The Friendly Swede Magnesium Fire Starters

In this video I show, explain, and test the magnesium fire starters from The Friendly Swede. They work very well and are priced right. This link should take you to their web site if you are interested: www.thefriendlyswede.com/ Their web site is currently under construction. This link will also take you to their product: amzn.to/1iantqW
Or you can find them at these:
Link to magnesium fire starters: amzn.to/1fjwddA
Facebook: / thefriendlyswede
KZbin: / thefriendlyswedes
Twitter: / friendly_swede
Instagram: / thefriendlyswede

[@joesphx19]

Others have said it but this video is one of the best I have seen on mag blocks very clear and complete presentation. I especially like the fact that you have said not all different manufacturers have the same quality magnesium as some of the Chicom products are worthless. This was a great review and demonstration. Based on your video I have got mine ordered. Thanks.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you very much for your kind words! I am sure you will find these very easy to use. If you have used other brands, you will love the long chains too, John.

[@yggdrasil2243]

Thanks for putting this up John. Really helpful. Noel

[@jenniferwindham3281]

Good information, thank you! I was wondering which fire stater to buy for my nephew and this gave me a lot of good information on types of fire starters.

[@riverarafaelarch]

Great video, I was actually looking at The Friendly Swede's mag bars for a couple weeks now trying to decide whether to order them or not lol, Looks like a good product and very informative video.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your comments. I am glad it maybe helped you decide on them, John.

[@HP-qj4gz]

Saw this and bought a pack. It's a good product. Thank you for your review.

[@randalljones3105]

Great job in demonstrating it's use. Just purchased one and can easily use it after watching your video. Regards, Randall.

[@bugnfront]

The coating is a great idea...I have coated mine in past with wax.... they also individually wrapped them. On the shelf the Mag. does erode but the I had found the flint deteriorated more rapidly in moist conditions...

[@hillbillybushcraft]

The Friendly Swede makes some good stuff! Very informative John Thanks.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

They do for sure. I did have to decline testing any of their paracord products, as I have similar products. Thank you for your comments, John.

[@PrimalOutdoors]

That was great video, John. Made me realize that I did not know how to use a Magnesium fire starter correctly. I may look in to ordering these and put one in my pack and in my two cars. Thanks great review.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

They are very easy if done correct bud. Can't go wrong with having three of these around. Thank you for your comments Jason I hope you are healing well bud, John.

[@csh6220]

Some mag bars are harder than others. The softer the better as they are easier to scrape. You will always use up the fero rod before the magnesium. Nice job demoing the Friendly Swede. It is a softer mag bar, hence better, IMO.

[@casperfc1]

Awesome and clear instructions Thank you

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your kind words! Glad you liked the video John, John.

[@josezavalapina7392]

Thanks for the video. Time to add one to my bag!!

[@ark8097]

excellent review and how-to video, I just got a block for Christmas and your explanation and demonstration is extremely useful. thanks.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy your new present.

[@alancats]

Very informative and helpful; thanks for the vid! Can you tell me what brand/style of folding knife is featured in the vid? It has a silver-colored body and an unusual shape to the blade tip. Just curious; thanks!

[@GrantButler]

I totally thought we wanted big shavings! Show's how much I know... At least I know now! Thanks

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Well, it's not to say it can't be done with bigger shavings at all. But if anyone ever has a pile of shavings that won't take a spark, They should try it again with powder before throwing it away. Thank you for your comments Grant, John.

[@chickenstead6586]

This was very informative video. Well presented. Please ignore the naysayers. I learned a lot

[@yveskc1]

Great review!

[@michaelmurphy2833]

Awesome video you make great outdoors videos and are very kind to your subs!! Thanks

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your comments and support, John.

[@rogerbeers2939]

Great review John! It never hurts to keep around different sources for making fire. I always carry a few like your ferro rod and striker laced into my boots and your true survival bracelet on my wrist while hiking. I keep keep mag block in my pack. Take care bud and keep the vids coming! Roger

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Great to hear from you Roger! Thank you for your comments bud, John.

[@livingsurvival]

I always wondered why more people didn't use these, but I guess I know now based on the comments that many people thought they shaved it. Good video ;)-

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

I have seen people fail with them just because they shaved off too big of material. They work very well if used properly. Thank you for your comments, John.

[@chris34draper]

Top tips again my friend , good work

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your kind words, John.

[@Gonzo3780]

very neat...I had no idea how to use a magnesium block until after this video...Good review...

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your comments Gonzo. Always a good thing to learn something new bud, John.

[@madpunty8571]

Really gret and detailed information.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your comments and support, John.

[@joeygibbs1536]

Thank You ..very good video ...

[@dustin7562]

Does the black keep it from corrosion while stored away

[@MsF4ucorsair]

very knowledgeable presentation, great video!

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your kind words Ms F, John.

