Striker From a File

M

mtngoat

Joined
Oct 19, 2006
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127
Can someone here walk me through the process of turning a file into a flint striker. I don't have access to a forge yet. Is there a way to make one without a forge?

Its a Nicholson File.

Thanks
 
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I've never made one, but if you're talking about making a striker for a true piece of flint/rock the file will be too hard. Way to hard I would bet. It's the metal that shear off and sparks to your tinder bundle. It would need to be "softened" for lack of a better word. I have no idea how to do that myself.

If you're talking about striking a ferro rod, it should be fine the way it is.
 
A file would be too hard? I would think it would make a good striker as is. Aren't strikers supposed to be harder then knives? Never tried it though.
 
Shotgun said:
A file would be too hard? I would think it would make a good striker as is. Aren't strikers supposed to be harder then knives? Never tried it though.
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You might be right but I don't think so...... the metal needs to me soft enough to shear off. Again, it's the metal striking the flint rock, a piece of metal shears off and sparks. But I'm MO expert. I can make fire with flint and steel using char cloth. I purchased a kit though...... didn't make the striker myself.


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http://www.grannysstore.com/Wilderness_Survival/flintandsteel.htm

I THINK a file would just destroy the piece of flint rock.
 
I took an old 10" mill file and put it in a vise with about 3" sticking out. Tighten the vise hard then took a heavy hammer and wacked it and snapped it off( wear safety googles and gloves) I took the chunk of file then ground the sharp ends smooth for carrying. Works great on chert as well as firesteels.
 
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