O1 Steel Question

J

JMAN86

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Sep 7, 2009
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I'm thinking about picking up the BCNW-O1 and I've never owned a knife in 01 tool steel before. I couldn't find anything on Google but I'm sure you guys will know.

Can you get a flint and steel spark from O1 if you were in a pinch?

No thread is complete without pictures so... Here is what I'm buying next;

BCNW-O1%20bamboo%20handle.jpg
 
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I've got a Bushcrafter from Fiddleback Forge that I used last night to start a fire. It throws great sparks with a "Light My Fire" fire steel. O1 is a great steel for outdoor use. It holds a good edge and it can get really sharp. I think you will like it.
 
ChapmanPreferred said:
I believe it should spark just fine as long as the spine is fairly sharp. :)
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Tx Bass Tech said:
I've got a Bushcrafter from Fiddleback Forge that I used last night to start a fire. It throws great sparks with a "Light My Fire" fire steel. O1 is a great steel for outdoor use. It holds a good edge and it can get really sharp. I think you will like it.
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Guys I think he is talking about using a flint and the knife to throw a spark. Not a fire steel, or ferrocerium rod. Any knife with a sharp spine with throw a spark off a fire steel. Only a true carbon steel knife with spark with a piece of flint. ;)

Edited to add............. yes. From my experience, an O1 blade will throw a spark with a piece of flint.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I'm trying to figure out if it will create sparks when struck with a piece of flint rock (not a firesteel).

Here is an example;

[youtube]OsyBoqakK74[/youtube]
 
JMAN86 said:
Thanks for the replies.

I'm trying to figure out if it will create sparks when struck with a piece of flint rock (not a firesteel).

Here is an example;
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See my post above........ ;):thumbup: Thats a great looking knife you have in mind BTW....
 
i own the bcnw one. strikes firesteel fine.

not sure if i'd want to use it as a striker for a flint and steel setup though.
 
brian,

i know how it works, just worded it terribly :p

either way i wouldnt use it for a flint and steel type fire. Just IMO
 
=JMAN86;9171471]
Can you get a flint and steel spark from O1 if you were in a pinch?[/
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Your knife would be fine. As you said..... "in a pinch". I wouldn't use it all the time, but O1 will work fine with a piece of flint. Of course char clothe will help quite a bit. Never been able to get a fire going using flint and steel without char clothe.
 
It'll work just fine with flint.

One word of warning, though: O-1 rusts at the drop of a hat. You've got to be extra, extra vigilant with any knife using that steel.
 
RC-59 O1 steel should throw nice sparks off a piece of flint or quartz.It will mark your knife up though,as it shaves small pieces of metal off to make the spark.There are a few alternatives to char cloth.
 
It should work as long as it isn't differentially heat treated. (I don't think it is)
 
Thanks for the replies everyone.

I wasn't sure so I figured I would ask. I try to learn all aspects of a particular knife/tool before I buy it. I wouldn't be using that fire method unless I was in a pinch but it's nice to have the option.
 
Its been answered but my .02. Im a big fan of O1 as of last year. Throws great sparks on flint. As samael stated it does rust a bit quick but I just oil it once or twice a week and its fine. Enjoy it!
 
Samael said:
It'll work just fine with flint.

One word of warning, though: O-1 rusts at the drop of a hat. You've got to be extra, extra vigilant with any knife using that steel.
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Most of my bushcrafter's are O1, none of them have seen much rust.
Just wipe em down with oil every now in then if they have not seen as much
use as they would like. Honestly, do not let the rust factor be a factor
in the purchase, O1 has so much more going for it then people give
it credit for, that is why it is still around and used in knives to this day.
 
I love O-1. I had a Fiddleback Nessmuk and it saw lots of kitchen duty. Never a hint of rust and it started to develop a beautiful patina. Very easy to get sharp also.
 
To reduce corrosion on O-1 (or any other steel) put a coat of carnuba wax on it. Looks good and really protects it well. Be careful buffing it out for obvious reasons.
 
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