fire steels

[willmc349]

Let's talk about fire steels. different styles and the like.

[Jonathan B.]

Do you mean an actual fire steel or a ferro rod?

[willmc349]

i mean fire steels

[Straelbora]

Let's talk about fire steels. different styles and the like.

I had a blacksmith make a custom one for me- I've got kind of big, square hands, so he measured my fist and made a "C" shape that goes from index finger to pinky finger, with looped back ends. If I ever get around to photographing my kit, I can refer folks to a picture.

[Jonathan B.]

This is what mine looks like

[Manveruon]

That's awesome! I love the cobra design on the one end. Where did you get it? I wonder if the maker would do some kind of leaf design on one.

[Eärendur]

As a blacksmith, I would say that doing a leaf/vine version of that would be really easy. Is there any special requirement for steel type, or is there some type that works best?

[Jonathan B.]

I bought it from this seller years ago http://stores.ebay.com/D-B-Primitive-Fo ... eZl2QQtZkm

[Straelbora]

This is what mine looks like

Thanks. Mine looks like that, except with no cool snake, just two curlicue ends.

[Manveruon]

Holy guacamole, the dragon one they sell is AWESOME! I'm totally getting one.

Thanks for the info, Jonathan!

[Cinead]

There was a gent name Mike Ameling that made some of the BEST period firesteels I have ever used. Unfortunately he passed away back on '08.

I have one of his Roman sled style steels. These steels are found all over Britain and were thought to have been traded extensively with the native Britons.

I can tell you, it throws HOT sparks.

This is the one I have:
http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/firef ... to_20.html

If you SLOWLY grind the rough edges from an old file (a lot of new files are hard steel outers with soft inners) and then break a 3" long piece off (a good file should be hard enough it will snap) it will make a dandy fire steel.

This is a good example of a steel you could make from a file:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/161145010352?lpid=82

[Ringulf]

Just looking at what is there in the site Jonathan put up, I think I would like to find, or make, one that has the silluette of a Drakkar viking ship!

[Addreonynn]

As a blacksmith, I would say that doing a leaf/vine version of that would be really easy. Is there any special requirement for steel type, or is there some type that works best?

the only requirement for steel is that it is carbonated. high carbon is wat people use bc the more carbonation, the more sparks it'll throw. if ur wanting to make one, take an old file and use it as the metal! when i started using flint and steel, i took an old file and used and old grinding wheel to take the "teeth" off of one edge and used it with the big awkward shape and all! now that i have and actual steel, I can start one w/o any problem!

[Peter Remling]

Just looking at what is there in the site Jonathan put up, I think I would like to find, or make, one that has the silluette of a Drakkar viking ship!

One of the Ebay vendors used to make/sell one exactly like you mentioned. I've havn't checked in a few years because I have about a 1/2 doz steels.

[Ringulf]

Cool! Thanks Pete, I will have to do a search, if you find it throw up the link!