Introduction to Ferrocerium

This is an Introduction to Ferrocerium. With some practice Ferrocerium can be a remarkably reliable fire starter. In this video I cover the basics of their use and difference from traditional flint and steel.
Watch the whole series here: • Ferrocerium Tinder Tri...
We carry a great ferro rod here on our website: www.emberlit.com
Music from Bensound.com

[@jasonstinson1767]

Dude knows the difference between flint and chert, awesome

[@MerkWares]

lol, got me some angry comments for it.

[@jasonstinson1767]

@@MerkWares I'm a knapper and material originating in chalk vs limestone makes no practical difference relevant to arrowhead or gunflint production. But because of that when lighter "flints" are used synonymously as flint n steel a differentiation needs to be made. I appreciate it when a content creator will not blur terminology for ease of production.

[@jonnydingo]

Cool never tried glass before, I can show up my scouts now. Your awesome keep up the content.

[@TJackSurvival]

Outstanding video brother. This should dispel lots of myths all on one fell swoop!

[@UnstoppableTramp]

I am glad you cleared this up, people get very confused about this. In fact, I still haven't watched a series of "Survivor" where they aren't hacking away at their magnesium and ferocirrium block to my frustration, only to wonder why their "fire steel" hasn't got anything left lol! Good video. And Subbed buddy, if you get a chance, get me back. I am trying to develop some bushcraft products myself! Peace VOTED!

[@Survivalathome]

Thanks for the great information! I always thought you had to have some sort of metal to get sparks from a ferro rod... never knew anything sharp would work (REALLY neat to see the glass trick). PS- Glad to see your bout with Bell's Palsey has subsided. :)

[@waredbear]

Ok. Thanks for the demonstration. I was under the belief that only a carbon material would create a spark. Now I know. Thanks for clearing that up.

[@MerkWares]

+RedBear Outdoors You are welcome. It all depends on what is being burnt to make the spark. In this case it is the ferrocerium that is burning so anything sharp enough to make shavings will work. If you were trying to drive sparks off the back of a knife with a stone it would have to be a carbon steel knife since the metal is what is burning. Why not stainless steel? Rust is just slow burning and stainless doesn't rust.

[@Calchick7]

Awesome person - backs his products - we have purchased a number of items from Mikhail - nice video! - Elaine

[@chiyan2314]

very informative and thanks for the video ! didnt know you can use any hard sharp edge to strike ferrocerium

[@WinStunSmith]

Was looking for a good ferro rod video. Found you. Your channel looks awesome. Subscribed!

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

Well spoken kind of guy. I like the way he confidently handles his knife. Yup, using the sharp blade would make me cringe. I guess using the flint and what not is the ultimate challenge this side of a bow drill or prayer and crying.

[@shunkajun]

Flint is found all over the world, in this country, Georgetown Texas has some of the finest flints in the world. I have been a flintknapper for 60 years and have knapped flint from all around the world.

[@rickyhogan2749]

Thank you for the good upload, very helpful.

[@duxdawg]

Pretty good Mikhail! A few thoughts... it is pronounced "fair-oh-sear-ee-um" with the "sear" as in searing a steak. No worries though. So many get that wrong, especially in America, that I expect pronouncing is as in "share" will soon become a recognized variant pronunciation. A few additional scrapers that have worked for me are the shells of fresh water river clam, oyster, black mussel and green mussel. Also tin cans and sandpaper. You covered the rest and did very well IMHO by repeatedly pointing out that "hard and sharp enough" is our rule of thumb.

[@duxdawg]

Few people are aware that a ferro will produce flame from the wide variety of tinders that it will. Including green wood still dripping sap in the Springtime, though that consumes an awful lot of ferrocerium. Have you tried the Turn Key method for scraping a ferro? This is a variant on the way people in Europe often use a ferro. Ray Mears, Paul Kirtley, etc push the knife an inch or so along the ferro with their thumbs. I came up with a method I call the Turn Key while experimenting with their technique. To perform the Turn Key method, lay the ferro in your off hand with it sticking out past your index finger 1/2" to 1 inch. Set the scraper on top of the ferro an inch or so from the tip then put your thumb on top of it. With your dominant hand rapidly twist the scraper as in quickly turning a key counterclockwise in a lock. Works best with the scraper that comes with a LMF Army 2.0 ferro and with the better tinders. Much less likely to disrurb the tinder. Kids and noobs find it easier to learn than the more traditional methods of scraping a ferro because it requires less strength and coordination. Thinking your scouts might like it.

