Forum rules
TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 7:50 am
Anyone have their ferro rods start turning to dust? Everytime I pick mine up their is a pile of grey powder left behind.
I read that this is rust, that striking and getting a spark is actually a rust process - just sped up.
Either way I can't seem to stop it. I've dried it, held it over the stove to ensure there is no moisture and scrubbed it clean. It's still dissolving.
Any ideas?
I read that this is rust, that striking and getting a spark is actually a rust process - just sped up.
Either way I can't seem to stop it. I've dried it, held it over the stove to ensure there is no moisture and scrubbed it clean. It's still dissolving.
Any ideas?
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 8:10 am
Yep, the oxidation process can be slow or fast, leading to different effects. I am wondering what's the environment you are in. High moisture? High salt content? Has your 'rod' only just started to rust?
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 8:17 am
Just buy a new rod
I have had this happen on one rod, I now use a thin layer of nail polish on my rods when I take them out of the packaging; it seems to help, not that I rely on a rod. For me ferro rods are for emergency use
I have had this happen on one rod, I now use a thin layer of nail polish on my rods when I take them out of the packaging; it seems to help, not that I rely on a rod. For me ferro rods are for emergency use
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 8:56 am
I'm in the CBD (Melb). So just standard environmental conditions.
The issue started when I left the rod in the bathroom (so it got wet) and now it is just out of control.... I'm all but decided to just buy a new one but thought I'd see if there were any other options....
Moondog: not sure what sort of nailpolish you are talking about. I would have thought a pinky-red would suit you best?
I use my ferro rod whenever I go out - always like to practice starting fires with only found materials etc....
The issue started when I left the rod in the bathroom (so it got wet) and now it is just out of control.... I'm all but decided to just buy a new one but thought I'd see if there were any other options....
Moondog: not sure what sort of nailpolish you are talking about. I would have thought a pinky-red would suit you best?
I use my ferro rod whenever I go out - always like to practice starting fires with only found materials etc....
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 9:03 am
Mine lives in a mesh pocket on the hipbelt of my daypack. It regularly gets wet but I've never noticed any issues. It does have a bit of a chalky look to it now though.
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 9:08 am
Strider - it could be it is actually turning to dust in your pocket but you just haven't noticed. Try leaving it out on a table for a few days...
Note too that I've had this Ferro rod for years and never had an issue - no idea why it decided to start now.
Note too that I've had this Ferro rod for years and never had an issue - no idea why it decided to start now.
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 9:28 am
Do you have a brand name to it? The particular production process or composition of the unit being different?
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 9:46 am
I've had a few start to go that way as well. you can coat them, but it can also trap moisture to them, so it sometimes doesn't work. I've also oiled them with 3in1 oil, but that's not ideal. Just use them, have spares. Not much more you can do.
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 9:51 am
Yeah I am wondering that now too. I'll have a look tonight.
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 9:56 am
GPSGuided wrote:Do you have a brand name to it? The particular production process or composition of the unit being different?
It's a Swedish light my fire rod (the big one). So shouldn't be any quality issues.
Guess I'll just order some spares. Weird though that it just starts out of no where. I've had this one in the snow and rain lots of times and never an issue. Until now I didn't realise that they needed any special protection or care.....
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 11:08 am
ErichFromm wrote:It's a Swedish light my fire rod (the big one). So shouldn't be any quality issues.
How about email and ask them? They should know most.
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 6:15 pm
from what I've seen, the better rods are more reactive, and so "rust" more. so its not a sign of bad quality, but rather the nature of the alloyed metals. I have one rod that had marks on it after only one day in a soaking wet pants pocket.
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 9:39 pm
I have 2 Light my fire 'Army' fire steels (the biggest model they make).
Neither show signs of rusting prematurely - or at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhPyig4ra40
Travis.
Neither show signs of rusting prematurely - or at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhPyig4ra40
Travis.
Re: ferro rod dissolving
Wed 27 May, 2015 10:07 pm
Mine is a LMF Army too. Showing a bit of pitting, but I'd hardly say its wasting away. Its about 3 years old now.
© Bushwalk Australia and contributors 2007-2013.