A ferro rod is one of the most essential tools I carry for everyday outdoor fire lighting. Ferro rods are reliable, durable, and consistent fire-starters in a range of conditions. It’s an essential piece of kit. As such they are not just a key part of most modern bushcraft set-ups, they are also a versatile, robust and reliable piece of survival kit.

But how you carry your ferro rod matters. You want it easily accessible when you need it, but also securely fastened so you don’t risk losing it in the field.

In this article I want to walk you through my personal setup for carrying a ferro rod. This makes it quick to deploy, safe from loss, and convenient to store when not in use. Also watch the embedded video for an illustration of the details, including useful knots and fasteners.

Why Stock Ferro Rod Cordage Doesn’t Cut It

Ferro rods are usually supplied threaded onto a short piece of cord, along with a striker to use with the rod. This cord is either knotted into a loop or closed with a plastic clasp. There are several issues with this typical out-of-the-box setup. For starters the plastic clasp fastenings are not secure and should, at least, be removed, binned, and replaced with a knot. But the short length of the cord supplied on most ferro rods is also an issue.

While functional in holding the two key items together, I find the short cord length restrictive. And I have noticed many others do too. One can’t strike the ferro rod freely, especially with a secure grip on the rod.

The other issue with the short cord is that it is too short to attach it to yourself and keep it securely in a pocket. I’ve seen people hang it off a belt or clip, with the rod and striker dangling down the outside of their clothing. In terms of security, this is suboptimal. Hanging the combo like this also makes a lot of noise with the striker and rod clanking together.

So the first thing to do in optimising your ferro rod pocket carry is upgrade the cordage.

Upgrading the Cordage

The simplest and most effective improvement is swapping out that short cord for a longer paracord piece. It gives you more flexibility—literally. The simplest method is to thread both the ferro rod and striker onto the cord, then secure it with an overhand knot. This allows as much freedom in striking technique as you might need. It also allows solid attachment to a belt, using a cow hitch, with the rod and striker sitting deeply in a waist pocket.

However, there’s still a downside. If you’ve attached the setup directly to your belt, you’ll find yourself having to remove the whole thing to use it. This becomes awkward when you’ve got layers on, which is likely in wet or cold conditions.

What Ferro Rods Do I Like For Pocket Carrying?

Check out my article and video on which ferro rods I like (and why). All of these are a good size for a pocket carry.

Adding Quick Release: The Mini Carabiner

To address this, I integrate a mini carabiner into the system, which you can easily pick up in a pack of various sizes online. By including one on the paracord loop, I can now clip and unclip my ferro rod with minimal hassle. It’s a small adjustment but makes a big difference, allowing me to deploy the ferro rod without removing the cord loop from my belt.

To connect the ferro rod to the mini carabiner, I employ a split ring—the kind you typically see on keychains. When fitting the split ring to the handle of the ferro rod, just be careful not to bend the ring too much. This ensures the ring reverts to its original position and holds the rod securely.

An alternative, as explained in the embedded video below, is a push-clip type of attachment.

Securing Other Pocket Essentials

While the primary focus of this setup is the ferro rod, it makes sense to use the same system to secure other important pocket items. For me, this includes a whistle and a small light.

As far as I am concerned, having a whistle on your person is non-negotiable. It’s an essential item for attracting attention to yourself when lost or injured. The Fox 40 whistle is a great choice.

Having even a small light source on hand such as a Photo Micolight, can be very useful in low light conditions. The batteries last a long time. But the light doesn’t travel very far. An alternative is a very bright, yet still relatively compact Olite Baton-type flashlight. These powerful little flashlights can make all the difference in finding your way in darkness.

To attach a Microlight, thread it directly onto the paracord loop. A whistle might also be threaded directly onto the cord, but otherwise a split ring can be employed to attach it to the cord. Similarly with a Baton-type flashlight, I put a small split ring on the lamp, then clip this onto a second clip on the cord loop. A second clip can also be used to attach other important items instead, such as a key.

The result is a streamlined system where all the essentials are in one place, easily accessible yet securely fastened.

Once you have put everything onto the cord, you should close the cord loop with a knot that will not loosen over time. The simplest method is an overhand knot. A single fisherman’s knot will work well too. For fixed loops on lanyards, however, my favourite knot is a double-fisherman’s knot. I find the latter particularly aesthetically appealing because you can reduce the tails of the cord to a very short length, resulting in an extremely tidy knot. This helps keep the setup neat and organized.

Watch The Video On My Ferro Rod Pocket System

Why This Ferro Rod Attachment Setup Works

This setup offers speed, security, and convenience. With the mini carabiner in place, I can quickly remove the ferro rod for use, then just as easily clip it back when I’m done. No need to mess about with untying knots or unlooping cords.

As well as allowing easy access to the ferro rod, this setup minimises the friction of stowing your gear too. This is crucial in the field. All too often I see inexperienced people placing their ferro rod, lighter or match box on the ground immediately after ignition, while they then tend to their nascent fire. This sloppiness increases the chances of losing a critically important item.

Plus, by keeping the ferro rod and other essential items like the whistle and microlight on the same loop, you reduce the likelihood of losing anything important. It’s all attached, organised, and with the paracord, you’ve got the added bonus of having spare cordage on hand should you need it in an emergency.

Additional Tweaks

Some folks find the ferro rod striker edges a bit harsh when keeping it in their pocket. This is due to the burr on the striker which creates more purchase on the ferro rod when striking. The burr can be quite sharp on the edge, and the concern is that this might damage pocket linings over time. A quick solution is to wrap the striker in duct tape. This covers any burrs that might otherwise damage your clothing or other gear. This solution makes most sense when you are not regularly using the striker but carrying it for back-up. Many of us prefer to use the squared-off back of a knife to strike a ferro rod, including this technique for creating large sparks with a ferro rod.

Another tip is to always carry at least one additional fire-starting method with you. While I rely on my ferro rod most of the time, having a backup is good practice in case conditions become difficult or your primary method fails. A Bic lighter in an Exotac Firesleeve, matches in a waterproof matchsafe such as the Exotac Matchcap, or both, are excellent additions to your fire-lighting arsenal.

Want more on fire-lighting? Get My Free FIRE FUNDAMENTALS email course.

Final Thoughts On My Ferro Rod Pocket Carry System

This ferro rod setup is one I’ve refined over time. It is based on my time spent in the woods, teaching bushcraft courses, running wilderness expeditions, and undertaking my own back-country trips. This simple yet effective system is quick, easy, and—most importantly—secure. Whether you’re heading out on a day hike or embarking on a longer wilderness trip, I highly recommend taking the time to optimize how you carry your ferro rod.

If you’ve any thoughts or alternative setups that work for you, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. It’s always interesting to exchange ideas and learn from others’ experiences.

Useful Gear For A Solid Pocket Carry Set-up

Standard (“Army”) size Ferro Rod and striker (ideal for pockets)
– Strikefire: https://amzn.to/47sYFrY
– Light My Fire: https://amzn.to/3XvRxYh
550 paracord https://amzn.to/3TC8AXu
Mini carabiners https://amzn.to/3TEuKbp
Fox 40 Whistle https://amzn.to/4evCEfs
Illumination (small)
– Photon Microlight https://amzn.to/3zsQ1xV
– Olite Baton https://amzn.to/3ZstVq1
Push-release keyring clips https://amzn.to/3BmprqJ
Other pocket carry fire gear
– Bic lighters https://amzn.to/3XCloOu
– Exotac Firesleeve https://amzn.to/3XGU3eq

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