Swedish Firesteel- Army Model Reviews

• Good item with proper tinder - but the mag is easier

  
  By A1EI59KNWIX3LV on 2007-07-05
  Lanyard is plenty long and it makes lots of sparks (after a couple of scrapes to remove the paint). If lanyard was not long enough one could exercise ingenuity and put on a longer cord.
  
  It would easily light propane, but if you try to ignite a piece of sheet paper you will have trouble. Sheet paper is not fine enough and is not proper tinder (though you could shred and rumple it to make good tinder). You need a finer tinder bundle. Paper towel was also unsuccessful. I had easy success with toilet paper and dryer lint. It sparks more if you slow down and increase pressure a little. If the woods are wet and you can find no dry tinder you are in trouble, which is why most people carry tinder or fire starter or pick it up on the trail when they can.
  
  I think it is easier to use the magnesium fire starter with a basic metal jigsaw blade as the magnesium shavings will ignite paper towel easily, and can also ignite paper if you make a dime sized pile of shavings (when igniting paper don't set the end of the magnesium fire starter on the paper as when you scrape the flint the vibrations will jiggle the shavings all around). Even better than a jigsaw blade may be a short hacksaw blade because it has a good hole you can put the cord through.
  
  In summary: if you carry or can find/make good tinder the Swedish firesteel is tough, simple, and a good product. For normal people who want a firestarter that is somewhat easier to use carry the magnesium. That is what I will carry, in addition to good tinder (cotton balls with vaseline mushed in), and a very good lighter (more lights/space than matches).
  
  P.S. Just watched Bear G. in Man vs. Wild (Discovery channel) use this after a major rainstorm starting a fire on the first strike BECAUSE he had previously harvested and protected some very good tinder. He did not use a magnesium firestarter. It does produce a 5,500°F spark, but it needs a purchase (tinder). Also I want to repeat that the lanyard I got was plenty long, but hey it's just a piece of cord that you can cut. Live bold. Also the first time I tried to make sparks I made plenty. I do not see how someone could not (unless they had the metal striker upside down - read the directions!).
  
  P.P.S. Watched Bear G. in Ecuador (?) NOT be able to start a fire with grass using this because everything was wet and darkness came in not enabling him to search for better (dry) tinder. With typical Bear pluck he stuffed his shirt with the grass for insulation and kept his chin up. I bet the mag would have started a fire.
  
  P.P.P.S. Watched 'Survivorman' take a mag starter out into the desert and easily start a fire, but he used the edge of his knife to make shavings and strike the flint. I don't reccomend dulling a knife like this, use the back or anything else. Also he CARVED off magnesium and I have found just SCRAPING works well. Finally on the magnesium starter the flint is a small rod on the side and you don't whack it like in Jeremiah Johnson, but you just scrape it. I think I read one reviewer that broke his flint and I bet he was whacking it, just like in the movies.
  
  This is a long review because this is a survival tool and you should have confidence in it's capabilities.
  
  

• A nice tool

  
  By A3CJMGN2X9CPTU on 2006-12-26
  This "flint" is more expensive than the magnesium bars but it is a little more convinient for making sparks because it has a small handle and an attached striker (you have to find your own tender). I did not have a problem using the attached striker as another reviewer did. I also skipped the step of taking the paint off. I just scraped firmly and the ammount of sparks was crazy. My only complaint is the price but if it lasts as long as claimed it is a bargain compared to matches or lighters.
  
  

• it is what it is, and that's a good thing

  
  By A2BXU1BMNVG7NA on 2007-06-01
  Firesteel IS a great tool for starting fires. it sparks great and starts fires no problem. it took me 3 strikes to start my first fire. didn't need to scrape the coating off, either.
  
  Firesteel IS NOT a magic wand that you can wave around and command a fire to start on anything. you still need to prepare for a fire, i.e. tinder, kindling, etc. and aim where you are throwing those sparks. It works very easy, but you still need to understand the basic concept of fire starting before you question whether it works or not.
  
  I would definitely depend on this tool in a survival situation!
  
  

• Underwhelmed. How is this design an improvement?

