How To Correctly Use the Ferro-Rod/Magnesium Combo

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Another well explained useful educational video. Good job my friend

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

#überguy Thank you my friend for that "vote of confidence". Lars is a man that I have a lot of respect for since he is a type that goes out and puts to use what he teaches/shares. He is not another bushcraft / survival wannabe web wonder. He practices what he preaches.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks to the both of you!

[@eachday9538]

Far North Bushcraft And Survival Yes, but Lars doesn't have an awesome beard, so can't take his advise too seriously ;-)

[@tatmanoutdoors2001]

Great video,I just got 3 rods of magnesium delivered today,and going to make a combo,the mixing is something I wouldn’t have thought to do,,thank you

[@God_is_Justice]

zero dislikes, that's how awesome this man is.

[@swampfox5329]

Don't jinx him, LOL.

[@hurleycapetown8420]

2 months later and still 0,i noticed it to.

[@mikeryan3049]

and 4 months later their is still no dislikes

[@mikeryan3049]

Nooooooooooo

[@BBQDad463]

My experiences with the ferro rod and magnesium support the correctness of your presentation. I might add, "scrape a larger amount of magnesium than you think you will need. More is better." Excellent video. Thanks!

[@daveagar5594]

30 years... I have never understood the magnesium in this way. HONESTLY!!!!!! Thank you.

[@deadfish86]

I haven't searched for magnesium/ferro combo videos before, but I can tell you that yours is the only one anyone ever needs to watch. Awesome Man! I've learned the same after many many years of using them. Don't be scared to use up the magnesium. Make big piles. The blocks are cheap. If you fear using up your mag, buy several of them, and store them all through your gear. Another helpful/interesting property is that once ignited, magnesium burns much more intensely if water gets introduced. (i.e.: RAIN).

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you for the comment and info :)

[@maguraboy]

Straight to the point,practical,no playing arround! Nice.

[@Lex4122]

Congratulations on the internet connection and big thank you for undertaking the efforts that you had to through before!

[@ralphthebrick]

Brilliant...Never new the proper way to use the Magnesium. Had a small block in a drawer for years, cant wait to try that out now. Its great to learn new techniques ...Thanks Lars

[@Mandalore06]

EXCELLENT VIDEO! I have been watching survival videos for years and this is the first time I've seen ANYONE mix the magnesium into their tinder. Thanks for sharing!

[@dirtisbetterthandiamonds]

Wow, I've always appreciated your videos but knowing you were having to drive into town to upload makes me appreciate them even more! We live too far out for internet still. Now I can complain to the cable company that a country boy in Russia has internet before this country girl in Florida Lol.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks An :) Yeah, that should get them working on that cable!

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

Your a man with plenty of good ol common sense tips Lars and nice to hear you can now upload in the warmth and comfort of home, I think many people do not realise how harsh the climatic conditions are where you live, one needs to experience those temperatures and conditions to appreciate it, cheers, atb, Paul.

[@Wintertrekker]

Best demo I have seen on use of magnesium mixed in with shavings. Well done!

[@RM-io7qo]

I feel cold just looking at all that snow...however, your happy-go-lucky laughter makes for a warm video to watch and enjoy. Great idea for firestarter, but as I have yet to camp out in the wilds, that because although I walk the woods, trails, canal and a lot more, I do so with a camera in hand photographing the fauna and flora on my wanderings. Enjoy your winter and good luck. :)

[@waynee.2856]

I don't envy you and all that snow, we are hoping for a mild winter this year and so far we are getting it. Today was in the upper 70s, I could have worn shorts. Tommorow we gather some snow though, wierd weather this year. Nice video Lars. Stay warm my friend.

[@PeterPan-bv9tu]

U did really drove the car to wireless access and uploaded for us subscribers, "its not even awesome, ITS DOUBLE EPIC AWESOME" ☺ Great video, im going out and testing my mag block tommorrow. / Peter

[@SurvivalRussia]

Yes i did :) Twelve times per month on average - in all kinds of weather.

[@LionheartSJZ]

Can't believe you went through the trouble of uploading from your car away from home up until now! I hope the connection worked from the homestead! Can you give us a little review of your Saiga rifle at some point? I'm really thinking about getting a Russian gun (probably AK platform) in the near future.

