What do you use to strike your metal match?

Hi Marion...

I have used a variety of things,, inclusing a sharpened back edge of a SAK,, and a hacksaw blade...

I don't like either very much..
What I have been using is a Cheap POS lockblade found anywhere for a few bucks.. You know the Buck 110 look alikes...
Uusally really soft steel so it can be sharpened on a rock or a tree stump...

I have it attached to my MM by a laynard..

The knife is so cheap that if I break it,, I can practice skipping it across open water and pick one up most Anywhere for $5.00.

I now save my SAK for delicate work, keep it sharp and if I have to hammer through a tin can I use the POS...

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 
Greg Davenport included a nice striker made from a hacksaw blade with the large metal match I ordered from him. It's about two inches long with a hole for a lanyard. It's nice, and throws a big spark, but I plan to carry the match on a lanyard around my neck and I don't fancy having that striker dangling there waiting to stab me in the chest if I take a spill. I have been thinking about using a large washer. That way there would be no sharp edges.

I understand that stainless steel doesn't throw a big spark, so you might consider using regular tool steel for whatever striker you decide on.

 
Using a POS knife for a striker is a great idea, wish I'd thought of that years ago!

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"Actions speak louder than words"
 
Use an old hacksaw blade. They strike magnificently, and you _may_ even be able to get sparks off them if you find some natural flint.

You can also use flint, or any other hard rock with clean cleavage to strike the ferro rods. Glass will also work, and I imagine broken porcelain would as well.

Stryver
 
I use part of a really cheap steak knife. It's one of those with the plastic handle and serrated blade that you can get at Wal-Mart in sets of five for $5 or $6. The blade is very thin, and I broke it off of the handle just to make it more compact. I wrapped some duct tape around the broken end to make it a little more comfortable to use. It is extremely cheap, and very springy, so it tends to bend rather than break. I have never seen anything else that throws a spark like it!! I think a lot of that is due to the serrations.
JHall
 
Following Greg's idea, I made a bunch of them out of old hacksaw blades. Simple, light, and a great way to recycle old hacksaws. If you wanted to carry the match and striker around your neck, you could make a lightweight leather or kydex pouch. Maybe the finger out of an old glove would work.



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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Hey MA I've actually had a lot of luck by using my Swiss-Utilikey while closed (protects the small blade), I've also used the file on my Leatherman Wave or Swiss Tool. I think the small hack saw blade works the best, but is easier to lose if NOT connected to your metal match. BTW I have a small metal match on my key chain along with the Utilikey, so it works out great.

Dave
 
The back of my Bladeforums Native and my Delica both work well, as does the back of the saw on my SAK. The front of the saw works well too, but I don’t want to blunt the teeth.
 
Hey Guys...

The problem with using anything rough on your ferro rods,, is that you'll score them up, possibly making it harder in the future to get good strikes off of them, not to mention the wear and tear of them.

I've found a sharp blade does a Very good job at throwing a spark and cuts down on the Washboard Effect that can happen sometimes.

Remember to give your rods a coat of shellack during the times you aren't using them much.
This is a trick Ron taught us and it will save your ferro rods from further oxidization over extended periods on non use.

I have been following a recent thread on PSG about Magnesium,, and someone came up with an interesting idea, which I haven't thought about...

Shaving magnesium onto vaseline or vaseline soaked cotton balls. The vaseline would hold the shaving from blowing away somewhat..

Haven't tried it yet,, but maybe someone would like to play around with the idea...

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 
Eric,

What advantage do the magnesium shavings in cotton buy you over the cotton itself? It seems like a lot of work shaving magnesium when the cotton lights easily anyway.
 
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