Chakma: Is it really a flint striker?

Joined
May 24, 2001
Messages
609
A question for you experts: Does the Chakma really work as a flint striker? I've tried several different Chakmas on the flint from my flint and steel, and sparks are minimal. I admit that I've only tried one of my HI Chakmas, I just can't bear to mar the mirror finish on them all!

A second question: When you use flint and steel to make sparks, it leaves long scrapes in the steel. Do any of the old chakmas in peoples collections show any similar scrapes?

And finally, what's changed? Assuming they were at one time used to start fires, are the older Chakmas harder? Or is my technique just bad?

I'm really curious about this, so if anyone else has had success in this area, please reply!

Thanks,
Patrick
 
:
Patrick the old ones used to be harder.
Since the advent of the infamous "Bic" lighter the kamis feel like the chakma and karda aren't really for the uses they once were.
I for one wish they were as they once were and every now and then one will come by that's hard enough.
And since the advent of the Swiss Army Knife the old khukuris with several tools like the Hanuman Special and the Gangaola have also went by the way side the same as the scabbards with the buttons that were once worn with a sash.
frown.gif



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Yvsa.

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Patrick,

Do a search on fire starting with flint in the outdoors forum. There was a discussion on which knives (steel) would produce sparks and which do not.

Is the flint we buy in the stores the same as the flint from back then?

I carry a butane torch with a pizeo electric igniter myself. It a shorter but stubbier than a bic lighter and produces a bigger flame. Great for lighting someone elses smoke. When they go to put their cigerette in the flame, move the burner over the flame once. It generates enough heat energy to make things interesting.

Also, I can't stop myself from setting things on fire when I carry it.

Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 06-27-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Will Kwan:
Patrick,

Do a search on fire starting with flint in the outdoors forum. There was a discussion on which knives (steel) would produce sparks and which do not.

Is the flint we buy in the stores the same as the flint from back then?
</font>

Thanks for the idea, Will. I'll do a search later.

Regarding the flint: If you mean is the flint you find in bics or zippos the same, no. Nor is the flint in the flint/magnesium firestarters the same. I believe that the these flints are all artificial. They DO work with a chakma. Heck, they even work with my p-38 can opener.

The flint I used is from a blackpowder supply house. It's a shard of a grey gunflint, Though I believe that chert or agate will also spark.

Patrick

 
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