Mike

The Ferro rod is one of the most reliable and best fire-making tools. Ferro rods are impervious to the elements and work even if they get wet. One Ferro rod can be used to make thousands of fires. I always keep them in my camping gear and as part of my emergency supplies.

When most people start a fire, they usually use a lighter, but what if you’re in a survival situation? Lighters run out of fuel or can break. You’ll want something that lasts a long time and works every time. This is where the Ferro rod comes in.

The Best Ferro Rods

überleben Hexå Ferro Rod

The überleben Hexå is one of my favorite Ferro rods I’ve used. They come in two sizes, but I prefer the six-inch version. The large size makes using the Ferro rod easy, even while wearing gloves.

The überleben Hexå is a medium-hard Ferro rod that makes abundant and hot sparks. The hexagon shape also helps generate sparks easier when using the steel striker.

My only gripe is the striker could be better.

Pros:

• Large size

• It lasts a very long time

• Easy to use with gloves

• Available with a handle if you want it

Cons:

• Expensive

• Striker is flimsy

Feuerstock Survival Tool

There is a lot to like about the Feuerstock Ferro rod kit. The rod itself is five inches long and half an inch thick. I like the red coating, which makes finding the rod easier should you drop it.

The Feuerstock comes with the best striker I’ve ever used. The striker has a nice rubberized handle which makes holding it very easy. It also has a carbine striker at the end. It holds a sharp edge for a long time and generates excellent sparks in every weather condition.

For ease of use, the Feuerstock is top tier.

Pros:

• Excellent tungsten carbide striker

• Red coated rod

• Good size

Cons:

• Not the cheapest

Light My Fire Army

The Light My Fire Army is a good choice if you’re looking for a light and compact Ferro rod. The Army Ferro rod material is hard and produces abundant sparks using the included striker. The rod is 2.2 inches long and the minimum size I’d want to use.

The Light My Fire Army is a small rod, and it’s more difficult to hold than the larger Ferro Rods. This small size is excellent if you’re counting grams and want something lightweight.

Pros:

• Compact and light

• Small but a good striker

• Striker includes a whistle

Cons:

• The small size makes using it more difficult.

Exotac fireROD XL

The Exotac fireROD XL is a serious piece of kit. It has a large 1/2-inch thick Ferro rod and a waterproof storage compartment. The Ferro rod is also threaded so that you can replace it should you use it that much. I like that it includes everything you need to make a fire.

The kit has duct tape and four quickLight tinder tabs. The Exotac fireROD XL is an excellent all-in-one kit with everything you need to start a fire.

Pros:

Large diameter Ferro rod

Waterproof storage compartment

Duct tape and tinder are a nice touch

Cons:

Expensive

What is a Ferro rod?

Ferrocerium rods are a metal alloy designed to be used to start fires. To use a Ferro rod, you take a metal striker and scrape it across the rod. Doing this creates a shower of hot sparks, quickly catching your tinder on fire.

Ferro rods are impervious to the elements and work even if they get wet. They are incredibly durable and last a long time. The Ferro rod must be in your survival kit if you need a reliable way to start fires.

How to choose a Ferro rod

There are hundreds of Ferro rods on the market. Many are made by the same companies and just rebranded. Most of them work just fine, but I’ve learned valuable tips over the years that will help you choose the best Ferro rod for your needs.

Larger Ferro rods are Easier to use

Trying to start a fire can be a real annoyance holding a tiny little Ferro rod. Especially when your hands are wet and cold or if you’re wearing gloves.

I like a large Ferro rod because it is easier to hold. The size makes it very easy to hold and use with my striker. My favorite Ferro rod is six inches long and half an inch thick. I have it tied to a lanyard that I wear around my neck along with a neck knife.

For information on the best neck knives check out our post.

Striker Design is Important

For a striker to work correctly, it needs to have a sharp edge. If it’s too dull, you will struggle to generate sparks. If you buy a Ferro rod with a striker, ensure it works well. If the striker is not sharp enough, you can sharpen it using many knife sharpening tools or some sandpaper on a table.

