How To Use a Ferro Rod

If you’ve sat around a campfire, you’ll know that the methods people use to start a fire can vary wildly. We’re looking at you, gasoline enthusiasts. With fire-starting tools, there’s a more reliable and responsible approach. Knowing how to use a fire starter or ferro rod is a crucial skill for anyone who ventures into the great outdoors. Matches may seem like the conventional choice, but they can be unreliable in bad weather and crumble in transport. A dependable fire starter stick, or ferro rod, can get a flame started repeatedly. 

In survival or emergency situations, building a fire can be a life-saving action. Not only can it provide warmth in freezing temps, but it can help you boil water, signal for help, or cook food. And from a mental standpoint, a fire can help bring a sense of safety. Carrying a fire starter in your pack or key-chain is a simple way to stay prepared. 

Learning how to use a fire starter is easier than you might think. When you have the right tools, tinder, and location, it’s as simple as just a few strikes, and you have a flame going. If you haven’t already, take a look at our article on How To Build A Fire In 10 Easy Steps. That way, you can be fully prepared when the time comes.

To successfully use a ferrocerium (ferro) rod fire starter, you must scrape the rod firmly with a sharp 90-degree edge to shower intense, 3,000°C sparks directly onto highly fibrous tinder.

1. Prep the Equipment and Tinder

• Remove the coating: New ferro rods have a black protective paint. Scrape this layer off until you see shiny metal.
• Find a sharp edge: Use the dedicated metal striker, the 90-degree unpolished spine of a bushcraft knife, or the back of a folding saw. Never use your knife’s sharp cutting edge, as it will dull the blade.
• Prepare a tinder bundle: Gather a nest of dry, highly fibrous materials. Excellent options include dryer lint, frayed hemp cord, crushed birch bark, or cotton balls coated in Vaseline.

2. Choose Your Striking Technique

To avoid accidentally smashing your hands into your carefully constructed tinder bundle, use one of these two reliable techniques:

The Pull-Back Method (Highly Recommended for Beginners)

This method keeps your striker completely stationary so you never knock your tinder apart.

1. Place the tip of the ferro rod directly inside or right next to your tinder pocket.
2. Set your striker on top of the rod near the handle, angled forward at roughly 30 to 45 degrees.
3. Hold the striker firmly in place.
4. Pull the ferro rod backward and upward away from the tinder. The friction will cast a focused stream of sparks straight down.

The Anchored Push Method

1. Press the tip of the ferro rod firmly onto a hard surface (like a piece of wood or a boot) right beside the tinder to anchor it.
2. Place your striker at a 45-degree angle against the top of the rod.
3. Apply heavy downward pressure and scrape forcefully along the length of the rod, stopping just short of hitting your tinder.

3. Build the Fire

Make your tinder or have it ready. Bark, dry grass, and wood shavings are the most common choices for tinder. Some very prepared folks even bring dryer lint. Place your tinder in the center of the fire-pit or fire ring. Keep it in a nice pile, and make sure you have enough.

• Catch the ember: Watch for a spark to catch and begin to glow or flame in the tinder.
• Nurture the flame: Gently blow on the ember to expand the flame, then immediately feed it tiny, dry twigs and kindling. Do not smother it with large wood too quickly.

💡 Advanced Pro-Tip for Damp Weather

If your tinder is slightly damp, hold your striker at a relaxed angle and slowly shave off tiny curls of ferrocerium dust into a small pile on your tinder without creating sparks. Once you have a small pile of dust, strike the rod sharply into it. The dust will ignite in a miniature explosion of high-heat energy, instantly catching wet materials on fire.

Pro’s & Con’s of Different Fire Starters

Ferro Rod and Knife 

Like the Morakniv Companion Spark, a Ferro rod and knife will get the job done. The only downside is that they don’t compact into one item. However, Ferro rods can be small and packable. It would be out of character if we didn’t recommend having a knife on hand. While it may not be as compact, you’ll undoubtedly start a fire and get more utility out of having a knife with you. 

Matches and lighters 

It’s safe to say that matches and lighters effectively get a flame going. That being said matches can crumble and get wet. And lighters eventually run out of fuel and don’t do well in high winds. A Ferro rod won’t ever run out of fuel, giving you a consistent performance every time you need it.

What Fire Starters is Available at EDCS

• Victorinox Venture PRO – Ferrocerium rod in the sheath
• Morakniv Survival Kit – add a fire starter to your Morakniv Garberg or Kansbol
• Victorinox FireAnt Set – allow the addition of fire to your Swiss Army Knife
• Coghlan’s Flint Striker – a 10 cm fire starter rod
• Kershaw Fire Starter – a 8 cm fire starting tool
• MSR Strike Igniter – Quality ferro rod
• EDCS Fire Kit System – a complete fire starter kit in a pouch (3 methods).