[TheForge] fire steels

[David E. Smucker]

The other comment from the Williamsburg Smiths that was interesting about 
the fire steels is that huge numbers of these were imported as Indian trade 
goods.  If you found out about the use of a striker, it would be easy to 
give up your use of a friction bow method.

Dave Smucker
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrew Vida" <osan at netlabs.net>
To: "Bob Ehrenberger" <eforge at centurytel.net>; "Blacksmithing List Sponsored 
by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] fire steels


>
>
> Bob Ehrenberger wrote:
>> I know this ran it's course a month or so ago, but at the BAM conference 
>> we had a couple smiths from colonial Williamsburg demonstrating so I 
>> asked them about fire steels.  They said that as far as they knew they 
>> were made from solid steel and not steel welded to wrought iron.
>>
>> I guess there is always a chance that it could have been done the other 
>> way, but that would not have been common.
>
> The old timey smiths weren't stupid.  Cost of an extra ounce of steel vs. 
> the extra time it would take to weld and then reforge a compound piece... 
> and for what price?  It's a striker, not and ornate length of railing. 
> Besides, from the practical standpoint, a solid steel piece is superior 
> from the standpoint of longevity.  I could imagine that nothing would piss 
> you off worse than finding yourself stranded out in 
> who-the-hell-knows-where and finding that your striker is worn to the 
> wrought.  I don't but the welded construction claim on that basis alone.
>
> -Andy
>
> PS: older age sucks ass.  Moved a couple largish stones into place on my 
> creek dam and today I feel like I have a meat ax in my back.
> _______________________________________________
> 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
> ___________
>
>
>