This report about the SE FS374 All-Weather Emergency 2-IN-1 answers these questions
• I cannot get a spark from the black bar. Is that the flint? If so, I can't get a spark no matter what I strike it with, pocket knife, or the saw.
• My magnesium flakes do not light with a match, a cigarette lighter let alone the striker. Anyone else have this problem
• The list price stated on the page $375! yet being offered at 4 buck !! Is there an error somewhere?
• How are these compared to the ones made in the USA? Is there a difference in the content of the magnesium bar?
• Is there a way to determine country of origin before ordering? I have American made, (works as advertised), and Chinese, (won't work at all)..
• Does its last awhile after being used several times?
• How long (or how many fires) could someone use just one of these products? Example..."good for one use/good for 10 uses" thanks
• If I buy 3 will they be in the same package or in separate packs?
• I couldn't light the magnesium flakes (a pile the size of a quarter) with a match, let alone with the striker. Why all the positive reviews?
• Magnesium Fire Starter $877.50 seems a bit pricey... Can I get a price check?
• What is the primary use of this product?
• How many fires would you be able to make until it's not good to use?
• Why buy this instead of a lighter?
• Can you take this in your carry on, on a plane?
• Why doesn't the magnesium bar ignite like the magnesium shavings do when you strike the flint that's attached to it?
• What percent magnesium is this? I bought one "like this" (in looks) that would not light even when I put it in the fire I lit with my lighter.
• Has anyone brought one of these on an airplane? Will the TSA confiscate it if you leave it on a keychain?
• Can I bring this with me through an airport? How about on the plane? Can it be in my luggage perhaps?
• I cannot get a spark from the black bar. Is that the flint? If so, I can't get a spark no matter what I strike it with, pocket knife, or the saw.
• Does it come with any instruction?
• Can it be used to light logs for fireplace?
• Why does it say it is 359 dollars?
• How do you use it
• Does it look like the picture?
• How many fires?
• Why is the list price $1,099.99?
• Will it work if it gets wet??
• Stove
QUESTION: I CANNOT GET A SPARK FROM THE BLACK BAR. IS THAT THE FLINT? IF SO, I CAN'T GET A SPARK NO MATTER WHAT I STRIKE IT WITH, POCKET KNIFE, OR THE SAW.
• Striking doesn't mean to literally hit it. Striking means to press the back of the scraper firmly against the black rod and slide it quickly. Press firmly and slide quickly. The silver bar is magnesium. Use the scraper to create a little pile of magnesium shavings. If sparks hit the shavings they'll catch fire.
• We keep a little container that is made to carry a bar of soap and fill it with cotton balls with a smear of vaseline on each one. It will hold about 20 of them compressed. Scrape the magnesium on that and as the others have said, drag the back of the hack saw blade down the black flint at a sharp angle and you will get a spark that lights the magnesium. Once that lights the cotton and vaeline will burn hot for several minutes giving you plenty of time to put tinder on it. Even will work with wet wood if the wood is small enough when you start.
• It seems to take a good flick of the wrist at the end of the flint, and you have to take it off the chain for maximum spark.
• Yes the black bar is the flint. Mine had the same problem. It seems like there was some sort of coating preventing the spark, just use the serrated end to take off the coating then you should be good to go.
• Yes, the black bar is the flint. Strike the metal striker/saw at an angle lightly & it should spark for you. Don't forget to have a fair size pile of magnesium for the spark to fall in. Works in light rain also.