The striker doesn’t need to be sharp like a knife. It just needs an acute 90-degree angle to drag across the Ferro rod.

The hardness of the Ferro rod

Ferro rods are made in a variety of hardnesses.

A Harder Ferro rod will create sparks, which will be hotter. Harder Ferro rods will also last longer.

Softer Ferro rods contain more magnesium. They generate molten metal that isn’t as hot as sparks and doesn’t last as long.

Some tinder will light better when using a soft Ferro rod.

I like harder Ferro rods, but you should experiment to see which type works best for you.

Extra Features

• Lanyard Holes: I will only buy a Ferro rod with a lanyard hole. I like to keep my Ferro rod and striker tied together. Keep from losing your Ferro rod and striker by tying a paracord lanyard.

• Strikers: Many Ferro rods come with strikers. Some Ferro rod kits include a multi-tool striker with saw teeth to help scrape magnesium to help start the fire.

• Storage Capsules: Some Ferro rods have handles with a storage compartment for holding tinder. This is a nice feature that comes in handy.

• Carrying Cases: Not necessary if you have a lanyard on your Ferro rod. The carrying case can help hold extra tinder.

FAQ

The neck knife has risen in popularity lately for various reasons. They can be practical and convenient to carry. Some people like neck knives as a self-defense tool or backup weapon.

What is the best neck knife? There many great neck knives on the market and they all excel in one way or another. The best one for you will depend on your needs and what is important to you.

Wearing a neck knife isn’t my favorite way to carry a knife most of the time. I fully admit that neck knives have their place and work well for many people. With that said, there are some things you should consider if you’re thinking about getting a neck knife.

Reasons to Carry a Neck Knife

Neck knives are convenient to access

Since neck knives hang from a lanyard around your neck, you don’t need to dig around your pockets or reach for your belt to draw the blade.

Neck knives are centrally located on the body. The central position of the knife makes drawing with either hand very easy compared to knives kept on one side of your body.

Try drawing a knife located on your strong side with your weak hand. It can be challenging.

Easy to Access While Wearing a Rucksack

The primary time I use a neck knife is while backpacking. Many other knife-carry methods are complicated to access while wearing a pack.

It can also be incredibly uncomfortable to wear a large pack with a hip belt and have a knife on your belt or in your pocket. During long hikes, I keep my pockets mostly empty to prevent chafing.

The neck knife allows me to carry a knife comfortably, and it’s still on my person when I take my pack off—one downside of having your knife mounted to your pack.

Light Weight

The lightest neck knives are comfortable to carry around your neck. If you get a heavier neck knife you may realize you dislike carrying it after a few hours.

Small Size

The majority of neck knives are relatively small and light. The shorter blade length is perfect for many everyday cutting tasks. Carrying these small knives isn’t fatiguing compared to some large fixed blades.

In most jurisdictions, smaller knives are legally less restricted than knives with longer blades. (check your local laws before buying or wearing a neck knife!)

Fixed Blades are Strong

Most neck knives are fixed blades which has inherent advantages. A fixed blade knife is stronger. There is no locking mechanism to fail like on traditional folding pocket knives. There is also no need to open the knife. The blade is usable the moment the knife clears the sheath.

It Makes Carrying a Second Knife Easy

Depending on your situation, you may want more than one knife. Using a neck knife helps clear out some space in a pocket or on a belt. I hate having my pockets stuffed full of things, so I welcome how the neck knife can free up that pocket space.

No Pockets Needed (or pants)

Swimming shorts aren’t great for carrying a knife. Many times they are small or non-existent pockets. The same goes for most women’s pants.

Many women’s pants don’t have pockets, or they have fake pockets. If they have pockets, they tend to be small and shallow, which can’t fit a pocket knife.

Cons of Neck Knives

Neck Knives can be Uncomfortable

Discomfort is one reason I don’t use neck knives as much as other carry methods. Some people don’t like carrying things around their neck. Myself included. I dislike having something around my neck, even a small knife.

