ExotacnanoSTRIKER XL Self-Contained Ferrocerium Firestarter for Emergency Survival Equipment, Camping, Backpacking, and Hiking (Black)

I went out on a day hike on a colder day planning to start a fire. I made a mistake I have made before, but hope to never make again. I did not FULLY TEST MY GEAR before relying on it in woods, and I trusted a BRAND, over my own knowledge. At home I tested this little ferro just briefly in the back yard, after cleaning off the black coating, after several attempts I did get a hot spark. It was easy when you were standing there with no pile of tinder delicately placed in a bundle.So out went the larger, softer, ferro I usually carry and trust and in went the nanoSTRIKER XL into the pack. So when I got to our lunch spot it was getting cooler, winds picking up. I had brought tinder with me, fatwood, even dry wood for feather sticks and some birch bark. I could not get a fire started the way i have done it many times before. It seemed like the tiny striker was way too sharp, it was just shaving magnesium off the rod (not enough to ignite a fire) OR it was doing nothing. I tried in just about every configuration I could, when it did throw a spark, it would fly off at a useless angle. So after 20 min of frustration...(one is none, two is one) I walked over to my pack and pulled out my bic lighter in an (exotac waterproof case). Lit a tiny piece of waxed hemp, lit the fatwood, then dry pine and had a fire instantly. Lunch of ramen noodles and hot drinks in 10 more minutes.I would just say, don't get this product. Keychain sized ferro rods are dubious to begin with. Mileage may vary? But I kind of doubt it.

What a great little striker! It's small, & ultra portable, at only 1oz weight but don't let this little guy fool you, it will throw some amazing plumes of sparks & HOT ones! The quality of the rod is obvious for anyone who's used the cheap ones & the design, & durability of the product makes it worth the premium price no question. Yes it's 4-5x the price of the cheap Os, but when it comes to FIRE in a survival situation or even a crappy rod making you look like a fool in front of your latest girlfriend you brought camping, you'll be glad you didn't cheap out! This is an excellent product & likely the only striker I'll ever use now. Time to get another one. :)

As far as recommending the Exotac Nanostriker XL I have to admit I really do like this fire starter.It's a pretty neat design and no doubt will be a keychain companion for many years to come.Five stars no as the striker works but it's a so so design.You can chip an edge on the striker as I've done within a few weeks of ownership and testing.For it's size though I feel the Ferro rod throws a good spark combined with a more beneficial striker design.The nanostriker XL works though and it's durable....I'd buy it again if I lost it.If this was all you had in the woods it would be handy otherwise I'd. recommend a bigger and thicker ferrocerium rod.Beyond that it did come in handy when. I was burning. old brush and forgot my lighter.

This thing is fantastic. I got the XL variant. The design itself is nice. It consist off 3 pieces: the striker, the rod holder, and the end cap. I like the fact that you can screw the end cap on the opposite end to give it more length while you use the striker. The end cap itself is textured to provide grip while you use it. The striker itself is pretty easy to use. I was able to get good sparks without trouble. The ferro rod stays nice and dry with it being encapsulated in the case. It is built well.I thought about buying others including the exotac firerod which is a larger rod, but I opted for this because it is waterproof. I was worried my ferro rod would corrode over time. This case helps prevent that. Another advantage is the rods are replaceable. The nanostriker is expensive, but I think it being waterproof and replaceable rods help justify the cost. Overall I think it is a great item.

A fire stick in your pocket. People ask, "What is that?" And I say, "I dunno, but it looks cool... Here, let me take it apart... see? Cool, huh?"And then you try to demonstrate the REAL reason why you bought it... to make FIRE! And then you'll furiously rub one metal thingy against the other metal thingy expecting the torrent of 4th of July sparks you've been promised... And you get one, maybe two sparks that shoot off somewhere over your head. I don't know how you're suppose to start a fire if you can't even aim the sparks at the kindling. Maybe you're expected to dribble BBQ lighter fluid all around you (or yourself) so that eventually, SOMETHING will light.But I still carry it on my keychain... because it's coolness incarnate.