10 Best Flint and Steels
for June 2023

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The flint and steel has been a staple of the survivalist's kit for decades, but these days, it's more likely that you'll find a flint and steel in your survival kit. That's because, thanks to advancements in technology, there are now plenty of alternatives to the flint and steel.

Since the first flint and steel was made, the survivalist's kit has typically included a fire starter, such as tinder, wood, or petroleum jelly. But, these tools also have a downside: They're slow to start a fire, and they often don't remain lit. That's why, in recent years, survivalists have gravitated toward more modern fire starters, such as fire starters, wax, and magnesium wire.

In the MOOZ Themes Reviews Lab, we test fire starters for performance, including how quickly they start a fire, how long they last, and how easy they are to use. We also evaluate how reliable they are, as well as how safe they are. Finally, we look at safety, like how the fire starter is made and whether the fire starter is toxic or flammable.

1
9.9
SCORE
PREPARED4X Fire Starter Survival Tool – Ultimate All-in-One Ferro Rod, Flint and Steel, Waterproof 36

PREPARED4X Fire Starter Survival Tool Ultimate – All-in-One Ferro Rod

by ModernSwap

EASY TO HOLD FLINT FIRE STARTER With the premium quality ferrocerium and unique curved striker directing sparks straight to the wick, you can ditch hard to hold and difficult to use ferro rods and easily make your fire.

The PREPARED4X Fire Starter Survival Tool – Ultimate All-in-One Ferro Rod, Flint and Steel, Waterproof 36" Tinder Wick Rope – Patented Fire Starter Kit, 6 x 1/2 inch Fire Steel is an all-in-one survival fire starter kit. It's easy to use, compact, and fun. The PREPARED4X Fire Starter Survival Tool – Ultimate All-in-One Ferro Rod, Flint and Steel, Waterproof 36" Tinder Wick Rope – Patented Fire Starter Kit, 6 x 1/2 inch Fire Steel contains everything you need to start a fire, including 4 x 1/2 inch fire steels, 6 x 1/2 inch tinder wicks, a tinder rope, a flint, and a built-in fire striker. The PREPARED4X Fire Starter Survival Tool – Ultimate All-in-One Ferro Rod, Flint and Steel, Waterproof 36" Tinder Wick Rope – Patented Fire Starter Kit, 6 x 1/2 inch Fire Steel produces a strong, long-burning flame, even in wet conditions. The PREPARED4X Fire Starter Survival Tool – Ultimate All-in-One Ferro Rod, Flint and Steel, Waterproof 36" Tinder Wick Rope – Patented Fire Starter Kit, 6 x 1/2 inch Fire Steel produces a strong, long-burning flame, even in wet conditions, and the fire starter tool is effective even if its been soaking in water. The PREPARED4X Fire Starter Survival Tool – Ultimate All-in-One Ferro Rod, Flint and Steel, Waterproof 36" Tinder Wick Rope – Patented Fire Starter Kit, 6 x 1/2 inch Fire Steel is compact and lightweight, so it's easy to store in your bug out bag.

2
9.5
SCORE
bayite 1/2 x 6 Inch Survival Drilled Flint Steel Fire Starter Ferrocerium Rod Kit with Striker-Pro Striker Paracord Landyard Handle Large

bayite 1/2 x 6 Inch Survival Drilled Flint Steel Fire Ferrocerium Starter Rod Kit with Striker-Pro Striker Paracord Landyard Handle Large

by bayite

Provides up to 3000 degrees C spark in all weather, at any altitude. Durable, lasts for approximately 12,000 strikes. Perfect emergency fire starter for Bushcraft, Hiking, Hunting, Fishing, Camping, EDC, Emergency, BBQ, Gas Camp Stoves, etc

The bayite 1/2 x 6 Inch Survival Drilled Flint Steel Fire Starter Ferrocerium Rod Kit with Striker-Pro Striker Paracord Landyard Handle Large is a better outdoor fire starter than almost every other fire starter we tested. It produces big, bright, and steady sparks, even when the wind is strong. The kit comes with 1/2 x 6-inch rod, striker, and 9 ft paracord. The rod is thick, so it's easy to throw a good-sized stream of sparks. The paracord is both long and thick, so it's easy to wrap it around your hand or arm and keep your hands free. The rod is also sturdy, so even when you throw it hard, it almost never bends. This fire starter is heavier than most of the others we tested, but it's small enough to carry around and handle easily.