  
  By A902K4IOFNBEP on 2006-12-17
  The photos make this firesteel look like you can use the strike tool while it is attached to the lanyard. The lanyard holds both the striker and the sparker. The lanyard is way too short to allow enough movement to strike against the sparker. I had to remove the striker from the lanyard (the lanyard is not meant to be taken apart). The striker has special cuts in it to supposedly aid with sparking. Nope. Doesn't work. If I reversed the striker and used the handle side I got spark. Hardly any spark using the "correct" side. The sparker is covered with a paint coating that must be removed before it can be used. This is not a good fire tool. Stick with the cheaper bar design.
  
  

• Firesteel is your frirend

  
  By A1VT25YESO69SI on 2007-01-02
  I have the SL3 pocket knife that features the Firesteel built into it. I've had great success in using my firesteel. I think one of the main things that leads to my success is that i always carry my own tinder with me. I usually use cotton balls, lint from my laundry machine, and or tinder fungus when i can find it. I usually just use the back of my knife to scrape the rod and i always get big sparks out of it. Regardless for me its still a backup to light fires if i run out of matches and its never let me down.
  
  
• Fantastic
  By A1KXJCXS6HFRQZ on 2007-02-10
  This thing is great. I actually started a fire with it last time we went camping. I mean we had lighters and everything, but it felt so much more satisfying to use sparks (and the maya dust).
  
  
• I love it!
  By A1G1DBNOJ8D4T0 on 2007-03-02
  I have never had any luck with the cheaper magnesium type firestarter, so I thought I would try this kind. I am so glad I did. It was a great investment. It took a few minutes to get the hang of it, but once I did it was so simple to use. It works when wet, which is helpful when camping in the Pacific Northwest. I tried it with some dryer lint as tinder and it lit in one stroke. Highly recomended.
  
  
• So Simple a Child Can Do It
  By A1W6JPV8TBCSR9 on 2007-02-12
  The Firesteel works! Soon after I purchased it I took my 12 year old children on a day trip to the Sierra snow. With a little practice and a wad of dryer lint, all three quickly masterd starting a fire in realistic survival conditions. The Firesteel generates a shower of sparks- all you need is dry tinder to get a fire started in minutes. Of course you can do the same with a Cricket lighter, but the Firesteel won't break, leak or otherwise deteriorate over time, so it is the perfect addition to a survival kit that you may need, say, about 10 years from now.
  
  
• FIRESTEEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By A1582FXN5LSZDV on 2007-03-09
  I have been wanting this for months and i finaaly got it. I was not dissapointed at all.It makes hot sparks that can ignite tinder, cotton tissue paper, EVERYTHING!!!!! Well not evrything but it is a must for survival experts or people who like bright, shiny things.
  
  
• Trustworthy and convenient
  By A25W5Q2RSMB841 on 2007-08-30
  This is a wonderfully reliable and proven method for starting a fire. It's simple to use, can be used while wet, and can be used hundreds of times. I now carry this thing everywhere I go instead of carrying a lighter. When wrapped up with the lanyard it measures about 4" x 1" x .75". Press the steel saw blade into the flint and push. Sparks fly and you can get a fire started in no time.
  
  
• Great Gadget and Firestarter
  By A11L99UL32ERCB on 2007-08-17
  I bought one Firesteel for myself and one for my son. We both like to hike and hunt, and this little gadget goes in my survival bag from now on. I have experimented with it and found that if you are selective about the tinder (dryer lint, cotton balls, very fine strips of newspaper) it will start a fire on the first stroke almost every time. The downside is the cost. They are pretty pricey for an item like this at $15 each. Also, I don't like the fact that the vendor Jazebra charges w-a-a-y too much for shipping and handling. With the shipping and handling charges, it costed me almost $40 to get two of these things. Amazon should stock these items in house so customers can get the free shipping.
  
  
• Mike in the WV part of NY
  By A1RHQ1AJRQLKPQ on 2007-08-28
  If you can't start a fire with this you should do the gene pool a favor and just freeze to death. Read the directions, stroke s l o w and with a good bit of PRESSURE. Be very careful not to let the sparks fall on you or something you don't want burned.
  
