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Raven Gnosis
𝔰𝔢𝔯𝔭𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔠𝔦𝔡𝔞


Registered: 02/10/11
Posts: 1,311
Loc: Necoc Yaotl
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Magnesium Firestarter.
#14141653 - 03/18/11 05:02 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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So, I bought a new magnesium fire tool from REI a couple weeks back, so far, i'm disappointed with the thing. I have an authentic 1700's replica of the flint and steel used back then, I love the thing and am good with it and find it more useful than this new magnesium firestarter... The thing was like 6 bucks, so perhaps it's because it's cheap? It's just a magnesium rectangle with sparker on the back. I always keep my knives very sharp, and even then it's a pain in the ass to shave this metal, I tried my hatchet on it earlier and it's easier, but still hard to get plenty of flakes.
Perhaps I'm just a noob with this thing, anyone got any tips?
Otherwise, I think I'll be 'stickin to my char cloth...
-------------------- To be human is to be fettered, to endure what one is, in perpetuum, no matter what the debility or perversity.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin



Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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Raven Gnosis
𝔰𝔢𝔯𝔭𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔠𝔦𝔡𝔞


Registered: 02/10/11
Posts: 1,311
Loc: Necoc Yaotl
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Re: Magnesium Firestarter. [Re: Shroomism]
#14144864 - 03/18/11 06:57 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Shroomism said: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/14090802

Aww! Sheeit. I've always taken more primitive routes, good at making and using a bow drill too. So, these newer tools are, well... new to me.
Definitely gunna check this out, thanks man!
-------------------- To be human is to be fettered, to endure what one is, in perpetuum, no matter what the debility or perversity.
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Racinette
Stranger


Registered: 06/29/10
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Last seen: 6 years, 4 months
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How exactly are you trying to shave the metal? You're knife doesn't need to be sharp at all. Are you trying to shave off strips or something?
What you should do is use the back end of your blade and rub it against the strip. You just want flakes to come off. After you get a nice little pile of flakes, just aim the flint towards the pile and strike. It should go up pretty easily.
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Raven Gnosis
𝔰𝔢𝔯𝔭𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔠𝔦𝔡𝔞


Registered: 02/10/11
Posts: 1,311
Loc: Necoc Yaotl
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Re: Magnesium Firestarter. [Re: Racinette]
#14157568 - 03/21/11 01:44 AM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Hmm, ya, I thought that it would be that simple at first, but the flakes are so small and minute that it's faster to shave larger flakes with my knife blade or hatchet, and no I am not cutting strips. It does go up easily when I shave enough, but it's just painstakingly slow and not worth the work, unless I would die otherwise.
I'd gladly use my flint and steal over it, but is a tool that will remain in my kit regardless.
-------------------- To be human is to be fettered, to endure what one is, in perpetuum, no matter what the debility or perversity.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin



Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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I would highly recommend a firesteel.. well worth the $10 or whatever. Worth it's weight in gold IMO. Same basic concept as the flint and steel.. just less messy.. and more futuristic and efficient  I've started a fire in a rainstorm with one, in one strike with some decent (but wet!) tinder. One flick of the wrist and a shower of molten sparks... and it's good for THOUSANDS of uses.. I my firesteel. Will never go anywhere in the wilderness without it.
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ToTheSummit
peregrinus



Registered: 08/22/99
Posts: 9,126
Loc: Las Vegas
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Re: Magnesium Firestarter. [Re: Racinette]
#14160282 - 03/21/11 04:46 PM (12 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Racinette said: What you should do is use the back end of your blade and rub it against the strip.
This. I also use the back of my blade to get magnesium shavings off the block. In most instances the flint alone will start good dry tinder though. But I have no problem at all getting a small amount of magnesium off the block when I need it.
-------------------- You invented the wheel....You push the motherfucker!!
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bryguy27007
Cosmonaut



Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 10,525
Loc:
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I have the exact fire starter you are talking about from REI. I have the same problems. I'm glad I brought matches with me last times, because it took me about 10 or 15 minutes to shave and spark. I have trouble doing both with that.
I also have dents on the back of my knife from trying to get a spark.
I got that Swedish Fire that Shroomism posted for Christmas but I haven't tried it out yet. Hopefully it's better.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin



Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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Test it out.
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bryguy27007
Cosmonaut



Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 10,525
Loc:
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Re: Magnesium Firestarter. [Re: Shroomism]
#14215177 - 03/31/11 02:36 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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I'll take her for a test drive in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully it will be better than the magnesium stick.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin



Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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Just give her one strike with the piece of metal.. watch the sparks fly
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Raven Gnosis
𝔰𝔢𝔯𝔭𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔠𝔦𝔡𝔞


Registered: 02/10/11
Posts: 1,311
Loc: Necoc Yaotl
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Quote:
bryguy27007 said: I have the exact fire starter you are talking about from REI. I have the same problems. I'm glad I brought matches with me last times, because it took me about 10 or 15 minutes to shave and spark. I have trouble doing both with that.
I also have dents on the back of my knife from trying to get a spark.
I got that Swedish Fire that Shroomism posted for Christmas but I haven't tried it out yet. Hopefully it's better.
Dude seriously the thing fucking sucks. My buddy bought a 3 dollar one and it's even way better than this one. Just so I get my money out of it, I'm thinking about chopping it up with my hatchet and putting it in a pill bottle for easy use. I can easily ignite it using my sexy old school flint and steel. I'm definitely gunna try out the swedish fire starter, thing looks awesome and worth my time.
-------------------- To be human is to be fettered, to endure what one is, in perpetuum, no matter what the debility or perversity.
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EmeraldEyes



Registered: 04/05/11
Posts: 57
Last seen: 10 years, 11 months
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My magnesium fire starter has worked well for me in the past. It was a cheap one that I bought from my local Walmart. I don't think I paid more than $5 for it.
Anyways, I usually have a piece of paper, shoptowel, or paper towel that I put the shavings on. I spark it and let half of the towel catch on fire before I set it in the wood set up for my fire. Works every time.
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"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." -Abraham Lincoln
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TYL3R


Registered: 11/19/04
Posts: 17,493
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Re: Magnesium Firestarter. [Re: Shroomism]
#14414269 - 05/07/11 08:51 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Shroomism said: https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/14090802

I actually have one of these, it works great.
And it doesnt wear down your blade.
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Oboy
Psychonaut



Registered: 05/03/11
Posts: 533
Loc: Sweden
Last seen: 5 years, 4 months
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Re: Magnesium Firestarter. [Re: TYL3R]
#14420355 - 05/08/11 04:18 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I have one of thoose "swedish firesteels" too, wonderful thing i love it! It just never let you down.
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Maverick
Lover of Earwigs!




Registered: 12/18/05
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Re: Magnesium Firestarter. [Re: Oboy]
#14466906 - 05/17/11 08:40 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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You should just hold the knife at about a 90 degree angle to the metal and drag it along it, the metal is soft and will shave away with a key if you do that (at least on every stick I've used), though a knife is easier. You aren't trying to 'cut' chunks of it off, rather shave off tiny shavings, even thinner than shaving a pencil.
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