[stairman]

great idea! I like my antler handle but that is an improvement for those that arent as enterprising as myself.

[garret]

ohhhh me likey a lot

[mscureman]

What a great idea! Ok, I'm gonna have to get some, too. I'm such a gadget geek!

[tjwilhelm]

NO...I'm NOT the mystery member who helped Ron develop this nifty tool -- BUT, many thanks to whomever it was!!! I was, however, blessed with the opportunity to field-test a pre-sale unit (this is probably just because Ron felt sorry for the token old fart, and wanted to give me something to feel good about).

Regardless, it really is a nice kit. I received a PM question about the interior tinder-storage space. The interior space is not at the tip. It's around the rod. If you look at the pictures, below, you can see that the depth of the tube vs. the length of the rod plus the threaded portion of the cap are nearly identical. Of course, the depth is a wee tad longer than the rod, but there's not enough space there at the tip to plan on storing anything in the bottom of the tube. Besides, whatever you put down there could get jammed into the bottom of the tube and stuck there.

The storage space is around the sides of the rod, inside the tube. I measured an i.d. inside the tube of 0.792". The o.d. of the rod is 0.365". That's a difference in diameter of 0.427". That means that , inside the tube, there's a full 3/16ths" of space, all the way around the rod...plenty of room for emergency tinder.

I love this little bugger!

[LaRemnant]

For a minimalist, does the weight seem to be an issue? I mean, other than the advantage of having a handle, what other benefit could it give other than looking/being nifty? I like it, but I am not sure I will get it though unless it serves some worthy function that I would rather not do without.

Good work though, it is very nice indeed.

[tjwilhelm]

It's lightweight aluminum...weight doesn't seem to be an issue. Remember, too, Ron is planning to make this in smaller sizes.

"Minimalist" is a relative term. The answer to your question depends on how extreme you are defining "minimalist." An extreme minimalist wouldn't even carry a knife. He/she would do flint knapping in the woods to make a cutting tool, and would make fire-by-friction from whatever nature provides in the situation of the moment. These are great skills to have, BUT, in a true "survival" situation, every possible advantage can make the difference between life and death. For example, in a survival situation, I'm not going to be a macho, hand-drill purist. Screw it! I'm cheatin'! I'm using thumb loops!

Like every other tool in a BOB or EDC packet, this is one more, well-made, rugged, and highly useful tool. I've broken all my small firesteels leaving them loose in my bag or striking them with too much force. Ferrocerium is inherently brittle. Inside this aluminum tube, the rod is well protected.

Also, without a handle, you have to hold onto the end of a bare firesteel rod. Thus, your scraping stroke is shortened, with less sparks than a full-length stroke would allow. A permanent handle (like a drawer knob, an antler handle, etc.) is very attractive and useful, but they do take up additional space inside the BOB/EDC. With the unit being convertible (with the rod hidden inside the handle), the required storage space is minimalized (for the "minimalist"). Further, the handle is literally full hand-sized and gives excellent control when striking a fire.

While the storage space inside the tube is not HUGE, it's ample for protecting critical tinder for that critical survival fire. It's o-ring sealed which keeps the stored tinder dry.

On top of all that, the lanyard which tethers the striker could be a braided length of paracord, to give up to 10' or more of cordage. Also, a nice length of jute twine could be whip-wrapped around the handle, giving even more convenient tinder storage.

That's my two cent evaluation from the field...

[Ron Fontaine]

Wow, thanks guys - quite a number of these FireSteel Tubes have been ordered already.

Just a little heads up - while assembling the FireSteel Tubes I discovered the O-ring seals were missing. They should be in today at which time I'll send out tubes to those who ordered them.

I apologize for the delay, these little glitches happen with new products. From now on the FireSteel Tubes will ship within a day or two of the order.

[Dick]

Ron,
Are the firesteel tubes with firesteel, or do the firesteels need to be purchased seperately?

[Ron Fontaine]

There are FireSteel Tubes that already have a FireSteel attached. Or you can obtain an empty tube without a FireSteel and add your own.

[SwampRat1]

Ron. can you ship to APO addresses? i wont be anywhere long enough to make an order till i get overseas.