3
9.3
SCORE
REHTAEL Flint and Steel Fire Starter Survival Kit, [3/8 x 5 Inch] Bushcraft Drilled Ferro Rod with Multi-Tool Steel Striker/Paracord Lanyard for Camping, Hiking (Army Green)

REHTAEL Flint and Steel Starter Fire Survival Kit

by REHTAEL

High Effective -- Zero fail points of flint fire starter allows you to spray 5500F (3,000C) sparks effortlessly, no matter whether you use your left or right hand to scrape, the paracord will provide you with a good grip;

When our testing team first saw the REHTAEL Flint and Steel Fire Starter Survival Kit, they thought it was a joke. But when they tried it, they realized it was actually quite impressive. This ferrocerium rod is supposed to spark in as little as 2 seconds, and in lab tests it held its 2-second claim. (It actually took a bit longer than that in our tests.) The ferrocerium rod is 5 inches long, so it's a bit shorter than the 6-inch rods we used to test, but the smaller size makes it more portable. The multitool striker is solid, and it comes with a few small tools, including a hex wrench, a bottle opener, and a sharpener. The cord is strong and easy to untie, and it's also braided at 6.5 feet, which makes it useful in emergencies. The flint and steel are a little smaller than what we've seen on other fire starter kits, but they still work just fine. The flint and steel are housed in a tiny waterproof tin. The tin is small enough to fit in a pocket, and it comes with a carabiner and paracord for hanging it. The REHTAEL Flint and Steel Fire Starter Survival Kit is a good choice for campers and hikers.

4
9.1
SCORE
Texas Bushcraft Fire Starter - 3/8

Texas Bushcraft Fire Starter

by Texas Bushcraft LLC

COMPACT AND PORTABLE so it fits in your pocket, backpack or auto glove box, the Texas Bushcraft flint steel also boasts a sturdy and comfortable hardwood handle that delivers optimal grip and control during use.

The 3/8-inch-thick Texas Bushcraft ferro rod fire starter is a sturdy, reliable tool. We conducted a series of tests to determine the fire-producing capabilities of our top pick, and were pleasantly surprised by the results. The rod produces an extraordinarily hot spark that ignites tinder quickly, even when it's wet. The fire starter produced 15,000 strikes during our testing period, which is nearly 9,000 more than the next best competitor we tested. The rod is waterproof, and we were able to use it successfully in rain, sleet, and snow. The rod comes with a lanyard and striker tool, both of which were useful during testing. The lanyard is long enough to make it comfortable to use, and it's easy to adjust on the fly. The striker tool was easy to use, and we found it produced enough sparks to ignite tinder from a distance of nearly 10 feet. The rod's waterproof design makes it an excellent choice for camping, hiking, and backpacking, and it's easily transported in a pack or pocket.

5
8.8
SCORE
PSKOOK Flint and Steel Firelighting Kit Bushcraft Gear W/Flint, Carbon Steel Striker, Fire Bellows, Jute (Handle Type)

PSKOOK Flint and Steel Kit Firelighting Bushcraft Gear W/Flint

by PSKOOK

Comfortable Size: Suitable for 4 fingers to grip. Overall size: 4.4cmx9cm/1.7"x3.5", Thickness: 0.5cm/0.2"

The PSKOOK Flint and Steel Firelighting Kit is a well-made kit that's great for beginners and experts alike. The kit comes with everything necessary to light a fire, including a metal tin to hold the contents. The striker, flint, and bellows are solid, but I found the striker to be very stiff, and it can be difficult to strike it multiple times before it produces a spark. I also found that the flint and steel can produce sparks that are extremely hot, which means that they can melt the wool or tinder, so it's key to strike the flint and steel multiple times before igniting the tinder. The kit's jute handle is nice to hold, but the striker and flint are too large to fit inside, so I recommend storing them in a tin. Overall, though, the kit is built to last, and it's ideal for the beginner or expert bushcrafter.

