We compared two ferro rod fire starters: the Light My Fire Army Ferro Rod Fire Starter and the RKR Outdoor Ferro Rod Fire Starter Kit.
What we looked at
Rod size, handle, striker, extras, strikes, and price.
The verdict
If you want the Swedish-made Light My Fire with a built-in emergency whistle and the higher rating, the Army is the pick at £19.95. If you would rather save £6.96 on a kit with a hardwood handle, multi-tool striker and 45ft of paracord, the RKR Outdoor is the alternative, at £12.99.
A £19.95 3/8 inch ferro rod with a whistle and stainless steel striker.
A £12.99 ferro rod kit with a hardwood handle, multi-tool striker and paracord.
Light My Fire Army Ferro Rod Fire Starter (3/8 Inch, Whistle) — Swedish-Made Pick
Intended for: Marketed as a 2-in-1 ferro rod fire starter in a 3/8 inch size with a built-in emergency whistle, rated for up to 12,000 strikes at 3,000°C. It has BPA-free handles made from 96% bio-based plastic, a nylon cord and a stainless-steel fire striker, and the listing says it is made in Sweden to Swedish Army standards. Carries 4.7 stars from 2.9K ratings on this listing.
What we liked
- Built-in emergency whistle
- Up to 12,000 strikes per the listing
- Higher star rating than the RKR (4.7 vs 4.6)
- Made in Sweden to Swedish Army standards per the listing
Worth knowing
- Costs £6.96 more than the RKR kit on these listings
- No paracord or tinder tool stated in the details we reviewed
Best for
- Buyers who want the original Light My Fire design
- Anyone who wants a built-in whistle
- Those who want the higher-rated option
Not ideal for
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Anyone who wants a multi-tool striker or paracord included
RKR Outdoor Ferro Rod Fire Starter Kit with Wood Handle and Paracord — Best Value
Intended for: Marketed as a ferro rod kit with a 12.5cm (5 inch) long, 8mm thick rod rated for 12,000+ strikes, a handcrafted hardwood handle, a multi-tool striker that works as a bottle opener and tinder scraper, and a paracord lanyard. The listing says the 7-strand mil-spec 550 paracord is 45 feet long and offers a full refund if it does not meet expectations. Carries 4.6 stars from 2.1K ratings on this listing.
What we liked
- Cheaper than the Light My Fire on these listings, at £12.99
- Hardwood handle and multi-tool striker
- 45ft of 550 paracord included
- 12,000+ strikes per the listing
Worth knowing
- No emergency whistle stated
- Slightly lower star rating than the Light My Fire (4.6 vs 4.7)
Best for
- Buyers who want a kit at the lower price
- Anyone who wants a paracord included
- Those who want a bottle opener and scraper on the striker
Not ideal for
- Buyers who want a built-in whistle
- Anyone who prefers the Light My Fire name
