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Swedish Firesteel- Army Model
By: Light My Fire       Average Rating: 4.5     Total Reviews: 56
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Good but not Great     On: 2008-10-09

Basically creates fire and does a good job at it. Only reason I gave it 4 stars was that the included striker eats away at the rod pretty quickly.
Great     On: 2008-09-05

Works well on starting stuff like dryer lint or vasoline covered cotton balls. Easy to use.
Multiple Uses     On: 2008-09-01

Typically, for fire starting in the wild I use a Fire Piston, however for camp stoves and/or other butane appliances, Sweedish Firesteel is hands down the best out there. You dont need to worry about matches not lighting due to moisture or high wind, you dont need to worry about lighters running out of fluid or anything like that. Just take your stick and point it toward the object you want to light and in one firm scrape, the striker will produce enough sparks for ignition.

If you (or your scout) plans to use this for camp fires, then the best tinder I have found for this item is something that anyone can make at home; CHAR CLOTH. One strike and the charcloth has enough ember-holes going to create flame upon any foundation for a campfire.

Overall: This is a great item to have on hand and it has so many uses around a camp that youll never not need one on hand.
Perfect for what it was designed for     On: 2008-08-15

This is a good product, it is easy to use and produces a very strong spark that will light a fire even in the hardest weather conditions. I tested it while camping in a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, and it simply worked like a charm. Cant complain about such a single purpose object with such a good design.
GREAT FIRESTARTER!!     On: 2008-07-12

This is easy to use and it works great!I would recommend this product to anyone who likes being outdoors and is interested in having an easy and surefire way of lighting a fire.
It works     On: 2008-06-24

Use it to lite my charcol BBQ and my wood burning stove.. works great.. tried on paper and leaves.. worked well. built very sturdy.. was bigger than i expected.. should last a looong time..
Great Product - Slight Learning Curve     On: 2008-05-28

This product is terrific.

There is a slight learning curve involved with this product that breaks down into two parts:

1) You must know what type of tinder to use for this. If it is not good enough tinder, it will not light.

2) Realize that short, very hard strokes with this is the key. Longer, slightly softer strokes do produce many sparks, but it is the short, repetitive strong ones that create very big and hot sparks which will ignite the tinder into a flame.

Enjoy!
Really really cool, but not as easy as it's cool     On: 2008-05-17

The sparks fly high and are very impressive, but starting a fire with it isnt easy. The perfect kindling or lots of rubs from the firesteel are neccisary for a fire.
Im giving it 4.49 stars because its a great device (it can get soaked and still work 2 seconds later), but not a 5 to make sure people realize that (without cotton balls) it does require hard work to start a fire. Although it probably gets easier with experience.
Not as convenient as a match, but it gets the job done.     On: 2008-05-09

This device is not as convenient as a match, but it gets the job done and you dont have to worry about getting it wet or breaking it. It takes some practice to use it efficently, but it wont let you down in an emergency situation. Carry it as a reliable back-up to your usual convenient method of starting fires.
Works great     On: 2008-05-02

I got this and couldnt wait to try it out. A friend and I were walking around campus and we stopped and grabbed some dryer lint and some dead leaves and dried grass. I had a fire going in seconds. It works great; the cord is more than long enough for you to be able to use the striker with ease. The key is good tinder, straight up leaves wont catch a spark, get something like dryer lint or cat tail fluff. I love it, it was totally worth the money, and it will go with me on every outdoor outing.
sorry     On: 2008-04-18

this is awesome. i have used water and wind proof matches. i have the mag starter also. this by far is the best. if you cant produce fire with this you should stay in doors!
A nice tool     On: 2008-04-10

This "flint" is more expensive than the magnesium bars but it is a little more convinient for making sparks because it has a small handle and an attached striker (you have to find your own tender). I did not have a problem using the attached striker as another reviewer did. I also skipped the step of taking the paint off. I just scraped firmly and the ammount of sparks was crazy. My only complaint is the price but if it lasts as long as claimed it is a bargain compared to matches or lighters.