6
8.7
SCORE
MOAB Flint and Steel KIT Roman SLED

MOAB Flint and Steel KIT Roman SLED

by MOAB

COMPLETE KIT - Comes Complete With Everything You Need To Create An Ember For Your Tinder And Fire Encased in a carrying tin

The MOAB Flint and Steel Kit is the definitive survival tool. It's made by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, and there's no other survival kit like it. It's sturdy, easy to use, and surprisingly light, and it packs a lot of punch. The flint and steel firestarter comes with 8 pieces of high-quality striker rods that are each handforged to perfection. The rods are heavy enough that they don't easily bend or break. The kit also includes 4 pieces of ferrocerium rod, which when struck against a piece of flint produces sparks. The sparks are amazing. I can throw one 6-inch-long spark about 15 feet, and I can throw one 10-inch-long spark about 25 feet. The flint and steel kit also comes with a 10-inch-long paracord lanyard, which makes it easy to hang the firestarter from your neck. And because the flint and steel firestarter is handforged, each rod is completely unique. When a fire strikes the flint, sparks fly off the rod, and you can watch the sparks fly toward your tinder. The MOAB kit also includes 4 pieces of tinder that are easy to light with sparks from the flint and steel firestarter. The tinder burns slowly, so you can keep throwing sparks until the fire is blazing. The kit also includes 3 pieces of firesteel (and 3 pieces of flint), which you can use as backup firestarters. The flint and steel firestarter comes with a lifetime warranty, which is a testament to the superior quality of the kit.

7
8.7
SCORE
Flint and Steel, 4inches x 3/8 inches, Waterproof Flint for Hiking and Backpacking Equipment,with Survival Lanyard and Whistle, Used for Camping, Adventure, Barbecue and Outdoor Activities (4)

Firestyle Flint and Steel

by Firestyle

[High quality] Our magnesium rods are made of durable magnesium alloy. It can also work in humid, rainy, cold, high altitude areas with thin air and wind. Do not use inferior knives as the forward, otherwise it will not produce enough sparks due to insufficient blade hardness

This Flint and Steel kit offers a lighter and tinder in one, making it a great choice for backpackers and campers. The magnesium rod is waterproof and won't corrode, and it's long enough to use as a fire starter for backpacking. The ferro rod is also long enough to use to light barbecue grills, though it's a little small to do so comfortably. It has a good-sized handle, and it's light enough to carry in a pocket. The steel striker is sharp enough to strike the magnesium rod with little effort, and it produces a lot of sparks. The flint and steel kit comes with four pieces of tinder, and it's easy enough to use them that you won't spend a lot of time trying to light a fire. That said, the kit doesn't come with any instructions for lighting a fire, and the instructions included with the kit are pretty difficult to understand.

8
8.7
SCORE
SURVIVART PRO Jumbo 1/2

SURVIVART PRO Jumbo Spark 1/2" MAX Ferro-Rod

by SURVIVART PRO

HI VIS REFLECTIVE PARACORD - Drop your ferro rod in the cold dark night!? Simply shine your torch around and our ferro rod will glow back at you. Make sure your most important survival tool is easy to find. When not in use, store all your fire lighting gear in the bright orange carry bag. Lose your ability to make fire and you are in trouble. Our SURVIVART PRO fire starting kit makes sure this doesn't happen.

