Very cool to hear.....thanks for the post (got it off the Pathfinder FB page). I've been a chemist for 10 years and the only thing I had ever gleaned just by use, was that the harder must have a higher Fe content. Thankfully, you've done the research for me!
Finally someone to explain the difference. I've noticed that it's not all the same thing, but I didn't know what the difference really is. Thank you for this video, it is very helpful to me.
Excellent! I always believed that my strike force is a Mischmetall with lower Fe because of the big chunks it throws. Thanks a lot for bringing light and fire to the darkness of knowledge. Very good and informative video! Best regards from Germany Stefan
Thanx abunch,great video! Very easy to see why people get confused, but when someone explained it like you did, well very easy to not be confused about the whole thing. Thank you again.
Thanks. I have always noticed that some companies recipes are different. To me in my opinion, that recipe and the right balance of metals is what drives the competition
I find many so called "bushcraft experts" who do comparison videos get this small detail wrong. they have no idea the difference between higher iron & higher magnesium. many gig the rods depending on their preferences (more sparks or long lasting molten bits). I am 50 year old female and I remember my high school science. plus, my older brother told me about the differences 35 years ago....thanks for the easy peasy explanation on this subject.
Thank You! Very informative. I use the Ferro Cerium "High Iron Content" rods to make my Fire Steel assemblies with Fat Wood handles and a piece of extra Fatwood for making Shavings. They work Great and I sell lots of them! Education in fire building is key and there are lots of great videos like yours to do just that. Had never heard the term Mischmetal before either. Keep up the very good vids.
Thanks. I was suspicious of something like this when I saw bigger sparks from some rods. This is the only video i have seen explaining what the difference is.
Very good video, John! I just learned something, thanks to you! Very clear explanation and easy to understand the difference! My strategy is high iron with a separate magnesium block for when it's needed. I think there's a lot of confusion in the market about firesteels and you show you know what you're talking about. All the best from Switzerland, Rob.
Regardless of the metal content, it's all about your technique, how hard or soft, fast or slow you strike it, as well as how sharp the edge is on your striker. You can use any of these and get them to throw sparks, or chunks depending on those circumstances.
Yes. For the really hard EBAY cheap ones I use a square lathe bit millling blank. 4 edges. M2 tool steel or a Corona gardening shears sharpener with carbide. Softer ones aren't much of a problem, less pressure more speed and "run"
Excellent video sir, very informative. I also learned tonight that making fire with a ferro rod is not only about skill but also some luck, I say this because every night I practice making fire with ferro rod and my tinder of choice is fatwood. I made shavings plus scrapings of fatwood tonight and WOW! I failed at lighting it. That has never happened to me before with fatwood. I scraped and scraped my ferro and sparks would hit the shavings but they absolutely would not catch on fire. Now I am using good fatwood, this stuff smells strong and it's sticky plus its even from same stick I've been using to make my fires. If this has ever happened to you let me know because I am dumbfounded.
Great video, very informative. I've always distinguished rod as being hard composition or soft composition but never really knew the difference. Now that you've explained it the difference is pretty clear. A nice compromise would be to carry both the hard type ferrocerium rod along with a block of magnesium. If you need a hotter spark, simply scrape off some magnesium and add that to the tinder. I've done it many times and often it will allow difficult tinder to light easier. It is a bit of a pain to add that extra step, but it isn't generally needed unless your stuck with difficult or damp tinder.
Well...I just learned something. I knew about the harder and softer Ferrorods and thought the softer was making more sparks. Didn't knew about the magnesium tho. Very interesting. Well explained. Great video. You just got a new subscriber.
