Becker Patrol Pack and Ruger GS Scout

Becker Patrol Pack and Ruger GS Scout

Monday, February 3, 2014

Strike Master Padauk Firesteel Review

About a moth ago I was asked to do a review of the Strike Master Survival Tool. I will not lie, I am usually not to keen on combo firesteels. But, I agreed to do it. I told Jeff that I was going to be very honest, he understood where I was coming from and sent me 3 of these fire starters for free to test. He also sent me some history.

Charlie Hutchens is the maker of these. His dad and him started selling firestarters at the Portland Saturday Market in 1981. Gun shows, survival expos, and sportsman's shows were all worked up until Charlie's dad passed in 1995. Charlie now strictly does the Saturday market, and a small handful of sportsman's shows.








They come in 3 sizes. I used the mid-sized one, and I am going to give away the other 2.




I was used to using the magnesium on the Doans bar. That is about a miserable experience. I was very surprised at how easily the mag shaved. Now here is my problem with magnesium, I feel it makes people think they can use marginal tinders. This is a very bad practice to adopt. I tested some wet dead grass with the mag.

 
It smoked like crazy then went out.

I also used some damp Cedar bark.




 I had a much better result. Bottom line is that marginal tinders should not be used when a fire counts. Just my opinion.

I really love the firesteels on these units. They are not mishmetal. They are just like the Light My Fire type, which is my favorite. It works great on shavings.



You can also scrape the African hardwood handle to produce a ready to light tinder. You can also see that the scraper which is provided is not a piece of crappy hacksaw blade. It is thicker and ground to a 90 degree angle which scrapes well.


 I also used this to light my new MSR Universal.



Bottom line, if you like using magnesium you will love this product. For ordering and pricing check out this thread at Bushcraft USA.


Now for the giveaway. just post a comment on this entry. This is what I will send you.




 If you are a member of Bushcraft USA, post your screen name and I will enter you twice.  Good luck.

120 comments:

  1. Always looking for a fire starter. Enter me in.
    BCUSA: Ghostrider247

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  2. From the review, I think I would be very interested in these fire starters. I especially like the large one and the ability to scrape the wooden handle. Thanks for taking the time and energy in doing the review. Bushcraft Usa name BigK.

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  3. I was hoping you would do a review of this one! Great job! BCUSA: Panzer

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  4. Another great review. Im in. Thank you.

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  5. Awesome review, thanks so much. Ashman from BuschraftUSA

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  6. Great review I was impressed with the wood scraping results.

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. APRock at BCUSA. Nice. I'd probably use up the firesteel long before the mag but still... I am in.

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  10. Thanks for the review Terry, Looks like a good piece of kit! I'm in (Pilsburythrowboy12 - BushcraftUSA.com)

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  11. Thanks for doing the review. Be nice to try one my self.
    josht084 @ BushcraftUSA

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  12. Man that big magnesium-ferro rod is awesome. I wish I could afford a nice fire starter like that ha.

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  13. Hugasibe @BCUSA. Count me in also please.

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  14. BASSIC @BCUSA. Count me in please.

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  15. Overall looks like a great product! Are both the ferro rod and mag rod attached to the handle? On the large it looks like it is just attached to the mag rod

    thesilence @bcusa

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    Replies
    1. The firesteel is epoxied to the mag. No problems with separation.

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  16. ArkBush @BCUSA. Count me in! Looks like a great solid product and would love to had to my pack. Thanks for the chance and also the review :D

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  17. Nature Boy @ BCUSA. Great review! Liked the fact of shavings from the handle as tinder in a pinch. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  18. I never thought about using the handle as tinder. Great idea. username = dren @BCUSA.

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  19. Great review and impressive firesteel. Thanks for the opportunity. My BCUSA name is Mr. G.

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  20. Hey Terry,

    Good review. Looks like a solid product. I'm in and my screen name at BCUSA is also "Scott Allen". Thanks!

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  21. Great review, Terry, much appreciated! I don't have a firesteel yet and have been keeping an eye out for one. These look pretty sweet and would get a lot of use! Thanks for offering them up. My BCUSA name is "lwilson1826".

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  22. Nice review. Like you, I haven't been a big fan of mag bars, but if these scrape as easily as you say, I would like to try one. Thanks, beacon @ BCUSA

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  23. great review, this is much more functional in my mind than other magnesium, starters or ferro rods. also the handle gives extra tender. this product should do well. thanks for the review.

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  24. id love to try one. count me in.

