Edge damage with ferro rod

[Dreamer]

Will stricking a spark off a ferro rod damage the edge of my (carbon steel) knife?

 

[bulgron]

Probably. Don't use the edge of your knife. Use a sharpened edge on it's spine, or something like that. You can use almost anything to spark a ferro rod. No need to damage your cutting edge to do it.

 

[ashtxsniper]

It will burn chunks out of the edge of the knife. A very bad idea.

 

[Gossman Knives]

Use the spine or the pommel if exposed.
Scott

 

[ThunderUnderKilt]

I messed up a SAK doing this. But it was over an extended period of time (maybe a couple hunded strikes)

 

[Evolute]

Use the spine of the knife, or a hacksaw blade, or a file, or even a piece of fractured rock or shattered glasss... there's no need to use your knife edge. It may not damage it, but it will most likely at least dull it.

 

[pict]

Yes, I have notched several knives on ferro rods. I square off the backs off all my Moras and machetes, the spine works very well if filed square. Some of my knives have a nice square edge at the ricasso. I try to avoid using the cutting edge. Mac

 

[sodak]

Yes, it definitely will damage the edge, BTDT. I usually use a sharp area on the spine or on the finger choil. Or a hacksaw blade.

 

[Fiddleback]

The sparks are 3000 degrees. So, yes. They'll damage an edge.

 

[nodh]

I have used my Fallkniven F1 for lost of firesteel scraping and I use the spine since its sharp like an ice skate. There will usually be some brownish soot on the blade but its easily dried off. The only remains are thin lines on the spine like someone had scribbled with a thin pencil.
I had not figured out the obsession with carbon knives until I read Ray Mears book where he made a fire with a flint (piece of stone) and a carbon blade. Then he hacks splinters out of the knife. If you use a fire steel, the sparks come out of the steel and not the blade. Then it does not matter which type of blade you use.