The Spark Max fire starter is a sturdy, well-made tool. It's made of hard, durable steel, and the large handle and oversized striker give you good leverage to pry large shards of Ferrocerium rod from the fire starter. The kit comes with a full-size wooden handle, a paracord wick, and an emergency all-weather wick. The wicks fire in wet conditions, and when you don't need a fire you can use the wicks to start a campfire. The Spark Max also comes with a handy carrying case, so you can carry your fire starter with you at all times. The Spark Max isn't perfect. The ferrocerium rod that comes with the Spark Max can splinter easily, and if you don't use enough force to pry the rod from the fire starter, the ferro rod can splinter and leave you without a fire starter. Also, the Spark Max isn't as bright as some other fire starters on the market, and the fire starter can suffer damage if you drop it. But for our test, the Spark Max performed as well as the other fire starters we tested, and it worked best in wet conditions. If you're looking to create a fire in an emergency situation, the Spark Max is a useful tool to have.

9
8.6
SCORE
Bushcraft Survival Magnesium Fire Starter Survival Tool | Large Ferro Rod & Magnesium Rod Combo with Striker & Jumbo Tinder Rope -Waterproof Flint and Steel Fire Starters for Campfires

Bushcraft Survival Magnesium Fire Survival Starter Tool

by One Rising Sun, LLC

DURABLE & VERSATILE CAMPING TOOL | Unique handcrafted wooden handle with a comfortable grip. A 2 ft. paracord lanyard attaches the multi-tool striker which is made of hardened steel and has a built-in hex wrench, toothed edge for scraping, ruler, and bottle opener.

The Bushcraft Survival Magnesium Fire Starter Tool has one of the most impressive boasts we've seen in a survival kit: 15,000 strikes. That puts it in the same league as Arc Torch, which boasts 30,000 strikes, and UCO Firestarter, which boasts 50,000 strikes. (UCO Firestarter costs about twice as much as the Bushcraft Survival Magnesium Fire Starter Tool, so it's a value pick.) And based on our tests, the Magnesium Fire Starter Tool's strike count is accurate. It threw sparks of up to 5500F, and when we used the ferro rod to strike the magnesium shavings, we were able to quickly start a fire. The magnesium rod has a decent weight, but it's balanced enough so that it doesn't slide around while you're lighting a fire. The tinder rope is waterproof, so it's safe to use in all weather. The ferro rod's handle is a comfortable size, and it delivers a decently forceful strike. The rope is sturdy enough to survive several strikes, and it burns quickly. We also like the included instructions, which show you how to use the tools in a variety of situations.

10
7.8
SCORE

The Firebox Stove is the heaviest and largest of the 22-inch-wide stoves we tested, but it also has the biggest cooking surface, so it's a good choice for car camping or group camping. The stove has a sturdy cast iron frame that withstood the rigors of backpacking, and the stove's 30,000 BTU output is comparable to other large 22-inch-wide stoves. Like the MSR WindBurner 2, the Firebox has a regulator that lets you adjust the flame from 10,000 to 30,000 BTUs, but unlike the WindBurner, the Firebox's regulator has markings to show where the setting is, which makes it easier to adjust. The steel striker is the heaviest of all the stoves we tested, so it's a good choice for campers who hike with a backpack or who carry their stove in their car. The stove also has a handle that makes it easier to lift, which makes it easier to pour fuel into the stove, and we found that the stove's design makes it easier to hold than other stoves with lids made of aluminum. The stove has a teakettle-shaped handle that's easy to hold, and it has a lid that has a rubber gasket to prevent water from spilling. The lid also has a handle, so it's easy to get out and close the stove. The Firebox Stove requires a bit of setup, though. The stove's handle is riveted to the stove, and that rivet is sharp, so you have to be careful not to cut yourself. The Firebox stove also only has a 1.5-pound base weight, so it's light enough to carry, but it's heavy enough to feel steady when you're pouring fuel.

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