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.
Always looking for a fire starter. Enter me in.
ReplyDeleteBCUSA: Ghostrider247
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.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping you would do a review of this one! Great job! BCUSA: Panzer
ReplyDeleteGreat review again !
ReplyDeleteAnother great review. Im in. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, thanks so much. Ashman from BuschraftUSA
ReplyDeleteGreat review I was impressed with the wood scraping results.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance. I'm in
ReplyDeleteAPRock at BCUSA. Nice. I'd probably use up the firesteel long before the mag but still... I am in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Terry, Looks like a good piece of kit! I'm in (Pilsburythrowboy12 - BushcraftUSA.com)
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing the review. Be nice to try one my self.
ReplyDeletejosht084 @ BushcraftUSA
Man that big magnesium-ferro rod is awesome. I wish I could afford a nice fire starter like that ha.
ReplyDeleteHugasibe @BCUSA. Count me in also please.
ReplyDeleteYou are the winner send me your addy.
DeleteBASSIC @BCUSA. Count me in please.
ReplyDeleteOverall 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
ReplyDeletethesilence @bcusa
The firesteel is epoxied to the mag. No problems with separation.
DeleteArkBush @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
ReplyDeleteNature Boy @ BCUSA. Great review! Liked the fact of shavings from the handle as tinder in a pinch. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Terry.
ReplyDeleteThanks
I never thought about using the handle as tinder. Great idea. username = dren @BCUSA.
ReplyDeleteGreat review and impressive firesteel. Thanks for the opportunity. My BCUSA name is Mr. G.
ReplyDeleteHey Terry,
ReplyDeleteGood review. Looks like a solid product. I'm in and my screen name at BCUSA is also "Scott Allen". Thanks!
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".
ReplyDeleteNice 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
ReplyDeletegreat 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.
ReplyDeleteid love to try one. count me in.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! It's good to see a mag/ferro combo that's not a skinny rectangle!
ReplyDeleteBCUSA user Pekane
Nice, Terry. Looks like a LOT better choice than my ol' chewed up Doan. Thx for the clear review.
ReplyDelete--
Brionic
Nice. Good review.
ReplyDeleteI'm in.
Good review I'm in
ReplyDeletekantill
Like the handle. good review
ReplyDeleteRipVanArkie @BCUSA, looks like a good one! I'm in and thanks for your honesty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information. Greatly appreciated. (oldfatguy @ Bushcraft USA)
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteAwesome man Id like to try one of them fancy ferro rods!
ReplyDeleteGood review Terry. These look like they cover several fire starting basis barring you don't misplace it in the woods.
ReplyDeleteCount me in.
Bush Hacker (BCUSA)
I am in. mjc7 is my screen name.
ReplyDeleteAs always I like your opeb mindedness and honesty in your reviews. Great job Please count me in.
ReplyDeleteBCUSA handle is Zornt
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.
ReplyDeleteI would like to try this product as well.
ReplyDeleteBCUSA screen name is bwise
Great review! I'm in BCUSA: jodafu
ReplyDeleteGreat review. Very honest and definitely pointed out all the features and points of the product I was curious about. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win! Rmojo on BCUSA
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Terry. I'm in on this one
ReplyDeleteAK Craft (BCUSA)
Thanks! Count me in.... (BCUSA - retina)
ReplyDeleteNice review. I saw this booth at the Saturday Market years ago...but somehow walked away without one.
ReplyDeleteSchwert on BCUSA
Thanks Terry! I wouldn't mind giving that a good work out!
ReplyDeleteBCUSA...KA-BAR USMC
Looks swell! Im in. Bushcraft name is Brush.Ape
ReplyDeleteLoved the review, and these definitely look amazing, good looking small striker, and a beefy looking monster sized magnesium stick
ReplyDeleteNice. Thank you. Now which is better. Light my fire or this one?
ReplyDeleteDon'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!!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, my bcusa names is tnev123
ReplyDeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDeleteLove your reviews. Great info and getting me motivated for backpacking
ReplyDeleteFirst time that I have caught one of your reviews. Very thorough. thanks
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
Very nice review thank you
ReplyDeleteNice piece of kit, I may have to pick one up.
