Fire steel for flint and steel fire starting
Рет қаралды 54,179
5 жыл бұрынStarting a fire using flint and steel is an age old technique. But not just any old hunk of steel will do the job. For a good shower of hot sparks a striker must be properly hardened.
Thank you for watching. Black Bear Forge is a small one person shop located in Southern Colorado.
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If you have something you want to send my way you may do so at:
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Beulah, CO 81023
The following list provides just a few resources to help you find supplies and equipment for blacksmithing.
CPO Outlet www.anrdoezrs.net/click-885600...
Milwaukee power tools www.kqzyfj.com/click-8856008-1...
www.saymakhammers.com/
www.oleoacresfarriersupply.com/
www.piehtoolco.com/
www.centaurforge.com/
www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
www.blacksmithbolt.com/
www.oldworldanvils.com/
www.nimbaanvils.com/
www.abana.org/
www.mcmaster.com
kensironstore.com/
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.
@kaptainkirk12 3 жыл бұрын
Not only you are amazing at teaching blacksmith skills, but you also seems to be a very humble and pleasant guy. I have much respect to you and your works, you greatly inspired me with overall blacksmithing and if i started blacksmith recently is all because of you, and i eternally am thankfull for what you teach to all of us here
@BlackBearForge 3 жыл бұрын
You are very welcome
@taylorcabell7477 Жыл бұрын
I couldn't say it any better!! I love this guys videos
@deemedappropriate4790 5 жыл бұрын
This is the most informative video on forging a fire steel.
@gregfarley5737 5 жыл бұрын
I love your sense of humor.
@eqlzr2 4 жыл бұрын
Holy crap. That's a nice bit of work there, but frankly, I put an old file in a vice, hit it with a hammer and broke it in 3 different pieces, and ground file edges off on a bench grinder, leaving me with 3 firesteels and maybe a total of 3 minutes work. They spark just fine.
@walterguan5036 3 жыл бұрын
Some sparks flew out the screen and caught me on fire to make some fire steels myself, excellent work!
@Incandescentiron Жыл бұрын
Exactly what I was looking for!
@indianatone218 3 жыл бұрын
thanks for showing us this fine tool cant wait to have ago . Ant UK
@dcsensui Жыл бұрын
Interesting that you make the face smooth. When I was in the Boy Scouts some used a file for flint-and-steel fire starting and I thought it had to be a rough surface. Now I know better!
@rickw.3436 5 жыл бұрын
i dont know if it's a like minded thing, or it's a the sorts of people who are drawn to smithing, often share similar outlooks or interests, but i keep finding videos you have made about making things i want to make, and i can't believe what a resource you have made here, and you do it in a way that looks achievable, so again, thanks, really appreciate it.
@twoowls4469 7 ай бұрын
I loved this video. When the upset went to wrong side, I said... that's gonna be backwards. Then when you caught it had to laugh! Great video, great content, great channel. Thanks for all you share!
@deliaguzman1138 11 ай бұрын
I always have so much fun starting a fire with a striker I forged, char cloth I made from some old blue jeans, and some beautiful chert from my parents’ yard in my home state of Texas.
@ghostforge3303 5 жыл бұрын
Pun intended..... Thank you for sparking my need to make fire..... Thank you for all your dedication to your channel and it's ever-growing audience of Blacksmiths and their admirers. Happy holidays
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Happy holidays
@grandadz_forge 5 жыл бұрын
That was some valuble information you imparted on the hardening side of things. I love this stuff!
@kieransutton1706 2 жыл бұрын
instablaster.
@haditwithwork Жыл бұрын
Educational. Thank you!
@swatcopk9 5 жыл бұрын
Happy Yuletide to you and your family! Great video yet again. The wife and I got a laugh out of the backwards upset issue. When you were doing it, I grumbled to the wife that you said you wanted the striking surface flat, but maybe I misunderstood. When you commented that someone should have warned you we both lost it. We love watching your videos. They get better every day!
@steelpennyforge5152 5 жыл бұрын
Great demo (including the how to use it). Thanks!!!