[@Glinteye]

Great info.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you, John.

[@-NoneOfYourBusiness]

This is the best video on mag blocks Ive seen so far (and I saw many). I carry a mag block all the time now but never really had to use it. But I know now how superior a good quality mag block would be to a ferro rod in a real stranded damp situation if you had only one device and no tinder like wetfire or cotton balls. Of course, you can always pick up some lint on your own clothing to get dry, sparkable tinder but if you fell in a river and everything is damp around you, you better have a mag block. Not a ferro. The 2 blocks I use are Coghlans and they work pretty well (no Doan in my area). Did you ever used Doan mag and how would it compare to this Frienly Swede ? Thanks for the great video.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your very kind words. I have not personally used a Doan's bar. But, I have used several different cheap versions that people have trouble with... And they all work as intended if used correctly, John.

[@-NoneOfYourBusiness]

I finally ordered a couple a Doan online. Will have them in a few days. But im sure these F Swede are effective and much cheaper. But I keep mag blocks for emergency/bob/car not as primary so I suppose I purchased on a long term scale. But again, your explanations on the magnesium and how to use it are excellent. I see that Friendly Swede posted you video on their channel and I hope they will put it on their website also. Very nice to see some knowledgable bs free guys sharing for the outdoor community. Keep up. Im a fan, big time.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Plutot Crever Thank you very much for your kind words and reply. Your support is greatly appreciated, John.

[@jamesheathsapp7317]

Hello John, I am a avid scuba diver if I wanted to bring a fire starter with me diving would you go with the mag? I do like the size of the rod. I am thinking that a rod for every day carry and mag for diving. love to hear what you have to say.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Both the magnesium fire starter and the ferro rod are completely water proof. Simply wipe them dry and they will both spark. The big advantage for you to consider is with the magnesium you have "tinder" to catch the spark with the magnesium dust. With a ferro rod in a dive situation you would be counting on being able to find and process a useable tinder to catch the spark, Unless you also carried a waterproof tinder on you. With that being said... I have no idea how well the glue that holds the flint rod to the magnesium block will hold up to long periods of being under water! Great question, I hope my answer helps some. Thank you for your comments, John.

[@christiansullivan4747]

Great review. I have one myself

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you young man, John.

[@torsten4757]

Hey thanks for the super Information! I like it. Best regards from germany Torsten

[@monsterdaddy09]

Thanks for the info, now I can eat for a lifetime

[@redtagman1000]

Wonder how long the flint rod will last vs the life of the Mag. block. Bought one from Wal-Mart a few years ago, the rod was gone way before the block was even partially worn away. Now I will admit I used the back of my knife n both as my arthritic hands made using the short piece of hack saw blade problematic. Good video, as usual.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

The magnesium block does tend to outlast the flint with all brands of magnesium fire starters. Can always get another flint or use the rest of the mag block with a ferro rod I guess. Thank you for your comments, John.

[@tomritter493]

great tutorial most don't know how to use this equip

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your comments kabaruser, John.

[@tomritter493]

anytime im a big fan of mag bars

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Pretty fail safe piece of gear when used correctly for sure, John.

[@PandaParacord]

how to contact you for product reviw？

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

A personal message through my channel home page will work. I don't check them daily, but I will check there.

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

You should've put those pine needles on top of the moss before the sticks. Didn't seem like you mentioned it but the fire seemed to have gone out into a smolder which you may not have been able to bring back to a flame with blowing. But I realize the point of the demonstration was how to ignite tinder with a mag bar, not how to get a full on fire going.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

The fire never went out, just took a bit to dry the moss. That's why I added some pictures showing the fire did sustain itself. I could have processed tinder, feather sticks, shavings, etc... and made it look very easy. But the main point I was trying to show was the advantage with marginal tinder and material. If I processed my material proper I didn't think the point would be as definite, I wouldn't have been able to start the same fire with my ferro rod without the processing. Thank you for your comments, John.

[@iancoyle4610]

Is there still magnesium after you scrap the black coating off?

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

+Survival For All absolutely, the coating isn't the magnesium. The whole block is pure magnesium. Thank you for your question.

[@iancoyle4610]

Thanks. Now I'm going to put this on my Amazon wish list.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Survival For All Great tool to have, especially for poor conditions. Gives a little more burn time than just sparks from a ferro rod for sure.

[@iancoyle4610]

Now I'm buying it for sure. :)

[@VicariousReality7]

Never seen that brand, and i am swedish... apparently they are in uppsala

[@eipi5173]

test starts at 13:00 thxs for great review i wonder if i can cut one in half to reduce size....

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Ei Pi Thank you for your comments. Probably possible to reduce the size.

