Firesteel Question

U

umberto00

Joined
Jun 25, 2004
Messages
215
Hello all. I just got my Swedish Firesteel in the mail yesterday, and of course, was playing around with it last night (much fun!). I was able to get a fire going, but noticed that it wasn't producing as many sparks as i have seen in videos. Then I noticed that the included scraper had a straight edges -- All of the photos that I've seen for this model (or any model) have toothed edges. I'm not complaining, because it does work, but did I get a defective scraper? BTW, it's the Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel, Army model, black handle, which was purchased from Amazon.com. Thanks all!
 
Never seen that, but either way I always throw away the jagged one and opt for a 'straight edge' (like the ubiquitous hacksaw spine). If yours works you've got a keeper.
 
You probably have already done this, but try using different angles with it. If you have done that though your LMF Scraper will work better if you take a dremel and work on the edge to make sure it isn't rounded anywhere.- I even ground down the angle a little bit on each side, almost like putting a bevel on it ;).

I ground the teeth off of the other side as well, because with saw teeth, it takes chunks out of the firesteel - which you may like, but for me it seemed like to much of a waste.

Once I ground it as I mentioned - it threw a ton more sparks.

Lastly, if you don't want to mess with that, or just are fed up with it - your not alone. A lot of folks have ditched the striker that came with their's and have used an old hacksaw blade spine, or the spine of their knife.

Good luck & have fun :thumbup:
 
I just got the army (red model) and I also found that the scraper that came with it, doesn't work that well...So I used the dull edge of my benchmade 555 and it worked just fine....I read that you could do that in the book "Bushcraft" by Mors Kochanski......thought this might help
 
Thanks for all the advice! The firesteel is really for fun, since I enjoy trying out and practicing new ways of firebuilding. When I'm actually camping, I carry 2 lighters and Matches (I'm a smoker!), but now the Firesteel will be a great back-up. A lot of times when I'm bored and in no rush, I'll just use a firebow, just for fun. Plus, it impresses the hell out of my buddies.
 
In addition to what has already been suggested, one thing I noticed about most firesteels is that there seems to be a bit of dark coating or oxidation on them when I first get them. After a few scrapes, when it gets a more 'silver' looking shine it seems to work better. So if they are brand new keep at it :)
 
i hate the striker it comes with i tossed mine and use the file on my multi tool. the sparks the factory striker made just never tweaked my twinky:D
 
Like has been suggested already use the end of a hacksaw blade. It works great and if you use the end piece you have a little hole there attach it to the striker so they are always together.
 
Two things:

The rod has a thing covering on it and won't work well or at all until it has been scraped away.

The supplied scraper I got with mine had "This side up" printed on one side. It DID make a difference when using it.

If you still have trouble, ditch the supplied scraper and use the back of a piece of hacksaw blade.

You have to use a bit of force... don't be shy!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Try using the awl of your sak if you have one. Its really throws 'em!
 
desmobob said:
Two things:

The rod has a thing covering on it and won't work well or at all until it has been scraped away.

The supplied scraper I got with mine had "This side up" printed on one side. It DID make a difference when using it.

If you still have trouble, ditch the supplied scraper and use the back of a piece of hacksaw blade.

You have to use a bit of force... don't be shy!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
Click to expand...

I have one of those light my fire strikers, It does say this side up. What it seems to amount to is a burr on the opposite side. I suppose if it dulled out you could place it on a belt sander to get the burr back. Kind of like a scraper used for smoothing wood work. I am going to try out a jig saw blade next time I have the chance to see how it works out.
 
You bought the Army right? The new versions have an improved striker. It doesn't have serrations on the striker, but the steel is harder, and thus will actually provide a better spark. It is also helpful in directing sparks where you want them to go.
 
A sawz all blade works even better than a hacksaw blade. Give it a try, its stiffer and easier to get a grip.

Cheers, Shane
 
eomeo said:
The new versions have an improved striker. It doesn't have serrations on the striker, but the steel is harder, and thus will actually provide a better spark.
Click to expand...

eomeo is correct! You have the new and improved striker. I spoke with Light My Fire about this change last week. The old striker was made of chrome plated, base metal with teeth. The new striker is made of stainless steel and no teeth. The teeth really ate up the FireSteel rod. :thumbdn:

I have a new striker and it works great after you get through the black coating of the FireSteel. According to LMF, all FireSteel models will include the new striker starting in May. :thumbup:
 
TAH said:
eomeo is correct! You have the new and improved striker. I spoke with Light My Fire about this change last week. The old striker was made of chrome plated, base metal with teeth. The new striker is made of stainless steel and no teeth. The teeth really ate up the FireSteel rod. :thumbdn:

I have a new striker and it works great after you get through the black coating of the FireSteel. According to LMF, all FireSteel models will include the new striker starting in May. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thank you for the heads up, that's neat to know. :thumbup:
 
I was curious about the new strikers and called LMF. Royal told me he does not anticipate they will be available separately.
 
jca21 said:
the spine on the saw of my sak works great as well. :D
Click to expand...

Does the saw blade lock open? I'd be very cautious using the back of a folding blade on a fire steel. Actually, I don't think I'd do it at all....


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
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