[TheForge] Fire Steel

[Bob Ehrenberger]

---Original Message---

Date: Fri, 01 Oct 2004 07:15:54 -0600
From: Mike Linn <bamablacksmith at comcast.net>
Subject: [TheForge] Fire Steel

Whats best for making steels for flint & steel kits?

Spring steel (1045 or so) quenched in oil

File steel (1095) quenched in oil

Mild steel quenched in water

some alloy like H13 or S7?


I dont have time to try everything and find the best, plus I figured
someone else has already done the experiment.
I dont want to reinvent the wheel but I need to know what material makes
the best fire steel.

thanks.

Mike

---REPLY---
Mike,
I use the tines off of an old sulky rake. They are a spring steel probably
1095 or similar.

When done I quench in water, and test.  If they don't spark I re-heat treat,
and try again.

I only have a few of these left so may be looking for a new sorce of steel
soon myself.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.