How to Start a Fire Starting with a Ferrocerium Rod

You knew when camping season had started when Dad came home with new outdoor gear to try out and use on our trip. From survival saws to camp stoves to waterproof matches we saw it all. What struck me the most (excuse the pun) were the fire starting gear. Particularly the “metal match” Ferrocerium rods. This is an update on the old school flint and steel.

This is what you find in lighters, the fire starters used for lighting gas torches and of course flint rods sold for survival. For the alchemist or really hard core DIYer, they are a mixture of: Iron (19%), Cerium (38%), Lanthanum (22%), Neodymium (4%), Praseodymium (4%), Magnesium (4%) source. It was designed to create a hotter, longer burning spark for igniting things. A LOT simpler than a rock and a piece of steel.


I still have the same “metal match” that my dad bought around 20 years ago (don’t tell him!). I don’t use it much, but I keep it on hand for emergencies. It’s Coghlan’s Magnesium Fire Starter, which includes an added benefit: Magnesium.

The magnesium is that added benefit for wet weather. You start by shaving off the magnesium with a sharp edge to create a small pile on your tinder. Then you strike the flint into the pile of shavings and ignite the magnesium. Magnesium can burn hotter than 3000 degrees C (> 5500 F), so you can imagine how much of a difference it will make.  I like it because it gives you an extra few seconds over the spark alone to get your tinder burning. Its a very simple process that much to the chagrin of my wife left a burn mark in her dining room table. Don’t worry, after half an hour of sanding and varnish  you can’t even see it anymore.

Surprisingly, the price is very low. $6 more or less and as I’ve said, I’ve had it for 20 years or so. At 20 years the flint detached from the magnesium, but a little epoxy and its good to go.

When I finish the video of a pot stand of the penny alcohol stove I’m hoping to put together a video of different emergency fire starters in action.

So, Have you used this “magnesium fire starter” or something similar? What is your experience?

P.S. Check out Coghlan’s new “Green Packaging Initiative”. Although a little step, its another reason to buy from them.