diy handled ferro rods?

[xj35s]

Let's see what ya got.
I got an Elk antler at the NY State Fair, it was $16 but fit my hand nicely. I drilled it to 1/2" and with clear gorilla glue hammered it in. 1/2 x 5" gave me 4 1/2" usable rod. I drilled it for a lanyard and  made a 7/64th amsteel continuous loop. over 1000 lbs breaking strength!! I figure in hard ground I can also use it as a tiny pick axe, for a hard ground cat hole.

[madmax]

Very cool.

[wsdstan]

Nice one XJ.

Here is one I use.  Deer antler.  Used JB Weld to anchor it and 550 paracord for the lanyard as I won't be digging with mine.  I carry a short magnesium rod (but have never used it) and a striker.  I don't like using the spine of my Kephart from Sarge to strike a spark.

[Dabberty]

Here a few of mine. Mostly antler, but the top right one is with Australian Bloodwood, and the 2 lighter ones are from pine that I harvested on Mount Olive in Jerusalem.

[woodsorrel]

Here's some of the first ones I made.  I have gotten better at making them, with practice.




The link below is to an article with instructions on how to make custom-handled firesteels without fancy tools.

https://www.natureoutside.com/make-custom-firesteel-without-fancy-tools/


- Woodsorrel

[wsdstan]

Dabberty those are really nice ones.  I like the antler tips you are using as it appears it would be easy to hold when striking.

Woodsorrel those are nice looking and the article you wrote about making them with just a few tools is well done. 

[woodsorrel]

Thanks, wsdstan!

- Woodsorrel

[wolfy]

  I'm embarrassed.....min e still have the cheap plastic handles they came with, but I also still subscribe to the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

My straight razor-based patch knives however, all receive an antler handle. 

Nice work, everybody! 

[imnukensc]

Some very nice ferro rods pictured.  Does sticking one in a wine cork count?

[xj35s]

Very nice thread. Mount Olive Jeruselem? Now that's special and cool.

Woodsorrel, Always look forward to the newsletter. Great stuff!!

Yup a cork is grippy. Should work fine.

[wsdstan]

I like that one Nuke, looks functional, doubles as a bobber if you pull out the ferro rod, and it was fun drinking the wine to get the cork.  What more could a fellow want?

[Dabberty]

I like the cork one a lot Mr Imnukensc, gonna give that a try myself as well :-)

[imnukensc]

Thanks, guys!  I made that cork one up a few years ago.  Don't remember where I got the idea from.  I thought it was from the forum here, but it could've been a knife or gun forum.