Doan Magnesium Fire Starting Tool

There are a lot of Magnesium Fire Sticks out there and many sadly are subpar. The Doan Magnesium Fire Stick though is ahead of the race.

Many people use these Fire Sticks to start ordinary camp fires. Where this product excels at is burning hot enough to even catch wet logs on fire.

I would recommend this product to everyone that goes into the outdoors.

                                The Doan Magnesium Fire Stick

The  Doan Magnesium Fire Starter is one of the best Fire Sticks on the market. As many Trailspace.com reviewers and readers may be aware of, not all Magnesium Fire Sticks are created equally. There are a lot of brands that I own that have deteriorated over time, or have their flint detach, or simply won't catch fire, unlike the Doan's version Magnesium Fire Stick.

Dimensions: 3″ x 1″ x 1/4″

Weight = 3 oz

I have owned this particular model since prior to 2006 and it still looks the same color and functionality as the day I bought it, unlike my other fire sticks. The DOAN's version is very well made and has a very securely fastened flint embedded on one of its sides. 

What I find to be the most important aspect of this product is the temperature at which Magnesium burns at: 

Magnesium burns at approximately 2500 K (2200 °C, 4000 °F)

A flammable substance that can burn at a temperature up to 4000° F allows for even soaked wood and tinder to ignite into flames. Now be aware, if not in wet conditions, using this method to start fires is not nearly as fast a way as other types of fire making. On the flip side, many of the other ways of starting fire will not work as efficiently as the DOAN's product in wet weather.

To use this product you must supply your own striker and a knife to shave off the magnesium from the bar. In its current form one can put a match under it accidentally and it won't catch fire (do not try this with a blowtorch, I have not yet tested that). It is when one makes shavings of the magnesium that will allow this substance to create a 4000° F flame and be able to catch fire to  wet wood.

 WARNING: Always first practice using your gear and equipment prior to going out on an adventure. This is to not only get you familiar with the product, but to ween out duds /lemons (it happens now and then). Also a note on flints and ferro rods: some have a coating on them that needs to be removed first to create a spark.  IMPORTANT: This magnesium fire starter's filings when  lit  will  not  be  able  to  be  put  out  by  using  water. Furthermore,  when lit, it will melt through metal and your asphalt driveway.  I suggest when testing for the 1st time to put the filings into a tuna can on top of a board and then light. To put out the fire add household table salt and this will extinguish the fire.

Background

As I mentioned earlier, I have owned this Fire Starter since prior to 2006. I was first introduced to Magnesium over 31 years ago in high school when a fellow chemistry classmate had come over to my home and showed me a Magnesium bar.

While standing in our driveway, he lit a small amount of its' shavings inside a tuna fish can and we stood and watched (for me, watched in horror) as it slowly began to melt through the tuna can and then melt through my grandfather's driveway (Sorry, Gramps).

I have pretty much used this product in all terrains and conditions and find it is a lifesaver in harsh conditions due to its extreme burning temperature.

I also find that it works best to shave particles off of this product when using a file. I use my Swiss Army pocket knife, the Victorinox SwissChamp.

They are effective.

I got a good three in a package deal from eBay and bought em. I was thinking of giving them a try when the time comes until checking if a prior review was posted or not. Not for this particular one, but I saw a not so good review about the very identical one by Coghlan's. I respect the guy's review about it being junk, but I can nowhere near state the same thing for this one.

It comes in a plastic bag with instruction leaflet about how to hold it, shave from the magnesium edge, strike from the flint edge, and everything. It's kind of tricky to get used to, however once you get a hold on to it, it is extremely efficient. Magnesium pile, it does catch fire (I personally put em to test and they lit, I even burned my finger), but I do not know if it is a must to do to get the fire to start.

If the very initial bedding you will lit with a spark from this tool, is dry and fluffy enough to catch the fire by itself, then do not bother try to shave from the magnesium edge because the sparks from the flint is just big and plenty enough, they will definitely start your fire.

I can honestly say they are dependable.

Great product, magnesium is easy to shave from the bar and the flint is attached solidly. All in all a great product to have in your kit.

Burns white hot as it should. Mix this with some waxed jute or other tinder and even in miserable conditions you should get a fire started. Make sure you have something to strike the flint with and something that will collect a quarter sized pile of magnesium in and you're good to go.

If this is your first time using a mag bar practice in the backyard before you are depending on this to get you out of trouble in the backcountry.