  
• Awesome!
  By A2FV7DAZPENINZ on 2007-07-29
  Great for camping or if you just like to make sparks and can not afford a bench grinder. Works in the rain and produces a mega hot spark
  
  
• Most definitely worth it.
  By A3A05ISH80XMR0 on 2007-11-19
  Portable, easy to use, durable - what more can you ask for? After receiving the item in the mail, I became eager to find out whether or not it worked. So right there in the middle of the parking lot I broke out some pre-made tinder (cotton balls soaked in vaseline), placed one cotton ball on the ground, and gave the FireSteel a few good strikes and it lit that ball right up.
  
  And, that being the first time I've ever lit a fire without a match or lighter, I felt like the first caveman to discover fire. The item produced large, beautifully bright and burning sparks that will most definitely ignite some good tinder. The key word there is GOOD tinder: birch bark, dryer lint, cotton balls drenched in vaseline, or other fine tinder will work. Don't throw sparks at some random log or leaf and expect a roaring, burning inferno, this thing doesn't produce miracles.
  
  But it's close enough :) A KEY survival item. It's now a staple in my personal survival kit. I'll probably be purchasing the Scout model as well. And maybe the rest of the models........ It's THAT good.
  
  
• Gary - Swedish Fire Steel, Army Model
  By A1Y1BGQMMSYQLP on 2007-11-22
  The Swedish FireSteel Army Model is a substantial hunk of flint. At approx 3/8" diameter and 2-1/2" length it should last for many years of repeated use. I tested this flint against 2 others I have: a combo flint/magnesium, and a survival mini-flint inlaid in a whistle. Quite honestly, all three worked about the same in a garage test using a cotton ball as my fire starter, but the mini-flint shows immediate signs of abrasion. The fire starter material (tinder) is the key element. If you have a good fire starter tinder, it doesn't take much of a spark to ignite it.
  I was not impressed with the included striker; I got better spark using a knife blade.
  FYI: the FireSteel Army Model Flint has a black surface coating that has to scraped off before the flint is functional.
  In summary, I would definitely recommend the Swedish FireSteel Army Model, but it may be overkill depending upon your needs.
  
  
• Great Product - Slight Learning Curve
  By A2ZBWFP0TUGT5A on 2008-05-28
  This product is terrific.
  
  There is a slight learning curve involved with this product that breaks down into two parts:
  
  1) You must know what type of tinder to use for this. If it is not good enough tinder, it will not light.
  
  2) Realize that short, very hard strokes with this is the key. Longer, slightly softer strokes do produce many sparks, but it is the short, repetitive strong ones that create very big and hot sparks which will ignite the tinder into a flame.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  
• sparks aren't as hot as you'd think
  By A353CS9CCHDZS4 on 2006-12-30
  While kind of fun to play with (it does make a lot of sparks per strike). I found this to be a rather lame fire starter tool. While it says the sparks are several thousand degrees, I found it rather difficult (but possible) to light ideal materials like a piece of klenex and my gas stove top. Both took many tries.
  
  Lighting a plain piece of paper? I can't even scorch it. Good luck starting a fire with this thing out in the open with damp material.
  
  
• It is all about your expectations...
  By A39D22T0S4XRTJ on 2007-05-11
  I was able to get it to generate a fair amount of sparks, but was disappointed when it failed to light a piece of paper. Later I was able to set fire a bit of toliet paper. I guess what you use for "tinder" make a big difference. So not a flamethrower, but easier and faster than rubbing two stick together. Expect to use the tool with starter material like some toilet paper (which may be useful without the fire!)
  
  
• What I would want if I had to survive!
  By A2J5TW7FAMAJ2V on 2007-07-14
  The Army model is the one to have if you want a dependable, easy to use firestarter. It works well and I like the longer steel rod compared with the lighter weight Scout model. Much more durable than the cheaper magnesium blocks...and the shavings don't blow away in the wind! Get the best
  
  
• Works phenomenally well
  By A3KKGH1BU6OQL4 on 2007-10-17
  I got this as an integral piece of my homemade survival kit. It works great and creates a spark with little effort. Use a little cotton tinder for your fire building and the Swedish FireSteel will get you going in no time. Even without any special tinder it still works great. Highly recommended.
  
  
• Cool design and works great!
  By A4H5Z13FBMQ79 on 2007-11-17
  Swedish Firesteel is the best and it works great.....a shower of sparks every time. The Army is a little beefier but lasts longer.
  
