FAQ

Q: 🔄 Can you replace the components in the FS-v3 fire starter kit when they wear out?
 A: The Tinder Plugs can be replaced. The Pyrocerium rod cannot be replaced.
The Pyrocerium Rod in the FS-v3 is rated for 2000 strikes, which is approximately a fire a day for the next 5 years.

Q: 🌧️ Is the FS-v3 fire starter kit completely waterproof? 
 A: The Components of the FS-v3 are waterproof. The Tinder Plugs are explicitly designed to be weatherproof and easy to light even in severe outdoor conditions, and the FS-v3's SparkHood shields the Tinder Plug and sparks from wind and rain. The storage compartment of the FS-v3 is not waterproof. 

Q: ⏱️ How long do the Tinder Plugs burn?
  A: Each individual Tinder Plug provided for the FS-v3 yields 5+ minutes of continuous burn time. This is designed to give you ample time to catch larger kindling and fuel wood, even if they are damp.

Q:  Is Pyrocerium the same as ferrocerium?  
   A: Pyrocerium is a softer high performance spark-producing alloy made in Austria specifically for Dark Ridge USA.
Ferrocerium is typically a harder blend of similar metals, often produced in China.

Q: What is Pyrocerium? 
   A:  Pyrocerium is a high performance spark-producing alloy used only in Dark Ridge USA fire starters.

Q: Can Pyrocerium work when wet?  
   A:  Yes. The alloy will produce sparks after a few wipes with a damp cloth. However, the tinder or fuel must be waterproof or dry enough to ignite. This makes Tinder Plugs and the FS-v3 a perfect combination. 

Q: How hot are Pyrocerium sparks?
  A: The sparks can reach temperatures of approximately 3,000°C (5,400°F), although they are tiny and burn for only a short time.