The Zippo Mag Strike is a ferrocerium rod fire starter with its own striker. A ferrocerium fire starter provides a spark source without relying on the fuel reservoir or moving parts of a conventional lighter. The striker-and-rod design is intended for repeated use and can remain stored with fire-making supplies between trips.
A ferrocerium rod works wet, works cold and works after being dropped, which is the entire argument for carrying one alongside a lighter rather than instead of one. A lighter fails when it is out of fuel or soaked. A ferro rod has no fuel and does not care about water.
The sparks it throws are extremely hot but very brief, so it lights prepared tinder rather than a log. Carrying tinder alongside it is not optional. It has no shelf life to speak of, which makes it the right thing to leave in a pack or a vehicle for years against occasional need. Explore more survival gear.
- Works wet, cold and after being dropped
- A lighter fails on fuel or water, a ferro rod does not
- Lights prepared tinder, not a log
- No shelf life, so it can live in a pack for years