You Need to use two Hands to Re-sheath

Re-sheathing can be particularly burdensome, depending on what you’re doing. My other hand holds something in almost every situation where I use a knife. This makes re-sheathing annoying, especially with tasks like skinning, where I’m covered in guts.

Neck Knives may be Illegal

Many jurisdictions have restrictions regarding the carrying of fixed-blade knives. Check your local laws!

Access can be Difficult

Neck knives can move around your neck while doing things. If you’re moving or lying down, the blade can be at a different location, making drawing the knife challenging.

When carrying a knife in your belt or a pocket, it is always in the same place, which makes drawing it under stress much more manageable.

Neck Knives can be Dangerous

Carrying a lanyard around your neck can be a choking hazard. Make sure whatever lanyard you use has a breakaway feature or uses a breakaway chain. I like to take the outer sheath of paracord and put that over a ball chain. It’s comfortable and safe.

The risk is also posed by having a knife so close to your vitals. If you fall on your knife and your sheath fails, a sharp knife is now near your vital organs.

Neck Knives can get Lost

I have never had this happen, but a neck knife can get lost if it is inadvertently pulled or detached from its sheath. Belt knives or in the pocket are generally held in place by friction and gravity holding the knife in the sheath or pocket.

Our Top Picks For Best Neck Knives

There are many good neck knives out there. Below are some of the best that I’ve owned and used.

#1 CRKT Minimalist neck knife

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One of my favorite neck knives around. They are reasonably priced, lightweight, and come in numerous blade shapes to suit anyone’s needs. The Minimalist has deep finger grooves on the handle which helps keep the knife secure while cutting.

The kydex sheath is also excellent. For general use, stick to something like a spear point blade, bowie, or Wharncliffe. The blade steel is adequate on the standard models. Still, they offer fancier versions with 154CM blade steel if you want better edge retention.

#2 KA-BAR Becker Necker

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The Ka Bar knives Necker is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an everyday carry neck knife. Slightly larger and more expensive than the CRKT. The blade shape works well for most cutting tasks, and the plastic sheath is good. The Necker is made of 1095 carbon steel which is not stainless steel, and will need to be oiled to prevent rust. The 1095 steel is a prevalent knife steel because of its strength and durability. It is also easy to sharpen and holds a good edge. Overall, the Necker makes an excellent EDC neck knife.

#3 ESEE Knives Izula

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The ESEE Izula is considered the gold standard of neck knives. The blade is 2.875 inches long and made of 1095 carbon steel.

It comes with an excellent kydex sheath and belt clip if you don’t want to use it as a neck knife. They generally come with a reasonably sharp edge, so you won’t have to sharpen it too much out of the box like some knives. The Izula is one of my favorite tactical neck knives.

#4 Spyderco Ark Salt

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Spyderco is well known for making some excellent knives, and the Ark is no exception. This knife is exceptionally well suited for neck knife duty because of its special H1 stainless steel. Unlike most “stainless” steels, the steel on this knife cannot rust. In addition to the exceptional steel, the Ark also has a good sheath with a convenient blade shape. Consider this knife if you’re in a humid or wet environment or sweating a lot.

Cold Steel Mini Pal

The Cold Steel Mini Pal is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a backup knife. It only weighs half an ounce making it easily carried. This knife has serious cutting power despite it’s one inch blade.

The Mini Pal uses a push dagger design suited for self defense. The other neck knives on this list will work better for utility cutting if that is your primary need.

FAQ

What is a neck knife good for?

Depending on the design neck knives can be good for all types of cutting chores. Some neck knives are designed as self defense weapons and are not as good for general cutting.

How long should a neck knife be?

It depends on your needs. Longer blades can work better for some cutting tasks while shorter blades excel in small detail cutting. Shorter blades can also be lighter which is important to some people.

What is an EDC neck knife?

EDC neck knives are designed to be easy to carry and perform well in a wide variety of cutting tasks. They usually have a drop point blade or other generalist blade shape.