Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Firestarter
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List Price: Our Price: $5.75 You Save: $14.24 (71%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Sports See more product details |
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Description of Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Firestarter
This is the genuine G.I. Aviation Fire Starter with a magnesium edge and sparking insert. You can make a spark in just about any weather conditions. Government issue.Sports reviews of Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Firestarter
Customer Review: one of the best
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
excellent, but alot cheaper at walmart only $5.00 at walmart and no shipping and handleingCustomer Review: Great item
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I sent this to my 18 year old brother for his birthday and he loved it!Customer Review: Works Perfect - Just follow the directions
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
UPDATED (03-28-2011) - SEE UPDATE SECTION AT END:
I tried this magnesium fire starting tool(from Doan Machinery & Equipment - "Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter"Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter) out as well as the cheaper(about 50% less) alternative from SE(Emergency Fire Starter - SE - Emergency Fire Starteralso available on Amazon).
Both tools work perfectly fine as described and were able to light up fine fibers(cotton, moss, dried grass) and paper without a problem. The Doan tool listed here clearly states on the packaging to scrape the magnesium portion of the bar with a knife blade PERPENDICULAR to the edge of the tool. I found this to method made for the most shavings and larger shavings at that. The packaging clearly states that you want a QUARTER(U.S. Coin) sized amount (just shy of 1 inch or 2.4cm diameter) Then holding the bar at 45 degree angle to the pile of shavings drag the knife along the flint to create sparks. The directions remind you to hold the blade perpendicular to the bar while "striking" the flint. I would advise not to strike the flint as they are brittle. However, a nice quick full length drag of the blade down the flint creates a shower of sparks for easy ignition of the magnesium shavings.
Both brands work fine. They are nearly identical in shape(the SE is a few mm longer). Each brand has a different finish/coating on the bar itself is about the only difference I can tell. The performance seemed to be identical or at least close enough to not notice anything to complain about. The big difference is the price. The SE(made in China) is about half the price of the Doan(Made in USA - Patented). It appears to me that they are both the same, and one is just made overseas so that is why it's cheaper.
One other note: The SE(Chinese one) also comes with a saw blade striker that does work but you need to wear through a protective layer of lacquer for it to work and it's just small enough to annoy my large hands.
You can't go wrong with either tool. I'd prefer to buy American in the long run though, especially for something I might end up having my life depend on.
EDIT: One last note on product life- depending on how much magnesium you need to get your fire going each time, I think the flint will run out long before you ever use up all the magnesium.
UPDATED: 03-28-2011
There have been a ton of reviews mentioning that the DOAN tool being purchased is no longer made in USA or shipped as a knock off. Be careful which seller you buy from. I will be posting pictures later today that show the SE Tool side by side with the Doan tool. I no longer have the packaging to show what they look like however.
The seller I purchased the DOAN GENUINE ISSUE from was known as "CLASSICAL FITNESS & HEALTH" / "Waterglider LLC". They no longer have it stocked apparently.
A GENUINE DOAN FIRE STARTER SHOULD HAVE THIS INFORMATION STAMPED ON ONE SIDE WITH AN ADDRESS ON THE OTHER. THE FIRST LINE IS THE NSN(Nato Stock Number):
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4240-01-160-5618
FSCM 62561
MFR/PN 8702
FIRE STARTING TOOL
MAGNESIUM
U.S. PATENT NO. 4,188,192
"
Reverse Side:
"
SPARKING INSERT
MFD. BY DOAN MACH. & EQUIP. CO. INC.
P.O. BOX 21334
SO. EUCHLID, O. 44121
SHAVING EDGE
"
Customer Review: Works, high shipping cost
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
Not much to say that hasn't already been said. If used properly, the product works great. Some tips:
1) Don't cut the bar, scrape into a small pile.
2) Try to use a solid area because the shavings can easily blow away. I actually had the best luck just scraping into a spoon then emptying the shavings into a pile.
3) I used the nail file from my mini-tool which worked better than a blade.
4) Don't strike the flint, scrape the flint to produce sparks. Those folks who broke the flint were probably doing it wrong.
5) Very reliable. I replicated a test I saw on YouTube by dropping the bar in a bowl of water then immediately using it to start a fire. Didn't even dry it off.
The flint by itself, without shavings, is good enough to light cotton balls and dryer lint. The magnesium is great for when you don't have proper tinder.
Downsides:
1) Shipping costs were about 50% of the cost of the tool itself.
2) Flint bar will wear out before the magnesium bar does.
Customer Review: Handy, but not easy
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
For the weight, there is no reason not to carry this. It is effective and it does work. It also takes more magnesium scrapings than the unitiated will expect and the flint can and does break. Proper use is the key. I agree that I do not want to buy a tool and then add another piece to get it to work (hacksaw, router blade, etc). The back of a pocket knife works to scrape the magesium (so will your car keys) AND to use as a "striker" for the flint. Keys to success: SCRAPE the magnesium, do not cut into the magnesium. The smaller the scrapings the easier to light with the sparks. "Striker" is a bad term to use with this flint. It is small and can be broken. Hold the back of your knife blade (keep it closed) at an angle that puts the corner of the metal against the flint and press down while scraping toward the magnesium scrapings. It will take a little practice to get striking down, but it will work. After one or two uses you will be proficient in using this tool and more confident in yourself.