  
• make shure to buy from Jezebra.com
  By A3KBJ8KONAKJCR on 2007-12-20
  Hey all, the swedish firesteel is a great product for those interested in survival or bushcraft. I own one personally, and see it as a great asset to my survival kit. All that you truly need in "the bush" is this, a knife, and some basic survival skills that you can learn through courses, or on the web. You can use it on many different tinders, both natural and artificial, because of the intense heat generated by the sparks. I also own a "spark-lite" which is a good sparker, but only works well with artificial tinders such as dryer lint, toilet paper, ect... I suggest that you buy this item no matter if you want it for survival purposes or otherwise, either way, it is a great purchase.
  
  Make shure that you order from Jazebrz.com, I ordered from them and it was delivered in five days. It actually would have been four days, but they acidentally sent me Mayadust instead, I sent them only one e-mail explaining the situation, and they overnighted it that day at no extra charge, They also let me keep the Mayadust, which works great.
  
  
• Good seller, good product.
  By A3RE68M1393E37 on 2007-08-23
  Good Seller with fast delivery.
  The flint is a good product. It fits nicely in your hand and the striking plate is attached with a rope that allows about 6 inches of play for striking the flint (which is plenty). The key to getting a fire started is proper tinder selection. Wood shavings, dried grass, newspaper are ok for kindling but will just frustrate you for catching and holding a spark. You'll need dried grass plumes, cat tails,(very fine), pine sap, and so on to effectively catch and ignite a good tinder bundle. If you just want something that lights a pile of grass or a wad of paper - buy a lighter or matches.
  
  
• FireSteel-ArmyM
  By A17D2NZIWDKV4A on 2007-10-26
  It works!! It was the only fire starting tool I had to use during high desert winds; worked like a champ. The harder you scrape, the bigger the spark.
  
  
• Takes some time
  By A1XVXQMBCUK5CG on 2007-12-26
  The product is neat, but like all things having to do with fire, preparation is key. Make sure you have something dry to catch the sparks. The sparks are hot but don't expect to get a flame going with 3-4 strikes. Still for the durability and longevity of the product it was well worth the price.
  
  
• Lots of Sparks!
  By A3T7XVG3AXJF61 on 2007-12-28
  These are great things to have around. The Army model is by far the largest I've seen on the market. I've used mine to start a fire already and as long as you have good tinder this is a great tool. Some of the reviews say the lanyard is too short. I think the length is about right (plenty to make a shower of sparks) but the plastic clip used to tie off the ends is garbage. It popped off before I could get the paint scraped off.
  
  
• light my fire
  By A18RFRUGGFMWV0 on 2007-12-29
  great product, i was sold when i watched man vs.wild and saw bear use this in the rain forest. maybe someday it will save my life too.
  
  
• This little sucker is FUN
  By A2I4ZXHUMZ3YK3 on 2008-01-21
  I know this is supposed to be an important wilderness survival tool. But when you gather your co-workers around and start making sparks, you will realize the FUN factor is the real value of this item. With just a little bit of effort, you can make as many sparks as an angle grinder on a piece of sheet metal. Be careful of the smoke, however, as it generates quite a bit.
  
  
• Fun, but don't throw away your matches
  By AWMVAGEZOPRNK on 2008-02-16
  Another reviewer mentioned cotton balls. I highly recommend carrying some with you if you plan to use this as your primary fire source. As far as spark creation goes, I found a cheap, slightly serrated knife to work better than the attached piece of metal.
  
  
• A little extra insurance.
  By A3LX7W7FHEJAIS on 2008-02-27
  Swedish FireSteel - Army Model (Oak)
  I usually have to make my own non-plastic handles for thes things. This saves me the trouble. Also whenever I make an outdoor knife I try to include one on the sheath. Not only can it come in REALLY handy when you get caught in a storm on the way from the tree stand. I use it to touch up the edge of the knife it goes with. Which, of course, means one less thing to carry TO the tree stand. Which is allways nice.
  
  

• Light My Fire - SL3 Knife with Integrated Swedish Firesteel
• Swedish Firesteel- Scout Model
• Swedish Firesteel - Barbeque Model
• Light My Fire Mayasticks
• Light My Fire Mayadust - Snuff Box Packaging

• SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea
• Light My Fire Mayadust - Snuff Box Packaging
• Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter
• US Army Survival Manual: FM 21-76
• Light My Fire Mayasticks