Flint and Steel

Discussion in 'Bushcraft' started by Bear, Sep 7, 2013.


  1. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Had some time this week so worked on a project I've been thinking about and forged some 1095 steel strikers I saw and liked. First the strikers are a colonial era design... hand forged out of 1095 and the striking surfaces double quenched in parks 50 oil... leaving part of the body and handles soft to take abuse and the edges super hard to throw sparks...

    First the strikers are a colonial era design... hand forged out of 1095 and the striking surfaces double quenched in parks 50 oil... leaving part of the body and handles soft to take abuse and the edges super hard to throw sparks...

    striker1.JPG striker2.JPG striker3.JPG striker4.JPG striker5.JPG


    I've always liked this method of making fire... and while an altoids tin is an old standby container... I thought a smaller and lighter version would be handier and easier to carry or pack... I think it worked out pretty well :0)

    Next problem is the flint or chert... trying to find that perfect piece to fit , still be easy to hold, large enough to last, not take up alot of room and still give good sparks is not always easy... so I took some of my stash of Fort Payne Buffalo River blue/black and caramel fint and went to work on the lapidary saw...

    Voila... a perfect fit.. ready as is... or with a bit of edge knapping you have a sharp edge for throwing sparks or cutting chores... you have a perfect kit... add some char cloth or punk wood .... maybe some tinder and whatever else you can fit... now there's much more room in the kit... (maybe not alot in the altoids smalls tin :0)

    Anyway.... thought I would share... thought about it... then figured it was time to take the thought to practice and make the darn things :0)

    Hope you enjoy it... lots of fun making these...

    Bear
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 25, 2014
    Hanzo, Byte, melbo and 4 others like this.
  2. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Dear Bear,

    If you ever find the time to put together a nice flint and steel kit and would like to send one to me for reimbursement at your own call, please send me a PM.

    Sincerely,
    Brokor

    ;)

    P.S. You islanders have great flint. Need any fix'n wax?
     
    kellory likes this.
  3. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Here's the video :0)

     
  4. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    If you are selling, I'm buying.
     
    Sapper John, Bear and HK_User like this.
  5. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Sign me up, kid went off with the last one I had. PM me.
     
    Bear likes this.
  6. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Bear, Name your price, and I will take one.....
     
    Bear likes this.
  7. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    I'm interested as well.
     
    Bear likes this.
  8. cdnboy66

    cdnboy66 Monkey++

    excellent video, and awesome work Bear.
    I too would gladly find a home for one of your kits.
     
    Bear likes this.
  9. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Wow!... thanks for all the kind words and interest...

    These were really a project for some friends and for kids with little hands :0)
    Then I figured out I really like the small ones... forged to hang on a string... and I am thinking about drilling a hole in the flint as well... we'll see what a challenge that may be without cracking the cut pieces... diamond drill from both sides... with low pressure I would imagine....

    I'll see about another batch and pm you all when they are ready....

    Just curious as to the size the Monkeys are interested in...
    Small's size or the regular Altoids size?

    Thanks again for the kind words...

    Being that is a "Bushcraft" forum section and in keeping with the spirit of the place.... how's about an opportunity to practice some "Monkey Bartering" ? :0) Watcha Got !?! Let's have some fun... but please be serious :0) good skills to have when... well you know :0)

    Otherwise, if a trade doesn't work... I'll figure out a sensible frns option... :0)

    Thanks everyone,

    Bear
     
    Yard Dart and Brokor like this.
  10. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    i drill glass under water. You might try that if standard masonry drill bits fail.;) and I will think on a trade.
     
    Bear likes this.
  11. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    count me in...
     
    Bear likes this.
  12. Sapper John

    Sapper John Analog Monkey in a Digital World

    I am intrested if you decide to sell any.
     
    Bear likes this.
  13. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Thanks for the suggestions... I give them a try if the diamond bits don't work... Cool... I like trades... couple good ones so far :0)
     
  14. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Thanks for all the great comments, suggestions and likes...
    Started a new batch today for the Monkey's... will let y'all know when they are ready...
    Bear...
     
    Sapper John and Brokor like this.
  15. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

    Bear, put glazing putty on the flint and drill through that; works on glass too.
     
    Bear likes this.
  16. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Great idea!... gonna need to stop at the hardware store and look for some... Thanks... B
     
  17. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    This guy makes an excellent point in this video about char cloth and tinder... basically, if you find yourself on an extended stay and how when it's gone ... it's gone... now the question is... do you know how to find punk wood? and have you given this a try?

     
    Hanzo, Brokor and kellory like this.
  18. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    In my area we have a ready source of dry inner bark from a Cedar tree. Oaks abound in my area and the rotted underside of the fallen tree is perfect punk site. I suggest that if the Char clothe is running low then prepare whatever is handy and char it a bit to aid you. Of course in some locals the Coconut palm and outer husk of the Coconut is perfect. Others may have Pine trees of the Norfolk or Yellow variety as a source of starter material.
    I'll try both the raw inner Cedar bark as well as a pre char version.
     
    Bear likes this.
  19. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Let me know how that works... need to go find me some... tried some pretty soft drift wood ... works great with a ferro rod but the flint and steel wouldn't catch it... I've seen punk wood that wasn't charred catch a spark from flint and steel... good stuff!...

    Yup... coconut husk is great tinder... used it many times... tons of coconut here :0)

    I'll have to find out the proper name for the tree but we have a tree we called a "paper" tree from small kid time... the bark comes off in sheets like soft paper... and its a great tinder...
     
  20. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    "Paper" Birch behaves like that. White bark?
     
    Tracy and Bear like this.
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