Urban Bushcraft: Ignite Your Survival Skills Anywhere
Practicing my fire-making skills in the suburbs, the ferro-rod in action, and ReWild America’s very first low-budget, low rent feature film.
How often do we catch ourselves thinking or wishing we were somewhere else? Or not doing something because the conditions aren’t perfect. For example, not having time to do your entire workout, so not doing one at all. Or maybe you love the mountains but are stuck in the city. It’s easy to think there is nothing you can do in that situation – or nothing you want to do.
I often find myself wishing I was in the mountains doing all the woodland activities I love.
Instead of getting down and being bummed about being stuck in the suburbs, I’ve been looking for ways to work on my mountain man skills sans mountains or a Forest.
Longing for the mountains, but stuck in suburbia.
Hanging out last Sunday, I decided I wanted to make a fire. I could have broken out a starter log and put a blow torch to it, but instead, I decided to work on some bushcraft skills. I had to make my fire with a ferro-rod, some fatwood I always keep in my pack, and whatever material I had lying around the backyard.
The point is that it’s rare that we can’t do something to improve our position or our mood – we just need a little imagination.
Now, why would you want to start a fire with a Ferro-Rod, and what is it?
A ferrocerium rod, commonly known as a "ferro rod" or "fire-steel," is a highly reliable and durable fire-starting tool used in various outdoor and survival situations. It's an essential item in the kit of survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts and is frequently seen in survival-themed TV shows like "Alone."
Example of different types and sizes of ferro-rods. These are from überleben.
Composition and Properties: Ferrocerium is an alloy primarily made of iron (Fe), cerium (Ce), and other rare earth metals. This composition enables the rod to produce sparks exceeding 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit when scraped with a rough surface or a hard object, like a steel striker or the spine of a knife.
Use and Application: Using a ferro rod involves scraping a hard, sharp edge against it to shave off tiny particles of the alloy. These particles rapidly oxidize in the air, creating hot sparks. These sparks are then directed onto a pile of tinder to initiate a fire.
Advantages Over Traditional Fire-Starting Methods: Ferrocerium rods are highly valued for their reliability, especially compared to traditional fire-starting tools like matches and lighters. Matches can become useless when wet, and lighters may run out of fuel or fail in extreme conditions. In contrast, Ferro rods are unaffected by moisture and do not require any fuel, making them highly reliable in all weather conditions.
Longevity: A significant advantage of ferrocerium rods is their long lifespan. They can last for thousands of strikes, ensuring that they are always ready when needed. This longevity is due to the efficient use of material with each strike, making them a long-term fire-starting solution.
Storage: Ferrocerium should be kept dry and away from flammable materials when not in use. Although robust in harsh environments, they can be brittle and may break if bent or impacted forcefully.
In summary, a ferrocerium rod's ability to produce high-temperature sparks with minimal effort and its impressive longevity and reliability in various environmental conditions make it a staple in any outdoor pack. Its effectiveness in challenging situations demonstrated on shows like "Alone" and its superiority over traditional fire-starting methods like matches and lighters highlight its importance as a survival tool.
Another fun challenge with fire is the one-match challenge. Can you start your fire with only one match and natural materials? It’s fun to imagine you’re in a survival situation, and this is your only match. Let us know if you have any challenge ideas, and leave them in the comments below.
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