We had magnesium "ribbon" back in high school... about 1/8 wide and
maybe 30' on a roll. You could just tear of a bunch of little pieces and
light them with a spark from a welding striker.
I see that United Nuclear still sells it, with this warning:
"Do not stare directly at burning Magnesium fires, they are extremely bright
and rich in UV light - Eye damage can result."

http://www.unitednuclear.com/chem.htm



"Pete C." wrote in message
...
Joe AutoDrill wrote:

I was watching a TV show a few nights ago (Survivorman I think) where the
guy scrapes off some small pieces of magnesium from a block and then
proceeds to "light" it with a flint and steel... All to start a small
camp
fire outside...

Which led me to another one of my "curiosity" questions...

If I buy magnesium from somewhere (McMaster doesn't seem to carry it or
I'm
semi-blind), can I do the same thing? A small block about the size of a
domino for scraping small pieces off with a pocket knife blade... Then a
small flint or other flame source to start the magnesium burning...

Also, doesn't magnesium burn with a *really* bright flame - as in
eye-damaging?

Other dangers? Thoughts?

Regards,
Joe Agro, Jr.
(800) 871-5022
01.908.542.0244
Automatic / Pneumatic Drills: http://www.AutoDrill.com
Multiple Spindle Drills: http://www.Multi-Drill.com

V8013-R

Those fire starter blocks are available at most camping / outdoors
stores. They have a flint type rod embedded in one side so you only need
a knife. Scrape some chips off the other side with the knife and then
use the flint side to ignite. Pretty cheap and work well. Really bright
and hot flame, but really brief fro a tiny pile of shavings, probably
equivalent to flashing yourself with a photo strobe.