@waveman0 3 жыл бұрын
I have watched this video many times and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it John. I have just commissioned you to making me a R type striker, can't wait to getting it in hand and seeing how it strikes, I love supporting forges who are keeping these traditions alive.
@waveman0 3 жыл бұрын
my striker arrived and it works a treat, thank you John.
@pauledmonds7316 4 жыл бұрын
Thoroughly enjoyed watching. Thank you.
@tonis8093 Жыл бұрын
I googled and tried to learn about what exactly is a firesteel and how it is used. This video answered all my questions and was really enjoyable to watch. Thank you for such an amazing video.
@BlackBearForge Жыл бұрын
Glad I could help!
@ericjason5773 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas. Flint is the gemstone of Ohio.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@rowenmaxwell2965 2 жыл бұрын
1.6k likes and only 4 dislikes..that’s impressive, well done man
@terrystewart2034 5 жыл бұрын
Great tutorial! Your teaching style is perfect for me.
@samfoot2743 2 жыл бұрын
Very informative and influential. I will be attempting to forge one this week for our next camping trip. Thanks from the u.k 👍
@larryking606 4 жыл бұрын
Good Evening , John This Video was a Blessing in disguise , it has been way to long ago that I had made a Stricker ! This has more than a renewed understanding of what I had remembered ! PLUS A LOT MORE ! Thank you very much for adding to my knowledge ! Take Care and Be Safe !
@ChristCenteredIronworks 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas John to you and your family from ours may you have a blessed holiday season!
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas and thank you for the card and sticker.
@ChristCenteredIronworks 5 жыл бұрын
@@BlackBearForge your very welcome John :-)
@20mcarroll02 5 жыл бұрын
A fire steel was one of the first things i learned to make. That was way back in my boy scout days.
@ahorseman4ever1 3 жыл бұрын
As a horse shoes I have a ton of old rasps. They work very good for me.
@HisWayHomestead Жыл бұрын
very good information about making the best steel for performance! Thanks John!!!
@BlackBearForge Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@MLFranklin 5 ай бұрын
14:06 Heat Treating Logic.
@ColfaxPoint 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for making these videos. I have been trying to learn blacksmithing skills for a while now and this is realy good to follow. I can't thank you enough.
@garethbaus5471 4 жыл бұрын
The best striker by spark production I have used was a bar of 1095 the mass seems to help getting larger shavings.
@demastust.2277 4 жыл бұрын
Quartz and chert also works pretty well in place of flint. In Indiana, we have lovely chert. Any stone that is sharp or jagged enough and has a mohs scale of 7 or more will work. Quartz, flint, amethyst and chert have a few things in common, but in this case the mohs scale is 7. The act of striking the steel against the stone you grating a piece of the steel off of the striker to become super heated. The rock is harder than the steel. Think of it like a grinder grinding metal and throwing sparks.
@firesafe8417 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas to you and your family Mr. John, my you and your family have a prosperous New Year.
@donaldnaymon3270 2 жыл бұрын
Great video. Nice work. Thank you for sharing.
@getoverit4887 5 жыл бұрын
Great video and very useful tool I was already thinking of making one of these. Merry Christmas Mr. John.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@JustinTopp 4 жыл бұрын
I’m in North Dakota and my step dad grew up on a sugar beet farm in Minnesota just over the ND MN border and I must have a thousand beet chains haha. Guess I know my next project. A flint striker! I will probably laminate some high carbon steel onto a wrought iron body. Just discovered some wrought iron horse shoes so I’m doing lots of wrought iron and steel things
@DomMini 4 жыл бұрын
I love this video! I have watched this at least 5 times! I think it’s the perfect size and shape! Thanks for sharing John!
@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын
Glad you’re enjoying it
@jameshuggins4300 5 жыл бұрын
Merry christmas John I love your teaching style. You would make a great neighbor, friend and mentor. Thanks.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@TMichaelJKnivestmichaeljknives 2 жыл бұрын
So much info. I plan on making a few and it’ll guide me through creating them. Thanks for sharing!
@shanelatondress9259 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas John! The countdown to Christmas videos were great. Thank you so much for making them.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@brettsayers7768 5 жыл бұрын
Thanks John a great video, really enjoyed watching it.
