In this guide, I will explain everything about Flint Fire Starter (Ferrocerium), a fundamental element for our survival.
What is a Flint Fire Starter?
What is a flint or iron bar, and how do you have to hit it to generate sparks?
A flint bar is a very interesting tool that is used to light fires in a wide variety of situations.
In the market, you can find flints and scrapers with many different and widely recognized trade names: iron bars, sparks, lighters, etc.
However, ferrous metal has no relationship with flint (which is a rock) from a chemical point of view.
Therefore, the association of names arose because both materials are used in a similar way to create sparks for lighting fires.
The ferrous bars are made of ferrocerium. This name comes from its two main components: iron and cerium.
Cerium is a very elastic, grayish colored rare earth. It has a low ignition temperature that ranges from 302 to 356 °F (150-180 °C).
During the scraping process, small fragments are torn off at high speed and quickly oxidize on contact with air.
The heat generated by the friction produces the ignition of these fragments, and the spark is formed by the combustion of the metal.
Ferrocerium has been used in many different ways.
In this case, it is often used in lighters and lighters for survival situations, thanks to its ability to generate sparks in adverse weather conditions.
How Will You Hold It?
Many small flints are designed to be light and compact, which is ideal for survival situations.
However, you can also find others on the market that are specially designed to be more comfortable to hold.
Quality of the Flint Fire Starter
This usually influences their price. If it is the same size as another but much cheaper, chances are that its quality is not as good.
Often, the larger flints offer the best value for money, as they are usually twice as expensive as the smaller ones of the same brand, but they can have up to three times as much ferrocery.
Before Using a Flint Fire Starter
Before using a flint, there are certain things you need to consider or prepare for.
Preparation
To light a fire with this method you will need
1- A flint bar and a scraper.
2- Dried tinder, such as cotton, cattail, fine birch bark shavings, or combustible mushrooms.
3- Wood or other fuel.
4- A brazier or container, such as a tin plate or a shell.
How to Use a Flint?
Step 1: Hold the Scraper and Flint
Place the tip of the flint in the tinder. Then put the scraper blade on top of the flint, with the handles at right angles.
Step 2: Generating Sparks
It will help you to rest the base of the flint firmly on the tinder, which should be on a hard and stable surface.
Then, scrape the flint with a long, firm stroke to create abundant sparks.
Point the sparks at the tinder and keep passing them until the tinder is lit.
Avoid making quick passes, as they usually make the fire go out without you having time to notice it.
Depending on the type of tinder you use, the sparks will either set it on fire or cause an ember to form.
If you have problems generating sparks, try changing the angle of the scraper concerning the flint.
On the other hand, to prevent the central part of the scraper from wearing out first, you should make passes along the entire length of the flint.
Finally, hold the scraper as close as possible to the flint, and don’t be afraid of sparks!
Step 3: Ignition
Use the sparks to set the tinder on fire or create embers. Note that there may be flints that require a different technique.
For example, some have a slot that allows for more vertical passes with the scraper.
Best Flint Fire Starter
If you are looking for the best flint fire starter I recommend the one that I have been carrying in my backpack for years and I have never had any problems, even when wet it works properly (Order it here).
- 5ft Paracord included, gives you a good grip and never comes off. Comes with a bayite Striker-Pro striker attached to the paracord, always be prepared to start a fire
- bayite 6 Striking Edges Striker-Pro striker is made from TOOL GRADE HSS STEEL and has a distinct hardness, maximizes a shower of hot sparks, no matter whether you prefer to use your left hand or right hand to scrape. Don't use bad quality Knife as striker. Otherwise it will not produce enough sparks due to insufficient hardness of blade
- Ferrocerium Rod Length:4"(10cm). Diameter: 3/8"(10mm). Large enough for a shower of sparks and small enough to carry
As you will see it is economical and compact as some models come with other unnecessary accessories.
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