• You do not "strike" anything. Only a scraping motion. Take the piece of hacksaw off the chain. Using the smooth back edge, scrape some of the silver white metal into the tinder. You may find it easier to scrape some off onto something flexible like a sheet of paper, cloth, or leather, then fold it and pour into your tinder. Turn around to the black metal side. It will probably have some very black oxide built up on it, and won't spark until you remove this. Again, using the smooth side of the hacksaw piece, scrape down the black rod a bit briskly. Once you can get a spark, hold the fire starter right over the tinder. Then make a short, brisk scrape down the black bar. The silver metal strips (magnesium) will light and burn very hot, igniting your tinder. With some practice, you can get a fire started -very- easily and quickly. Tissue paper and toilet paper work very well. Paper towels and facial tissues don't burn as well as you might expect, but do work. Ne wspaper, receipts, random scraps of paper. I've even just made thin shavings of wood. Dry moss works well, but you'll have to do more blowing into it to get a flame. I do NOT recommend holding the tinder in your bare hand, as the burning magnesium is very hot and burns for long enough to get you pretty good. I hate that cheap little broken off hacksaw blade. It will eat a hole through any bag or pocket. I use the back of my knife (stainless steel will work, the sparks are from the fire starter) which I filed to get a "sharp" 90 degree angle.
• you must use a carbon steel metal object to strike the bar. stainless steel knives or objects wont work. Also, don't hit the bar, press the edge of the metal against it and drag it along the bar quickly while holding the bottom near the pile of scraped magnesium.
• Is the black bar the flint? Or is the block the flint? I can't get either to spark. If neither is, how is a fire to be started with no spark?
• The striker is coated for some reason. Scrape coating off and rub the scraper up and down the striker a few times and you will get sparks.
• There is only one manufacturer of these starters, Doan. If it's not a Doan it's counterfeit and may be totally unusable like the one's I bought. Amazon has been informed but no action yet. The word Doan should be stamped on the side.
#SE_FS374_All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: MY MAGNESIUM FLAKES DO NOT LIGHT WITH A MATCH, A CIGARETTE LIGHTER LET ALONE THE STRIKER. ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM
• No, mine light fine. Bright, hot and fast.
• Your scrapings should be fine as dust and collected together so that you can not see through them where they are setting on the combustable material you have them setting on...
• Using the piece of hacksaw blade provided with the magnesium, you scrape the flakes onto a paper towel or newspaper and then scrape down the ignitor strip to create hot sparks. These sparks should ignite the paper without the magnesium catching fire. You have to be pretty violent with it.
• The magnesium starter works well, as long as your'e carrying an acetyline torch with you,I have had the same problem, very annoying.
#SE_FS374
QUESTION: THE LIST PRICE STATED ON THE PAGE $375! YET BEING OFFERED AT 4 BUCK !! IS THERE AN ERROR SOMEWHERE?
• I don't know why a seller would have this item listed for $375. We, Hobby Tool Supply, sell this item for $4.98 with free shipping for orders in the United States.
• It's probably an automated listing. The same thing happens on eBay when the seller has low stock, the item price is calculated based on availability.
• maybe it's just a typo and it's suppose to read $3.75
• Just another trick to get people like you and me to take a look at the product. We all want an incredible bargain, right? Offering a huge discount off a fake, never-sold-at price like this would be illegal if it weren't for the internet, where retailers seem to get away with whatever they want under the guise of "Terms and Conditions" which basically means you've agreed to waive your usual consumer rights and be lied to.
• There is nothing in the world that's 'worth' anything which people wouldn't pay so much as a penny for; therefore, everything of any cost is only 'worth' what anyone's willing to pay for it. (Really, we live in a world where WATER is routinely available ONLY at a price, and people pay top dollar for gravel, sand + 'top soil'; i.e. literally buying rocks + 'dirt', isn't it?) Meanwhile, I suspect some sellers post astronomical price-tags on the simple, off chance, they may 'win the lottery' as it were. If someone's willing to pay whatever absurd/obscene price ... just for the bragging rights to say 'oh, yeah, that's worth SEVERAL hundred dollars!' Who are the sellers to 'haggle'? Believe it or else, there are STILL an incredibly, too-many people who have more money than they know (or care--more to the point) what to do with, and any seller who knows their 'demand-side' economics has rarely i f ever been bound by any law in history so much as personal ethics not to get whatever anyone's WILLING to pay--so long as they're not playing 'monopoly' ... or are we now? ; ] Other, less honest sellers might also simply hope to sell these price-gouge posting by mere dint of accidental clicking and that either a buyer wouldn't be the wiser? Or, again, has so much money they couldn't care less in any case. It happens, I don't doubt it. + I wouldn't 'discount' the possibility of outright scamming happening on that (e-)front, either.
