[Bladed]

I've got some magnesium blocks, just wondering how well a striker for a cutting torch would be to start the chips on fire?

[snowshoe67]

hmmmm I don't know! I don't think it will throw the temp needed to catch the Magnesium. Try it and let us all know! Great test still I think you need the degs to catch it,because on the touch it's gas coming out(easy to catch )Magnesium I don't think so!

[Bladed]

well they throw a lot of sparks, and the flints last forever. Dang now I'm gonna have to go out to the shed and get my striker and test it. lol

[snowshoe67]

Originally Posted by Bladed

well they throw a lot of sparks, and the flints last forever. Dang now I'm gonna have to go out to the shed and get my striker and test it. lol

BladedYes you do Man! Keep water near by ok! No fires!

[vthompson]

I have a striker in my BOB, but I have never tried to ignite magnesium with it. I am like snowshoe, I don't know if the spark's are hot enough to ignite the magnesium. I am gonna have to try it out.

[Bladed]

ok, after trying it, it seems to be more work than it's worth. A couple of things, takes a lot of sparking to get the magnesium to ignite, and because of the closed nature of the striker may not be easy to start the magnesium and get the tinder going.

[Mook]

If I recall correctly, the sparky part of a torch striker is actually a form of ferrocerum (?). The problem, as I see it, would be shooting the sparks in the right direction i.e. onto your tinder.

[kevin]

I'm becoming disenchanted w/ magnesium. so much work, does not start any better than plain old jute; no where near as good as jute w/ wax coating. not bad for another option to keep with you however, as it can be used forever before you wear it out! its also "clean" to carry, and very light.

[crashdive123]

Kevin - take a pile of mag scrapings, and a piece of your jute (I like 3/8"). Dunk your jute rope in water and remove. Light your mag pile and touch the jute rope to that burning pile. I think you'll see it has some advantages.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Kevin - take a pile of mag scrapings, and a piece of your jute (I like 3/8"). Dunk your jute rope in water and remove. Light your mag pile and touch the jute rope to that burning pile. I think you'll see it has some advantages.

my problem is with the effort of getting that dam pile! i need to push the mag block onto something to scrape and guide the shavings into a pile; it's hard to find something for this. other approach is to scrape away onto a tarp or something then "pour" into a good pile. I've been playing with this thing all weekend and my fingers are tired!