Anyone use ferro rod or flint to start the campfire in the BWCA?

Just curious. I was given a ferro rod from my wife and I love it. It was all I used my last trip.

CanoeViking: "Anyone use ferro rod or flint to start the campfire in the BWCA?

Just curious. I was given a ferro rod from my wife and I love it. It was all I used my last trip. "

I use mine a lot too. I usually bring some cotton balls and vaseline, combine that with some little sticks found all around camp and the fire starts up pretty quickly.

grizzlyadams: "

CanoeViking: "Anyone use ferro rod or flint to start the campfire in the BWCA?

Just curious. I was given a ferro rod from my wife and I love it. It was all I used my last trip. "

I use mine a lot too. I usually bring some cotton balls and vaseline, combine that with some little sticks found all around camp and the fire starts up pretty quickly."

That's exactly what I do. Can't remember the last time I used matches and I don't even own a lighter.

Did a BWCA trip a few years ago with my son and his girlfriend, and she started all our fires with a bow drill. She was pretty quick about it too

I don't think I've ever used a ferro rod. I've used a real piece of flint, char cloth, and striking steel before for fun, but otherwise just use a lighter.

I guess if I'm carrying a ferro rod to me it's more of a 'just in case' sort of thing like a PLB and a trauma kit. Not really something fun to play with, but it's there if I need it. I've yet to be in a situation where I need it.

What kinds and sizes of ferro rods do you guys use . . . ? I'm looking to replace a small one (not really worth much).

My husband enjoys his ferro rod.

boonie: "What kinds and sizes of ferro rods do you guys use . . . ? I'm looking to replace a small one (not really worth much). "

This is the one I use and I really like it.

https://www.uberleben.co/collections/fire-starters/products/hexa?variant=22331034566774

I keep a rod in the cook kit to light fire starters and my dragonfly stove. Just more fun than a lighter.

Link

Thanks, their stuff looks pretty good. Have you used any of the other stuff?

Well, like most things, I'm just different...I guess. :)

I use a ferro rod to start fires in the bwca but only during storms. It's really difficult, in my opinion, and I guess the practice makes me feel better about my skills if a bad situation occurs. For normal campfires or starting my stove, I use a lighter.

Not a Ferro rod but close. I use a magnesium fire starter kit like the attached link. I actually keep on in all my vehicles and PDFs.

Mag fire starter

I use mine all the time. Love it. I bring all the things; dryer lint, char cloth, ferro rods, I hunt for and use fatwood, etc etc etc. It’s really fun and the YouTube channel “Coalcracker Bushcraft” has a lot of great videos on all of them. I’ve gotten to the point where I feel like using a lighter is cheating.

That's all I ever use. That with a little bit of birch bark and spruce twigs, no problem getting a fire going. I use a 3/8" by 5" from Firesteel.com and make my own handle out of wooden dowel. I do bring a lighter as backup though.
firesteel

“ have you used any other other products?”

I have their twig stove that I am really impressed with. With very little effort last year I was able to get my water boiling in about eight minutes.

I keep a 5" ferro rod tethered inside my life vest pocket, luckily I've never needed it. I pack a basic BIC lighter in my cookpot and I've never had an issue, I think the same lighter has been on the last 7 trips.

grizzlyadams: "

CanoeViking: "Anyone use ferro rod or flint to start the campfire in the BWCA?

Just curious. I was given a ferro rod from my wife and I love it. It was all I used my last trip. "

I use mine a lot too. I usually bring some cotton balls and vaseline, combine that with some little sticks found all around camp and the fire starts up pretty quickly."

Came here to say this exact method. The only other fire I carry is a mini-bic lighter, because it fits in the case of my pocket rocket stove and lights it efficiently. I doubt there is even any butane in that thing any more.

Ferro rod and vaseline cotton is the most reliable firestarting method I use, but it does take practice.

If you’ve ever tried to light a pipe with ferro rod and Vaseline, you will understand why a mini Bic is an essential item for some ;)

I have several; all of them are the Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel Army. It is just a bit bigger than the Scout version.

I have one in my car. I light my charcoal grill with a Light My Fire Firesteel. I carry one in my cook kit and light any of my stoves; white gas, canister, alcohol or stick. And when I do build a fire, which for me is actually kind of rare when canoe tripping or backpacking, I always use a Light My Fire Firesteel.

thegildedgopher: "If you’ve ever tried to light a pipe with ferro rod and Vaseline, you will understand why a mini Bic is an essential item for some ;)"

Haha! I was thinking the same thing...