A magneto ignition system has a pole wheel rotated by the crankshaft of a small IC engine and at least one permanent magnet on the wheel, inducing a voltage in a stator coil. The holder(s) for the magnet(s) on the wheel is/are made from magnetic material, magnetically saturated at the ends by the magnet leakage paths. A holder can carry more than one magnet, preferably two. Each holder contains a pocket for the magnet(s) contained that is longer than the magnet length to allow adjustment of the peripheral field pattern. The pole wheel is a one-piece item with the holder(s).