I had never heard mischmetal before, but I now know something that financially speaking will save me a lot of money. my preference is high magnesium because my skill level is low. the longer burning sparks help me. I also am a city folk. I look to these fire starting rods as survival rods so, I will not use them except to practice, and then in the unlikely case that I need the fire to survive. I also keep a generic bic lighter.
subscribing now, been hearing dirttime guys talk about you online for years, glad to find you Mr McCan (forgive spelling error I'd any, sir, please) great finding you!
very informative (been looking for something like this a LONG time!). as one commenter mentioned, it would be nice to have a list (if that's possible) of as many brands/models of rods of both types so people can be more informed in terms of what it is they want and where to look. one video I had seen the advice given was "you just have to try them out" but that can get costly and I prefer something other than "trial and error" in choosing something if that's at all possible. but I've learned a lot more about rods since seeing this video.
Good to know there is a difference. Even though it may not mean much to some, I can see right away why people on the survival shows have trouble. They lack technique when they execute the striker against the rod or bar and I can see as you stated already that the softer rods would be easier to use as those little burning bits would offer a greater chance to catch fire quicker. It's also a nice visual clue as to where the sparks are going and may ignite. I'm sure the harder rods would work with properly prepared tinder, but then again, it's proper preparation and technique that gets one a fire or not. :)
John,I love your video's.Not only very informative but they make me chuckle when I see your hair and beard getting longer.In a couple more years you can call yourself Merlin?
Great video on comparing the different types. I actually didn't realize there was a difference in rods. It seems to be a compromise though. The rods with more magnesium tend to be smaller, and thus throw less sparks. Which ever one you choose, it seems bigger is still better. Personally, I like having my combo block of magnesium with a ferro rod embedded in it. I couple of shaving of magnesium in your pile helps guarantee a start.
You are obviously a smarter guy than average and more informative than most. Great video.
You sure do explain things in an easy to understand way.
I have literally never heard the term 'mischmetal' in my life.
Nice explanation and demo. You just answered my 'burning' question. Thanks you, sir!
Excellent pun
Very cool to hear.....thanks for the post (got it off the Pathfinder FB page). I've been a chemist for 10 years and the only thing I had ever gleaned just by use, was that the harder must have a higher Fe content. Thankfully, you've done the research for me!
Thank you.. I was wondering.. I have three rods and noticed that they don't behave th same.. Now I know why.. You've been a big help..
very well explained, in my opinion the first really detailed and 100% correct explanation
Thank You Earthling
You Got Yourself A New Subscriber From Birmingham England UK Bless Up
Finally someone to explain the difference. I've noticed that it's not all the same thing, but I didn't know what the difference really is. Thank you for this video, it is very helpful to me.
Excellent! I always believed that my strike force is a Mischmetall with lower Fe because of the big chunks it throws. Thanks a lot for bringing light and fire to the darkness of knowledge.
Very good and informative video!
Best regards from Germany
Stefan
Thanks very much for explaining No one has explained this to me yet. Big help
Thanx abunch,great video! Very easy to see why people get confused, but when someone explained it like you did, well very easy to not be confused about the whole thing. Thank you again.
Highest marks for a much appreciated video. Mystery solved! Excellent demonstration.
Thanks. I have always noticed that some companies recipes are different. To me in my opinion, that recipe and the right balance of metals is what drives the competition
Thank you, finally someone who can explain the difference in FCR.
Thanks again and greetings from the Netherlands
John, loved the quality of this video and the audio level was *excellent*. Hoping to see more when you have time. -=dave=-
This is the first vid of yours I've watched, thanks for the explanation.
Thank you. I'm not confused about this subject anymore.
Thank you for a very informative presentation capped nicely with a demonstration of each.
Excellent review. I’ve always been happy with every order placed through u guys. Thanks! 😁
I find many so called "bushcraft experts" who do comparison videos get this small detail wrong. they have no idea the difference between higher iron & higher magnesium. many gig the rods depending on their preferences (more sparks or long lasting molten bits). I am 50 year old female and I remember my high school science. plus, my older brother told me about the differences 35 years ago....thanks for the easy peasy explanation on this subject.
