I made a flint striker (pic heavy)

C Bryant

C Bryant

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Jul 12, 2008
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I have been wanting to try this for some time now and I finally got around to it yesterday and today. I forged this little guy from a old file. I took a bunch of pics, most came out terrible from my phone's camera or poor light at my desk. I certainly did not think I would make a functional striker on my first attempt, but it appears I did it! Couple of strikes and I had some char cloth lit up. Though it is only water hardend, I tried to temper as per some excellent instructions, but my lack of experience doing so did me in I think. I quenched in water, tested it, and it worked ok. Tried to temper it, I reached the color I was looking for, but it happened really fast (like 20 seconds) so I think my fire was a bit too hot. After the "temper" it really was not striking a spark at all, so I threw it back into the fire to quench again. After the second quench I tested it, it worked great so I decided I would stop there and call it good. :D So it works, though I believe it is extremely brittle, no dropping it! It is also very thin, barely 3/32 thick. It is 3 1/2" end to end. It form is not the best being as small as it is, I jus stuck with a very simple design not worring about function because I did not think it would actually work. Next time thicker steel and a bit more functional shape (one that protects the digits better). It does fit into a altoids tin, I guess that is a bit of a plus for a nice lightweight compact striker. I forgot to take any before pics of the file, but I'm sure you can imagine a file....

Right out of the fire
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more on the way...
 
pretty cool... that came out great man...:thumbup: nice anvil you got there too...:eek:
 
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mtnfolk mike said:
pretty cool... that came out great man...:thumbup: nice anvil you there too...:eek:
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It is awesome, but it is not mine :grumpy:, it belongs to my grandpa. I have my forge set up in his backyard shop because he has more space than I do, but I do get to use the anvil....but mostly I use a piece of railroad track mounted on a stump (easier to move around).
 
That's cool. I've got a couple of old files just crying out to be forged into strikers. gonna have to find the time to pound some steel. Figured this would be a great way to try forging.

Charlie
 
Very cool project C. With nice results too. That anvil is sweet!
 
That came out looking good :thumbup: Something about seeing a red hot piece of steel makes me happy!
 
Very nice job! I think you'll find that the harder the steel after forging, the better the striker will function. There is no need to temper the steel except to keep the handle side from breaking if you drop it on cement. I've never tempered any of my strikers and actually tried to crack one with a hammer.... Didn't crack. Maybe that was just luck, but from the accounts I've read about the production of the Hudson's Bay Company strikers, they were only hardened so that both sides could be used. Dropping one in the woods shouldn't cause too much impact stress.

If you make one with a thicker piece of steel, you'll have a larger striking surface producing more sparks per strike.

Stitchawl
 
Does it fit in your fingers - kind of like brass knuckles? That is the way I have used them - it is easier to hold and protects your fingers.

I am envious of your work - I am thinking I need to learn how to black smith a bit.

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
Does it fit in your fingers - kind of like brass knuckles? That is the way I have used them - it is easier to hold and protects your fingers.

I am envious of your work - I am thinking I need to learn how to black smith a bit.

TF
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Typically yes that is how you would use this shape striker, but I was just playing around so this one is too small do hold like that, but next time....:thumbup:
 
CShepherd said:
That's cool. I've got a couple of old files just crying out to be forged into strikers. gonna have to find the time to pound some steel. Figured this would be a great way to try forging.

Charlie
Click to expand...

It is great practice. I like using files because you can find them in many different thicknesses, shapes, and sizes which make them ideal for simple practice as well as practical usable steel.
 
Great job man. Put me down for one as well if you make them.

I scored some chert today while on a hike with Big Mike. Tested it on the steel Stitchawl gave me. works great
 
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