Nowadays, there are many excellent fire starting tools available to the modern-day survivalist and prepper. Survival lighters, waterproof matches, and fire pistons just to name a few. However, as good as all these fire starters are there is only one that will never let you down. One that will reliably produce fire-starting sparks every time. No matter what the weather. Ferro rods.
In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Ferro rod. We also highlight what we at Alpha Survivalist believe to be FIVE of the best Ferro rods currently available. You won’t need to waste your time checking out the hundreds that are out there!
Content
- What is a Ferro Rod?
- Why are Ferro Rods So Much Better Than Other Fire-Starters?
- How to Use a Ferro Rod
- Choosing the Best Ferro Rod
- Which are the Best Ferro Rods Available?
What is a Ferro Rod?
The Ferro rod was invented in the early 1900s by Austrian Scientist Carl Auer von Welsbach. It is a type of fire starter made from ferrous metals, such as ferrocerium.
Ferrocerium is a synthetic material that is created by combining iron, cerium, and other rare earth metals. The resulting alloy is highly combustible. The alloy can create sparks that are up to five times hotter than those produced by traditional flint and steel. The maximum temperature of a spark created by a Ferro rod is about 5500 degrees Fahrenheit.
You have probably used Ferrocerium at some point in your life without actually realizing it! Ferrocerium is used to produce the spark in lighters. Not flints as most people believe!
Ferro rods are also known as “fire steels” or “flint and steel.”
Why are Ferro Rods So Much Better Than Other Fire-Starters?
If you’re looking for a reliable fire-starter that will work in all conditions, particularly in the wind and the rain, then a Ferro rod is the way to go. Ferro rods create sparks that are hot enough to ignite even when they’re wet. This makes them the ideal fire starter for any survival situation. They’re also small, lightweight, and easy to carry. You can either keep one on you all the time or stow one away in your bug-out bag.
As well as their most obvious use as an excellent fire-starter a Ferro rod can also be used for signaling purposes in an emergency. Although common sense should always be practiced. You don’t want to signal using extremely hot sparks if you are standing in the middle of a tinder-dry forest!
Ferro rods are also extremely easy to use and with very little practice, you’ll be able to start a fire in no time. Even in the most challenging of conditions. So next time you’re gearing up for a camping trip, make sure to pack a Ferro rod!
Using a Ferro rod couldn’t be simpler, but as with all fire-starters, you will need some tinder. Tinder can be anything from dried grass to birch bark. Char cloth is an excellent tinder that you can make yourself (Check out How to Make Char Cloth).
Once you have your tinder, place the end of your Ferro rod against or close to it. Use the striker to firmly strike the Ferro rod creating a multitude of sparks. Most Ferro rods are supplied with a metal striker but you can use the spine of a survival knife if you haven’t got a striker. Never use the blade, unless you want a very blunt survival knife! Failing that, a shard of glass would do the job, or even a sharp-edged stone.
If you have positioned the Ferro rod correctly sparks will land on the tinder. And it won’t be long before you see smoke as the tinder starts to produce embers.
Tip1: Be sure to keep the tinder close to the fire so it doesn’t go out.
Once you have your tinder smoking, you can feed it with larger pieces of tinder until flames appear. At which point you should start to add small sticks, working up in size until you eventually start adding logs.
Tip2: Instead of running the striker down the Ferro rod. Which often ends up with your striking hand hitting your tinder pile. Pull the rod upwards against the striker and away from the tinder. This may sound counterintuitive but the shower of sparks created by using this method will all fall onto your tinder pile and is therefore much more effective.
Choosing the Best Ferro Rods
If you’re looking for a Ferro rod that will give you the best performance, you’ll want to consider both hard and soft Ferro rods. Hard Ferro rods are made from a harder alloy and can produce a more intense spark. However, they may also be more difficult to strike. Soft Ferro rods, on the other hand, are made from a softer alloy. These can be easier to strike but may not produce as intense of a spark. Ultimately, the best Ferro rod for you will come down to personal preference.
When selecting a Ferro rod, you’ll also want to consider ergonomics. The best Ferro rods are those that are comfortable to hold and easy to use. Factors to consider include the weight of the Ferro rod and the size of the handle. The best choice of Ferro rod will ALWAYS depend on your individual needs.
Additionally, you may want to consider additional features. For example, some Ferro rods come with a built-in whistle that can be used to signal for help. Others have a built-in magnesium striker that can be used to create sparks. If these additional features are important to you, be sure to select a Ferro rod that includes them.
Ultimately, the best way to select a Ferro rod is to consider your personal needs and preferences. Be sure to weigh the importance of factors such as price, ergonomics, and additional features to find the best Ferro rod for you.
Which are the Best Ferro Rods Available?
There are a lot of different Ferro rods on the market these days. It can be tough to figure out which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve put together a list of five of the best Ferro rods currently available. Our selection is based on user ratings and trusted independent reviews.
There are undoubtedly other ferrocerium rods that are equally as good as those we have listed below. But these five will definitely help you to cut straight to the chase. Providing a good benchmark for what you should be looking for.
What could possibly be better than a German-made Ferro rod? This uber-popular Ferro rod is a favorite among many outdoors enthusiasts. The Uberleden Zunden Ferro rod is made of high-quality materials. It boasts an impressive 8,000-degree Celsius spark. It also comes with a handy carrying case, making it perfect for camping or backpacking trips.
This Ferro rod is made with your comfort in mind. Ensuring a good grip and easy use. It is also lightweight and compact, making it the perfect addition to your survival gear.
2. Holtzman’s Gorilla Survival Ferro Rod
This Ferro rod is built to last and provides an impressive 8,000-degree Celsius spark. It is also easy to use and features a comfortable grip, making it the perfect choice for any outdoor enthusiast.
The Bayite Ferro Rod is another great choice, especially for those who are looking for an affordable and reliable Ferro rod. This Ferro rod, like the others listed here, is made of high-quality materials and has a reliable and trusted design, making it a great choice for any outdoor enthusiast. Bayite also offers a lifetime warranty, making it a great investment for anyone looking for a quality fire starter.
This Bayite Ferro rod offers an impressive 8,000-degree Celsius spark. It also features a comfortable grip and is easy to use.
4. Light My Fire Swedish Fire-steel
It also has a striker that is attached to the side of the fire steel, so you’ll never have to worry about losing it. Plus, the handle is ergonomically designed so it’s comfortable to use.
So, if you’re looking for an easy and reliable way to start fires, the Light My Fire Swedish Fire steel is a great option.
The UST Strikeforce fire starter is a great way to start a fire in any situation. This handy little tool is made of durable materials and is easy to use, even in wet conditions.
With its striker and Ferro rod, you’ll be able to start a fire with just a few sparks. The UST Strikeforce fire starter is perfect for camping, backpacking, or any other outdoor activity.
Finally…
Hopefully, we’ve provided you with pretty much everything you need to know about Ferro rods from a survival and preparedness point of view. And as such you should now understand just how important they are and why you should have at least one stashed away in your emergency gear.
Please remember that even though a Ferro rod is a very simple piece of fire starting equipment you should never underestimate just how important it is to buy a good quality item rather than the first one you find. Making a poor selection could be extremely costly in the long term!