• It's actually $1 009.99 but you were close
#All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: HOW ARE THESE COMPARED TO THE ONES MADE IN THE USA? IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CONTENT OF THE MAGNESIUM BAR?
• As far as I know there is no measurable difference. However I would have to check with the manufacturer to be 100 sure
• As far as I know there is no measurable difference. However I would have to check with the manufacturer to be 100 sure
• Apparently not enough magnesium. It did not work at all!
• Ive used both i did not find no difference I was pleasantly surprised....works great.
• Not sure about the answer to that. I know it works well. Metal striker is not the best but a good knife will take care of shaving and striking the spark. As I said it works well.
#SE_FS374_Review
QUESTION: IS THERE A WAY TO DETERMINE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN BEFORE ORDERING? I HAVE AMERICAN MADE, (WORKS AS ADVERTISED), AND CHINESE, (WON'T WORK AT ALL)..
• I didn't see the country of origin My Baad,,, but I did see if I could make it spark... that takes a little work but it does spark after you scratch the paint off the mag strip on the side of the body of the holder... What I did see The Survivor Man do was to scrape off some of the magnesium and that will catch fast so I thought it was a ggod thing to have in an emergency .... if your just going camping take matches they are the best invention!
• I just checked the packaging which said it was made in china but it works as it should.
• I have both types. This one I reviewed is the type you have trouble with. I have this advice. The problem is not with the magnesium or the ferrous rod. It is the striker blade that is the problem. Throw away the little piece of saw blade that came with it and get a Lenox 18-24 tooth hacksaw blade and cut it into several 4" pieces. Use the ends with the holes. Use a file to make the back edge square with a burr on one side and remove the paint from this end. Use the saw side to shave off very fine pieces of magnesium and the back side to strike the ferrous rod side or try different knife blades to find out which one makes the best spark. Try to make very small magnesium particles with the saw to make them easier to light. it should be held at a very close angle to the magnesium and wear off particles rather than cutting them off. The striker will be at almost a right angle to the ferrous rod and hold it very close to the ferrous rod so it doesn't bend. You can keep th e saw blade in one of those plastic strips that you slide on to hold pages together in a report cover to keep it from snagging or cutting anything on your pack and it can be a handle for the blade when sawing. How well the rod sparks depends on the steel and design of the striker blade. It works best with a hook burr on the edge. Check out the new BG striker for one that really works
• Not sure im a first time customer and am very deapointed with what i orderd from site and got charged shipping when i orderd amount necessary to qualify for fee shipping one package came from us and the other is coming from china..
#SE_FS374_All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: DOES ITS LAST AWHILE AFTER BEING USED SEVERAL TIMES?
• It will last several hundred uses easily.
• Husband uses on a regular basis and his last one is over a year old:) He has it in his pocket at all times.
• It will last until it is worn out...that is when the last little sliver breaks into tiny pieces.
• The burning element ? The part that gets scraped off? I would say it acts about the same as a fireworks sparkler. Maybe if you used a hack saw, cut this into several smaller blocks then used them as fuel in a small already burning fire, they would be great at raising the temperture in order to get difficult / wet wood to burn
#SE_FS374
QUESTION: HOW LONG (OR HOW MANY FIRES) COULD SOMEONE USE JUST ONE OF THESE PRODUCTS? EXAMPLE..."GOOD FOR ONE USE/GOOD FOR 10 USES" THANKS
• Good for literally hundreds of uses. The magnesium is flaked off the "brick" with the sawtooth side of the striker and used to ignite a fire with a quick strike to the brick aimed at the magnesium flakes. It takes some practice but works everytime once you figure out the best technique. The magnesium flakes will ignite when sprayed with sparks and burn ultra hot to ignite whatever dry tinder or wadding you use to start your fire. Again - practice makes for a very useful last resort tool. Personally, I scrape off a small pile of magnesium with the saw provided and use my buck knife blade to scrape the sparker bar. Works every time.
