Making sparks.

[cardiffrob]

I've sort-of perfected the art of making fire using charred Denim cloth, steel and flint. My problem is that I want to stop using long metal files and find something more compact and easy to hold. I assume it has to be high-carbon steel? If so, what sources are there? Are there any readily available materials that I can utilise?
Thanks
Rob

 

[badabec]

Please don't take this as raining on your parade

Ray Mears Fire Stick

The humble Fire Stick is, without a doubt, one of the most fundamental and reliable pieces of Bushcraft equipment available. As used by Ray Mears and the entire Woodlore team for well over a decade, the Fire Stick (or ferrocerium rod, as it is also known) is favoured in Bushcraft and survival...

www.raymears.com

£12 plus £4 postage.

How did you make your charred denim? In a tobacco tin and a blow lamp? When I ever I blow on the glowing ember it flies off!

 

[cardiffrob]

I roll up old Jeans in a tight bundle with locking wire, stuff it into a small (sweetcorn) tin and then drop it into a larger (Soup) tin before sealing round the edge with fire clay. The tins are a good fit. I stuff it in the log burner and take it out the next day. One pair of jeans makes about a Coffee jar of Char cloth. Don't open it until it has fully cooled or the bloody thing bursts back into flames!


I wanted to do it all the Old Fashioned way.

 

[Misterg]

something more compact and easy to hold.

...and classy

 

[badabec]

I made a fire piston after watching Clickspring. He was correct about the mini compasses, I bought 10, not one of them was any good.
The problem that I mentioned above is that the piece of charred cloth is so small, one puff to get it alight and it blew away!

 

[pcwizme]

I've sort-of perfected the art of making fire using charred Denim cloth, steel and flint. My problem is that I want to stop using long metal files and find something more compact and easy to hold. I assume it has to be high-carbon steel? If so, what sources are there? Are there any readily available materials that I can utilise?
Thanks
Rob

I get mine from the lovely people at Beaver Bushcraft https://www.beaverbushcraft.co.uk/

 

[redlig]

I roll up old Jeans in a tight bundle with locking wire, stuff it into a small (sweetcorn) tin and then drop it into a larger (Soup) tin before sealing round the edge with fire clay. The tins are a good fit. I stuff it in the log burner and take it out the next day. One pair of jeans makes about a Coffee jar of Char cloth. Don't open it until it has fully cooled or the bloody thing bursts back into flames!


I wanted to do it all the Old Fashioned way.

Take two boy scouts and rub them together . They don't catch fire but it does cause a lot of friction with the parents.

 

[cardiffrob]

Would old 1930s car leaf springs be high enough carbon for the job?

 

[Misterg]

I assume it has to be high-carbon steel? If so, what sources are there? Are there any readily available materials that I can utilise?

Silver steel (round) or gauge plate (flat) would be the obvious choices.

 

[pcwizme]

Would old 1930s car leaf springs be high enough carbon for the job?

That is what is used by a blacksmith friend of mine, he uses them off Austins (I think they are 1950's actually)