[@duxdawg]

Not sure how abundant plant fluffs (milkweed, thistle, cattail, etc) are in your neck of the woods. A trick I like to use with kids and noobs is to mix 1/3 good tinder (wood scrapings, pine needles, grass, fine strips of birch bark, etc) with 2/3 plant fluff. Every plant fluff here in the Upper MidWest works, though cottonwood fluff works the least well. Nothing like the look on a kid's face when it goes "Whoosh!!" Thanks for making great products and fun vids!! Love my SS EmberLit, Ti FireAnt and old style horse flint strikers. Looking forward to woods time with Sprongs and SS FireAnt this winter. Might pick up one of those new style horse strikers while I'm at it. Thinking I like those even better than the old style. Still kicking myself I never picked up an armadillo striker, that was pretty unique! Eventually I'll have a set or two of SS Sprongs. Eventually... Happy Trails!!

[@MerkWares]

+duxdawg Excellent information Duxdawg... I've got a bunch of vids showing various lighting methods and tinders found around here in the works. I'm keen to try out the turnkey method. Very very cool.. haha, now I want to make a video and intentionally pronounce it pharoh seeum

[@6brettes]

+MerkWares so?! please do not inform me that you have been pharoah seerumming!! with somebody elses dark grey sock on your head!!! how can anyone wander about in the woods missing one boot sock & not realise that in their struggles to get dressed early in the morning? theyve inadvertantly placed their ebeneezer scrooge like sock hat on their heads!!? naah all good stuff!! its called wood fashion anything goes!! merkwares mikhail i like these ferro rods how much do you charge per pharoah no see um!! rod? n where can i find a hat like that so i can play an authentic realistic part of ebeneezer scrooge in my next christmas play!! scare the kids with my holey mittens n hat poking up outa the sheets!! plotting against tiny tim ever receiving his turkey?! liked the advice info on the punks talking about their punkwoods n ember fabrics advices very wise n wisdomy! sagelike advices!! all totally diluted highly questionable now of cse by you voluntarily choosing to wear somebody elses sock on your head!! after stealing punkwood from a municipal park!! whilst the park keepers municipal community police rangers are still all out looking searching for you!! apb stating the offender is wearing a distinguisgable sock on his head still havent made any simpsons cop dept arrests!!

[@6brettes]

+MerkWares ace video great kit!! very sound as a pound advice n skillsets!!

[@grumpyguy6070]

Good video on the ferro rod thanks for sharing

[@fog360]

Awesome brother I will have to get me one of them.

[@diydarkmatter]

nice video brother . who dont like to play with a ferro rod lol . god bless

[@UnstoppableTramp]

I know I do! LOL

[@heathschwab]

Very nice I just come across. And even seen a friend dark matter here so if he watches you your worth a sub he's got great taste in content and people and you made a good video. I've been learning and I no I need to learn more. I've had a small one and med one have to me as blessing I like them my next step is find a bigger one to try. Well not just a bigger one ide love to start a collection like others and try different sizes and makers see what I like then do a video of all and share what I've learned. I'll go check yours my groups funds are out right now but having a big sale real soon cause I'm moving and it's time to raise money for my kids non profit fishing group. So I'll let you no when I can get one to support your channel I've got about 4 I want to try. You have a good week god bless.

[@BlackRifleSurvival]

Cool man just came across your channel n subbed, great content!

