Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter

Product Details

Product Reviews

(5 stars) - Everything I expected
Product came quickly, is as advertised.
Unfortunatly I probably won't know if it works in a pinch until I'm in a pinch.

(4 stars) - Works, high shipping cost
Not much to say that hasn't already been said. If used properly, the product works great. Some tips:

1) Don't cut the bar, scrape into a small pile.
2) Try to use a solid area because the shavings can easily blow away. I actually had the best luck just scraping into a spoon then emptying the shavings into a pile.
3) I used the nail file from my mini-tool which worked better than a blade.
4) Don't strike the flint, scrape the flint to produce sparks. Those folks who broke the flint were probably doing it wrong.
5) Very reliable. I replicated a test I saw on YouTube by dropping the bar in a bowl of water then immediately using it to start a fire. Didn't even dry it off.

The flint by itself, without shavings, is good enough to light cotton balls and dryer lint. The magnesium is great for when you don't have proper tinder.

Downsides:
1) Shipping costs were about 50% of the cost of the tool itself.
2) Flint bar will wear out before the magnesium bar does.

(3 stars) - Use it as a backup.
I tried this when my friend and I went camping. We did it the right way and everything, but the magnesium shavings just did not light. I've heard other reviewers say that it destroyed your knife when you used it, so, I got a cheap 2-bladed Swiss-Army Knife. I'll tell you one thing though, it DID make sparks. Some people have better luck then others, so I would only take this as a backup. Instead, for your primary fire-starting tool, take either water-proof or storm-proof matches, a Swedish fire-steel, or a Bic lighter.

(5 stars) - Wet or dry reliability!
I have carried one for about 17 years it has never failed me. I have used it while in the military and just out camping. as long as one knows how to properly utilize this little gadget it will come in very useful. I have depended upon it several times throughout the years. I've given them as presents to my team & friends.

(5 stars) - For emergency situations...
We bought this item to use in emergency situations, should we need to light a fire while camping/backpacking (or the like). This is better than matches since you don't have to worry about it getting wet and not working (like matches). It is quite small and flat, and it is easy to store in your pack or First Aid Kit, etc...

PS: Plz note that when using this, you have to really spark it hard. Don't give up if it does not light-up the first time you try, because it does eventually ignite once you get the friction going.

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