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  25. Great review! It's good to see a mag/ferro combo that's not a skinny rectangle!
    BCUSA user Pekane

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  26. Nice, Terry. Looks like a LOT better choice than my ol' chewed up Doan. Thx for the clear review.
    --
    Brionic

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  27. RipVanArkie @BCUSA, looks like a good one! I'm in and thanks for your honesty.

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  28. Thanks for the information. Greatly appreciated. (oldfatguy @ Bushcraft USA)

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  29. I agree...it almost seems like you have to scrape a MOUNTAIN of magnesium off a DOAN'S bar to get a decent burn. Don't know how they claim "thousands of fires" but whatever. This looks like a pretty cool little mag/ferro stick. Thanks for the review [and giveaway]. Kind regards, "WOODS DEVIL", BCUSA.

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  30. Awesome man Id like to try one of them fancy ferro rods!

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  31. Good review Terry. These look like they cover several fire starting basis barring you don't misplace it in the woods.

    Count me in.

    Bush Hacker (BCUSA)

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  32. I am in. mjc7 is my screen name.

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  33. As always I like your opeb mindedness and honesty in your reviews. Great job Please count me in.
    BCUSA handle is Zornt

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  34. I am NOT in for obvious reasons as one win was enough. Nice review and now knowing that there is a softer magnesium to scrape I will give these a try as well.

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  35. I would like to try this product as well.
    BCUSA screen name is bwise

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  36. Great review! I'm in BCUSA: jodafu

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  37. Great review. Very honest and definitely pointed out all the features and points of the product I was curious about. Thanks!

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  38. Thanks for the chance to win! Rmojo on BCUSA

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  39. Great review Terry. I'm in on this one

    AK Craft (BCUSA)

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  40. Thanks! Count me in.... (BCUSA - retina)

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  41. Nice review. I saw this booth at the Saturday Market years ago...but somehow walked away without one.

    Schwert on BCUSA

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  42. Thanks Terry! I wouldn't mind giving that a good work out!
    BCUSA...KA-BAR USMC

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  43. Looks swell! Im in. Bushcraft name is Brush.Ape

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  44. Loved the review, and these definitely look amazing, good looking small striker, and a beefy looking monster sized magnesium stick

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  45. Nice. Thank you. Now which is better. Light my fire or this one?

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  46. Don't enter me Terry, just wanted to drop by and check out the blog, very cool man! Love this piece of kit, the handle as tinder was the kicker for me, very cool product, inventive use of what you have, I love it!!

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  47. Great review, my bcusa names is tnev123

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  48. Great review. If I had just seen this product without the review I'd probably have passed right on over it. But seeing it in use convinced me it was a solid piece of kit. BCUSA name is AZ Wandering Bear.

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  49. Love your reviews. Great info and getting me motivated for backpacking

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  50. First time that I have caught one of your reviews. Very thorough. thanks

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  51. I've been using magnesium for years. I started out with the Doans bar, and, like you said, the magnesium is way too hard to be practical. Plus the ferrocerium rod itself is too small. There are also a myriad of Chinese copies of the Doans bar, and all of them should avoided. I've seen some that you probably couldn't light with a blow torch!

    The magnesium bars that I usually carry are those from Survivor Firestarters. Like the bars in the review they come in a range of sizes starting with a 2,000 strike model with no handle and going up all the way to a 20,000 strike model with a larger ferro rod, a larger magnesium block and either a black or blaze orange plastic handle or a hardwood handle, all three of which have both a compass and a thermometer built into them. All of the smaller sizes (2,000--6,000--10,000 strike) are also available with or without a hardwood handle. I usually carry a 2,000 strike model with no handle and/or a 20,000 strike model with a blaze orange handle.

    Other than that I also sometimes carry one of the little 'Triple Barrel' magnesium bars from Tops Knives because it fits into the loop on my knife sheath. It works OK, but it's not in the same class as the units from Survivor Firestarters.

    Next time I need a new one I might have to check out a Strike Master.

    BTW, my Bushcraft USA screenname is also Gunslinger454.

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  52. Nice piece of kit, I may have to pick one up.

    Jackpine

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  53. Replies
    1. Winner chicken dinner. PM you mailing addy to me at BCUSA.

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  54. BCUSA:lonestar1 Seems like a very good product.

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  55. It looks like a good product and well thought out for its purposes. I will have to try this one either way.

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  56. Pretty neat firestarters I was looking at getting the mag bar from firesteel.com but these look a bit better. I always like when someone gives an honest review no matter what and I appreciate that you do that.

