Monday, July 20, 2009

Firesteel / Misch Metal Ferro Rods

I went to the local gun show this past weekend to look around, and Going Gear had a booth set up there. I'd seen the firesteel/ferro rods on their website along with a video showing how well they work, so I bought a few various smaller sized blanks to do some knot work on. They also had some nice wood handles for them, but I knew I wanted to try some knots, so I just bought the blanks.

I've seen several examples over the last few years with firesteels and flints being wrapped with paracord in round crown sinnets, like those sold by TAD Gear, and I even have one made like that, that a friend sent me a couple of years ago.

So far I've tied a snake knot grip with 2.4mm cord on the longer one I bought, and the next shorter one had close to 10 feet of paracord tied as a lanyard around it, and a smaller lanyard tied around one with 1.4mm cord, which would also make a good sized zipper pull firesteel.

I usually have a lighter or matches on or near me, but should those fail and a firestarting need arise, a firesteel is a good backup, and don't forget some tinder to help get that fire going.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is the not you used for the top picture? Thanks

FireSteel.com said...

These are indeed excellent examples wrapped in paracord.

Paracord is so handy in wide variety of survival situations it really pays to have lengths of it around for use in a moments notice.

I like gear that serves a double purpose such as this combo you are showing here!

Stormdrane said...

The knot in the top photo is called the 'snake knot' in Chinese knotting. I put up a wrist lanyard tutorial for it on the instructable site.

Others have made some neat things with it using paracord, including neck lanyards, bag/pack grab handles, and dog leashes.

You can also try tying it around pens, kubatons, and as a grip for a walking/hiking staff.

Unknown said...

How did you attach the snakeknot lanyard?

I'd think it would just slide off without glue or epoxy...

Stormdrane said...

Glue or epoxy could be used to make it permanent, but I tied it tight enough that it takes a bit of effort to move it.

The longer you make the knotted section, the better it holds, so that it's not going to come off on it's own.

Anonymous said...

I have a question. I know a lot of people have put these ferro rods inside what looks like a sinnet but I don't think it's the right knotting/weaving.

How would one go about completely coming this in paracord and in an emergency pull it out.

Stormdrane said...

A round or square crown sinnet is used. the loop and first knot are made, then the rod is placed in the center and the sinnet tied around it.

You'd have to untie a good bit of it before you'd be able to pull it out, if it was tied tightly. If done loosely, it might be able to be removed and replaced when needed, but retention would be unsure...

I did the same thing with wrapping a Zebra Compact Pen a couple of years ago.

ken said...

Hi Dave, did you use any super blue to help hold the cord on...especially on the one with the snake weave? I like the way you did that one...looks clean and you have plenty of room to scrape the steel yet.
ken

Stormdrane said...

I didn't use any type of adhesive on/with it. The cord is tight enough to stay and function as a grip and would only move if I intentionally try to twist and push/pull it off.

Glue or epoxy would certainly make it more secure/permanent if you wanted to add it.

If it were going to be hung exposed on the outside of a bag/pack, I'd probably add a drop of super glue at the top/bottom ends.

Nicholas Roussos said...

Ah! Thanks for posting all these comments. I've been trying to tie this same knot on a walking stick for my son. I've managed to tie a the know on a piece of rope by itself, but whenever I try to go around the stick it falls apart... Mainly, looking at your key chain tutorial, you start by going through the enclosure, but there's no enclosure on the stick. How should I start it on the stick? How to I avoid having it slide all over the place? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Stormdrane said...

When tying the snake knot around something, like a walking stick, think of the stick as the core, like the knots being tied around the core strands of this wrist lanyard.

You can first use some grip tape, like that on tennis rackets or baseball bats, around the stick first, then knot over that to keep it in place.

A little super glue at the top and bottom ends after knotting also works.

The longer the grip, the more contact of the cord helps keep it in place too. Just make sure each knot is as tight as you can get it before tying the next knot.

Geoff said...

I would like to get my boy Scouts to tie the snake knot on some firesteel pieces, how did you start the knot in the picture with the loop on the end? We want to the same thing but with a longer loop so we can attach a scraper on it. We are using some small cord (1.4mm?)and can't seem to get it to work out.

Stormdrane said...

@Geoff, The initial loop can be as long or short as you like, since the knot is started from the center of your length of cord.

Adding a bit of grip tape/silicone tape or heat shrink tubing to the top of the firesteel first, where the knot will be, can help the tightened knot better stay in place and not slide off.

A fixed loop could be tied first, with a two strand knot, like a Matthew Walker knot, knife lanyard knot, cross knot, etc., with the knot sitting at the top of the firesteel, then the snake knot done down for the length desired...