproof, It will even spark if it has been submerged in water.
Are Ferrocerium Rods Only for Bushcraft Use?
No, not at all. You can use a Ferrocerium Rod anywhere you need to make a fire. You could use it at home with your log burner, for example.
I keep a Ferro rod in with my fishing Tackle to light my gas stove for cooking. It’s one less thing to think about, a lighter not working or running out of gas.
Can You Break a Ferrocerium Rod?
No, under normal usage you have almost no chance of breaking a Ferrocerium Rod, a heavily worn very thin rod may snap but you would be aware of that before it happened.
How to Choose a Ferrocerium Rod – Some Key Points
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Size of the ferrocerium rod
Does it have to fit into a small container such as an Altoids tin?. Is it going to be mounted on your belt?.
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Does it come with a striker?
Some of the larger ferrocerium rods do not come with a striker as they are usually a bare rod used to make a custom-made Ferro rod. However, this is not a problem as most people use the back of their bushcraft knife to strike the rod.
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Does it have a lanyard hole?
Some people like to use a lanyard with their Ferro rod to keep a firm grip on the rod and quite a lot of pressure is required when striking the Ferro rod.
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Ferrocerium rod material
It’s all ferrocerium, right?. Wrong, there are three main compounds Soft, Medium, Hard. Each one has its own set of characteristics. Such as a soft Ferro rod (more magnesium content).
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Handle material
Some Ferro rods have beautiful fancy handles made from deer horn or decorative woods; these tend to be custom hand-made Ferro rods.
Some have no handle this is purely down to personal choice. If you are just getting started, I would suggest a large Ferro rod with a chunky handle for a comfortable grip.
