Small, lightweight, gas-free
The ferrocerium comes in the form of a rod accompanied by a hand scraper. Used for decades by the military, hunters and camping enthusiasts, it is a reliable ignition tool.
Now widely adopted in the Bushcraft community, it is appreciated for its ease of transport, simplicity of use and reliability regardless of weather conditions: rain, snow or tropical humidity.
Origin and invention
Ferrocerium , also known as Firesteel , was developed in the early 20th century by an Austrian chemist , with the aim of creating a more efficient friction fire starter 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 manufacturers.
This alloy reacts strongly to friction against steel and produces very hot sparks (≈ 3000 °C), capable of igniting dry materials.
Military and tactical use
Ferrocerium was quickly adopted by the armed forces as early as the 1930s–40s.
It can be found in the survival kits of German and American airmen during World War II, and later in the kits of commandos operating in difficult terrain.
Even today, it is:
- Present in the individual kits of special forces .
- Used in outdoor operations (cold, humid, isolated areas).
- Appreciated for its reliability and simplicity.
Its main advantage over a lighter or matches: it works when wet, frozen, dirty or in the rain.
Interest in bushcraft and in the field
In bushcraft practice, ferrocerium has become a standard for fire-starting. It is:
- Fast once mastered
- Compact , fits in a pocket or neck strap
- Reliable , regardless of weather conditions.
Instructions for use: how to use it effectively
1. Prepare the tinder
Use a very dry material: plant fiber (makeup remover cotton is perfect!), wood shavings, dry herbs, etc.
2. Position the rod
Place the ferrocerium rod firmly on top of the tinder,
3. Scrape at a sharp angle
Use the back of a knife or a scraper. Press firmly and make a sharp movement to "tear off" sparks.
4. Directing the sparks
Scrape in such a way as to send the sparks directly into the tinder.
If the material is good, it will set on the first try.
5. Build the fire
As soon as the tinder catches fire, add small pieces of wood, then medium wood, etc.
👉 Tip: Keep the scraper in a separate pocket to avoid accidentally rubbing the stem.
Why we integrated it into our hardware
At Approche Libre , we use ferrocerium in real-world conditions .
It's a simple and lightweight tool that has proven its worth.
It represents a significant safety benefit when going into nature in winter: in case of a problem, a simple fire can prevent hypothermia .
Ferrocérium available directly on the website!
Making your own tinder from flax: the natural and effective tinder
To light a fire with a firesteel (ferrocerium), a good natural tinder is essential. 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
Begin by harvesting the flax stems once they are completely dry. They should be light brown, stiff, and brittle to the touch. This flax can be cultivated or harvested at the end of the season in certain fields with the prior agreement 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 stems, as you would with traditional flax breaking. The aim is to break the stem without damaging the internal fibers.
📸 (see photo 2)
Step 3: Fiber extraction
After breaking the stems, separate the long fibers (called tow) from the outer sheath by rubbing or combing by hand. You will obtain a soft, lightweight, and flammable fibrous mass.
📸 (see photo 3)
Step 4: Storage and Use
It is possible to prepare a small supply of tow during the summer to ensure you can start fires in the winter. Flax tow keeps very well when kept dry.
It will be perfect for catching sparks from a firesteel!
📸 (see photo 4)
Why is this useful?
Flax tow is:
Natural and biodegradable
Highly flammable when dry
Easy to produce from this local plant
Costs almost nothing
👉 Field tip : A small nest of tow with wood chips is a perfect combo for a quick ignition with a firesteel.
Get ready and order your Ferrocérium now on the website!