• multiple fires with normal use. Will work forever. My father had a similar one from his youth and was still viable years after his passing.
• I am not sure, they are supposed to last a long time. There are many good tips on yahoo as to how to use it and keep it. Many people use it for camping and claim that you will lose it before you "use" it . They say is also depends on how much you shave off with you knife each time. Works very well. I decided to try it as I am tired of having damp matches. But we don't camp that much so ours I am sure will last forever
• I would say 100 or so. best too go too you tube & watch a few vidios
• Waaaaaaaaaay more than a Bic disposable butane. As with any fire-starting method, damp, or wet wood is VERY hard to ignite. Shave tinder from the inside of semi-dry branches. Also, high winds make ANY fire starting difficult. Selection of fire site should take this into account. Used properly, these units will start hundreds of fires. WELL worth the money. You should have one of these units in EVERY bug-out pack - small or large. This could save your life. Use it a few times to get used to how it works before you need it in an emergency (like any other survival gear). You don't want to face a learning curve when things get nasty. Know your gear. Practice with your gear. When needed, your gear will be your friend.
#All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: IF I BUY 3 WILL THEY BE IN THE SAME PACKAGE OR IN SEPARATE PACKS?
• They are in separate packages.
• Deborah, they are packed on separate cards but we can certainly send them in the same package. Thanks for Asking WIDE WORLD MAPS and MORE! in Phoenix, Arizona
• It should be if you ordered together with the quantity and one transaction. Review your order before confirming. Hope I helped you
• multiple quantities are packaged individually and shipped together. We hope that you will select Paintball Discounters as your Amazon fulfillment partner.
• it will be the way you will choose or together or seperated
#SE_FS374_Review
QUESTION: I COULDN'T LIGHT THE MAGNESIUM FLAKES (A PILE THE SIZE OF A QUARTER) WITH A MATCH, LET ALONE WITH THE STRIKER. WHY ALL THE POSITIVE REVIEWS?
• I humbly suggest it is a matter of experience and technique. Once you learn the technique, you will be an expert... Get your flint firmly in your weak hand and press it into the shavings. With your strong hand, scrap the flint firmly ending your stroke deep in the pile of shavings. With a good stroke, you will see a "bright" core spark instead of a bunch of flashy sparks. Direct THAT spark directly into the shavings. It WILL ignite when you get it right -- even in the rain. Not to worry about burning your hands... when it ignites, you will flinch automatically away from the fire. Immediately, gather your tinder around the burning metal. It will be "very" hot. Lastly, when you develop the right technique, you will quickly learn how much magnesium shavings you need to start a fire. Not much if everything is dry. When your other fuel is wet, you will need a bit of a sustained metal fire to dry the tinder so it will ignite also. Not to worry -- you are on the way to successful fire building. but if you use up the magnesium bar early because of making huge piles of shavings, you may have to buy a 2nd one but again -- that one will last you a long time because by practicing with first one -- you are now a veteran.. :^)
• I just successfully lit some flakes before writing this reply. Did you repeatedly strike flint close to the pile? I can't say why you failed to light a pile as large as a quarter when I got a burn going with less than a dimes worth of flakes in mass.
• no trick to it - repetition is the mother of skill, just keep striking til you get the ignition - you may need a better striker, I use the back of my knife to get the best sparks
• A great super cheap fire starting tender is to take some cotton balls and mush Vaseline into them. You can stuff a bunch into a little pill bottle. Works decent in wet conditions.
