Meritline has the Magnesium Flint Fire Steel Starter Striker for $3.99 - $2.50 with coupon code MLCK6007020406NL1 [700 uses] = $1.49 with free shipping. Produces 5500F degree sparks to start a fire in almost any conditions. Bear Grylls approved.
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I wonder what the rod is made of. It is too heavy to be just magnesium.
thats what she said
I picked up a few of these last time Ben posted it. They work as advertised, which is to say they can start a fire in capable hands.
As to what's in the rod besides magnesium? Well solid magnesium isn't as light as say titanium or aluminum so a solid rod of it will be heavier than you might think. That being said, I suspect there's some iron or other oxygen-reactive metal to both cut down on cost and help the sparks sustain their heat for just a little bit longer than they normally would (a la thermite).
Meritline seems like a shifty operation. What are the odds of entering the coupon code, I get the discount, go to open and account, put in credit card info (60 seconds) and then the deal has been over-subscribed???
"Well solid magnesium isn't as light as say titanium or aluminum..." Yes, you are right, it is not AS light, it is in fact much lighter.
Density:
Magnesium: 1.74 g.cm -3
Aluminum: 2.70 g.cm -3
Titanium: 4.50 g.cm -3
This is NOT magnesium. It is a fire "steel" and flint. It works by causing sparks (to go on some flammable material) as the two parts are pulled against each other. Magnesium fire starters work by shaving bits of magnesium into a small pile and then using a (usually attached) flint/steel to spark that pile, which rapidly oxidizes at a high temperature (it "burns"). That magnesium pile should be on some other flammable material, because the magnesium will burn out relatively fast. Yes, some "magnesium file starters" do not have an attached flint/steel, so be cautions.
See, Even I...the ghost of Saddam know this stuff..get your chemical handbooks out, kiddies and study up!
Hey Sparky!
This is a magnesium rod. I have this. The green strike blade is made of steel and has a serrated side and a smooth side. you are supposed to shave bits of the rod onto some toilet paper or lint (look in your belly button) with the serrated side. Then throw a spark using the rod and the smooth side. This works. Bear Grylls approved.
I looked in my belly button. Now what?