I have both the full size model and the scout model. The full size model is a little easier to use because it is easier to grip but the scout model is not hard and is a little smaller for packing.
Firestarter     On: 2008-03-22

The Swedish FireSteel is a first rate spark emitting fire starter...a must for all campers, hikers, hunters, or fisherman as a sure backup to the trusty match or butane lighter. Just scrape against the steel with knife, scraper, or file to produce sparks. It works rain or shine, in warm or frigid climes, from sea level to the top of Everest 24/7.
Great buy, but practice with it.     On: 2008-03-13

This is a great product for people who really pride themselves on their lightweight packing ability and spend alot of time in the outdoors. Its light, efficient, convenient, and works everywhere in just about any condition. This thing will NOT fail you. However, if youve never used something like this to start a fire, I would HIGHLY recommend that you practice with it alot before relying on it in the wilderness. In fact, I would say that it would be outright stupid of you to not do so. I use it as my primary source of flame every time Im out, and I trust it.
A little extra insurance.     On: 2008-02-27

Swedish FireSteel - Army Model (Oak)
I usually have to make my own non-plastic handles for thes things. This saves me the trouble. Also whenever I make an outdoor knife I try to include one on the sheath. Not only can it come in REALLY handy when you get caught in a storm on the way from the tree stand. I use it to touch up the edge of the knife it goes with. Which, of course, means one less thing to carry TO the tree stand. Which is allways nice.
Fun, but don't throw away your matches     On: 2008-02-16

Another reviewer mentioned cotton balls. I highly recommend carrying some with you if you plan to use this as your primary fire source. As far as spark creation goes, I found a cheap, slightly serrated knife to work better than the attached piece of metal.
Quality fire starter     On: 2008-02-09

This is a quality, simple fire starter. Had different brand and was practically worn out after one fire building. The FireSteel is the best one made.
This little sucker is FUN     On: 2008-01-21

I know this is supposed to be an important wilderness survival tool. But when you gather your co-workers around and start making sparks, you will realize the FUN factor is the real value of this item. With just a little bit of effort, you can make as many sparks as an angle grinder on a piece of sheet metal. Be careful of the smoke, however, as it generates quite a bit.
Great fire starter     On: 2008-01-12

For the price, this is an awesome fire starter. If you have kindling, it will keep you warm. A definate for any campers, hikers or survivalists.
great product     On: 2007-12-30

Works flawlessly! Very easy to get large quantities of sparks onto the tinder. High quality lanyard to keep things together too. Keep this in your survival kit!
light my fire     On: 2007-12-29

great product, i was sold when i watched man vs.wild and saw bear use this in the rain forest. maybe someday it will save my life too.
Lots of Sparks!     On: 2007-12-28

These are great things to have around. The Army model is by far the largest Ive seen on the market. Ive used mine to start a fire already and as long as you have good tinder this is a great tool. Some of the reviews say the lanyard is too short. I think the length is about right (plenty to make a shower of sparks) but the plastic clip used to tie off the ends is garbage. It popped off before I could get the paint scraped off.
Takes some time     On: 2007-12-26

The product is neat, but like all things having to do with fire, preparation is key. Make sure you have something dry to catch the sparks. The sparks are hot but dont expect to get a flame going with 3-4 strikes. Still for the durability and longevity of the product it was well worth the price.
make shure to buy from Jezebra.com     On: 2007-12-20

Hey all, the swedish firesteel is a great product for those interested in survival or bushcraft. I own one personally, and see it as a great asset to my survival kit. All that you truly need in "the bush" is this, a knife, and some basic survival skills that you can learn through courses, or on the web. You can use it on many different tinders, both natural and artificial, because of the intense heat generated by the sparks. I also own a "spark-lite" which is a good sparker, but only works well with artificial tinders such as dryer lint, toilet paper, ect... I suggest that you buy this item no matter if you want it for survival purposes or otherwise, either way, it is a great purchase.

Make shure that you order from Jazebrz.com, I ordered from them and it was delivered in five days. It actually would have been four days, but they acidentally sent me Mayadust instead, I sent them only one e-mail explaining the situation, and they overnighted it that day at no extra charge, They also let me keep the Mayadust, which works great.
doesn't seem to work     On: 2007-12-05

i bought a swedish fire steel army model and doesnt seem to work. i tried mayadust, paper, soft paper and nothing so far. besides, the metal thing attached is not gonna do it as string is too short. i used a knife. it does sparks a lot though.
A MUST HAVE!!!     On: 2007-12-03

This little item could very well be a life saver. If learned how to use it correctly it will provide you with the useful art of making fire. A must have for all persons who camp, hunt, backpack and like to explore the great outdoors. Always works even when wet and small enough to fit in a pant pocket. Strongly recommend this to anyone who is enjoying any outdoor activity.
Swedish FireSteel-Army Model     On: 2007-11-29

