[TheForge] Fire Steel redux

[Peter Hirst]

I can think of a couple reasons, but I'll ask the master smith when I meet 
him.  First, it complicates drawing out the horns.  Second, the slit is so 
shallow I'm not sure that would save time, and certainly not hammer blows. 
It takes about four blows with the hot cutter tomake the slit. Its only two 
inches long, whereas the enitire length of the piece would have to be folded 
and welded.   Third, the steel is so thin I imagine it could virtually 
disappear at welding heat.  BUt as I said, i have a bunch of questions, 
including that one.

Keziah
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andy Gladish" <gladish at cablerocket.com>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Fire Steel redux


> Why not just fold it like a taco and weld the edge in?
>
> On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:24:43 -0700, Peter Hirst <saltydog335 at aol.com> 
> wrote:
>
>> I saw an exapmle to day of the fire striker with the steeled edge I am 
>> being asked to reproduce.  Pretty amazing.  The steeled part consists  of 
>> seam barely wide enough to see slit into the 3/16 striking face,   with a 
>> strip  perhaps 1/8 wide and .005 or .010 thick set edgwise into  it . 
>> That little sliver of steel is all that's required to provide the  spark. 
>> Now that's economy.  Not a $75 job at all.  Maybe 25.  the whole  thing 
>> is perhaps 3" long (fits 3 fingers) and the striking edge is  perhaps 2". 
>> so begin with a piece of 3/16 x 1/2, draw out a pair of  horns, slit the 
>> edge 1/8 deep, insert the steel (piano wire?) and forge  closed.
>>
>> Keziah
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