[@alexshield7532]

i take a magnesium ferro rod over a lighter every day (in outdoor situation)

[@SurvivalRussia]

Sure thing! Thank you for the comments Alex :)

[@nestorm.1868]

I recently had some difficulty in lighting a campfire due to slightly moist wood, and used the magnesium-ferro rod combo as per your fire starting technique. Result was POOF! A sudden large and intensely hot fire in the moist tinder and kindling. Thanks for the video! (I used the magnesium-ferro rod combo made by SOL - "Survive Outdoors Longer", which is reasonably priced.)

[@fumasterchu12]

Seems like the weird weather is all over the world. We set a record high yesterday of 86F, and tonight it is in the 20's. Oklahoma weather is known for being unpredictable. Hope you have a great weekend, and thanks for the excellent video!

[@williampysell2819]

I have been going back into the archives of you tube videos to find your early videos , like this one. You have made somw very good and informative videos!

[@markgoode4109]

These little tutorials are very helpful; very well explained. Thanks for taking the time to upload this. Best wishes and good luck to you and your family.

[@VE3FAL1Fred]

Great video Lars, we have had rain, sleet and thunder and lightning as well as 15cm of snow overnight tonight, calling for -17c Sunday night. Even using a ferro rod needs practice, far too many people try and shoot the sparks at the tinder as if shooting a rifle, the key is to scrape it whilst in the pile and not move anything. I have not played much with magnesium but always carry it with me, where I go to my winter location, Balsam sap is plentiful and lights like gasoline. Cheers my friend.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you :) Yes i had a little problems because the ferro rod was wet from melting snow. Have a great weekend Fred :)

[@SCSlimBoiseID]

Nice demonstration and explanation of the purpose of the magnesium - it was quite apparent how it helped the fire get going, once you got a spark to it. That is quite a knife! The blade reminds me of a Kukri, but it looks like it is a folding knife. Thumbs up!

[@paulhicks451]

Greetings from the Smoky Mountains of Carolina andTennessee! Your videos have inspired me to get out there and get it done!

[@kevins1114]

It seems your homestead internet connection is very good. This is your clearest video to date, and the sound is far better. I have a few Magnesium fire starters, but no Ferro-rods. I do have other fire-starting devices available to me. I have a large stockpile of matches (both wood and paper), some credit-card sized Fresnel lenses, and a rather large magnifying glass salvaged from a rear-projection television. For a bow-drill, I made a "handle" with a roller bearing to hold the top of the "drill" to reduce friction in my holding hand and to speed up the rotation speed. I nearly forgot this - steel wool. I use a 12 volt solar panel for a power source, two bare wires held in "alligator" clamps, and touch the wires to the steel wool. It works much better than the similar trick with a 9 volt battery, and lasts far longer. The solar panel is also useful for charging a battery to power a small light in my shelter at night. It also allows the use of an automobile radio.

[@actionimme]

My absolute goto guy for learning about firemaking!

[@tjbrison]

I can't believe that you can get an internet connection in the middle of a huge forest, when my parents can't - and they live in the middle of England! I believe that is what we call Sods Law ! Great video - love the channel !

[@SurvivalRussia]

I use an USB "Modem". Basically a cellphone SIM card with an antenna on the roof :) I will say that Russia has excellent coverage.

[@lubovladi]

all the good things around you, Lars...and skies ...тайга, I like them, so many positive things have come with snow and winter, congratulations!

[@crash5868]

Bought one of these in the camping shop a couple of years ago. I thought that it was a cheap trick done by the manufacturer to use an aluminium block to support the small diameter ferro rod. Just been out to the workshop and had some fun with a rasp and magnesium!

[@DenisHauser]

Holy Moly, you already have good winter. We have here in the Schwarzwald above + 10 ° C.

[@gordonmiller4439]

Great to hear that you now have a good connection at homestead kaserne! ))))))) Great video on the magnesium Ferro-rod combo. Thanks for sharing your work, Lars!

[@Wraith35]

I Love your no nonsense approach to bushcraft and survival technique! Keep up the good work!

[@heavyglassglass]

633 likes and 0 dislikes, that's how you know you make quality content

[@rossclay3317]

Always good to hear and see you my friend! Good video! Glad things are opening up for you! I'm on a film right now working with horses... But when I get back.. things will be happening! Stay giggly, stay warm and hold close the ones you love! Ross The Santa Fe Man..!

[@dsans8211]

Well done Sir! Excellent tip for using magnesium.