ReplyDeleteJackpine
good review BCUSA: Brock63
ReplyDeleteWinner chicken dinner. PM you mailing addy to me at BCUSA.
DeleteBCUSA:lonestar1 Seems like a very good product.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a good product and well thought out for its purposes. I will have to try this one either way.
ReplyDeletePretty 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.
ReplyDeleteI like wood handles. Seems like a nice product.
ReplyDeleteBCUSA: tcmault
very nice review, Like you I prefer not to use the Magnesium but it does help in a pinch
ReplyDeleteI realize I have little chance to win but it is worth a try.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteMy username is Brahmus on BCUSA.
Very good review
ReplyDeleteBCUSA: landscraper75
Looks like a cool product, I'd love to review it :)
ReplyDeleteSB : Slider
I'm in. BCUSA screen name: Jbradshaw
ReplyDeleteI'm in! Great Review! Thanks BCUSA Member pure_mahem
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good product I would like to try it.
ReplyDeleteBCUSA Psyop
looks like a solid product
ReplyDeleteIm in gor tge Gaw was wondering about these
ReplyDeleteBCUSA LunchboxSBSMC
im in
ReplyDeleteI would lovea chance to win. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm in
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great firesteel set. Im In
ReplyDeleteMystifFlight on BCUSA
I'm in, Harvey_Birdman on BCUSA.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to enter into this give away. Redmech on BCUSA.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance.
I'm in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review these seem like a real quality product.
N of SE on BCUSA
I'm in. and thanks for the review. Ratman on BC USA
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I'm in. Lawn dart/BCUSA
ReplyDeleteGreat Review, I'm in !! Buck @ BushcraftUSA
ReplyDeleteappreciate all your hard work! I need to get cracking on bushclass.
ReplyDeletegidge on bcusa
Looks pretty cool. I'm in. Loogaroo @BCUSA!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice piece of gear, I like that you can use the handle as well.
ReplyDeleteJoshua
Great review! I'm in, hqtitan @ BCUSA.
ReplyDeleteLove the review, I'd love to have one of these my current system uses either magnesium or a LMF ferro rod!
ReplyDeleteI'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
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. BCUSA: greenpanther07
ReplyDeletegreat review! Count me in, CanisKil @ BCUSA
ReplyDeleteLooks good! Count me in. Stone at BCUSA
ReplyDeletethese look reallly great!
ReplyDeletebushcraftusa name: deannam
Great review! I'm in. BCUSA name Nigermk
ReplyDeleteI would love to be in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteBCUSA = bulldogdvm
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.
ReplyDeleteNice Review. Always looking for reliable products. BCUSA=buckeye91
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good product. Im in. Davros, BCUSA.
ReplyDeleteOK, I am in, enter me in the drawing, please.
ReplyDeleteMy Bushcraft USA user name is Rvrpaddlr.
Looks good I'm in
ReplyDeleteBUSA Rasp75
Thanks for the giveaway! Emeraldcoastbear is in,please.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great firesteel combo to me. Im in if there is still time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOLJ
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.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I'm in. BCUSA: C Bryant
ReplyDeletegreat review I'm in i hope utube name bobinmissouri
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I see this is absolutely a different animal all together from the block type magnesium firestarters
ReplyDelete- AlexBravo (on the forums)
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!!
ReplyDeleteVery thorough review! Thanks! Looking forward to checking out more of your reviews.
ReplyDeleteCool that there is ability to scrape the handle and use those shavings for tinder. BCUSA name is SurvivalEDC. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSome very talented people putting out products on BCUSA. Thanks for doing the reviews.
ReplyDeleteMy BCUSA name is plantedtao
Looks like a solid user...thanks for the review, Terry. My BCUSA screen name is schechr.
ReplyDeleteI like this thing and I thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteBCUSA user = alukban
I will enter here too. BCUSA ffmedic143
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review
ReplyDeleteLooks great
Thanks for the review. Very Informative
ReplyDeleteWhittler Kev from BCUSA and BCUK