Best steel for flint spark?

T

troller

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Jun 15, 2010
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I am wondering which is the steel that gives the hottest and biggest spark out of a flint bar.
I have read somewhere that O-1 might be a winner, and that for example A2 and CPM 3V are not very good. What about Stainless steels?

For example, my Fallkniven F1/3G, whose sides are of VG-2 (stainless) makes a pretty good spark for my eyes...

your thoughts?

:)
 
The sharpness of a 90 degree edge shaves off lots of materal creating sparks.The steel needs to be heat treated to hold an edge.I like to use the backside of a sawall blade that has been sharpened with a file.Most people like using a hacksaw blade but for me it flexs too much to create sparks.
Thanks,
Michael
 
A P-38 (small)or a P-51 (large) military can opener would work great. Cheap, folds flat, fits damn near anyware & has a zillion uses. Keeps the finish on the knife in tact.
 
Two things here. If we're talking flint and steel like the olden days you need a carbon steel of high hardness. Knife hardness works good, file hardness works better. Not sure but I doubt steel choice matters as long as it's not stainless. If we're talking modern fire steels like the light my fire, the type of steel doesn't matter at all. All you need is a hard sharp surface. Heck you don't even need steel. Rock, ceramic, or even glass works great.
 
I make chispas-- fire starters-- out of old files, forging to shape, quenching in water at white heat as fast as I can get it into the can. Lotsa sparks with plain flint.
 
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