ESEE Fire Steel Survival Fire Starter

Multiple uses, strike ferro rods, use to strike flint and even for bow drill friction fire. It’s well made and thick has some heft to it. It is not polished it is raw 1095 steel. Just add a light coating of oil to maintain it. Strike with the edge not the flat part. It’s pricey but to me it is worth it. It comes with an esse survival tin you can use. It’s more or less the size of a bic lighter.

I am not an expert in fire-making or wilderness skills. However, I became interested in true flint and steel after seeing this done on a random YouTube video. Knowing how to make fire the way humans made fire in the Iron Age is not mandatory, but it is a fun skill to learn. I can say that with a bit of practice, I am reasonably proficient in lighting charred material with flint and a steel striker. I have tried several different strikers, and I can say that the Esee is one of the better steel strikers I have tried. The Esee just throws more sparks than others. I am unsure why, but I am guessing the Esee works better because of the 1095 carbon steel and their proprietary heat treatment. I can definitely say that this striker makes it easier for me to throw good sparks. I know some people have expressed frustration over the tarnished finish on the Esee when you first get it. But I can say three things: 1. If the tarnish bugs you, removing it with ultrafine sandpaper only takes a few minutes and is very easy. 2. The tarnish does not impact the performance; it is a tool that will naturally show some wear with use. 3. The Essee is a very effective flint and steel striker that throws good sparks. If that is what you are after, then the Esee delivers.

Works as advertised, and is a very well thought out tool for starting fires in more than one way. This isn't the easiest way to start a fire, but it is the least fragile, and is certainly satisfying. I ordered a piece of actual flint to see how it is supposed to work, but I have also gotten good sparks from lots of rocks I picked up in the woods. It is basically just a 1/4" thick chunk of very hard carbon steel. I don't think you can wear one of these things out, and I don't think I could physically damage it even if I tried. You'll get little marks on it from the rock, but this is expected. The sparks are tiny pieces of burning steel. It'll last a lot longer than a ferro rod and is far more robust. Also works well as a ferro rod scraper -- every edge of the thing is a nice clean 90 degrees, including the inside openings. The outside edges will tend to get banged up from the flint, but the inside edges stay pristine for this use. I don't know that I'd want to wear this thing as a necklace, but it isn't too heavy to attach to a knife sheath. I just keep it in the Altoids-style tin they ship it with -- the tin is a good tool for making char cloth. Add a bit of tinder, a small ferro rod, and some Spectra line (for a bow drill, and also because cordage is your friend), and you have three fire starting methods in a tiny package that easily attaches to a field knife sheath.

It is exactly as described. It is an excellent fire steel striker, and works well as a bearing block. I have not tried flint and steel fire with it. but it is good hardened steel so it should work. My only issue is that it is heavy for what it is, 2 oz for a fire steel striker is a bit much for a lightweight backpacking kit. For comparison, when I want to pack light I take my Mora Eldris to use as a fire striker and it weighs 2.2 oz (3 with sheath) and is also my knife. if you want to pack light this may not be for you, if you want a lot of fire lighting options with one piece of kit this is the best you will find.

Okay, this baby is awesome. No, this isn't my Plan B for fire starting in my kit--but it IS one of the Plans. Why? Because lighters run out of fuel or break or freak out in extreme cold. Because matches break, get wet or get used up. Because ferro rods can corrode apart, break or get used up. And this piece lets me do two methods of back up--strike and drill. Not any more expensive than a really nice hand forged striker (I have a cool dragon one)--and like all things, you get what you pay for. And unless you're stupid with it, this one will last your lifetime. It is built solid. Good size, too. Came in a black tin (think Altoids shape) with the ESEE logo stuff, along with instructions and a 'reminder' survival card. Very happy with this one. I've got a number of strikers--some forged some manufactured--this one is my favorite because of shape, quality, and dual use. If you need to learn how to use this, go onto Youtube and do some watching of flint and steel fire starting videos from some of the pros--I've found it really helps to see the procedure as opposed to just reading about it in a book. Practice patiently. Once you're good at it, it really isn't long at all. Well worth the cost. Quality usually is. This is my third ESEE company purchase as I really like their quality and find it worth the cost in the long run--a buy it once, take proper care of it and you have it for life.

I have a few fire steels and like them for the most part. I bought this one because I have started making bow drill sets and wanted a multi-purpose item that was functional as both a bearing block and a striker for flint or ferro rod. Wow! I am so pleased. I thought the cost was a bit much at first, but I now know it was worth it. Yes you get a little hinged lid tin and a laminated card with survival stuff on it. Okay, fine. The part that I liked was the consistent sparks I can get from this on flint. It is a nicely made product that looks like it was water jet cut then heat tempered. It throws nice hot bunches of sparks whether ferro rod or flint. Just remember to take leather gloves with you in the field. This thing gets a tad warm when used as a bow drill bearing.

This is an amazing fire steel. It throws tons of sparks off a nice piece of flint or quarts. I have had other strikers before but don't come close to this. Their heat treat is spot on and the high carbon steel they are using is amazing. Super easy to get tons of sparks to catch a piece of char cloth or natural fungus. And how cool is this! You get a bow drill divot along with is. That takes al least another few minutes off of making a bow drill kit. Another awesome thing is that the edges are sharp so you can throw sparks off a fire steel. Esee nailed it with this one! It even comes in an awesome tin that would work great for making more char cloth. Totally recommended

If you have the money to buy this just buy it already. It's awesome and throws more sparks than expected, that's why I had to write this review. Fits nicely inside the tin it comes with. The tin can is the size of an Altoids can but might be a little shallower. It's perfect size for me anyway. Has a 90 degree spine for use on ferro rods (not included). The center is used for bow drill fire starting. I thought I was an idiot for buying this originally until I used it. Now I know I'll buy another if I lose it.... or maybe just for the hell of it. If you don't have the money just use the side of an old file, grounded smooth. If you are looking for flint (the dark kind, not blue kind) go at night with a headlight. Found out on my own and now I have a pretty big bag full and a couple of arrowhead pieces. I'm also going to make my own arrowheads but it's pretty cool finding native-American ones too. If you are still reading this just buy the damn thing.