[TheForge] Coal fire starter

[Bruce Freeman]

I'll bet there's some trick to it that you just didn't see.  There's no
question you can get steel hot from hammering if you hammer fast enough.
 I've seen it done on a power hammer - no sweat.  My guess is that when
you make up your "match" you put some kind of a bend in it a few inches
back from the tip.  Done right, this might make the point bounce up off
the anvil face between blows, so the heat from each blow isn't sucked
away from the anvil.  Maybe I'll try this and report back.  If I'm
feeling energetic enough.

Bruce
NJ

>>> TodEstesRN@aol.com 07/24/03 01:00PM >>>
<snip>

       Has anyone seen a "Blacksmiths Match" the Smith I learnt this
from 
took a small diameter mild rod and hammered the end square and tapered
it round 
while cold and he hit hard and very fast the heat generated was enough
to start 
his fire.  Saw him do it twice, I haven't been able to replicate it. We

started his forge with sawdust/chips with 4 to 6 wooden kitchen matches
buried head 
out. I still cant hit that rod hard and fast enough to light a match.