Nice and long easy to throw a large spark
937798
Nice and long easy to throw a large spark. Very nice addition to my truck bag. This rod will hold up well for many years. No more breaking shorter 1/4 inch rods.
556267
This is a great device. I originally got it to use in the kitchen but my boyfriend took one look at it and now its being shared. Apparently it works great lighting his cigars.

Its very easy to fill (I just watched) and has a huge butane tank. The flame looks quite hot (red and blue flame) and it will burn food if you don't use a light touch/keep it moving.

It works very well. The safety button is a great feature that Im glad this torch has. Its a little black button on the back that has to be pressed before lighting. The buttons are all easy to use and placed on the device well (easy to reach and use).

The torch itself is quite light and very sleek looking. Im really liking this torch.

Pros:

* Easy to fill
* Large butane tank
* Great safety feature
* Hot and large flame
* Light

Cons:

* None, this torch works great.

Overall:

Ive always wanted a butane torch in my kitchen and Im glad I got one. This torch has a great safety feature and the flame size is adjustable. Its easy to use, the button presses very easily and it. This is going to get a lot of use in our home.

I received this product for free or at a discount in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
2232
Bigger than I thought.  After a few strikes to get the coating off it works great and throws sparks.
2786332
Just as described 1/2 inch thick and all 3 I ordered were over 5 inches long. throws great sparks better than some other name brand rods I have purchased. I added some wood handles to 2 of them and they are now my go-to fire steel.  Best priced ferro rod on amazon.
1346603
Swedish Firesteel is long-tested and respected tool for starting fires. I got mine for Search and Rescue because we are supposed to have a fire starter as basic gear, and this model got a respected nod during my pack check. You should know, though - they also recommended I carry a lighter as a backup.

This will spark in rain and high wind. You just have to protect it from the elements a wee bit (like from behind a rock, or with somebody holding a pot over it). Keep in mind, though - if you are using this to create a spark in high wind in a dry area, you are literally playing with fire, as it is possible for your tinder or something else in the air to catch. Forgive my paranoia, but I watched thousands and thousands of acres of dearly beloved woods burn near where I live this summer.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this is not a magic wand for starting fires - you still need to understand basic fire-starting rules. If you feel a little rusty, toss a couple of cotton balls or volunteer some folded toilet paper to use as extra-flammable tinder to get things started.

Get a red fire starter because it will be easier to find if you drop it on the ground.

If the cord bugs you, replace it with something else that will serve a dual use... like a spare shoelace.
3917362
This thing is terrific.  Throws big sparks that have sustained heat.  Super compact and will be an important part of my back country trips.
4668930
This is a wonderfully reliable and proven method for starting a fire. It's simple to use, can be used while wet, and can be used hundreds of times. I now carry this thing everywhere I go instead of carrying a lighter. When wrapped up with the lanyard it measures about 4" x 1" x .75". Press the steel saw blade into the flint and push. Sparks fly and you can get a fire started in no time.
1385720
works just as intended.  the sparks are really nice and throw off a good amount to get any fire started.  I was able to get some dry grass and twigs to light up no problem!  You have to get a full stroke in order to get the sparks to be thrown onto the timber otherwise you will just get a small spark but nothing that will catch! So make a full stroke with good pressure from front to back.. Enjoy
4539256
Well made and easy to use. Only issue is they are a littl long
442343
I hadn't tried any of the other ball throwing things on the market, because they're just too long! And not easy to carry around unless you throw it in the back of the car. I like to take long walks with my dog Mel, so it's much easier
to stick this in my backpack and forget about it when I'm not using it. Mel loves it, and I
can throw much farther with this than just my arm. Don't have to pick up drool
balls either!
3545641
Love this and so does our dog. Throws a very long way and is fun to use.
2927091
I have a large Kamado cooker that has been difficult to light large amounts of charcoal to fill it up with hot coals. The webber chimney while it does work does not hold enough hard wood charcoal for the needs of the egg cooker.

I was able to use this Aura Outdoor Products AOP-HL to start a fire using Royal Oak charcoal from HD. It only took a few minutes, and then I removed it as soon as I got the fire started. I can see if you went off and forgot about this starter there could be an issue, but that would be the same with any electric starter regardless of brand or design.

I am now able to use the large amount that the egg cooker requires all in one shot. This is a time saver. Quality seems good.
1192659
This fire starter is much larger and heavier than I expected.  Very solid.  You could break car windows with this in an emergency.  The sparks emitted upon striking are the best I've seen.  They jump off the rod 1'-2', so you shouldn't have to get as close to your tinder as with smaller strikers.  The treads are good quality, line up perfectly with each other, and tighten securely.  The steel doubles as a handy bottle opener and the tiny compass is a fun and functional add-on.  For the price, this is an excellent value, but if you want a flint and steel to carry in your pocket, this one is a bit bulky/heavy.  However, the long chain allows you to wear it around your neck.  I actually bought four and am not disappointed.
3385774
Fantastic product.  Sets off a great spark.  My 15 year old daughter was able to start a fire with it, no problems .  For the price I would absolutely buy them again.
2260989
I like it as it is large enough and keeps me warm enough, however it is polyester so lots of small sparks due to electrostatic behavior. It can vary from person to person, but overall its smooth and a good blanket for your couch. I wouldn't recommend this during sleep due to the sparks.
75118
Kids and I like playing with these over sized set, easy to catch ball and even easier to throw.  Fairly sturdy construction, should last for some time.

Kids chuck the balls extremely far with this set, now they need walkie talkies and their good...LOL.
3674664
I have several fire starters using this same technology and made of various materials with ferrocerium being the most common. I don't know what separates one ferro rod from another in terms of performance, but this one does perform very well.

It's thick, durable, the handle is well designed and has held for over two years through dozens of "real life" and hundreds of "play" uses. Some folks note it's not easy to use a ferro rod and I agree. It's NOT a match or a lighter with several seconds of flame coming into contact with your fuel increasing the temperature until it lights. This starter throws sparks which last for the blink of an eye. If the material the sparks hit is not highly combustible, no fire. If you hold it too far from the material, no fire. If your sparks land somewhere else besides the material (aiming is not always easy), no fire. But if you get over that, it's quite good. Even for a ferro rod.

Accelerants greatly aid in this product's performance (cotton balls or dryer lint in petroleum jelly, a few drops of methanol on the sticks in question, use of a fire starting gel or Sterno (TM) style fuel, etc.) as do solid flammable fuels like Esbit (or generic hexamine tablets) or Wet Tinder (TM) or even Weber grill fire starters. But if you have good, dry tinder, it works without accelerants, though more attempts may be necessary. It also doesn't have to be 100 percent dry to throw sparks. You can pull it out of the water, shake it off and within a minute it works.

I use a motion similar to pulling a crank cord on a lawn mower or other small engine. I hold the striker in place with my left hand, touch it to the base of the rod (which I hold in my right hand) with firm pressure and snatch the rod across it, again, like pulling a crank cord while holding the striker firm and in place a few inches above the tinder. The striker being still will guide the sparks so they land in the right spot. Works great. Again, hold the striker to shave the sparks in place. Snatch the rod across it like pulling a crank cord. Also has a small area for tinder/fuel. I find that it really creates a better shower of sparks than some of the cheaper starters I have. It's a very good design and comes with a nifty whistle which is functional. I recommend becoming acquainted with it at home over the grill before taking into the field, but with some practice, it works great. Additionally, a knife blade will work in a tight if you lose the striker or if the short cord bothers you. Use the back of the blade so as not to dull the cutting edge.