#SE_FS374_All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: MAGNESIUM FIRE STARTER $877.50 SEEMS A BIT PRICEY... CAN I GET A PRICE CHECK?
• I agree! Sometimes sellers set crazy prices on their items. The good news is that there are several buying options from other sellers if you click on the additional buying options. I believe ours is listed for $2.75 and there may be ones that qualify for free shipping with amazon prime.
• Our sell price is $4.59 I did not put the crazy high price in Amazon's system, do not know how it got there. Please ignore it.
• We have this item listed for $4.98. The seller with the price of $877.50 is not us so I can't comment on their price.
#SE_FS374
QUESTION: WHAT IS THE PRIMARY USE OF THIS PRODUCT?
• You mean it's primary benefit over some other forms of fire starting. Answer: You could literally store this fire starter in a gallon water for 10 years and it will still work. It is a non-rusting metal (magnesium, 0% iron) that burns. It's the stuff used in flash bulbs on the old cameras. The flint on it's side is not diferentially permeable with water, so you always have a spark available with the flint and fuel available with the magnesium bar, even after a flood or rain. They aren't super-easy to use but they are super-reliable... And super cheap.
• This is mostly a camping or survival tool used to start campfires by causing a spark which ignites your tinder. Per the directions on the back of the package here is how it works: 1. Gently Shave a small quantity of Magnesium with the serrated end of the striker into a small pile of dry grass, paper, wood and/or leaves. 2. Strike the flint with the striker 3. Let the sparks fall onto the pile of shaved magnesium to start a fire.
• First off magnesium is a flammable metal .... Its used as a means of starting a fire if you don't have any matches , lighters or any other means for fire starting .... You scrape off the Magnesium (via provided hacksaw blade or knife)into a small pile about the volume of a half thimble full or more if needed then strike the flint rod towards the pile and the sparks ignite the magnesium .. Have plenty of tinder and kindling to immediately put on the ignited magnesium and some wood to start that fire with before attempting .... Do the best job you can the first time around .... This is somewhat the mantra of wilderness survival ....
• What is the primary use for a fire starter? Knitting...it's used for knitting sweaters
• To be able to start fire without any other resources. Just dried tender and u have fire
• provide a reliable wireless internet connection
• Paper weight. This is a deceptive ripoff.
#All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: HOW MANY FIRES WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO MAKE UNTIL IT'S NOT GOOD TO USE?
• If your good at making fires then over a thousand if not maybe a few hundred
• 50+ depending on skill and conditions of course. All depends on how much magnesium you use per fire. Its still well worth the 5 bucks. Only reason i won't be buying it again is because i have no problem at all spending a little extra to buy American made.
• It is capable of hundreds of fires before the flint is no good. The Magnesium bar is about 1 inch by 3 inch, with a strip of flint glued to an edge. Comes with small saw blade to shave off magnesium.
#SE_FS374_Review
QUESTION: WHY BUY THIS INSTEAD OF A LIGHTER?
• This lighter is great for emergency situations when you don't have a regular lighter on hand.
• Because a lighter can run out, and this won't because it doesn't need fuel. Just some dried grass, leaves etc. scrape off some of the magnesium then then create a spark on the pile of magnesium and tinder.
• lighters don't work when they get wet and lighters run out of fuel.
• You should also have a lighter. This will start fire where a lighter will not ignite in wet conditions and this is good for hundreds of uses and your lighter will run out of butane. Has a flame source of 5400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You should buy this instead of a lighter because this is water proof as well as it doesn't require being filled with lighter fluid. This is more reliable in a survival situation than a lighter, only if you have the right materials. A lighter and can light more things on fire but it can't be bashed around like this tool. If you have tinder to get a spark with then this would be better than a lighter.
• This item will work 100% of the time after being submerged in a river or driven over by a truck. Try that wit a lighter or a box of matches!