@kdktwelve6142 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas Sir. Thanks for sharing with us
@donaldduda697 5 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! gonna fire up the forge soon and make a bunch of kits for the boy scout troop
@hannemannironworks1651 5 жыл бұрын
Looks great John! Merry Christmas!
@Zogg1281 5 жыл бұрын
That's another one for the list of things to make 😊 Merry Christmas
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@Big222Dog 5 жыл бұрын
John thank you so much for do this video, I know I have asked you to do this a while back. It was informative and very helpful.
@TomokosEnterprize 5 жыл бұрын
These are great. Very useful. I hope you had a great day.
@gjones002charter 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas John to you and your wife.
@Harleyjon1 2 жыл бұрын
13:37 Where there's a Will, there's a Guy named Bill ! LOL
@GWIRailroad 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years John. Love all the videos. Blessings!!
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@Res375 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas thank you for the video.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@andycamm6317 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas thanks for all the great video's
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@hayward434 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas from Nova Scotia John, and thanks for you Christmas videos, which have been entertaining.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@sleepingbear7182 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas from Texas, and a Happy New Year. Great video as usual.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@peterelliott2232 5 жыл бұрын
John, thanks for another great video. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@thijs3514 5 жыл бұрын
I enjoyed the videos, thanks you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@aslob9321 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas from Florida, really enjoyed this series.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@lo5042mh 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas from the Netherlands! 🎅🎄
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@Sport--willow 5 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Sir. I've truly enjoy your videos. Great learning materials for myself and others. God Bless Merry Christmas to you and your family.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@craigbrown7277 5 жыл бұрын
thank you Happy Holidays exc3llent video
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Happy holidays
@Vic1943_ 5 жыл бұрын
merry Christmas 🎄nice video very nice tool to have for a boy scout think i get busy
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@JarlSeamus 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas John, thanks for another great video. These are a really nice, very simple project that is fantastic for teaching hammer control. I make a ton of these for reenactors and rendezvous folks. The simple style of the little one is historically accurate for almost any era from the Roman Empire all the way to the American Civil War.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@earleriser 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this film. I have been wondering how this was done. Your knowledge was superb.
@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you enjoyed the video
@codytradingcompany7798 5 жыл бұрын
I don’t have much luck finding flint, but I have found quartz and agate work just as good. Once again another great video. I’m sad to be at the end of the count down. Thanks for all that you do Merry Christmas and a happy Nee Year
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@forge52100 5 жыл бұрын
Nice job. Pretty much exactly how I do mine. At shows they normally sell like hot cakes.
@JohnSmith-gs4lw 5 жыл бұрын
I’m jealous you have the ability to crank those out. Been looking at them for months on amazon but there isn’t a lot to choose from. I tried to make my own by busting off a chunk of a new Nicholson bastard file but as you’ve said before, the new Nicholson is not the old Nicholson. In fact, I’m convinced it’s some kind of stainless steel or heavily alloyed. Barely works as a file, and doesn’t work at all as a flint and steel striker. Going to have to scrounge up an old file somewhere.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
My guess is that there are lots of steels for sale on Etsy. I suspect both of these will end up for sale sooner or later.
@MauledByBears 5 жыл бұрын
I like strikers made from leaf spring or 5160ish. The sparks are nice and orange (1500F range) and they don't do that dandelion head sparkler thing which I find makes them harder to catch. Great video John, thanks
@waveman0 3 жыл бұрын
dandelion sparks are indicative of high carbon content as I understand it, W2 and O1 do this which is good, the best strikers I have spark like that, as in spray those lovely dandelion sparks. Old files (which are usually made from W2) have those dandelion sparks. My Andrew Kirkham and Olivemead's all do that as well. Being harder to catch is a bad thing, and is usually indicative of poor char material.
@paulgorringe7138 3 жыл бұрын
Hi i would love to come to your shop it just looks amazing
@howardrichburg2398 5 жыл бұрын
Thank you John for your videos. I look forward to watching them everyday. I'm learning a lot. I make my steel strikers out of rake tines our coil spring. Coil spring seem to make good sparks and I have started a few fires with them. And I get the steel for free. Just wondering if I'm making an inferior striker by not using another steel? I try to make my striker fit an altoid tin. Great gifts for archaeologists.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
As long as you can start a fire its all good.
