Help getting good sparks from misch metal

G

guitardemon

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
288
Ive had a few firesteels before, but never any misch metal. I am having some trouble getting some good sparks from a misch metal firesteel I just got. Does anybody have any tips for me?
 
For those rods you really just need a sharp edge. The ferro ones you can spark on just about anything, but these you either need a junky knive or a sharp corner off of the spine.
 
You need to be using a sharp scraper, you also need to use a firm and fast stroke otherwise you will just be shaving off pieces of the metal rod....which I'm sure you know by now:D
 
The 90 degree (squared) sharpened spine of my (beloved) $10 Mora Clipper from Ragweed Forge works beautifully, though I find it takes a good deal of pressure. I recently purchased a (ten times) more expensive carbon steel "pukko" folder for use on Boy Scout camping with my son (I'm trying to play by the rules, even though they may not apply to the parents). I sharpened the spine, but it didn't throw sparks so well. I'll have to give it another try after sharpening the spine again. I'm not giving up on the more expensive knife's sparking ability (or mine), but the utility and ease of use of my cheapo clipper in contrast to the struggles with the "better" knife (which again, was high carbon, which I understand is a plus, if not necessary for sparking misch metal?), makes my little clipper all the more special to me. William
 
william O said:
I recently purchased a (ten times) more expensive carbon steel "pukko" folder for use on Boy Scout camping with my son (I'm trying to play by the rules, even though they may not apply to the parents). I sharpened the spine, but it didn't throw sparks so well. I'll have to give it another try after sharpening the spine again. I'm not giving up on the more expensive knife's sparking ability (or mine), but the utility and ease of use of my cheapo clipper in contrast to the struggles with the "better" knife (which again, was high carbon, which I understand is a plus, if not necessary for sparking misch metal?), makes my little clipper all the more special to me. William
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Woah! I really would not recommend using the spine of a folder, even if it locks!

As far as it not working as well as the clipper, is it laminated, triflex, or differentially hardened? The spine has to be as hard as the edge, or the spine will just deform and get dull too easily to be a good striker. That may be your problem, or it just isn't squared sharply enough.
 
I'm having the same problem. I am more likely to shave off metal than to strike a good spark. I've tried different strikers, different speeds, different pressure, etc. but no difference in spark vs shavings. My Strike Force fire starter, on the other hand, works brilliantly. I wonder if some of the ferro rods being sold are poor quality?
 
razor blades with the edge knocked down slightly by a sander work good. knife spines work the best id say if they are squared off. pressure should be firm and the speed should be fairly quick
 
The back of the saw on my SAK [Farmer] is what I use on my MM rods. I dont even have to open it. I just use the little bumpout on the end that is there for opening.--KV
 
I've found the same as above, rather fast strokes with a sharp edge work best. However, if you work close to your target, shavings in the absence of a spark are really not that bad- much like a mag block the misch metal will ignite when hit with a spark. Work close to what you want to light and get all of those shavings that don't spark caught in that material, then when you do get a spark it will light the shavings.
 
Hey Guitar Demon..

guitardemon said:
Ive had a few firesteels before, but never any misch metal. I am having some trouble getting some good sparks from a misch metal firesteel I just got. Does anybody have any tips for me?
Click to expand...

As far as I know All Firesteels are Mich metal.. All "Miscmetal" means is Mixed metal

Here is the Wiki definition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mischmetal

All Firesteels have the same basic ingredients.. The only thing that makes the difference from one to another is the proportions of those ingredients ..

This is what makes one slightly harder than the other..

The Swedish Firesteel (Light My fire) is slightly softer than some others that I have used...

This makes for easier scraping and sparks, however wears a bit quicker..

In my opinion they are one of the best Steels available and are pretty easy to use...

The other thing that makes a huge difference is the Scraper itself...

The supplied Scraper that comes with the LMF steels is decent,, however I prefer a larger, easier to hold scraper.. I've made them from anything from old industrial hack saw blade, or Sawzall blades to smaller thumb type scrapers made from O1 then hardened...

The backs of knives, such as a Mora or the like work great, one the spine has been squared or sharpened...

I think it's really just a matter of working with the steel, and finding a Scraper that works for you...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
I describe the action as trying to fling the sparks off the end of the rod with the spine of my knife.

Getting the angle right is very important. Once you get it, it is like riding a bicycle. :)
 
Hey OKbohn

The the angle is for sure important..

I use a 45 degree forward angle and it works well

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
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