• I bought it, at first, because I thought the concept was neat. I like seeing how different things work. This was just one of those cool things to have.
• lighters can loose their fluid thru evaporation so you may think you have a way to start fire but don't magnesium works better in wet windy enviroments
• This is an emergency type fire starter. This is not meant for cigarettes or cigars. A lighter can run out of fuel or get broken. The magnesium fire starter will not run out of fuel.
• I'm adding it as part of my fire starting kit for camping/SHTF. It will work when a lighter doesn't. I am including a few lighters and water proof matches as well. Always good to have a few options to start a fire
#SE_FS374_All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: CAN YOU TAKE THIS IN YOUR CARRY ON, ON A PLANE?
• Check with hsa
• That's a better question to direct to the TSA not Amazon, but at the price maybe it's worth it to you to have it taken. I wouldn't risk it personally since the striker looks like a knife.
• You would need to consult the airline about that question
• That's a great question however you should probably call the airline/airport. The green striker has a serrated edge (not that it's very sharp) but I do not know for sure what the policy is on carrying raw magnesium.
#SE_FS374
QUESTION: WHY DOESN'T THE MAGNESIUM BAR IGNITE LIKE THE MAGNESIUM SHAVINGS DO WHEN YOU STRIKE THE FLINT THAT'S ATTACHED TO IT?
• I don't know the scientific reason for it but its just like using kindling to start a fire. Its easier to lite a small twig on fire with a match and then add to it than it is to start a large log on fire with a match. The small shavings catch fire readily while the chunk of magnesium doesn't.
• Because the shavings will ignite at a temp of almost 3000 degrees but the bar itself is not really flammable. it's a bar of some kind of iron i think that is covered with magnesium and the shavings of the magnesium are miniscule, and like flint and steel shavings, will spark and ignite your soft, tinder for fire making. i have used this on wet tinder too and it works. the bar itself has never even come close to igniting, just the shavings since they are so small. at least that's the explanation, somewhat, that my husband gave me. lol. also, since you are essentially scraping off the magnesium then this bar will wear out and need replacing. the miniscule shavings are what ignite, the iron bar inside of it will not. just like steel shavings will ignite the same way when you use flint and steel, the flint will never ignite, just the steel shavings due to their tiny size.
• If I am remembering back to my high school chemistry correctly, it most likely has something to do with surface area.
• Heat. The small shavings have little mass and reach their ignition point quickly. The larger mass of the bar conducts heat away from the striking point so the bar doesn't get hot enough to ignite. Porsche used to make a mid-engine car with a magnesium block. The block, when overheated, was prone to catching fire. It was a rare event, but I don't think anyone is making magnesium blocks anymore.
• Oxygen
#All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: WHAT PERCENT MAGNESIUM IS THIS? I BOUGHT ONE "LIKE THIS" (IN LOOKS) THAT WOULD NOT LIGHT EVEN WHEN I PUT IT IN THE FIRE I LIT WITH MY LIGHTER.
• The magnesium is so hard it barely comes off the stick even with a knife.
• I'm not sure but, I bought it for my son who camps and fishes often and he said it worked great.
• my question to you is where did you buy it at because not a lll magnesium bars are the same ? if it came from china your right it will not light even with a torch but other companies will
#SE_FS374_Review
QUESTION: HAS ANYONE BROUGHT ONE OF THESE ON AN AIRPLANE? WILL THE TSA CONFISCATE IT IF YOU LEAVE IT ON A KEYCHAIN?
• More than likely because they probably don't have one themselves
• Anything with seration or that is longer than 2.5" will be confiscated. I work for TSA.
• Leaving this item on a keychain on hand carry will probably get confiscated. Due to the fact it can start a fire. I have seen some TSA will allow it for military returning from overseas in uniform from a deployment.
• I've flown on commercial flights a number of times with a butane lighter in my jacket pocket, and it's never been questioned or confiscated, even though the TSA has stolen nail clippers and tiny folding scissors with 1-inch blades from me. There's no rhyme or reason to what they do and the rules change frequently.
