MagSlab Magnesium Fire Starter

I am not sure how they do it, but this ferrocerium rod and scraper produce really big sparks compared to all the other firesteel products I own. I bought this as an emergency tool for my EDC tool pouch. After seeing the kind of sparks this thing creates, I plan to pick up one of their larger firesteel products. The guy who produces these products has a youtube video where he produces monster sparks off one of those things. After seeing what this smaller product can do, I believe it. I am not sure if it is because of the shape in which the scraper is manufactured, the composition or shape of the rod, or both that does it, but these things really do produce better sparks than the competitors (at least, compared to the other fires starters I have seen and used). Judging by another review here, I think it salient to point out that I am reviewing the product produced and sold by firesteel dot com. They were also the seller. It looks like some other seller was able to piggyback on his product page and sell crappy imitation fire starters. I would ensure that the seller is firesteel dot com before placing the order. The quality deserves the higher price, but if it is like the other average quality fire starters, then it's probably an unjustified mark up.

If you think all magnesium firesteels are the same, think again. I previously purchased and reviewed the Chinese version Emergency Fire Starter , which did the job but it wasn't as easy as I expected. Now that I tried the MagSlab, it's without doubt a superior product. The magnesium seems a little softer (a good thing), the ferro rod gives off hotter sparks, and the workmanship is better - no glue sticking out around the ferro rod, the striker is very effective, and the cord is long enough for full range of motion. Using the MagSlab, I was able to light a bundle of paper towel pieces using just the ferro rod, whereas the Chinese model failed to light the same bundle. If you're looking for a 100% dependable fire starter, spend a few bucks more and get the MagSlab. *** Update 2/2014 After using it for a while, the ferro rod developed an uneven, ribbed surface that makes it much harder to get a good spark. Combined with the fact that it already requires more force than some other ferro rods, this makes it a real pain in the rear to use. I had better results from a Light My Fire ferro rod, so I will not be using this one any longer.

I recently bought a Emergency Fire Starter which arrived and I was shocked to find out was a knockoff Chinese product that was basically fireproof aluminum. That's right fireproof. I found a video comparing that product and the original DOAN magnesium starter, and I was shocked ... even lighting the other stuff with I lighter wouldn't work. I checked the item on Amazon that I bought and the comments and discovered that the ones that shipped from SE (seller) were DOAN, and the ones that shipped from Amazon were knockoffs that didn't work (thus very mixed reviews). So I replaced those defective starters with 1 DOAN MACHINERY Magnesium Fire Starter And 1 MagSlab Magnesium Fire Starter They are both genuine and produce magnesium shavings that burn white hot for a good length of time. The only thing I could say different about them is that the MagSlab is a little bit softer and thus easier to shave quickly.

How can you improve on perfection? This is the real thing and not a Chinese piece of crap that could help kill you when you really need a fire. I have owned and used several of these for over 40 years and they all worked great until the Chinese got into the act with their worthless copy's So do your homework when buying other than magstab. This product can not be improved more from what it is, it can save your life when you are boon docking I carry mine around my neck on a chain so I will never lose it. Lighters and such have limits, on the lowest temp they would reliably work in. This mag slab will just plan work no matter how cold it is and you need a fire. Good Buy!

I have bought other cheap Chinese magnesium fire starters. They work OK, but this one is much better in my opinion. The magnesium slab is a fairly large piece and I like the attached striker idea. The lanyard holding the striker is long enough to do the job but not so long that it gets in the way. It produces plenty of sparks to get a fire started. Shipping was quick via USPS. Happy with this purchase.

I ordered the magslab and paid what I consider a premium based on the reviews I read here. I received a chinese knock off from eGear. http://www.amazon.com/eGear-Survival-Essentials-Magnesium-Starter/dp/B005X1YNA4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340494969&sr=8-1&keywords=eGear+survival+essentials+magnesium+fire+starter that amazon sells for half the price. I have submitted a complaint to the vendor but I am not happy with Amazon at the moment. We shall see.

I bought this fire starter simply based on the number of fires it can start. I started around 3 fires with it just to get use to the functionality of the product. I watched a couple of youtube videos on it and it seemed simple enough. Scrape some magnesium shavings into a small pile and then use the firesteel to create a nice spark and you have a fire. Magnesium is the best to use as a fuel to start your fires because it supplies its own oxygen (this is why flares are water proof). Just remember when you use your firesteel to press down firmly with your scraper to get some sparks. With enough pressure it rains sparks from the firesteel.

nice little tool, but you have to know how to use it efficiently. the sparks, which are not so easy to produce as on comparable products, are good and you can really scratch off a lot of magnesium that makes the ignition much stronger. I would buy it again but this time not waste have of it because I didn't have the right technique.