[@bushcraftnorthof6012]

I haven't used magnesium to start a fire since I was a kid! I may have to pack a few away now. Great video, as always.

[@SurvivalRussia]

I don't use the magnesium that much but it can come in handy at times :)

[@alaskaraftconnection-alask3397]

Always being somewhat of a fire-bug growing up in Alaska... I had good access as a kid to using Magnesium fire-starters in the little block/bars. Also learned early on that USA Military snowshoes could be used for scrapings (made of Magnesium and steel cable). Some early compound bows had risers made of it as well. In my experiences here in Alaska when it is wet or really frigid cold... it's the best reliable and conservative method to utilize a ferro rod. Great video and subject Lars... best wishes. Skiing here in Alaska will start for me coaching youth alpine racers this next Tuesday on man-made snow from fan guns. We have the temps to make it but very little from mother nature.

[@hurleycapetown8420]

I was watching totally different video's earlier and somehow came across your channel,i have watched about 10 of your videos and liked them all and subbed to your channel,keep up the good work im very confident your channel is going to hit 100k subs very soon.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you very mush. I appreciate it :) Have great weekend!

[@hurleycapetown8420]

Survival Russia Thanks Lars and a good weekend to you to,im in Sunny Cape town South Africa i hope its not to cold over there,keep up the good work.

[@Shooter11B]

As usual Lars, you are dead on correct with your information and observations and techniques!!

[@gregsummers7350]

Well Done Lars. As always good quality kit and the skills to maximize it potential is critical. Thanks, Greg

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you Greg!

[@MrSurf247]

Lars, great explanation and tutorial on the proper use of magnesium and ferro rod fires! Thanks for all the vids!

[@jvatell6111]

Now with the good internet connection instead of having to waste time driving around to upload a video you can produce twice as many videos for us to enjoy. (Only joking around but that surely will make it much easier for you. I know it takes a lot of time to produce a good video like you do.)

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Wonderful little instruction!

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you very much :)

[@kurtbaier6122]

I never thought much of a mag bar until I saw you vids. I sub' d this year and really like your vids. Thanks for sharing!

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you :) Mag bars are great but not needed all the time/every time. As you saw, it burns like gun powder if used right.

[@vikingmitch4049]

Glad to hear you got internet at the homestead, great video as always Lar's. Atb Russ. UK.

[@garland978]

Great demo that all of us needed to see, even those who a good with it already. Glad you have a good internet connection now, many good things to come. Thank you Lars.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks Garland and have a great weekend!

[@germanblankandairgunreview888]

Thank you Lars for showing this. I always use a ferro rod only, but I think i will buy a combination rod like yours! With magnesium it seemed to be a lot easier.... I always think my internet is too slow and i´m angry about the slow uploading from my videos... but the way you went through till now is a really hard way to upload all your videos :-)) so congratulations to your new internet connection! Greetings, Olli

[@waldschnepfe9673]

Thumb up my friend! Well explained how to use it. I was always dissapointed when I was using my magnesium fire steel. Now I know why. Cheers

[@dula4552]

Awsome news about the new internet connection! Hope to see many more videos,! lol :-) Absolutely love them! Regards from NZ

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you! :)

[@littlebull8881]

Nice one about the signal Lars. Welcome to the Internet!

[@hollissweedman1494]

Good video as always! We got our first snowfall of the year today.....17 inches or so depending on where you asked. Heck of a blizzard after being in the mid 50 degrees yesterday! keep up the good work my friend!

[@JimRodgers]

Good method for fire starting, mixing the wood shavings with the magnesium scrapings. I've never tried to seriously get a fire started with magnesium, only messed around with it. But your technique has be thinking that it'd be a great option, especially here where I live in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. (where there is not birch bark available). Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@andrexxxuk]

This is one of the better videos, showing the correct use and technique for using a magnesium/Farro. I think the biggest problem I have with any of these fero rod/magnesium type of firestarters, is that if you are prepping to take all of this stuff with you, just take a storm lighter/jet lighter, and it will light anything in pretty much any weather conditions.it’s not as though a ferro rod is traditional like a Flint and steel - it is a very modern man-made item. So just use a gas lighter.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Here it is below -30c at the moment. Gas lighters are not reliable in such weather, but I do use lighters of course. Lighters can fail however. A ferro-rod will never fail.

[@willieboy3011]

Good explanation. I will try this in a few months. Now I am in a South Arkansas jungle with rain and heat with pines, oaks, and Bald Cyprus. That snow sure looks nice. Curious looking knife blade.

