In a previous article we covered Surviving a Plunge through the Ice, which involved getting a fire started. One of the items shown in that article was a firesteel rod. Using a firesteel rod in conjunction with Vaseline coated cotton balls can guarantee you a flame in order to get that ever important fire built and sustained. The problem I see alot is not with the firesteel itself, but with the handle used on them or lack thereof. I’ve seen numerous firesteel rods with differing handle types that eventually end up breaking off. Well, if you’re in a genuine survival situation such as the one described in the article mentioned, you need something that is easy to manipulate, use and won’t break or fail under such stress.
After speaking with the author of that article (A Military Survival Instructor), he told me to get ahold of the guys over at firesteel.com because they made the best firesteel products available. Upon contacting firesteel.com and describing to him what I was looking for they immediately recommended the GobSpark Armageddon FireSteel rod.
The GobSpark FireSteel rod comes with a robust oversized handle for use when you have limited dexterity due to harsh cold conditions or you have gloves on. The handle design allows you to firmly grasp the firesteel while using the scraper to get hot sparks into your tinder of choice.
Speaking of the scraper, the scraper supplied with the GobSpark Armageddon is equally easy to grasp and use under duress due to the large handle.
When not in use the GobSpark rod nests inside the handle and is secured via paracord. This gives you a solid fire starting device nested together so you’re not fumbling around looking for the scraper.
Take a look at the following video as Ron from firesteel.com demonstrates the use of the GobSpark Armageddon.
Head on over to firesteel.com and pick up a GobSpark Armageddon for only $12.99!
