Steel Flint Strikers, Strike-a-Lights & Fire Steels

[Thomas Powers]

Ok where do you draw the line between case hardening and blister steel which was what files were made from, (well Theophilus was basically using case hardening to make his files)

I've "case hardened" wrought iron till it had a carbon content of cast iron all the way through doing a blister steel experiment---modern gas forges are great for sticking a "case" in the back and forgetting for 20 to 30 hours at a much higher temp than in the day!

[Konstantin the Red]

Well, hell, they only stopped at a couple hours to keep the manufacturing time reasonable anyway.

[Thomas Powers]

Actually in "Steel Making Before Bessemer, vil 1 Blister Steel" 6 days at a low red heat is mentioned for 1" sq bars 10' in length...making blister steel from wrought iron of course.

[Ic_fan]

What is a good source for replicas of medieval era flint strikers? Right now for my medieval trekking kit I have one "C-shaped" striker that is pretty good, but just looks too modern to my eye. I'd like to get a couple as backups as well.

Any suggestions?

[Thomas Powers]

What is "too modern about it" Basic C shape strikers go back centuries before Y1K and are found through the 1820's so a good 1000 year run on the design.

[Harry Marinakis]

I'll get you some links to striker sources.

[Harry Marinakis]

Many of the forges will make custom strikers for you. Most of my strikers were custom made.

My personal favorites:
Iron Bay
Jelling Dragon
Primal Connection
D&B Primitive Forgeworks


Black Bear Forge
http://www.blackbearforge.com/index.html

Esteland Forge
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EstelandForge?ref=seller_info

Forge on the Ridge
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ForgeontheRidge

George Forge
http://www.georgeforge.com/

Greenman Bushcrafts
http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/

Iron Bay Forge
https://www.etsy.com/shop/IronBayForge

Jelling Dragon
http://www.jelldragon.com/

Kresalo
http://steelstriker.com/

Liberty Forge
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LibertyForge

Midwest native Skills Institute
http://www.survivalschool.com/

Mountain Forge
http://www.themountainforge.com/

Neolithics
http://www.neolithics.com/
(Bulk flint flakes)

Northan
http://www.northan.net/

Peter Szabo Weaponsmith
http://szaboweaponsmith.wix.com/szabo
http://facebook.com/PeterSzaboWeaponsmith

Pioneer Arms
http://pioneerarms.com/

Primal Connection
http://www.primalconnection.com/

Darrel Aune
D&B Primitive Forgeworks
http://stores.ebay.com/dbprimitiveforgeworks

Ragweed Forge
http://www.ragweedforge.com/

Ray Mears Bushcraft
http://www.raymears.com/

Shark Designs
http://www.sharkdesigns.co.uk/

Smoke & Fire Company
https://www.smoke-fire.com/

Tinker's Forge
http://www.tinkersforge.com/

Woodland Ways
http://www.woodland-ways.co.uk/

Fire! Fire!! Fire!!!

[Primvs Pavlvs]

Harry, what event was that photo of you taken?

[Harry Marinakis]

[Ic_fan]

What is "too modern about it" Basic C shape strikers go back centuries before Y1K and are found through the 1820's so a good 1000 year run on the design.

Not the shape, just the finish. I know there is a tendency to exaggerate the "roughness" of older tools, but the one I have looks almost machine made.

[Harry Marinakis]

Not the shape, just the finish. I know there is a tendency to exaggerate the "roughness" of older tools, but the one I have looks almost machine made.

Iron Bay can make you some nice strikers.

[Thomas Powers]

A striker might very well be an example of white smithing, (filed after forged) but it should at least show the filing marks.

[Ckanite]

What is "too modern about it" Basic C shape strikers go back centuries before Y1K and are found through the 1820's so a good 1000 year run on the design.

Not the shape, just the finish. I know there is a tendency to exaggerate the "roughness" of older tools, but the one I have looks almost machine made.

Grab a hammer and file and mark it up.

[Jehan de Pelham]

An excellent thread. We put some of this into effect this last week up at CIT 2014 in Southern Utah. It's something else to get a fire started at 9600 feet without resort to modern means.

[Ic_fan]

What is "too modern about it" Basic C shape strikers go back centuries before Y1K and are found through the 1820's so a good 1000 year run on the design.

Not the shape, just the finish. I know there is a tendency to exaggerate the "roughness" of older tools, but the one I have looks almost machine made.

Grab a hammer and file and mark it up.

wow..... I feel dumb now. In all seriousness, and with no sarcasm: I actually hadn't considered that.
THANK YOU... I do so love simple solutions.


But now after seeing all the other great strikers being sold out there, I will have to also expand my collection.

[Ckanite]

Well, I'm glad to help And yeah, this thread has kinda opened my eyes to what was really out there, some really nice strikers...

[Harry Marinakis]

Let's see your firesteel collections!

[Jehan de Pelham]

Well, I don't have any pictures of my striker handy, but I do have a comment on stone. The chert available in Dixie National Forest east of Cedar City is above outstanding for striking purposes. Magical, in fact. It's simply amazing.

[Isenbrant Blackaert]

*bump*

I'm bumping this great reference mainly because I finally got my forge set and kinda working and this really should be stickied in my opinion.

[Ckanite]

Fire starters do seem like that would be great for beginner's work. Something that could range from the very simple to the extremely elaborate and still be functional...

[istout]

Check out At the Eastern Door on Facebook.. Eric Shatzal that does his metal work is an amazing smith..

[Thomas Powers]

Well beginners tend to have more problems with decarb and with hardening and tempering. Certainly a better task to get in practice working high carbon steels than making knives!

[Isenbrant Blackaert]

Well beginners tend to have more problems with decarb and with hardening and tempering. Certainly a better task to get in practice working high carbon steels than making knives!

I've already forged a crooked knife and it turned out pretty good. But I want a striker of my own making anyway, bought one and had one made for me but not by me.