Thank You! Very informative. I use the Ferro Cerium "High Iron Content" rods to make my Fire Steel assemblies with Fat Wood handles and a piece of extra Fatwood for making Shavings. They work Great and I sell lots of them! Education in fire building is key and there are lots of great videos like yours to do just that. Had never heard the term Mischmetal before either. Keep up the very good vids.
Thanks I've always wondered what the difference was between the two. This will help me in the future when getting ferro rods for the knives I make.
Thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated.
Excellent video, much I didn't know on this Ferro rod subject.
Now I get it. I have many firestarting devices and now understand why the behaving so different.
John McCann- Pretty interesting. Thanks for your videos & website! I always manage to learn something new.
John . . . excellent video. This answered all of my questions. Thank you sir.
Thanks for the great info. You did a perfect job of explaining the difference.
Thank you for your video. Clear, concise and informative. Thanks
Thanks. I was suspicious of something like this when I saw bigger sparks from some rods. This is the only video i have seen explaining what the difference is.
Excellent informative video. Thank you John,, you just taught me something that I did not know
Nice job explaining this difference. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much for the wisdom you have give us! I must improve my fire making skills.
Very good video, John! I just learned something, thanks to you! Very clear explanation and easy to understand the difference! My strategy is high iron with a separate magnesium block for when it's needed.
I think there's a lot of confusion in the market about firesteels and you show you know what you're talking about.
All the best from Switzerland, Rob.
Awesome video, you are right very few retailers know what they are selling. Took me three orders to find a supplier that provides the harder steels
Thank You , I live in the north west , Oregon , stuff is usually moist in our forrests so I think Ill go for the Misch metal . Thanks again .
Thanks mad Jack I just realized I watched this 3 years ago
Thanks for the info. First time I understood this difference.
Regardless of the metal content, it's all about your technique, how hard or soft, fast or slow you strike it, as well as how sharp the edge is on your striker. You can use any of these and get them to throw sparks, or chunks depending on those circumstances.
Yes. For the really hard EBAY cheap ones I use a square lathe bit millling blank. 4 edges. M2 tool steel or a Corona gardening shears sharpener with carbide. Softer ones aren't much of a problem, less pressure more speed and "run"
Excellent video sir, very informative. I also learned tonight that making fire with a ferro rod is not only about skill but also some luck, I say this because every night I practice making fire with ferro rod and my tinder of choice is fatwood. I made shavings plus scrapings of fatwood tonight and WOW! I failed at lighting it. That has never happened to me before with fatwood. I scraped and scraped my ferro and sparks would hit the shavings but they absolutely would not catch on fire. Now I am using good fatwood, this stuff smells strong and it's sticky plus its even from same stick I've been using to make my fires. If this has ever happened to you let me know because I am dumbfounded.
Thanks for you informative Demonstration , nobody has pointed that out befor :)
Great info to know. I'm surprised this isn't more widely known.
Sir, that was one of the most informative and helpful videos I have ever seen on TH-cam. Thanks.
Great video, very informative. I've always distinguished rod as being hard composition or soft composition but never really knew the difference. Now that you've explained it the difference is pretty clear. A nice compromise would be to carry both the hard type ferrocerium rod along with a block of magnesium. If you need a hotter spark, simply scrape off some magnesium and add that to the tinder. I've done it many times and often it will allow difficult tinder to light easier. It is a bit of a pain to add that extra step, but it isn't generally needed unless your stuck with difficult or damp tinder.
You have lots of great material on your channel.
I definitely sub’d.
AWESOME!! Brilliant review.
Well...I just learned something. I knew about the harder and softer Ferrorods and thought the softer was making more sparks. Didn't knew about the magnesium tho. Very interesting. Well explained. Great video. You just got a new subscriber.
I had never heard mischmetal before, but I now know something that financially speaking will save me a lot of money. my preference is high magnesium because my skill level is low. the longer burning sparks help me. I also am a city folk. I look to these fire starting rods as survival rods so, I will not use them except to practice, and then in the unlikely case that I need the fire to survive. I also keep a generic bic lighter.