[@saraskold9631]

Flint is across the world here in NYS there is a flint mine in athens NY look it up

[@MerkWares]

HI Sara. Strictly speaking, the term "flint" is reserved for varieties of chert which occur in chalk and marly limestone formations. We have all sorts of Chert here in the US, but I was being a bit too pedantic by referring to the variety of Chert technically classified as flint and mainly found in Europe.

[@JNChannel95]

Ferrocerium? Never heard about that before. What I know about are magnesium rods. I own magnesium rods myself. Is Ferrocerium better? Or are those two words for the same material?

[@MerkWares]

They are the same. Sometime they are called magnesium rods. If it makes sparks when you scrape it then it is most likely ferrocerium.

[@UnstoppableTramp]

You may be thinking of the magnesium blocks? They normally have a ferocirrium rod mounted to one side. The magnesium you scrape into a pile and the ferro rod side produces the sparks. Like this one www.ebay.co.uk/i/292190512917?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=46395905027&rlsatarget=pla-326110880862&abcId=1129006&adtype=pla&merchantid=113084060&poi=&googleloc=9041106&device=c&campaignid=862328541&crdt=0

[@jerrybobteasdale]

Ferro rods are a stew of ingredients that vary a bit among manufacturers. The "ferro" is the iron powder ingredient. The "cerium" is another metal that's in there, along with Magnesium, and probably other stuff. The ferro and cerium do the sparking, while the magnesium bits burn into very hot globs. Some firestarters have more powdered magnesium and might be called magnesium rods. Magnesium (Doan) bars are solid Magnesium, that typically have a ferro rod glued to the side.

[@cleaner99]

How to make ferrocerium rod (blank)?

[@MerkWares]

As far as I know you have to purchase them from the manufacturer.

[@badressam473]

Sir can you tell me how to make one because I can't find it in my area I will be thankful

[@baroneroberto3400]

Badr Essam you can not make a ferro rod... google you can get them on Amazon

[@mustafababdullah2485]

Where you come up with the bs that flint only in europe?

[@MerkWares]

I was being pedantic using the term "Flint" to refer specifically to the variety of Chert found in chalk or limestone cliffs in Europe. Of course there are all sorts chert varieties, and flint is a common name for all of them. Pretty much flint knappers are the only ones to make that distinction.

[@wctyre49]

Scratch match.

[@patrickknott6039]

I would like to buy a feoor rod, but I can't do it on line! Can you give me a address ?? Where I live no stores have them. Do you sell them??

[@MerkWares]

where are you located?

[@Budro4764]

Great vid Are you familiar with Nathan ?? I got you subbed Mon Ami ~!~!

[@MerkWares]

Which Nathan? lol

[@Budro4764]

Nathan 4071 ..............

[@ballygeale1]

if flint is only found in europe .what did the indians use on there arrows

[@MerkWares]

I was being a little too nerdy. "flint" refers specifically to the form of chert which occurs in chalk or marly limestone, predominately in Europe. However, here in the USA we have other types of chert, and jasper, and obsidian, and a whole bunch of other forms of stone that makes great arrowheads. Again I was just being pedantic.

[@rickevans3959]

Flint only existing ineurope is not right half the state I live in is made from flint the region is called the flint hills flint is not all that rare. Cerium come from meters and asteroids me I cheat and use a Bic lighter.

[@roguesheep1747]

Flint doesn’t exist in Europe lol Belgium has some of the best hot 40 seconds in you say they don’t then talk about vikings and ancient Rome

[@MerkWares]

I think you misheard... what I said was that "flint only really exists in Europe" I was being overly technical. What I meant was that the chert in Europe, particularly the stuff occurs in chalk or marly limestone is what is officially classified as "Flint". However, "Flint" is also a blanket term for high quality chert. I've been hanging around flint knappers too much. They are really the only ones who would care to make such a distinction.

[@Tailslol]

space age? you know it is just a giant lighter flint... it is know since 1920 what a waste.

[@MerkWares]

Yes, invented in Austria by Carl Auer von Welsbach and patented in 1903. I guess "Industrial Age" would be more appropriate, I was trying to make a point about the relative antiquity of traditional flint and steel in comparison to ferrocerium.