[TheForge] Fire Steel

[Jerry Frost]

In past fire steel threads the subject of the spark itself has been
discussed. As I recall the consensus of those who do flint/steel fire
starting competitions is a big fat orange spark is best.

Yellow/white sizzlers, while impressive are too short lived for good fire
starting.

Big red dingle berries, while long lived aren't hot enough for good fire
starting.

Big fat orange sparks are plenty hot and long lived.

As I recall, either tempering back from full hard or letting residual heat
temper the striking edge back did the trick. A little experimentation would
of course be called for to get the best results.

Practical fire starting aside; the few fire starters I've made for people
ended up being yellow/white sizzlers. Seems the folk buying them liked showy
more than fire starting.

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael H. Murphy" <blacksmith at comcast.net>
To: "'Sponsored by ABANA'" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 4:45 PM
Subject: RE: [TheForge] Fire Steel


> I have a couple of coil springs from garage door openers -- about 1/4",
> maybe 5/16" diameter.  Cut off a four-inch piece, and forge it out into
one
> of the "C"-shape fire steels.  Quench the belly where you want to strike,
> and it make a real good fire steel.  I got lots of sparks off these.
>
> Murf
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-
> > bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike Linn
> > Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 8:16 AM
> > To: theforge at mailman.qth.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
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >             Mike Linn
> >       Artist Blacksmith
> >           McCalla, AL
> >         AFC Webmaster
> > http://afc.abana-chapter.com
> >
> >
> > "Don't worry Chief, I can stand the torture if they can stand the
> > screaming."
> >                                               - Maxwell Smart, Secret
> > Agent 86
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> > theforge mail list group photo site is
> > http://www.photoaccess.com
> > Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> > password:  anvil
> > ___________
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>
>