My NWA knife and starting fires

K

kr1

Joined
May 30, 2006
Messages
1,343
Let me state again for the record I love this knife. I have recently tried using the firesteel and the back of the knife to throw sparks and it doesn't really seem to spark well. I don't know if maybe it’s my technique. Has anyone else used it to throw sparks with the firesteel? Are you using the back of the knife? What kind of luck are you having with it? I have no problems getting sparks with the supplied chunk of metal.

If I need to carry the supplied chunk of metal with me to use on the firesteel I can live with that. I just don't want to find out at the least opportune time.

KR
 
Toward the tip of mine the spine edge is sharper and able to throw nice sparks. If yours doesn't, you could use some fine grit sandpaper and rough out a flat spot on the spine that will give it a sharper edge. It won't mess up the knife and will not be noticeable.
 
Snow said:
I won't be able to help unless you post pics of that beast.
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Tknifes pics are clearer and show more detail than mine. Hope you don't mind Tknife. So for the record, these are Tknifes pictures but the knifes are almost identical. I have a 4 inch with black linen micarta.

tknife said:
Toward the tip of mine the spine edge is sharper and able to throw nice sparks. If yours doesn't, you could use some fine grit sandpaper and rough out a flat spot on the spine that will give it a sharper edge. It won't mess up the knife and will not be noticeable.
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Tknife, did you actually do that to your knife? Could you take a picture of what you did and post it?

Thanks,
KR

nwa004.jpg

nwa003.jpg

nwa005.jpg
 
As tkknife mentioned, the spine is probably rounded slightly and therefore won't throw sparks well. You really need a fairly sharp (not thin, just 90 degree) edge. I used to round the edges of the spines on my knives but am seriously reconsidering this, at least rounding the entire top edge. Like you, I don't want to have to depend on carrying the little striker.

Charlie
 
I didn't do it to my NWA, but have done it to other knives to square up a portion of the spine. It really wouldn't show up in pics, it's barely noticeable. But what I did was glue sandpaper to a board, clamp it on the work bench, and slowly work a portion of the spine over it. (Tape some cardboard over the edge for safety.) Start with a medium grit, then go to a finer one. Just go slow to be sure the spine is flat against the sandpaper.

Also, my thumb serations will throw sparks, you just have to hold the knife at an angle against the ferro rod. Hope this helps!
 
tknife said:
Also, my thumb serations will throw sparks, you just have to hold the knife at an angle against the ferro rod. Hope this helps!
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I do believe that you guys are right about the spine not being sharp enough. I look at the firesteel and it appears that the knife is burling it, if you know what I mean. I did also try the serations without much luck.

Thanks guys. I will try using the sandpaper like you said to work the knife.

Thanks,
KR
 
Hey guys, in a pinch, couldn't you just use the edge? Not the best for it, but if it was an emergency and you lost or didn't have a striker...
 
Hi Keith, the spine towards the tip, should be square. If need be, send me a e-mail, so we can arrange for you to send it to me, so I can take care of the problem for ya.

Nick
 
Nick, aren't you on vacation this week? Guys, once again this man shows his dedication and professionalism to his craft and his product. Extremely impressive.

Steve
 
Rockywolf said:
Hey guys, in a pinch, couldn't you just use the edge? Not the best for it, but if it was an emergency and you lost or didn't have a striker...
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Definitely. The notch at the choil works great, and will save your edge too. :thumbup:
 
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