GORE-TEX Military Fabrics

Shomer-Tec Fire Buttons

Shomer-Tec always has some cool gadgets like these Fire Buttons intended as a last resort fire starter.

These standard sized buttons (3/4″ diameter, 5/32″ thickness) are available in two different materials: Ferrocerium and Magnesium. Ferrocerium is a synthetic pyrophoric alloy which produces hot sparks that can reach temperatures of 5400° F when rapidly oxidized by striking with a hard object. Magnesium shavings provide a highly efficient accelerant and serve as a super hot tinder. Fire is produced by scraping shavings off the Magnesium button, and then striking the Ferrocerium button to produce a shower of sparks which can ignite the Magnesium shavings in order to set fire to kindling material.

If you use these, remember that the buttons are flammable, so give it a solid think on where you attach them.

shomer-tec.com/fire-buttons

3 Responses to “Shomer-Tec Fire Buttons”

  1. chris says:

    That could give a whole new meaning to ‘fire crotch’.

  2. Jason says:

    I kinda wonder how these react to being put through a washing/drying machine. Heat, lint, plus tumbling of clothes against metal could be a problem.

    I imagine they’ve tested this so I’m curious how they avoided the risk (if there is one).

  3. Steve says:

    Washed and dried clothes with buttons sewed on, many times. No problems. Appear unfazed by the process and no fires.