Introduction: Carry a FIRESTEEL (R) on Your Keychain
This is a FIRESTEEL (R). You use it just like a flint and steel. You scrape the FIRESTEEL (R) with either a knife blade or hacksaw blade, or the scrapper you can buy from the website. To see more about FIRESTEEL (R) go to http://www.firesteel.com. There is a video that will show you how the FIRESTEEL (R) works and why you should carry one with you at all times... FIRESTEEL (R) comes in an assortment of sizes to fit your needs.
And here in lies the problem. I could not find a way of carrying a FIRESTEEL (R) on my keychain, so I made an Instructable to show you how... This is my first attempt at an Instructable, but hopefully NOT my last...
Step 1: Supplies Needed
You will need the following supplies:
FIRESTEEL (R)
Ring Terminal (Electrical Dept Home Improvement Store)
Needle Nose Pliers
Electricians Tool (Crimper)
Epoxy
Heat Shrink Tubing (Electrical Dept Home Improvement Store)
Lighter
Step 2: Step 1. Remove Plastic
Step 1. Use the Needle Nose pliers to pull off the plastic covering of the Ring Terminal
Step 3: Step 2. Spread Open Connector
Step 2. Use the Needle Nose pliers to spread open the Ring Terminal connector. Be sure to open the connector wide enough to hold the FIRESTEEL (R).
Step 4: Step 3. Apply Epoxy
Step 3. Mix the Epoxy according to instructions and apply a generous amount of Epoxy to the open Ring Terminal
Step 5: Step 4. Set and Crimp
Step 4. Insert the FIRESTEEL (R) into the Epoxy. Allow to dry according to instructions on the Epoxy. Use the Electricians tool to crimp close the ring terminal connector around the FIRESTEEL (R).
Step 6: Step 5. Heat Shrink Tubing ~ Finished
Step 5. Pull the Heat Shrink Tubing over the constructed assembly. Use the lighter to shrink the tubing and your done.
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18 Comments
6 years ago on Introduction
why make one when you can buy a knife with one attached for free?
11 years ago on Introduction
Nice
11 years ago on Introduction
ring terminals will not last long almost all of them are made of soft copper, I tryed this and it lasted about a month, I snagged it on a tree limb and it broke off..
12 years ago on Introduction
Can anyone tell me what it is that survivalists have against lighters? It seems like a Bic lighter should be like the Holy Grail of survivalist fire-starting tools. But nooo, heaven forbid. They all want to light magnesium shavings by striking their survival knife against a flint. :)
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
lighters are much more fragile than firesteel, and usually don't work when wet. they have a much less chance of lighting a fire than firesteel (firesteel is hotter) plus they run out faster. the only reason lighters are what people carry around instead of firesteel is that lighters are much more controlled, giving off a small flame that is sustained, instead of a large puff of sparks.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
its also very difficult to use in the slightest wind
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
You can, however, get windproof lighters. Its basically a mini blowtorch, meaning it burns really hot (>1000C) and is almost completely windproof.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
If you have ever been in the wild, you would know that a lighter will run out just when you need it the most. fire steel does not run out of propellant...I have a piece of flint that I carried for a lot of years (40 or more)and it still works when I need it.. Go on a hunting or camping trip to Alaska where it is always below zero to find out what I'am talking about or even Montana, Idaho, Colorado in the winter or late fall.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I can see the problem in extremely low temperatures. You have a good point there. Gas lighters might not work so well. As for running out when you need them the most, notice I specified "Bic." If you have even had a Bic lighter run out when you needed it the most, then I suppose those other 999 fires weren't very important? :P
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I smoke so I use lighters all the time ,They run out at the most inopportune times. If you let them get cold they won't light. So to be sure that I have something dependable at all times I carry a flint and I usually can find a piece of flint in the mountains.......or desert lands ( Sand conducts heat but doesn't hold the heat at night..) I would like to get a length of fire steel to try Ps try to light a fire with a "bic" in a 30 or 40 mile per hour wind Even with flint it is hard....... GOOD LUCK with your "bic" , I'll keep my flint and maybe a chunk of fire steel also....
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Well first of all... I think FIRE is the most IMPORTANT item you can take with you and the most IMPORTANT skill you can learn. I don't think I will get an argument here. When I am in the Wild I carry a number of different ways to make fire. I carry a lighter, water proof matches, a magnifying glass and a FIRESTEEL. Just in case ONE fails I have another way to make fire... I am not saying any ONE method of fire is better than any other... The ONLY thing I wanted to do is show those of you who have a FIRESTEEL a way of carrying it that was easy and convenient...''
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Ahh, no offense, mate. I would never bash anyone for posting useful Instructables. I was just truly curious. If you came on here and insisted you'd take a Firesteel out into the wilderness while intentionally leaving a "garbage" Bic lighter at home, then I would have to continue questioning the degree of practicality. But I guess your answer says it all! :P
12 years ago on Introduction
how do you detach the firesteel from the plastic handle?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
The FIRESTEEL (R) I purchased were from FIRESTEEL.COM. It was ONLY the rod and nothing else. This is why I came up with this method of attaching it to my keychain. The ones that have the plastic piece you can put directly on the key chain... I hope this helps... Thanks
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
oh ok thanks, i have one with the plastic handle, do you think i could melt that off?
12 years ago on Introduction
could you please add how to use this cause i have no idea wtf its suppose to do?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
OK I did... I made some changes to the Intro page that explains what it is and how to get one... But since you asked I will tell you. Its very similar to a flint and steel. You scrape it to make sparks to start a fire. I have included the website on the Intro page so you can see for yourself why this little marvel is so important to have...
12 years ago on Introduction
Other than having to go look up what a Firesteel was, this is a great idea, and I can see a definite survival advantage to doing this.