[TheForge] Patch knives and fire steels

[Dave Brown]

Well, it's that time of year again.  Time to start building inventory for 
the reenactors.  Down in Oshkosh, WI in February they have a big trade fair 
for reenactors from ECW (English Civil War - think matchlocks for guns) to 
American Civil War (think cap-locks and some early cartridge guns).

Anyway, the other post about saw blades reminded me of making patch knives 
from the gang saw blades.

Also, I just came into several dozen 5/16" hay rake tines from a local farm 
machine shop.  They're a good diameter for making fire steels.  Usually I 
just use new W-1 because it's dependable and not real finicky about heat 
treating to make a good fire steel.  But I think I'll give these rake tines 
a try and see if they have enough carbon (i.e  90pts like the W-1, vs 1040 
or 1060 which work but not near as well).

Dave Brown
Heritage Smithing
Green Bay, WI