© All article photos were shot by Awaken Outdoors for their respective companies.
Best Ferro Rods
One of my favorite ways to start a fire, whether I’m camping or doing survival training, is with a Ferro Rod (ferrocerium rod). But, before we go any further, you might be asking yourself…What is a Ferro Rod?
A Ferro Rod is a firestarter that showers high-temperature sparks whenever you strike it with a sharp surface (such as a striker or 90º knife spine). Ferro rods will work at any altitude, in any weather, and are not affected by water like most other firestarters.
With that said, I have used just about every Ferrocerium Rod on the market. So, this guide is written with great confidence in the items that I chose to recommend to you all.
Wazoo Survival Bushcraft Necklace
Let’s kick this list off with the Ferro Rod that I always have on me…my Wazoo Bushcraft Necklace.
- A great-looking necklace firestarter that outperforms its small size. I have started fires in the dead of winter with this Ferro Rod and had no issues with it.
- The ceramic striker throws great sparks from the Ferro Rod, but it isn’t too sharp to wear against your skin.
- It looks great around your neck and gets a lot of compliments.
- Typical Price w/ my coupon: $23.40
*10% off with coupon: “anthonyawaken10”
Buy Wazoo Bushcraft Necklace (10% off code above)
Shown above: Mini Survival Kit (ferro rod + fire plugs)
Bigfoot Bushcraft Fire Plugs
Any Ferro Rod is made 110% more effective with some good tinder. And these Fire Plugs from Bigfoot Bushcraft have been some of my favorites.
- I have been using the Bigfoot Bushcraft Fire Plugs for around 9 months or so. They have been fantastic in every season and weather condition that I’ve tried them in so far.
- Even though they are wax impregnated, they have no sticky residue that will rub off in your pocket or fire kit. Which makes them a fantastic EDC Tinder Source.
- Each Fire Plug has a 5+ minute burn time.
- In addition to fire plugs, Bigfoot Bushcraft sells other fire and camp tools, which I’m currently testing.
- Available as a kit: Check out the Mini Survival Fire Starter Kit here.
- Typical Price w/ my coupon: As low as $9/per pack
*10% off with coupon “anthonyawaken”
Buy Bigfoot Bushcraft Fire Plugs (10% off code above)
Buy Mini Firestarter Kit (10% off code above)
Titan Survival Ferro Rod
Titan Survival make some of my favorite gear and I’ve always got something from them in my pack. Their Ferro Rods + Emergency Fire Kits are phenomenal and well-worth checking out for an all-in-one fire-starting solution!
- The Emergency Fire Kit contains a high-quality 5″ x 1/2″ Ferro Rod.
- This kit also comes with emergency tinder, solar fire lenses (fresnel lenses), a reusable metal tin, and more.
- This is a kit that I feel 110% confident using right out of the box. I am positive that I could get a fire started with this kit in any weather condition.
- Typical Price w/ my coupon: $59
*10% off with coupon: “anthonyawaken”
Buy Titan Emergency Fire Kit (10% off code above)
Titan Survival Fire Tabs
In addition to Titan Survival’s Ferro Rods, they just released their new Fire Tabs here! I have been highly impressed by these wax-impregnated fire starters and will definitely be keeping these in my kit from now on.
- Great for emergency tinder in wet and/or cold weather.
- Compact size to fit in any survival kit, bugout bag, or bushcraft kit.
- Waterproof and highly resistant to windy conditions.
- Long burn time (up to 15 minutes in certain conditions).
- Reusable Tin for making charcloth (or for other survival/bushcraft tasks).
- (x40) Fire Tabs per container
- Typical Price w/ my coupon: $23.98
*10% off with coupon: “anthonyawaken”
Buy Titan Fire Tabs (10% off code above)
Überleben Zünden Bushcraft Ferro Rod
One of my favorite traditional Ferro Rods is the Überleben Zünden Pro.
- This Ferro Rod is very traditional looking with its rectangular wooden handle. So it looks great with other traditional bushcraft gear.
- Speaking of the handle, you can get a fantastic grip on it.
- The strikers that are supplied with Überleben’s Ferro Rods have a great edge and I’ve always had great luck with them, even after years of use.
- Überleben’s Ferro Rods are on the softer side, which I prefer for ease-of-use and for the amount of sparks you get out of them.
- Typical Price: $18
- Uberleben Coupon (10% Off): Use code “AWAKEN” at Uberleben.co
10% Off Überleben Zünden Ferro Rod (use coupon “awaken”)
Buy Überleben Zünden Ferro Rod
Exotac fireROD XL
My favorite large Ferro Rod is the Exotac fireROD XL.
- The fireROD XL has a 1/2″ thick ferrocerium rod built into it (and it’s threaded, so it can be replaced if need be).
- This is my go-to Ferro Rod for Winter Survival Training and for my Get Home/Bugout Bags.
- The fireROD XL isn’t just a Ferro Rod though. It has duct tape and a hidden waterproof compartment in the handle for dry tinder. This makes it a great all-in-one package for your fire kit.
- Typical Price w/ my coupon: $52.76
*20% off with coupon: “anthonyawaken”
Buy Exotac fireROD XL (20% off code above)
Feuerstock Fire Starter
My buddy Creek Stewart launched his bright red Feuerstock Fire Starter last year and it is a fantastic budget option if you’re needing a large ferro rod.
- The Feuerstock Ferro Rod is 1/2″ x 5″ in size.
- Included with the Feuerstock is a full-size rubber-coated carbide striker. In my experience, carbide strikers do not dull and they will outlast the ferro rod itself (which is saying a lot).
- The Feuerstock Ferro Rod is unique in its bright red color. The red isn’t just for looks though. The red coating is a protectant against corrosion that can happen if you have a non-coated ferrocerium rod.
- Typical Price: $20 on Amazon
Exotac nanoSTRIKER XL
Rounding this list out is the Ferro Rod that resides on my keychain every day: the Exotac nanoSTRIKER XL.
- The Exotac nanoSTRIKER XL has an anodized aluminum body that houses the Ferro Rod + Striker. This makes it a great option for carrying on a keychain since you run no risk of breaking your Ferro Rod.
- The striker the comes with the nanoSTRIKER XL is hands down the sharpest striker I’ve ever handled. It is made of Tungsten Carbide and it absolutely shreds a Ferro Rod.
- This Ferro Rod is perfect for EDC (everyday carry).
- Typical price w/ my coupon: $26.36
*20% off with coupon: “anthonyawaken”
Buy Exotac fireROD XL (20% off code above)
See more firestarters in my Amazon Shop
I hope you found the perfect Ferro Rod for your fire kit from my recommendations above! If you have any questions or need anything else, feel free to reach out.
In the meantime, enjoy this relaxing short film that I recently made while in the woods.