[@eipi5173]

CommonSenseOutdoors i gonna try to cut it length-wise.Once i figure out how i'll let you know

[@buckeyeimaging]

I have seen two fires involving magnesium... funny how the fire departments don't know how to handle a mag fire - NO WATER (causes a huge flareup) - it has to be smothered with sand for quickest extinguishing

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Very true! Thank you for your comments, John.

[@lastgameplay]

Thanks for the good video.

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for watching and your comment, John.

[@pollyaloy]

you can buy the magnesium in tubs already shaven from ebay but be warned when using it on concrete floor . i put i small pile on the floor and ignited it , the concrete underneath got that hot it exploded and sparks flew everywhere .i was very lucky none went in my eye and when i looked at the tub a spark burned through the lid but i was lucky it did not set the whole tub on fire . there is no way to put the fire out so you have to be careful .using it in the wild on a woodland floor is fine or on a piece of wood but if you have a large pile of magnesium shavings do not light it on stone or anything like that

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

+tredstone Thank you for your comments and for watching.

[@hunterpaffrath349]

John you look exactly like Dave Canterbury

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Ha ha... I don't think so bud, John.

[@antoniol3271]

Fiirst of all throw away the little file. Take your knife and take some chips off the magnesium stick placing them on your Tinder. Now use your little file or the back of your knife and just strike the rod & the Fire Explodes

[@robertmcdougall1816]

The striker on the magnesium block is definitely a ferro rod. Same as a fire steel. Flint is stronger than steel, so the flint would actually take off material from the striker if it was a flint rod. In a flint and steel, the flint is actually much stronger than the steel so the steel itself creates sparks. This video tells me you know nothing about flint and steel. (I’m assuming by now you know you were wrong)

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Am I wrong? Lighters don't use flint either? And if so, the flint lasts forever and the steel striker wheel wears out? Have you used a magnesium fire starter? I assume so, because you must be the king of knowledge.. But, I'm not sure how anyone can compare the sparks off a magnesium fire starter to the sparks off a ferro rod, and think they are the same. Thank you for watching & for "setting me straight".

[@phillipdavis5241]

Be forewarned, salt water WELL eat up magnesium, ask me how I know

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

Thank you for your comments.

[@donniecatalano]

Who said you need magnesium shavings? lol

[@VicariousReality7]

4:00 oops

[@tahnjr]

This video is dated and incorrect on SO many levels. ~ Ferrocerium is a pyrophoric alloy, capable of producing extremely hot sparks with temperatures in excess of 3,000 °C (5,430 °F). This is due to the fact that magnesium itself is part of the amalgam. ~ What you have been referring to as a "flint rod" on the magnesium bar is NOT flint at all. It too is a ferrocerium rod, but composed with a far lower magnesium content. That is why magnesium is scraped off the block separately, and then ignited to achieve the 3,000 °C+ flame temperature. ~ Flint is actually a form of quartz. It does not spark when struck or scraped. Rather, flint when struck, removes tiny pieces of iron from the striker. These tiny pieces of metal are pyrophoric and ignite when exposed to oxygen, producing sparks in excess of 425 °C (797 °F). ~ Burning magnesium does not turn water into hydrogen. It *is* capable of reducing water into its constituent parts; hydrogen & oxygen. ~ Magesium DOES corrode. Oxidation *IS* corrosion. A comment cause of magnesium degradation is saltwater. Contact with the sweat from one's hands, *can* cause exposed pure magnesium (or magnesium alloys) to corrode if it's left unprotected (ie. noncoated).

[@wollowwasp]

It's not moss, it's lichen, a fungus.

[@martinspalding374]

5 mins in and still banging on about health and safty!

[@georgeallen3185]

good bye gerber tanto 9:34

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

+George Allen Haha, it just couldn't hold on there. I used that knife as an EDC pocket knife for quite awhile, it has a great spine and throws great sparks off a ferro rod. I think it ended up in one of my tackle boxes now though. Thank you for watching.

[@georgeallen3185]

my edc for places that allow it unlike school is a gerber bear grylls scout or the gerber mini paraframe

[@CommonSenseOutdoors]

George Allen I like gerber, the suspension multi tool is my go to EDC tool. I personally won't pay extra money to have a BG on them though. The exact same multi tool with a BG is another $20. School is a bad place for a pocket knife these days. Wasn't the case when I was in school. Thank you for your reply.

[@georgeallen3185]

Your welcome, i like some gerbers, most but not all. I also couldn't care less if it had the bg on it but i like that it is a lockback knife with thumbstuds.

[@terryshrives8322]

Poor demonstration, a good mag bar, such as a doans bar, only takes about 5 to 10 scrapes down. People get it in there head as you say, because they are dealing with marginal mag bars. You should never have to scrape up and down like that. A good soft mag bar is easy to use and has a very soft magnesium thats extremely easy to scrape. I think you yourself might need a little coaching in a good bar and how to properly use one. That bar you have is about as effective as a cheap Chinese one. The friendly Swede is not so friendly.