Make the Toothpick on your Swiss Army Knife Useful - Replace it.

[cosermann]

Been playing with fire lately and came across these interesting products in the interwebz today. I have not tried these yet, but it looks like one of those cool, "why didn't I think of that," sort of things.

Essentially, they're small ferrocerium rods in a form factor suitable as drop-in replacements for the SAK's toothpick. I figure, I never use the toothpick, so why not replace it with something useful? Wouldn't use as a replacement for a primary ferro rod, but it's an interesting possibility for backup/last ditch sparking capability.

Product categories Firefly Fire Starters »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=5W-3YQRXUM4

 

[lonehoosier]

Quick play

[video=youtube_share;5W-3YQRXUM4]http://youtu.be/5W-3YQRXUM4[/video]

 

[T.Lex]

Wow. That's kinda brilliant.

 

[rhino]

Interesting!

Something that small would be tough to use, though. I've tried with those little rods that in bracelet buckles and the kind you can use to make a necklace and it's tough to make enough sparks to ignite anything that is difficult to light.

 

[WETSU]

I just got back from a week in Alaska where my buddy tried to use his Swiss army knife fero rod. And it broke. No spark. No fire. Its simply too small and fragile.

 

[cosermann]

Difficulty in use and fragility are definitely the 2 weaknesses I see also.

 

[T.Lex]

That's totally fair but... a toothpick? I mean, am I missing something about the value of a plastic toothpick?

At least with the ferro-pick there's a CHANCE at being useful.

 

[Hawkeye]

That's totally fair but... a toothpick? I mean, am I missing something about the value of a plastic toothpick?

At least with the ferro-pick there's a CHANCE at being useful.

I use the plastic toothpick all the time.


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[T.Lex]

I use the plastic toothpick all the time.

As... a... toothpick?

Please tell me there's some sort of cleaning that happens before/after that.

 

[rhino]

I use the toothpick too!

 

[cosermann]

I prefer floss.

 

[rhino]

I prefer floss.

Different application!!

 

[MindfulMan]

Yeah, I've also used the toothpick. Nope, it's not worth the trade-off to me.
I'm keeping my toothpick !

 

[rhino]

I was just thinking . . . if you need to use a ferro rod that small and thin, it would be best to have it attached to something. Instead of storing it in the toothpick slot, perhaps attaching it to a scale with epoxy? You would need something else to use as a striker, but it might offer enough support to prevent breakage.

 

[MindfulMan]

I was just thinking . . . if you need to use a ferro rod that small and thin, it would be best to have it attached to something. Instead of storing it in the toothpick slot, perhaps attaching it to a scale with epoxy? You would need something else to use as a striker, but it might offer enough support to prevent breakage.

That's genius, rhino. Bravo !

 

[Clay Pigeon]

I was just thinking . . . if you need to use a ferro rod that small and thin, it would be best to have it attached to something. Instead of storing it in the toothpick slot, perhaps attaching it to a scale with epoxy? You would need something else to use as a striker, but it might offer enough support to prevent breakage.

A chunk of Magnesium perhaps? You should patent it...

 

[rhino]

That's genius, rhino. Bravo !

I actually have some ferro rods that about 3 inches long and 0.18 in in diameter. I think they would work nicely epoxied onto something.

A chunk of Magnesium perhaps? You should patent it...

We shall see!

 

[WETSU]

I thought at the time he was trying to use it, and it broke, that a person could first take a small piece of stick and cut a slit or notch in it and lay the tiny fero rod lengthwise into it, thus supporting it before striking with steel. Just hang onto it with your thumb and start striking!

 

[cosermann]

Different application!!

I won't ask. Don't want to know!

 

[cosermann]

I thought at the time he was trying to use it, and it broke, that a person could first take a small piece of stick and cut a slit or notch in it and lay the tiny fero rod lengthwise into it, thus supporting it before striking with steel. ...

Great idea.