@SecularGeek 4 жыл бұрын
I did warn you! ;)
@petepeterson4540 5 жыл бұрын
merry Christmas your shaving off metal with a rock
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas
@robphone4895 5 жыл бұрын
On the twenty-seventh day of Christmas the black bear made for me, a fire steel, a troll cross, a forge welded belt buckle, a basket twist Christmas ornament, a corkscrew, a blanket pin, a squirrel cooker, a key fob, a ball and cup toy, a decorative punch, meat scewers, a hot dog fork, jingle bels, a candy dish, a paper towel holder, a menorah, BBQ tongs, a stocking hunger, a Christmas tree ornament, a cabinet pull, a dinner bell, a steak flipper, a hose hanger, a bottle opener, a candle snuffer, a nice wreath hook and a beaitifull coat hook. Merry Christmas! Also to the Christmas gargoyle 😀!
@Brian-bn3qp 5 жыл бұрын
Do you do anything to compensate for cold weather during the annealing process? Love your videos!
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
I tend to preheat the vermiculite with a large bar at red heat.
@752brickie 2 жыл бұрын
I think I need a better fire steel. You really have a lot of nice blacksmithing tools. I tried to make a striker out of an old file ,smoothed the sides and it still will not throw a spark?? Do I need to re temper it?? Or is it just because it is old? Thank you!
@AlbiesProductsOnline 5 жыл бұрын
If a flint will cut steel that hard is there any other applications we could use it for in the shop
@TALLYTHER 2 жыл бұрын
The presentation is great and helpful. One thing that eludes me is something no one seems to address. That is the thickness of the the striker. Is thicker better or is that really a function of effort?
@BlackBearForge 2 жыл бұрын
It seems like 3/16" - 1/4" is typical. Heavier helps get good contact with the flint and but to wide and it may not generate enough fiction
@str8nauto 5 жыл бұрын
Now, what would a retired firefighter know about starting a fire? 😉
@MarkATrombley 5 жыл бұрын
Have you ever tried going triangle, hexagon, round just for a change? Or pentagon, whatever, round? Just for the novelty.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
No, but it sounds much harder. I think for triangle or hexagon it may be easier to start with a round
@bentoombs 5 жыл бұрын
Will you adopt me? No child support needed......😁⚒on!!!!
@markashlock9017 3 жыл бұрын
Great and informative vid! So if you don’t have forging capability, will and old unadulterated file work just as well, or will it be “too” hard? Thanks!!!
@BlackBearForge 3 жыл бұрын
It should work, but you might need to grind the teeth off
@markashlock9017 3 жыл бұрын
@@BlackBearForge : Thanks!
@victorcastle1840 5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas and thanks for solving my mystery striker , maybe . I am a old man that just got into primitive fire making starting with a ferrocerium rod and then on to flint and steel My favorite striker, out of 5 or 6 I have, looks like the one you make and I could not remember where I got it, at least a yr. ago or more. Your so right all striker are not made a like. I mostly use chert found in the creek beds. Now my favorite tinder is charred punk wood, but still carry charred denim. I am afraid I will lose it , if I carry it to the creek. Do you still have them for sale ? Vic
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
I do still make them, although not as often as I did once. Both of the ones shown here will be available. Glad you enjoyed the video.
@bunyanforgings7849 5 жыл бұрын
Amazing video! I've never seen someone start a fire with one of these. In fact I believe this is the first time I've ever heard of a "char cloth". It's one of those cases of "assumed" knowledge. Most other videos gloss over the actual proceedure. Merry Christmas, John.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
That is pretty much the same way I make it
@bunyanforgings7849 5 жыл бұрын
@@erniew5805 Thank you for that! I can honestly see myself like Frazier Crane when he and Lilith were in the woods in a cabin with him trying to light two logs bashing a couple of rocks together. Lol. 👍
@tazman8271 3 жыл бұрын
John, another OUTSTANDING video. I have a stupid question. (Sorry) when your talking about a steels "carbon content" does forging in a coal forge and quenching in oil (both carbon based materials) increase the carbon content of the steel itself?