[@sir_vass5356]

this was awsum! i ben using the magnesium rod since 2013 whil hiking, never known of this tips!!

[@charleslarson3152]

Big congratulations on the internet connection.....and I loved this short video. Well done and clear to the point. AMB Lar's from Arizona. >;)

[@czechmate9591]

Great video mate, you showed and explained that really well

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks!

[@ScaleModelAlberta]

Good job man. We've had a pretty awesome fall +10 C up until this past Wednesday, now seasonal at -5C.

[@GodzillaB210]

Congrats on your new internet connection!

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks! :)

[@slytlygufy]

Always learn something from your videos. Thanks much!

[@normanscout1148]

very informative video, the correct way to use magnesium block,could you do some reviews on a selection of Russian knives in future,thanks for sharing

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you :) I will do some videos on Russian knives. It's on my list :)

[@cslavov]

Found your channel through Far North Bushcraft channel. Subbed to both )

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you :)

[@HerrGesetz]

Bloody good man, always wondered why one bar was bigger than the other

[@craigallen1168]

thank you brother I too am a big fan of the magnesium / fero rod the good old fashioned steel wool works incredibly well also keep those videos coming my friend much appreciated

[@csh6220]

That was a great explanation and demonstration on how to use magnesium. I, like so many others, made a small pile, lit it and tried to get shavings to it quickly. One thing though, my mag bar is very hard. It won't scrape so I have to cut pieces off with a knife (an old junk knife). I think my mag bar's are not the best choices, as even new I cannot get the small scrapings.I gave up on mag bars and just use fatwood, which I have a lot of. Thanks for your video.

[@rogerbartley3684]

Great vid Lars. Excellent tutorial on magnesium usage. Congrats on all your channel improvements

[@thedudefmcdh6719]

Hey man the US Army magnesium bars are awesome. Magnesium and birch bark are life savers for a woodsman.

[@MrMigido]

Hya Lars, A winter drone opening view wood be nice if ya get the chance. You live in a great environment to distinctly illustrate and mark the change of Seasons. Cheers for the vids.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Yes i will do that :) It will be older footage as i don't have the drone anymore.

[@Miyanovich]

What happened to the drone?

[@BeachBow]

Excellent video. I've used this combo many times, but it never occurred to me that somebody would just scrape off a pile and light it without mixing it with the starter medium. Just goes to show that when you're taught something correctly, it just becomes automatic and "common sense". LOL! I wonder how much knowledge we've lost because of this?

[@ronbutler6526]

Really good news for you and your family to have a connection at home, congratulations! Looks kinda hard for the animals to survive in the winter up there, but somehow they do. The luaz is pretty cool man. Take care out there!

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you Ron :) I have always had a connection here but i was very slow - but usable.

[@GeordiePrepper]

Thanks for the demonstration man.

[@SurvivalRussia]

My pleasure :)

[@corvusduluth]

Hej Lars, Nice vid! Not all magnesium blocks are born (made) equal. Some of them are an alloy without enough magnesium for the shavings/dust to ignite with a spark. I have tried some with which the shavings wouldn't even ignite with a lit match in contact with the shavings/dust!!! The blocks I have found useful are Military Issue. It seems Caveat Emptor when it comes to magnesium block, there are many knock offs/ copies of the Military issue blocks. Due diligence is needed.... before a person goes into the bush without testing ALL equipment. Respect.

[@corvusduluth]

+Bane Kitten The lit match was after failure to ignite with a shower of sparks from attached ferrocerium rod. Watch some tests on KZbin. Wilderness Survival -- Magnesium Fire Starter Fraud, for one.

[@sosteve9113]

Circumpolar Bear Cult I agree with your statement,i Have mane magnesium Block for several years and never failed me however I see some other blocks used by other People,and even with a flame of a lighter it won't egnite I wanted to make a video about it,but I saw that there was already some of them on yt

[@Anvilshock]

By the way, one of the cheapest way to get hold of large quantities of good-enough magnesium is the boat supply - sacrifical anodes come in zinc and magnesium and are, by weigth, outright idiotically much cheaper than mag rods. Of course, they're not exactly portable, but there you go.