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  57. I like wood handles. Seems like a nice product.
    BCUSA: tcmault

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  58. very nice review, Like you I prefer not to use the Magnesium but it does help in a pinch

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  59. I realize I have little chance to win but it is worth a try.

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  60. I have seen people say good things about these on the BCUSA forum, and have been interested in trying one out. I've never liked regular magnesium bars but maybe with the magnesium being easier to shave that will make it more useful.
    My username is Brahmus on BCUSA.

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  61. Very good review
    BCUSA: landscraper75

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  62. Looks like a cool product, I'd love to review it :)
    SB : Slider

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  63. I'm in. BCUSA screen name: Jbradshaw

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  64. I'm in! Great Review! Thanks BCUSA Member pure_mahem

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  65. Looks like a good product I would like to try it.
    BCUSA Psyop

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  66. Im in gor tge Gaw was wondering about these
    BCUSA LunchboxSBSMC

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  67. I would lovea chance to win. Thanks

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  68. Looks like a great firesteel set. Im In
    MystifFlight on BCUSA

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  69. I'd like to enter into this give away. Redmech on BCUSA.com

    Thanks for the chance.

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  70. I'm in.
    Thanks for the great review these seem like a real quality product.

    N of SE on BCUSA

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  71. I'm in. and thanks for the review. Ratman on BC USA

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  72. Great review. I'm in. Lawn dart/BCUSA

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  73. Great Review, I'm in !! Buck @ BushcraftUSA

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  74. appreciate all your hard work! I need to get cracking on bushclass.
    gidge on bcusa

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  75. Looks pretty cool. I'm in. Loogaroo @BCUSA!

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  76. Looks like a nice piece of gear, I like that you can use the handle as well.

    Joshua

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  77. Great review! I'm in, hqtitan @ BCUSA.

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  78. Love the review, I'd love to have one of these my current system uses either magnesium or a LMF ferro rod!

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  79. I'm sorry I just entered on my wifes E-mail by accident, please enter this name instead. Just found your videos on youtube and watched the review you did on the cold steel trail hawk from years back. Awesome channel. Bushcraftusa name - NJbushman86

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  80. Thanks for the review. BCUSA: greenpanther07

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  81. great review! Count me in, CanisKil @ BCUSA

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  82. Looks good! Count me in. Stone at BCUSA

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  83. these look reallly great!

    bushcraftusa name: deannam

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  84. Great review! I'm in. BCUSA name Nigermk

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  85. I would love to be in the drawing!
    BCUSA = bulldogdvm

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  86. Awesome review. I would love to try some more functional magnesium starters. Feel like on paper they should be spectacular but the doan's drive me batty. Thanks for the interview Terry, please enter me in the GAW. Ghosttracker on bcusa. Great blog btw.

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  87. Nice Review. Always looking for reliable products. BCUSA=buckeye91

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  88. Looks like a good product. Im in. Davros, BCUSA.

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  89. OK, I am in, enter me in the drawing, please.
    My Bushcraft USA user name is Rvrpaddlr.

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  90. Thanks for the giveaway! Emeraldcoastbear is in,please.

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  91. Looks like a great firesteel combo to me. Im in if there is still time. Thanks!

    OLJ

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  92. Looks like an improvement from the standard mag bars plus the handle tinder is a nice functional touch. I'm also in if there's still time Cubby1285.

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  93. Thanks for the review. I'm in. BCUSA: C Bryant

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  94. great review I'm in i hope utube name bobinmissouri

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  95. Great review, I see this is absolutely a different animal all together from the block type magnesium firestarters
    - AlexBravo (on the forums)

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  96. Super info. I really like the hardwood handle on these tools. I am in for the drawing. BCUSA username is elusive_ky Keep up the good work, love ur channel and ur blog!!

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  97. Very thorough review! Thanks! Looking forward to checking out more of your reviews.

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  98. Cool that there is ability to scrape the handle and use those shavings for tinder. BCUSA name is SurvivalEDC. Thanks!

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  99. Some very talented people putting out products on BCUSA. Thanks for doing the reviews.
    My BCUSA name is plantedtao

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  100. Looks like a solid user...thanks for the review, Terry. My BCUSA screen name is schechr.

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  101. I like this thing and I thank you for the review!

    BCUSA user = alukban

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  102. I will enter here too. BCUSA ffmedic143

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  103. Thanks for the review
    Looks great

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  104. Thanks for the review. Very Informative
    Whittler Kev from BCUSA and BCUK

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