I was inspired to purchase this item after watching Man vs. Wild on TV and after using it in one of my camping events, I must say it truly is a valuable find. It does work even when its wet! I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is into the outdoors. You can even use this when you are having a BBQ session with family and friends. A definite MUST HAVE. Its an excellent gift idea as well.
Gary - Swedish Fire Steel, Army Model     On: 2007-11-22

The Swedish FireSteel Army Model is a substantial hunk of flint. At approx 3/8" diameter and 2-1/2" length it should last for many years of repeated use. I tested this flint against 2 others I have: a combo flint/magnesium, and a survival mini-flint inlaid in a whistle. Quite honestly, all three worked about the same in a garage test using a cotton ball as my fire starter, but the mini-flint shows immediate signs of abrasion. The fire starter material (tinder) is the key element. If you have a good fire starter tinder, it doesnt take much of a spark to ignite it.
I was not impressed with the included striker; I got better spark using a knife blade.
FYI: the FireSteel Army Model Flint has a black surface coating that has to scraped off before the flint is functional.
In summary, I would definitely recommend the Swedish FireSteel Army Model, but it may be overkill depending upon your needs.
Most definitely worth it.     On: 2007-11-19

Portable, easy to use, durable - what more can you ask for? After receiving the item in the mail, I became eager to find out whether or not it worked. So right there in the middle of the parking lot I broke out some pre-made tinder (cotton balls soaked in vaseline), placed one cotton ball on the ground, and gave the FireSteel a few good strikes and it lit that ball right up.

And, that being the first time Ive ever lit a fire without a match or lighter, I felt like the first caveman to discover fire. The item produced large, beautifully bright and burning sparks that will most definitely ignite some good tinder. The key word there is GOOD tinder: birch bark, dryer lint, cotton balls drenched in vaseline, or other fine tinder will work. Dont throw sparks at some random log or leaf and expect a roaring, burning inferno, this thing doesnt produce miracles.

But its close enough :) A KEY survival item. Its now a staple in my personal survival kit. Ill probably be purchasing the Scout model as well. And maybe the rest of the models........ Its THAT good.
Cool design and works great!     On: 2007-11-17

Swedish Firesteel is the best and it works great.....a shower of sparks every time. The Army is a little beefier but lasts longer.
Best firestarter in terms of durability, ease of use!     On: 2007-11-11

I think the Army is the best model....nice size rod and eacy to handle. Swedish Firesteel is the best!
Slick little tool     On: 2007-11-04

Not an easy feat to start a fire with flint, but it works as advertised. I did find that the included striker doesnt work as well as a knife.
FireSteel-ArmyM     On: 2007-10-26

It works!! It was the only fire starting tool I had to use during high desert winds; worked like a champ. The harder you scrape, the bigger the spark.
Works phenomenally well     On: 2007-10-17

I got this as an integral piece of my homemade survival kit. It works great and creates a spark with little effort. Use a little cotton tinder for your fire building and the Swedish FireSteel will get you going in no time. Even without any special tinder it still works great. Highly recommended.
works great     On: 2007-09-03

works great, but a bit pricey.
remember to hold the steel plate with the right side up to get a good
spark.
Trustworthy and convenient     On: 2007-08-30

This is a wonderfully reliable and proven method for starting a fire. Its simple to use, can be used while wet, and can be used hundreds of times. I now carry this thing everywhere I go instead of carrying a lighter. When wrapped up with the lanyard it measures about 4" x 1" x .75". Press the steel saw blade into the flint and push. Sparks fly and you can get a fire started in no time.
Mike in the WV part of NY     On: 2007-08-28

If you cant start a fire with this you should do the gene pool a favor and just freeze to death. Read the directions, stroke s l o w and with a good bit of PRESSURE. Be very careful not to let the sparks fall on you or something you dont want burned.
Good seller, good product.     On: 2007-08-23

Good Seller with fast delivery.
The flint is a good product. It fits nicely in your hand and the striking plate is attached with a rope that allows about 6 inches of play for striking the flint (which is plenty). The key to getting a fire started is proper tinder selection. Wood shavings, dried grass, newspaper are ok for kindling but will just frustrate you for catching and holding a spark. Youll need dried grass plumes, cat tails,(very fine), pine sap, and so on to effectively catch and ignite a good tinder bundle. If you just want something that lights a pile of grass or a wad of paper - buy a lighter or matches.
Great Gadget and Firestarter     On: 2007-08-17

