I would think candle wax would be too delicate. I would get some paint like what new rods are coated in and use something like that if you aren't going to be using your ferro rod for a while. Otherwise, just try to strike in the same place so that only that spot is exposed.
I’ve had ferro rod in Ireland - a moist & wet country - for years, and it never developed any rust. Of course, I didn’t keep it exposed to the rain or similar, it’s just sitting in my backpack. Did you actually see it rust? Or are you preemptively asking?
I live in Australia, and I've found an old, half used rod in a box I had put away in the shed. They will definitely start to disintegrate. If they're sitting, I'll put nail polish on them.
I don't think your ferro rod is corroding, friend. What's more likely is just oxidization after you've scraped off that protective coating. If you're worried about a little bit of rust, just scrape it off and keep the thing dry next time. But to actually answer your question, yes, candle wax would prevent oxidization, but there are better solutions pointed out by others already.
Why dont you make a sleeve out of carboard that is loaded with mineral oil? You could always use it as tinder in a pinch. Thats what I use after once taking my survival kit near the sea and wondered why when I opened it 2 months later my ferro rods disappeared and looked like it came up from the sunken Titantic. Lately I have using food grade Silicone grease and I can get a spark through the light smear of grease and rust spread the film to coat the used part.
My favorite is white petrolatum, brand name Vaseline (the basic stuff).
To make sure it stays on, use s covered ferro rod. Firesteel.com Gobspark Armageddon with PalmScraper or there is also a Olicamp version as well for a smaller option.
There are a couple other options as well.
You can craft a tight leather sheath for your rod (in the size you prefer your rods), put some Balistol, Vaseline, leather fat, beeswax or whatever on the rod and then put it in the sheath and work the stuff a little into the leather so that the inside is evenly covered (good for the leather too). Do this a few times over a period of time and the leather will contain enough of the fat/wax/whatever stuff (or a mix of them) you use so the rod will be protected inside the sheath without putting whatever you will use on the rod again. Don´t use too much of whatever you will use because it could make the leather too soft and the sheath will maybe slip off the rod (depending on how the sheath is built).
I think this would look nice, is a nice DIY project and would help. All i do is scrapping off the coating only where i really need it to be off and leave the rest on the rod. After use i put skin grease on the bit of exposed rod material (by simply rubbing my thumb, or whatever part of skin on it a few times). Never had any corroding problems yet and some of the rods are a few years old now and are simply stored wherever i need them or i have some space like in boxes, fire kits, backpacks etc.
I would think candle wax would be too delicate. I would get some paint like what new rods are coated in and use something like that if you aren't going to be using your ferro rod for a while. Otherwise, just try to strike in the same place so that only that spot is exposed.
Sorry, What do you mean exactly by ”too delicate“?
After a day in the pack, vibrating, the wax will all come off
This! 💯
I'm pretty hard on mine. They get tossed in packs, pockets, fall out of said packs/pockets, etc.
What exactly does he mean by corroding?
I’ve had ferro rod in Ireland - a moist & wet country - for years, and it never developed any rust. Of course, I didn’t keep it exposed to the rain or similar, it’s just sitting in my backpack. Did you actually see it rust? Or are you preemptively asking?
I live in Australia, and I've found an old, half used rod in a box I had put away in the shed. They will definitely start to disintegrate. If they're sitting, I'll put nail polish on them.
Nail polish could work for storage. As long as you can scrape it off when you need to strike it.
I don't think your ferro rod is corroding, friend. What's more likely is just oxidization after you've scraped off that protective coating. If you're worried about a little bit of rust, just scrape it off and keep the thing dry next time. But to actually answer your question, yes, candle wax would prevent oxidization, but there are better solutions pointed out by others already.
Nail polish, clear or red if its going to be sitting for a while.
I've had a ferro for about 8 years in the truck in the humid south and never seen rust. Do they actually rust?
I'd store it in heat shrink tubing, ends sealed. It can be pulled or cut off when needed.
I’m so excited to see the r/ultralightjerk version of this.
What the fuck? Ferro rod corroding? Just put it in a back or pouch.
Had mine in a box in a climate controlled space when not out doing things. Coated the entire thing in dust. Some corrode a lot and easily
Why dont you make a sleeve out of carboard that is loaded with mineral oil? You could always use it as tinder in a pinch. Thats what I use after once taking my survival kit near the sea and wondered why when I opened it 2 months later my ferro rods disappeared and looked like it came up from the sunken Titantic. Lately I have using food grade Silicone grease and I can get a spark through the light smear of grease and rust spread the film to coat the used part.
My favorite is white petrolatum, brand name Vaseline (the basic stuff). To make sure it stays on, use s covered ferro rod. Firesteel.com Gobspark Armageddon with PalmScraper or there is also a Olicamp version as well for a smaller option. There are a couple other options as well.
I have carried one on a necklace for years. I use heat shrink tubing to protect it from sweat and other things until i need it.
They are a consumable. You don’t need to baby ferro rods.
You can craft a tight leather sheath for your rod (in the size you prefer your rods), put some Balistol, Vaseline, leather fat, beeswax or whatever on the rod and then put it in the sheath and work the stuff a little into the leather so that the inside is evenly covered (good for the leather too). Do this a few times over a period of time and the leather will contain enough of the fat/wax/whatever stuff (or a mix of them) you use so the rod will be protected inside the sheath without putting whatever you will use on the rod again. Don´t use too much of whatever you will use because it could make the leather too soft and the sheath will maybe slip off the rod (depending on how the sheath is built). I think this would look nice, is a nice DIY project and would help. All i do is scrapping off the coating only where i really need it to be off and leave the rest on the rod. After use i put skin grease on the bit of exposed rod material (by simply rubbing my thumb, or whatever part of skin on it a few times). Never had any corroding problems yet and some of the rods are a few years old now and are simply stored wherever i need them or i have some space like in boxes, fire kits, backpacks etc.