MagSlab Magnesium Fire Starter

I recently bought a  Emergency Fire Starter  which arrived and I was shocked to find out was a knockoff Chinese product that was basically fireproof aluminum. That's right fireproof. I found a video comparing that product and the original DOAN magnesium starter, and I was shocked ... even lighting the other stuff with I lighter wouldn't work. I checked the item on Amazon that I bought and the comments and discovered that the ones that shipped from SE (seller) were DOAN, and the ones that shipped from Amazon were knockoffs that didn't work (thus very mixed reviews).So I replaced those defective starters with 1  DOAN MACHINERY Magnesium Fire Starter And 1  MagSlab Magnesium Fire Starter They are both genuine and produce magnesium shavings that burn white hot for a good length of time. The only thing I could say different about them is that the MagSlab is a little bit softer and thus easier to shave quickly.

If you think all magnesium firesteels are the same, think again. I previously purchased and reviewed the Chinese version  Emergency Fire Starter , which did the job but it wasn't as easy as I expected. Now that I tried the MagSlab, it's without doubt a superior product. The magnesium seems a little softer (a good thing), the ferro rod gives off hotter sparks, and the workmanship is better - no glue sticking out around the ferro rod, the striker is very effective, and the cord is long enough for full range of motion. Using the MagSlab, I was able to light a bundle of paper towel pieces using just the ferro rod, whereas the Chinese model failed to light the same bundle. If you're looking for a 100% dependable fire starter, spend a few bucks more and get the MagSlab.*** Update 2/2014After using it for a while, the ferro rod developed an uneven, ribbed surface that makes it much harder to get a good spark. Combined with the fact that it already requires more force than some other ferro rods, this makes it a real pain in the rear to use. I had better results from a Light My Fire ferro rod, so I will not be using this one any longer.

I am not sure how they do it, but this ferrocerium rod and scraper produce really big sparks compared to all the other firesteel products I own. I bought this as an emergency tool for my EDC tool pouch. After seeing the kind of sparks this thing creates, I plan to pick up one of their larger firesteel products. The guy who produces these products has a youtube video where he produces monster sparks off one of those things. After seeing what this smaller product can do, I believe it. I am not sure if it is because of the shape in which the scraper is manufactured, the composition or shape of the rod, or both that does it, but these things really do produce better sparks than the competitors (at least, compared to the other fires starters I have seen and used).Judging by another review here, I think it salient to point out that I am reviewing the product produced and sold by firesteel dot com. They were also the seller. It looks like some other seller was able to piggyback on his product page and sell crappy imitation fire starters. I would ensure that the seller is firesteel dot com before placing the order. The quality deserves the higher price, but if it is like the other average quality fire starters, then it's probably an unjustified mark up.

This is the magnesium fire starter you want to buy. The attached striker and lanyard are a much better quality than other slabs. I have tried other slabs that have what looks like a small section of a hacksaw blade attached with a lanyard that is too short to properly strike a spark.

I ordered the magslab and paid what I consider a premium based on the reviews I read here. I received a chinese knock off from eGear.http://www.amazon.com/eGear-Survival-Essentials-Magnesium-Starter/dp/B005X1YNA4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340494969&sr=8-1&keywords=eGear+survival+essentials+magnesium+fire+starterthat amazon sells for half the price. I have submitted a complaint to the vendor but I am not happy with Amazon at the moment. We shall see.

I have bought other cheap Chinese magnesium fire starters. They work OK, but this one is much better in my opinion. The magnesium slab is a fairly large piece and I like the attached striker idea. The lanyard holding the striker is long enough to do the job but not so long that it gets in the way. It produces plenty of sparks to get a fire started. Shipping was quick via USPS. Happy with this purchase.

nice little tool, but you have to know how to use it efficiently. the sparks, which are not so easy to produce as on comparable products, are good and you can really scratch off a lot of magnesium that makes the ignition much stronger.I would buy it again but this time not waste have of it because I didn't have the right technique.

I have bought a couple different types of Mag fire starters and this is the only one that has worked. Be very careful what you buy...the Walmart bought mag starters do not work. I believe that there may be some Magnesium in the metal, but it is a composite at best. When I got this, I shaved a bit off and hit the striker and it lit. When I shaved my Walmart starter, I actually tried to light it with a lighter and could not get it to take off.What is the difference? If you look at the Magnesium and it is smooth, shiny and shaves off fairly easily, its the real thing. Fakes tend to be dull and difficult to shave off.If you have bought a cheaper version of mag starter, please try it and make sure it lights. It should take a spark quickly and burn white hot for a good amount of time.