• put it in your checked bag and your all good even knifes and such I just brought home 4 knives and a tomahawk just put em in my checked bag and no fuss no muss
• it will have to be checked because it is a product that can caause fire. It can be placed in you regular lugage. most of the time they do not look at the key rings and might not ask about it. But if you do take it on i would remove the blade first. Plus TSA will take it if they know it is a fire stater and you could get jail time too. So I would keep it in checked bags.
• try it and let us know how it goes.
• I don't know for sure, but I don't think I'd try it. It seems like it would be better to put it in checked luggage, to if that isn't possible, mail it.
#SE_FS374_All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: CAN I BRING THIS WITH ME THROUGH AN AIRPORT? HOW ABOUT ON THE PLANE? CAN IT BE IN MY LUGGAGE PERHAPS?
• April , I have no idea--however I would think maybe if left in a pc . of luggage , it might be wise to call the airline and ask them if it's left in luggage if it would be ok. Just don't have anything else that could be taken as an attempt to bring anything that could be taken as bomb material
• I would think so. I was told something like the striker will pass up to 7".
#SE_FS374
QUESTION: I CANNOT GET A SPARK FROM THE BLACK BAR. IS THAT THE FLINT? IF SO, I CAN'T GET A SPARK NO MATTER WHAT I STRIKE IT WITH, POCKET KNIFE, OR THE SAW.
• A Good Word, I was able to get it to spark a couple of times, but it was difficult. I would hate to depend on it. Someone said on another review if they were made in China, they use something different and it doesn't work as well. So, this was probably the China ones.
• Make sure you rub off the black coating... once enough is gone it will spark. The rod will be used up long before the rest of the metal is... its not a good one.
• It was very difficult to get my first few sparks; drag the black flat piece over the black bar. It took about 15 good strokes before I could get my first spark. Even pressure with a decent speed; perhaps there was a coating on it because now I am able to get a spark every time.
• I am sorry I can't answer your question because I have the same problem.
• I honestly had to watch a youtube video on how to make this work. It is difficult.
• The saw it comes with should work you have to get passed the black coating. If that doesn't work chalk it up to it being garbage, mine was.
• Don't strike it...scrape it with the back side of the saw blade--the side that has a 90 degree sharp angle on the edge.
• Strike black bar with sharp pocket knife perpendicular , knife should not be angled on black strip, strike it fast too
#All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: DOES IT COME WITH ANY INSTRUCTION?
• Very basic instructions are on the back, but it is used like any other magnesium-ferro starter.
• I think so but they were very brief. Plenty of very useful YouTube videos.
• The instructions are on the back of the package, I have used this style item for years. One safety tip, the metal burs very hot and it only takes about a small amount, About the diameter of a quarter.
• Yes...it does come with instructions.
#SE_FS374_Review
QUESTION: CAN IT BE USED TO LIGHT LOGS FOR FIREPLACE?
• I believe so but there are better ways to do that. Also it's better for out door fire pits
• Rather difficult. Usually kindling is set on top of newspaper to light up the fireplace which is best done with a match. This is an emergency item for lighting a fire when there are no matches available and your outdoors. Typically you strike this near a ball of dead grass, pine needles etc and then add small bits of kindling as the fire grows. I would not recommend this for lighting the fireplace.
• This item is designed to be used in emergency situations as a last resort. You could use it to start a fire in a fireplace but it wouldnt be practical f you have access to matches or a lighter.
• It's used to light small tinder, which is used to light larger tinder, which is used to burn larger wood.
• Yes. Indoor or outdoor fires. It will take awhile to gather enough shavings to start the fire tho.
• It can not be used to light a log. You would have to build the fire properly, with kindling and small tinder and so forth. The key to understanding this is that you will be creating a spark, very easily, but only a spark. Not a flame! Lighting a log directly would be impossible. Hope this helps!