Good video. Had no idea, just noticed that some of my rods responded differently. Like you said, prepare the tinder bundle and they all work.
Nice video with a lot of information, thanks for sharing it with us.
Excellent presentation and explanation. Thanks again.....
Useful and good video, thank you for taking the time to share this information and knowledge
Thank you for that great video. Now I understand the difference between the two. You have a new sub.
Such a well made video. Thank you for taking the time to explain this so perfectly! Awesome....I subbed
Thank you for an excellent presentation
subscribing now, been hearing dirttime guys talk about you online for years, glad to find you Mr McCan (forgive spelling error I'd any, sir, please) great finding you!
Very informative review. Thanks.
Very nice. Love the mora. Great choice.
very informative (been looking for something like this a LONG time!). as one commenter mentioned, it would be nice to have a list (if that's possible) of as many brands/models of rods of both types so people can be more informed in terms of what it is they want and where to look. one video I had seen the advice given was "you just have to try them out" but that can get costly and I prefer something other than "trial and error" in choosing something if that's at all possible. but I've learned a lot more about rods since seeing this video.
Good to know there is a difference. Even though it may not mean much to some, I can see right away why people on the survival shows have trouble. They lack technique when they execute the striker against the rod or bar and I can see as you stated already that the softer rods would be easier to use as those little burning bits would offer a greater chance to catch fire quicker. It's also a nice visual clue as to where the sparks are going and may ignite. I'm sure the harder rods would work with properly prepared tinder, but then again, it's proper preparation and technique that gets one a fire or not. :)
Very good. I like the softer rods where the clumps stay burning. I have no problem grabbing another sooner if my sparks burn longer.
where do you recommend I get the softer ones from? Any preferences?
Great video, Thank you , I always had confusion.very informative .
John,I love your video's.Not only very informative but they make me chuckle when I see your hair and beard getting longer.In a couple more years you can call yourself Merlin?
Thank you, answered questions I didn't even know I had!
Excelente video. Congratulations!
Magnificent explanation! Finally! Thanks You very much! :)
Thank you for very informative video on this subject.
Thank you for the info; it is much appreciated.
Thanks for the clarification.
Dave Canterbury sent me here. Excellent video. I subscribed. Look forward to learning from you.
Great info. Thank you!
Thank you for clearing this up great video very educational I'm gonna subscribe
A much needed video, great explanation !
Great video thanks for doing this my friend!
Really appreciate this explanation! Thanks!
Great explanation. Thanks.
Excellent video! Bravo!!!!!
Wonderful and informative video I thought it is the same thing has different names but now I got the difference between them
that is awsome ! thanks ive been noticing a difference and now i know . Thanks !!!
Great video. Good info!
Very informative video. Now I understand the difference.
Thank you for spreading your knowledge!. I learned a lot and I will pass it on!. Peace.
Great video thanks nice presentation and explanation
Very useful video. Thanks.
Hey,thanks I do appreciate your knowledge, it's invaluable really thanks
great vid, excellent info, thank you, Be Blessed
Very informative ! thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
thank you for this great information. very helpful
Well put together video, great video. Thanks for sharing with us
Excellent information…thanks
Great video on comparing the different types. I actually didn't realize there was a difference in rods. It seems to be a compromise though. The rods with more magnesium tend to be smaller, and thus throw less sparks. Which ever one you choose, it seems bigger is still better. Personally, I like having my combo block of magnesium with a ferro rod embedded in it. I couple of shaving of magnesium in your pile helps guarantee a start.
Very much like the the new intro that you put on this video
Thank you. ... I needed this explanation.
Clear explanation.Thankyou.
I gonna watch every vid from ya, cause they are anwesend John, moreover you Look like 'the alpöhi' from Switzerland. Great!
Very informative, thanks.
Thanks for showing us the difference.
Thank you for this info. cheers.
nice informative video. I didn't know that!. Good job