The Swedish FireSteel fire starter consists of two components – ignition rod and firing pin. The rod is made of a high-quality pyrophoric metal alloy made of iron, magnesium, lanthanum and cerium. The precisely ground edge on the stainless steel firing pin guarantees maximum spark formation. By scraping against the rod, the friction causes tiny metal shavings to form, which immediately oxidize and become very hot sparks. The notable difference between the Swedish FireSteel fire starter and other friction-based fire starters, often called ignition metal, is the proprietary hardening process that produces a high-quality, long-lasting material without compromising its consistency. The main advantage of the Swedish FireSteel fire starter over conventional ignition aids is its absolute reliabil.