[TheForge] fire steels

[Peter Hirst]

Sorry , thought the reason was clear:  steel was extremely scarce, using the 
wire was a conservation measure.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "osan" <osan at netlabs.net>
To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 7:11 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] fire steels


> Peter Hirst wrote:
>> I finally saw one that was made at the site and is used in their 
>> education program.  There is a thin strip of steel, perhaps .010" set 
>> into the 1/4" striking edge.  It is impossible to tell how deep the steel 
>> goes, as the insert is sealed by the iron at each end.  I can tell you 
>> however, that it works, and that this particuar steel has been used 
>> hundreds of times in demonstrations, with apparently plenty of steel 
>> left. I was able to duplicate the effect by forging 1/8" music wire 
>> almost  flat, slightly tapered to one edge, and inserting it thick edge 
>> first into a slit in 3/8 square.  Closing the slit -- no welding -- holds 
>> the steel tight and forges the finished size to 1/4 x 1/2.  The LH 
>> museum explains that they are reproducing a VERY early colonial period, 
>> when it was against  British law for the colonists to make any finished 
>> goods of commercial value and therefore they were alloted no materials --  
>> steel in particualr -- in any quantity. They were expected to trade furs 
>> to England for virtually everything they needed.   Iron had not yet been 
>> produced in the New World. The forge was almost exclusively a repair 
>> shop, and only a few necessities could be squeaked out around the law. 
>> The Williamsburg of today is of a much later period, by 125 years or 
>> more.  Tariffs were in effect and imports were taxed, but the manufacture 
>> and trade in many crafts was well established.  AN all steel striker 
>> would not have been the extravagance of the earlier period.
> No doubt that this can be done.  The question is, why?
>
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