#SE_FS374_All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: WHY DOES IT SAY IT IS 359 DOLLARS?
• It's quite possible the seller forgot to input the decimal. If you look at other buying options you will see them priced from the mid $2 range to high $3 range. Unless the seller is selling a huge lot of them the price is no where near $359.
• It was a typo it should have been $7.95
• I don't see where or why this item would say $359. Both of our list prices are under $5. I hope this helps.
#SE_FS374
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU USE IT
• Scratch the magnesium block and make a small pile, then with the striker you strike a spark into the magnesium pile. It'll ignite right away so have dried grass and wood ready for your fire.
• Shave off some of the magnesium to ignite whatever you are trying to burn. Then just strike the rod to get sparks and you have a fire started.
• you shave one side with the blade. then you use the other side to spark. very easy!
• You shave the mag. Off one side and strike the flint
• I don't know, but bought it for emergency prep. I assumed you would strike the smaller piece against the thicker piece of flint close to something like tissue paper that would ignite easily. A good idea for us modern men is to buy a package of 24 small cigarette lighters -- that's another good prep. I just read some other posts and they are much smarter: shave off some magnesium onto kindling or paper then strike a spark to ignite. If you can't get it to work go to plan B, use the cigarette lighter. ciao, lol.
#All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: DOES IT LOOK LIKE THE PICTURE?
• Yes, it does . . . and it works real well !
• Yes it looks like the picture. It's roughly 2.5-3"long x 1"wide x 3/8-1/2"thick.
• Same thing as shown
• yes, it's but no trade mark.
• Mine looks exactly as pictured!
#SE_FS374_Review
QUESTION: HOW MANY FIRES?
• I have a couple of these things. It consists of a little metal bar glued to a block of magnesium. You shave off some of the magnesium into a little pile then fling some sparks into it. A good contact and the magnesium will light and burn very hot for a few seconds. If you have dry tinder or something flammable you can skip the magnesium. I've been practicing by lighting a cooking campfire outside almost daily with one. Mostly just using the spark bar and a knife. I've used up maybe 1/10th of the bar over the course of lighting 30 or so fires.
• Quite a few you shave a bunch off abd catch a spark in it, as long as you have dry tinder you should be able to get a fire... quessing I would ssy at least 10
• Used it for two so far...
• The response should be infinitum, as long as you magnesium stone life.
• Various successfully. Not failed once.
• I don't use it too often so I'm going to say ALL THE FIRES!!!!!!
#SE_FS374_All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: WHY IS THE LIST PRICE $1,099.99?
• Ummm... That's a mistake. I'm sorry I'll check k on this asap
• I'm sorry, but for this listing I see the list price as $7.99 and not something else. Kind Regards, QualityTOOLSupply
#SE_FS374
QUESTION: WILL IT WORK IF IT GETS WET??
• Yes it will work while wet.. Magnesium will burn on top of water
• Yup. Just wipe off any water that's beaded on it and proceed as normal. The striker should still create sparks and the magnesium shavings should still ignite. What should be dry is the tinder and kindling that you're trying to burn.. use lint from bottom of jeans pocket and kindling etc...
• Yes it does
• Husband says yes
• absolutely that is their whole purpose...the fire starter will generate a flame ..the hardest part is finding dry tinder if you are deluged by a rainstorm
• Yeah, Just wipe it off first.
• Yes. I have these on my boat survival kit and in every vehicle I own. Magnesium flares burn underwater. It may be a little hard to get the tender started if it is wet, but once the magnesium gets going, it will burn through water.
#All-Weather_Emergency_2-IN-1
QUESTION: STOVE
• Striker style for starting campfires
• Useful.
• No.
#SE_FS374_Review
QUESTION: WHAT IS THE AMAZON ASIN NUMBER FOR THIS PRODUCT?
• The ASIN is B0010O748Q