I bought one Firesteel for myself and one for my son. We both like to hike and hunt, and this little gadget goes in my survival bag from now on. I have experimented with it and found that if you are selective about the tinder (dryer lint, cotton balls, very fine strips of newspaper) it will start a fire on the first stroke almost every time. The downside is the cost. They are pretty pricey for an item like this at $15 each. Also, I dont like the fact that the vendor Jazebra charges w-a-a-y too much for shipping and handling. With the shipping and handling charges, it costed me almost $40 to get two of these things. Amazon should stock these items in house so customers can get the free shipping.
Coolest cotten ball destroyer ever     On: 2007-08-13

If you gather the right tender, youll be able to start a fire with little effort. You couldnt ask for a better tool. Finding the good tender and building a good fire may require a little practice but the satisfaction of getting it started without the use of matches or a lighter is well worth the effort. Fluff up a cotton ball and let your friends and family give it a try - theyll be in awe.
Don't Leave Home Without It.     On: 2007-08-09

The Swedish Firesteel is the best survival fire starter I have ever used. In windy conditions, without any preparation I was able to get a nice cheery fire going with this wonderful item in less than 2 minutes. Bear Gryls from Man vs. Wild is right...Never leave home without one!
OH... SO COOL!!!     On: 2007-07-30

Definitely worth the $15.00. Just scrape away the protective paint and strike firmly to create a shower of sparks. I have not yet tried to start a fire with it but there is no doubt that it will work perfectly. It creates a substantial burst of sparks just like the pictures or even bigger. Looking forward to testing it when wet and putting it to the test on some real tinder but I have no doubts. This item, in one form or another, has been in use by military units around the world for decades for a good reason. It just works well. BUY ONE. Very well made. Nice lanyard, heavy duty feel.
Awesome!     On: 2007-07-29

Great for camping or if you just like to make sparks and can not afford a bench grinder. Works in the rain and produces a mega hot spark
What I would want if I had to survive!     On: 2007-07-14

The Army model is the one to have if you want a dependable, easy to use firestarter. It works well and I like the longer steel rod compared with the lighter weight Scout model. Much more durable than the cheaper magnesium blocks...and the shavings dont blow away in the wind! Get the best
Good item with proper tinder - but the mag is easier     On: 2007-07-05

Lanyard is plenty long and it makes lots of sparks (after a couple of scrapes to remove the paint). If lanyard was not long enough one could exercise ingenuity and put on a longer cord.

It would easily light propane, but if you try to ignite a piece of sheet paper you will have trouble. Sheet paper is not fine enough and is not proper tinder (though you could shred and rumple it to make good tinder). You need a finer tinder bundle. Paper towel was also unsuccessful. I had easy success with toilet paper and dryer lint. It sparks more if you slow down and increase pressure a little. If the woods are wet and you can find no dry tinder you are in trouble, which is why most people carry tinder or fire starter or pick it up on the trail when they can.

I think it is easier to use the magnesium fire starter with a basic metal jigsaw blade as the magnesium shavings will ignite paper towel easily, and can also ignite paper if you make a dime sized pile of shavings (when igniting paper dont set the end of the magnesium fire starter on the paper as when you scrape the flint the vibrations will jiggle the shavings all around). Even better than a jigsaw blade may be a short hacksaw blade because it has a good hole you can put the cord through.

In summary: if you carry or can find/make good tinder the Swedish firesteel is tough, simple, and a good product. For normal people who want a firestarter that is somewhat easier to use carry the magnesium. That is what I will carry, in addition to good tinder (cotton balls with vaseline mushed in), and a very good lighter (more lights/space than matches).

P.S. Just watched Bear G. in Man vs. Wild (Discovery channel) use this after a major rainstorm starting a fire on the first strike BECAUSE he had previously harvested and protected some very good tinder. He did not use a magnesium firestarter. It does produce a 5,500°F spark, but it needs a purchase (tinder). Also I want to repeat that the lanyard I got was plenty long, but hey its just a piece of cord that you can cut. Live bold. Also the first time I tried to make sparks I made plenty. I do not see how someone could not (unless they had the metal striker upside down - read the directions!).

P.P.S. Watched Bear G. in Ecuador (?) NOT be able to start a fire with grass using this because everything was wet and darkness came in not enabling him to search for better (dry) tinder. With typical Bear pluck he stuffed his shirt with the grass for insulation and kept his chin up. I bet the mag would have started a fire.

P.P.P.S. Watched Survivorman take a mag starter out into the desert and easily start a fire, but he used the edge of his knife to make shavings and strike the flint. I dont reccomend dulling a knife like this, use the back or anything else. Also he CARVED off magnesium and I have found just SCRAPING works well. Finally on the magnesium starter the flint is a small rod on the side and you dont whack it like in Jeremiah Johnson, but you just scrape it. I think I read one reviewer that broke his flint and I bet he was whacking it, just like in the movies.

