There are many fire skill related lessons that I share with kids but none capture their attention as much as ferrocerium rods. They are used to create a shower of sparks that can start fires under adverse weather conditions. One rod can be used thousands of times. Sparks shower at 5,500 F to ignite a fire in any weather. The rod is made of Iron, Magnesium and rare earth metals called misch-metal that create an excellent combination of pyrophoric material.

I gathered some whitetail buck antlers pieces, saw, drill, vice, 80 grit sandpaper, 5/16″rods and 30min epoxy.

The students learned about antler, cut and sanded down the antler, drilled a 5/16″ hole, mixed epoxy and glued the rod in place. We went outside while it cured (to make mushroom paper) and later on drilled another hole for a jute (tinder) lanyard and they were complete and ready to strike.

Using the 90 degree spine of a knife, pocket knife awl or dedicated striker you can spray sparks onto tinder. It’s done by multiple methods including pin and pull, spray and pray or lock and a scrape. Whatever method, you burn, you learn.

David Alexander is a professional outdoor guide and conservation biologist.  He enjoys making nature more accessible to people and wildlife.  You can follow him at www.natureintoaction.com