Swedish Firesteel

R

rayback

Joined
Sep 16, 2006
Messages
47
When I'm using the firesteel, the black coat is getting scraped off after many times of uses.
Should it turn back to be black if I dont use it for some time?
I've read that the firesteel's metal is constantly being oxidized and thus returns to be black.

Thanks
Ray
 
Ray,
To prevent oxidation- I wipe mine down with pertroleum jelly and slide a nalgene tube over it. Side benefeit is I leave the nalgene tube a couple of inches long and stuff treated cotton balls or char cloth in, plug the tube with resin wood.
Bill
 
I live in a dry climate, and when I haven't used a firesteel for a while it oxidizes to a gray color.
 
Kevin the grey said:
Is it merely the look of the oxidisation that bothers you or does the coating hamper its ability ?
Click to expand...

No, I was just wondering if it should oxidize to a gray color when you dont use it. In how long does it oxidizes?
I've read somewhere about the composition of metals in the firesteel, and it was said that it should turn back to a gray color or something.
 
personally i've been using fire steel for many a summers nights. i havent noticed any performance change from having the firesteel black, silver, red, orange, or green, or brown.

hence why i love it so much.

cheers^^
 
Mine tend to get pitted after a while. I've read that a thin coat of clear fingernail polish will prevent it.
"Hey honey, can I borrow your nail polish?" Even with an honest explanation, I think I'm going to get a weird look.
 
I put a piece of heatshrink tube over the steel of mine, also with a cpl of vaseline/cotton balls in the end. It stops the steel getting "banged up" on stuff & stops the chance of unwanted sparks occuring.
 
Thanks all, I had alot of questions about how to care for this thing, I will go ahead and order them.
 
Hi
The black coating on the firesteels is put on by the manufacturer to prevent sparking in transit. The firesteels I import and sell are sent by airmail so you can imagine that the risk of sparking has to be totally zero. :eek:
When you first use a steel you have to scrape away the coating before it will create sparks, but then the steel is exposed to air and moisture and will oxidise. The rusting layer is a dull grey and the rate of oxidisation depends on exposure to damp air, also the grey layer will form some protection from further oxidisation. If you use your steel in a coastal region then the salt will speed things up.
I have a steel on test which has been outside in all weathers for twelve months, and is used every week to start a fire. I think there is a few years left in it yet.
These steels last for approx 12000 strikes and they are really so cheap at less than £3 now that i would not worry too much about rusting, just chuck it away and buy a new one. :)
Happy sparking
Cam
PS
Am I allowed to list my site anywhere or will I get a slap:confused:
 
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