[TheForge] Fire Steel

[John Switzer]

I have used old garage door springs with mixed results.  Old files are 
good, but take longer to forge than new tools steel.  These days I buy new 
W1 tool steel from McMaster Carr at www.mcmaster.com
You can get drill rod or flat stock.  The quickest and easiest is to buy 
3/16 X 3/8 flat stock or 1/4 X 1/2 for larger steels.  I always anneal 
prior to hardening, harden the striking edge only and let the handle 
portion air cool but I don't temper the striking edge at all.  A light 
grinding or polishing of the face helps expose a good fresh surface.


>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?

John Switzer
7019 Burnt Mill Rd
Beulah, CO 81023
(719) 485-3109