@BlackBearForge 3 жыл бұрын
Theoretically, but not enough to see the difference
@tazman8271 3 жыл бұрын
@@BlackBearForge thank you
@codytradingcompany7798 5 жыл бұрын
If I get any coal tonight from Santa I’ll send it your way
5 жыл бұрын
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Yesterday was all metric today only in inches are you trying to confuse us?
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
I wasn't aware I even gave measurements for this one. Merry Christmas
5 жыл бұрын
@@@BlackBearForge You did not give the overall dimensions but you did say you would draw out a couple of inches.
5 жыл бұрын
@@SwampCritter In the US you use imperial so there is no confusion. The confusion is when they try to appease everyone.
5 жыл бұрын
@@SwampCritter How many Empires were built on imperial and how many on the metric system. The Roman Empire, the Spanish Empire, The British empire and now the American financial empire all built on imperial. Metric was created by scientists to count in tens.
@gregoryhorwitz7373 3 жыл бұрын
I took a quick look at your website and Etsy store, do you ever sell strikers?
@BlackBearForge 3 жыл бұрын
I do put them on the Etsy shop from time to time.
@JoelWetzel 4 жыл бұрын
Would allen wrenches make good flint strikers? bed rails?
@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын
You have to test the material to see. I'm not sure what they are typically made of
@JJ-yk6il 5 жыл бұрын
love your vids. anyone ever tell you you sound alot like ron swanson (nick offerman)?
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
That and Bob Ross
@JJ-yk6il 5 жыл бұрын
@@BlackBearForge hahaha youre more fun to watch than bob ross
@gooberdooberwunderb Жыл бұрын
Awesome video man… I am looking for my first flint and steel… Can I buy one from you?
@BlackBearForge Жыл бұрын
They aren't something I'm currently making, sorry about that
@gooberdooberwunderb Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the response! Well I am looking for a high-quality Flint and steel that’s American made… Can you suggest One?
@earlshaner4441 Жыл бұрын
The steel with 2 tails is a English steel
@seloulger175 3 жыл бұрын
Kardeş videon çok güzel fakat dilini bilemediğimiz için incelikleri öğrenmemiz çok zor.
@earlshaner4441 Жыл бұрын
These are called french steel
@cedrickoch428 Жыл бұрын
@alecsteele used o1 steele 😶
@commenter4799 2 жыл бұрын
I just watched a video and he used O1 for the striker, lol.
@nobs8862 3 жыл бұрын
Fire steel is a nickname for a ferrocerium rod. Neither flint nor a steel striker, nor both together, are correctly called a fire steel.
@BlackBearForge 3 жыл бұрын
Interesting that the old fur trade records list them as fire steels as do the records from the Museum of the Fur Trade.
@nobs8862 3 жыл бұрын
@@BlackBearForge And long ago, a man was called a "wer", but nowadays the word is man. I can list countless examples of things which are no longer called what they were called long ago, and countless examples of things which are now called what other things used to be called. Nowadays, fire steel is a nickname for a ferrocerium rod.
@canadiangemstones7636 8 ай бұрын
It’s a nickname, nobody gives a damn about proper usage.
@petepeterson4540 5 жыл бұрын
A file
@thor_of_asgaard2649 4 жыл бұрын
Just a fun fact. It isn't the friction in the shaving process that ignites the steel particles. It's the fact that iron is pyrophoric. Which means that it will ignite at at around roomtemperature. But the sureface of af steel bar is so guickly coated in a oxidiced laver that it isn't noticeable. But the Tiny piece of steel has a Huge surface-volume proportion which means that it Will ignite from contact with oxygen. Just so you know ;) Nice instruction though
@notapplicable2515 2 жыл бұрын
tfw carlito goes out of focus
@pavanpatelpatel4770 3 жыл бұрын
My friend I love flint striker because I am very poor . please give me free flint striker. Online india
@jungleebushcraft 2 жыл бұрын
Playing inside with fire? Bad example!!! Burn baby burn...
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