Ferrocerium Rod Basics

How to Start a Fire Using a Ferro Rod

The reason the ferro rod is referred to as the ultimate emergency fire starting device is because it is impenetrable to all weather and has an extremely long lifespan. It will not be affected by rain, cold, snow, extreme heat, or even submersion in water. No matter what the weather conditions, a strike of the rod will always result in an intense spark. The rod itself is also usable down to its core. This means that if there is any rod material remaining there is a spark left to be had.

Using this device does require some technique. Don’t worry though, with a few tips it is super easy to get started!

1. Place the rod securely down into your tinder source. If you are making fire on loose dirt use a split stick to create a solid surface.

2. Place the supplied striker against rod. Be sure to keep the striker at approximately 45 degrees.

3. Begin to scrap the striker along the rod while maintaining the 45 degree angle. Apply a generous amount of pressure to the rod with the striker. The key is to remove as much material from the rod as possible.

4. Drive the striker over the entire length of the rod.

BOOM FIRE!

TITAN FIRE STRIKER – FERRO ROD

LARGE 1/2″ FERRO ROD – LASTS 20,000+ STRIKES
Sparks fly when the Titan Fire Striker is used with its stainless steel striker. This fire starter has many uses and can ignite tinder or be used to light a campfire, gas stove… $14.99

It is important to be mindful that the ferrocerium rod only throws sparks. Those sparks need to ignite another material in order to create actual flame.

Dried grasses

There are numerous materials that will ignite with just the spark of a ferrocerium rod. Some of these include, dried grasses, birch bark, inner bark of trees, very fine wood shavings and also modern fire starters such as UCO sweetfire biofuel tabs.

Be ready for everything with this Fire Starting Emergency Kit from UCO.

About The Author

DAN WOWAK – APPALACHIAN BUSHMAN SCHOOL

Dan Wowak, Owner and Instructor, of Coalcracker Bushcraft and the Appalachian Bushman School, has been an avid outdoorsman since childhood. His love and passion for the outdoors began while fishing and hiking with his grandfather in the hills of Appalachia. Over the years, he continued pursuing his love for the outdoors through backpacking, camping, hunting, and trapping.

As time went on, Dan’s enthusiasm for the outdoors compounded with his drive for reaching his physical and mental limits. The collision of these two passions launched him into the unforgiving, highly dynamic world of survival and bushcraft. He spent years honing this craft and was driven to inspire individuals to pursue a love of wilderness skills. Dan has been formally teaching and sharing knowledge of survival and wilderness living for several years. Most recently Dan has had the opportunity to put his lifetime of knowledge and foundational survival approach to the test on History Channel’s Alone Television Series.