How to light a fire? Ferrocerium, reliable in all weather & Flax tow

Small, light, gas-free

Ferrocerium comes in the form of a rod accompanied by a hand scraper. Used for decades by the military, hunters, and bivouac enthusiasts, it is a reliable ignition tool.

Now widely adopted in the Bushcraft community, it is appreciated for its ease of transport, its simplicity of use and its reliability whatever the weather conditions: rain, snow or tropical humidity.

Origin and invention

Ferrocerium , also called Firesteel , was developed in the early 20th century by an Austrian chemist, with the aim of creating a friction-based firelighter more effective than flint.
It is an artificial alloy composed mainly of cerium and iron, to which other elements such as lanthanum or praseodymium are added depending on the manufacturer.

This alloy reacts strongly to friction against steel and produces very hot sparks (≈ 3,000 °C), capable of igniting dry materials.

Military and tactical use

Ferrocerium was rapidly adopted by the armed forces in the 1930s–40s.
It was found in the survival kits of German and American aviators during the Second World War, and later in the kits of commandos operating in difficult terrain.

Even today, it is:

Present in individual special forces kits.

Used in outdoor operations (cold, humid, isolated areas).

Valued for its reliability and simplicity.

Its main advantage over a lighter or matches: it works wet, frozen, dirty or in the rain.

Interest in bushcraft and field work

In bushcraft practice, ferrocerium has become a standard for fire lighting. It is:

Fast once mastered

Compact, fits in a pocket or neck strap

Reliable, whatever the weather conditions.

Instructions for use: how to use it effectively

1. Prepare the tinder
Use a very dry material: plant fiber (cotton makeup remover is perfect!), wood shavings, dried herbs, etc.

2. Position the rod
Place the ferrocerium rod firmly on top of the tinder,

3. Scrape with a sharp angle
Use the back of a knife or a scraper. Press firmly and make a sharp motion to "pull" sparks.

4. Direct the sparks
Scrape so that the sparks fly directly into the tinder.
If the material is good, it takes the first hit.

5. Build the fire
As soon as the tinder ignites, add fine kindling, then medium kindling, etc.

👉 Tip: Keep the scraper in a separate pocket to avoid accidentally wearing out the rod.

Why we included it in our hardware

At Approche Libre, we use ferrocerium in real conditions.
It is a simple and lightweight tool that has proven itself.

It represents a significant safety feature when going into nature in winter: in the event of a problem, a simple fire can prevent hypothermia.

Ferrocerium available directly on the site!

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Making your own flax tow: natural and effective tinder

To light a fire with firesteel (ferrocerium), you absolutely need good natural tinder. Flax tow is a natural option and easy to produce yourself if you have access to the raw material in nature.

Here's how to make it, step by step:

Step 1: Harvesting and drying the flax

Start by harvesting the flax stalks once they are completely dry. They should be light brown, stiff, and brittle to the touch. This flax can be grown or harvested at the end of the season in some fields with the prior consent of the farmers.

📸 (see photo 1)

Step 2: Breaking the stems (retting complete)

Place the flax bundles on a board and use a sturdy stick to break the stalks, as you would with traditional "brayage." The goal is to break the stalk without damaging the inner fibers.

📸 (see photo 2)

Step 3: Fiber Extraction

After breaking the stalks, separate the long fibers (called tow) from the outer shell by rubbing or combing by hand. You will obtain a soft, light, and flammable fibrous mass.

📸 (see photo 3)