Firesteel maintenance

[TAHAWK]

A firesteel is part of my backpacking kit, but is mainly used as a back-up to matches and butane lighters.

I've seen suggestions that firesteels can deteriorate over time from simple exposure to the atmosphere. Is that a problem on a practical level and, if so, are there solutions?

 

[Adi007]

Give it a coat with nail polish ... any color that takes your fancy! :-D

 

[Justin Time]

Nail Varnish, clear, I suspect.....

 

[TAHAWK]

So, it seems, it IS a problem.

 

[Adi007]

Yes, it is quite a problem (especially if they get wet or kept close to the skin). Flint&Magnesium blocks suffer even worse.

Using bright colors help you find a dropped firesteel too! :-D

 

[sargey]

they can be subject to corrosion when wet. they'll dissolve like a cookie in a glass of warm milk if exposed to sea water, or like a bisquit in a cup of tea.

so yeah, nail polish. if you keep one on your key ring, or somewhere the nail varnish is going to get chipped, you might want to add a layer of heatshrink tube or tape.

cheers, and.

 

[Adi007]

Wow, tea dissolves them too! :-D :-D

they'll dissolve like a cookie in a glass of warm milk if exposed to sea water, or like a bisquit in a cup of tea.

 

[Adi007]

Last night I coated an old firesteel with a purple nailpolish and it turned it into a really cool anodized look! :-D

Haven't struck it since though ... wanted to make sure it was completely dry in case the whole thing burst into flames! :shock:

It now looks like a mini Maglite (and give off more light!)

 

[miranda]

Last night I coated an old firesteel with a purple nailpolish

Purple? Very fetching I'm sure!

 

[Adi007]

I prefer to think of it as cool!

Last night I coated an old firesteel with a purple nailpolish

Purple? Very fetching I'm sure!

 

[Adi007]

Next, the flint and mag block is going ot get the same treatment.

 

[miranda]

Next, the flint and mag block is going ot get the same treatment.

It's always good to be color coordinated!

Miz

 

[TAHAWK]

I suppose using a colored nail polish would make the areas needing re-treatment more obvious and my otherwise black fire steel easier to locate in my bag.

 

[Adi007]

That's what I thought ... I'm only going to touch up the areas that have been used.

Problem is, once you start thinking of colors, you realize that there are jsut too many to choose from! :-D

I suppose using a colored nail polish would make the areas needing re-treatment more obvious and my otherwise black fire steel easier to locate in my bag.

 

[sargey]

i usually get lumbered with whatever colour my daughter is bored with. :shock:

cheers, and.

 

[TAHAWK]

i usually get lumbered with whatever colour my daughter is bored with. :shock:

cheers, and.

Cheap polish here is the equivalent of 52 P, tax included. I may opt for "Fire Pink" or "Tropical Delight."