Blaze Rod

Overview
The Blaze Rod was first added in the Beta 1.9 Pre-Release. It is dropped upon killing Blazes. One Blaze Rod can be crafted into two units of Blaze Powder (shapeless recipe). The blaze rod is a requirement for brewing as it is used to make a Brewing Stand. This item is usually not obtained until later on in the game after the Player ventures into the The Nether, as Blazes only spawn there naturally. In addition, they are harder to acquire because of the strength and difficulty if killing Blazes.

Uses
The Blaze Rod is used in the crafting a Brewing Stand. It can also be used as fuel for furnaces, lasting up to 12 uses, and crafted into Blaze Powder and then crafted with an Ender Pearl to make an Eye of Ender. Blaze powder, which is crafted from Blaze Rods, is the defining ingredient for strength potions.

The Blaze Rod, although it might appear so, does not deal higher damage that any other non-weapon item.

Trivia

 * The texture is just a Stick with a palette swap.