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How to Use a Magnesium Firestarter

There are different models of magnesium firestarters out there, but the standard is a small block̵2;it can be carried on a keychain̵2;with soft magnesium on one side and a flint on the other. Magnesium is highly flammable when it comes in contact with the small hot sparks produced by the flint. All you need is a knife, some tinder and kindling, and you are well on your way to a warm, and potentially life-saving, fire.

Things You'll Need

Knife
Tinder (bark, paper or dried leaves)
Kindling (small dry sticks or twigs)
Larger pieces of wood

Instructions

- 1
  Gather your tinder, kindling and wood for burning. Keep them in separate piles, right next to where you plan to shave off the magnesium.
- 2
  Dig a slight depression in the ground to catch your shavings. If this is not possible, use a flat piece of wood or cardboard or some other platform to keep them all in one place.
- 3
  Take out your knife. Holding the firestarter upright, with the flint side facing you, shave off a small pile of magnesium onto the ground or the platform you have set up. Try to keep your knife blade positioned at a 90-degree angle to the firestarter to prevent it from catching on the notches your knife will make in the magnesium.
- 4
  Pile some tinder on top of the shavings.
- 5
  Hold the firestarter with the flint side facing outward. Take your knife and run it rapidly down the flint so it produces hot sparks. It will take you a few tries before you get the spark you need, but it should happen rather quickly. The magnesium will ignite and the tinder will catch right away. Be ready to pile on more tinder and kindling.

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