This is a long review because this is a survival tool and you should have confidence in its capabilities.
it is what it is, and that's a good thing     On: 2007-06-01

Firesteel IS a great tool for starting fires. it sparks great and starts fires no problem. it took me 3 strikes to start my first fire. didnt need to scrape the coating off, either.

Firesteel IS NOT a magic wand that you can wave around and command a fire to start on anything. you still need to prepare for a fire, i.e. tinder, kindling, etc. and aim where you are throwing those sparks. It works very easy, but you still need to understand the basic concept of fire starting before you question whether it works or not.

I would definitely depend on this tool in a survival situation!
It is all about your expectations...     On: 2007-05-11

I was able to get it to generate a fair amount of sparks, but was disappointed when it failed to light a piece of paper. Later I was able to set fire a bit of toliet paper. I guess what you use for "tinder" make a big difference. So not a flamethrower, but easier and faster than rubbing two stick together. Expect to use the tool with starter material like some toilet paper (which may be useful without the fire!)
FIRESTEEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     On: 2007-03-09

I have been wanting this for months and i finaaly got it. I was not dissapointed at all.It makes hot sparks that can ignite tinder, cotton tissue paper, EVERYTHING!!!!! Well not evrything but it is a must for survival experts or people who like bright, shiny things.
I love it!     On: 2007-03-02

I have never had any luck with the cheaper magnesium type firestarter, so I thought I would try this kind. I am so glad I did. It was a great investment. It took a few minutes to get the hang of it, but once I did it was so simple to use. It works when wet, which is helpful when camping in the Pacific Northwest. I tried it with some dryer lint as tinder and it lit in one stroke. Highly recomended.
So Simple a Child Can Do It     On: 2007-02-12

The Firesteel works! Soon after I purchased it I took my 12 year old children on a day trip to the Sierra snow. With a little practice and a wad of dryer lint, all three quickly masterd starting a fire in realistic survival conditions. The Firesteel generates a shower of sparks- all you need is dry tinder to get a fire started in minutes. Of course you can do the same with a Cricket lighter, but the Firesteel wont break, leak or otherwise deteriorate over time, so it is the perfect addition to a survival kit that you may need, say, about 10 years from now.
Fantastic     On: 2007-02-10

This thing is great. I actually started a fire with it last time we went camping. I mean we had lighters and everything, but it felt so much more satisfying to use sparks (and the maya dust).
Firesteel is your frirend     On: 2007-01-02

I have the SL3 pocket knife that features the Firesteel built into it. Ive had great success in using my firesteel. I think one of the main things that leads to my success is that i always carry my own tinder with me. I usually use cotton balls, lint from my laundry machine, and or tinder fungus when i can find it. I usually just use the back of my knife to scrape the rod and i always get big sparks out of it. Regardless for me its still a backup to light fires if i run out of matches and its never let me down.
sparks aren't as hot as you'd think     On: 2006-12-30

While kind of fun to play with (it does make a lot of sparks per strike). I found this to be a rather lame fire starter tool. While it says the sparks are several thousand degrees, I found it rather difficult (but possible) to light ideal materials like a piece of klenex and my gas stove top. Both took many tries.

Lighting a plain piece of paper? I cant even scorch it. Good luck starting a fire with this thing out in the open with damp material.
A nice tool     On: 2006-12-26

This "flint" is more expensive than the magnesium bars but it is a little more convinient for making sparks because it has a small handle and an attached striker (you have to find your own tender). I did not have a problem using the attached striker as another reviewer did. I also skipped the step of taking the paint off. I just scraped firmly and the ammount of sparks was crazy. My only complaint is the price but if it lasts as long as claimed it is a bargain compared to matches or lighters.
Underwhelmed. How is this design an improvement?     On: 2006-12-17

The photos make this firesteel look like you can use the strike tool while it is attached to the lanyard. The lanyard holds both the striker and the sparker. The lanyard is way too short to allow enough movement to strike against the sparker. I had to remove the striker from the lanyard (the lanyard is not meant to be taken apart). The striker has special cuts in it to supposedly aid with sparking. Nope. Doesnt work. If I reversed the striker and used the handle side I got spark. Hardly any spark using the "correct" side. The sparker is covered with a paint coating that must be removed before it can be used. This is not a good fire tool. Stick with the cheaper bar design.

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