[@yuriyknysh5697]

Great tutorial! Thanks Lars. Have a good weekend! :)

[@schero05]

Hi Lars.. nice Landscape thank^s for showing...LG Rolf

[@mi1kyboy]

Good Job m8. Allways a pleasure to see you

[@MorganBW53]

Thanks for the demo. Very good information.

[@usmc2511]

Excellent lesson, thank you! Sam

[@christophergooding]

I believe those Canadian snowshoes I seen you use in a different video (why you changed the channel name video, 2015) would also be made out of magnesium. Most are. If not, sorry. But hello from Canada! Been watching your videos for over a year now. You're in my top 5 for survival videos.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you! :) Yes they are made of Magnesium but i have not tried to make fire with them- yet :)

[@laurentvilodeau5434]

your videos teach me new things, yep i dont know everything either,,lol , and also make it way easy to show others how without burning the carpet.not easy to get people out in the woods these days. thank you

[@dougolgreybearddinowoodydu1845]

Thanks for sharing that. You're correct as I've not seen the tip of mixing the magnesium with the wood before. Please keep up he good vids. 'Stay safe keep warm have fun and whittle to keep your sanity'. ol greybeard dino ; - ) >>

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you!

[@dougolgreybearddinowoodydu1845]

You're welcome my friend. Just keep up the good work so this old duffer can keep enjoys what little he can do. ; - ) >>

[@jennamiller3114]

I have found the long curly shavings to be the best to catch and ignite the fire. I also only trust a DOAN magnisuem bar. In the States there are many knock offs and the DOAN just beats them. Plus its more pure, which means less fatigue on your knife.

[@flyguyny]

Greetings from Afghanistan. Great video..I never knew about mixing the scrapings (and I've had a US Army magnesium/ferro rod for 30+ years. Ha!). Thanks.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thank you :) Stay safe in A-stan!

[@ianstyles9759]

It took me 6 years to come across this video now I am subscribed hut the bell hit the like and doing the commenting on how you are now my big goto guy not because you sound so bloody cook but the fact is because you tell the bloody truth and that is my truth.

[@SurvivalRussia]

Thanks a lot.

[@neddmoulton1]

Great video! It was helpful. personally I never used enough magnesium when I used it. Because of your video I now know for sure. Thank you

[@victorcastle1840]

Thanks Again Lars, for some really useful information as unusual on your channel . I have not seen this info before. Could be a life saver to some one.

[@Tau_ri]

Privet... Take care about touching metal in winter... Besides...good and properly explained...good job!

[@Toad_Hugger]

Awesome video as always Lars! Hopefully this new homestead connection is working well! We only just got our first snow here, 11/18/2016 XD latest it's ever been to snow.

[@geoffpickford1829]

An interesting and instructive video, (as usual), many thanks for your time and effort mate. ATB.

[@BushcraftSweden]

Nice one Lars, i see you still have this folding kukri, beginning of a love relation? :) Take care// Mathieu

[@SurvivalRussia]

Yes! I love that knife :)

[@zzzombiez]

Congrats on the uplink, Brother. - Mike

[@KaptajnKaffe]

when you for eksempel - love the return to the mother tongue!

[@JohnBoyDeere]

Another great video Lars:) Lessons from the master!

[@MrSIXGUNZ]

freaking awesome as always!!!

[@gregcrowe8885]

Thank You. Even if I have matches might need magnesium. I learned at Sitka Alaska to have some tinder in water proof container

[@sosteve9113]

very well explained I Have a magnesium Block as a Back up

[@The_Osprey]

Excellent tip. Thank you.

[@redsorgum]

Great! I've been thinking of getting a Magnesium fire starter

[@christopherellis2663]

I kept the Mg block after the rod was used up. Bought it in the late eighties.

[@gutyup101]

Magnesium is great when all the tinder is wet! Good demo, thanks. Congratulations on the homestead wifi. You're "livin large" now. lol 😉

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

Well it seems that the upload went well brother. Great video and great kit. I have the army issue one i felched from the Army and use it often. Cheers Moose

[@sosteve9113]

MOOSEDOWNUNDER is it standard item you get

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

so steve G'day Steve, yes mate it's in the survival tin you get in you E&E belt kit. Handy as. ATB Moose

[@sosteve9113]

we only get matches and they are in our mre's we have to make our tin our self greeting Steve

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

so steve Unreal mate. I suppose you can change it up to make it perfect for your needs. Cheers Moose

[@sosteve9113]

yes indeed we do basic gear is all the same and then personal needs