Alternative steel strikers

[Adi007]

With my steel striker now out of action after my 7 year old daughter broke it (only a kid could break a piece of steel :shock: ) I've been having a look around for other strikers. So far I've tested my Woodlore and a Bison Bushcraft knives and both will throw good sparks when used with a bit of flint and the sparks will easily light charcloth ... so I've happy with that :-D Also, doing this roughens the spines of the knives nicely so that they get better for using with a ferro rod!

 

[JakeR]

Nice idea adi. I was so suprised about the difference between the woodlore and the puukko. The WS showers them so much better i burnt my carpet .

Cheers,

Jake

 

[Ed]

The more carbon in the steel the more sparks you'll get when striking against a flint.


Ed

 

[MartiniDave]

I'v e found that an old file works pretty well, so does a broken hacksaw blade.

Dave

 

[JakeR]

But it is a bit of a pain carrying saw blades around, when your woodlore will do (almost?) just as well.

Cheers,

Jake

 

[Jack]

Call me old fashioned, but what is the fixation with minimilistion.......buy/use what is available! - Stone age man never moaned about the amount of rock that he had to carry around!

 

[Adi007]

It's swings and roundabouts I think ... some people are kit obsessed, others into minimalism. I think that most are looking for a happy medium.

I like the idea of duplication in case a vital bit is lost, stolen or broken.

Call me old fashioned, but what is the fixation with minimilistion.......buy/use what is available! - Stone age man never moaned about the amount of rock that he had to carry around!

 

[Jack]

But, surely, the most important bit of kit is the bit that creates fire in the shortest time.

 

[Adi007]

Yep ... a flamethrower! :f: ):

Fire is 90% preparation and 10% kit I think ... the push button convenience of lighters and ease with which a match can make a flame has meant that we think that fire is just as easy as striking a match or using a lighter. The reason why I like to have plenty of possible methods using lots of different items is that it gives me scope for when things go wrong or I lose something. I still throw a block of hexy on the fire when I'm in a rush or use lighters around camp, but things being things can run out and break or get lost or wet so I always like to have "another way". :-D


I don't see it as a minimalisation thing at all ... I like to have LOTS of ways!

But, surely, the most important bit of kit is the bit that creates fire in the shortest time.

 

[larry the spark]

Lots of ways to make fire is defo the way to go. I find that my lighter is only used for lighting ciggies though and is usually left to the side when lighting a fire. I find it so much more enjoyable and satisfying to correctly prepare tinder and cast a shower of sparks than just flick a lighter. :chill:

 

[Adi007]

Maybe it's just me but over the years I've come to the conclusion that the lighter is probably one of the most awful bits of kit to light a fire with - especially the gas ones. I have one that I use for the fire at home and all that I need to keep an eye on is the gas level (or flint and fuel in a Zippo) and it will work every time. But take that out into the field and reliability can be a major let down. They are too badly affected by cold and wet and dirt, not to mention that they can also easily be broken. With a ferro rod and some char cloth or collected birch bark I know where I am and they are far more robust!

 

[larry the spark]

Maybe it's just me but over the years I've come to the conclusion that the lighter is probably one of the most awful bits of kit to light a fire with - especially the gas ones.

Very true mate, try lighting a fag with a ferro rod though and it becomes obvious where the '5 fer a pound' plakky lighter fits in!!

BTW Zippos rock, just so damn cool Quite famcy one of those windmill jobs...you got one Adi? Worth the cash or a bit of overkill?

 

[Adi007]

BTW Zippos rock, just so damn cool Quite famcy one of those windmill jobs...you got one Adi? Worth the cash or a bit of overkill?

No, don't have a Windmill but seen and heard a lot about them ... some say they are great while others say not so great. I have one of them blow torch lighters (not the aluminium body ones but all orange plastic) and it works a treat most of the time but can need attention. However, can also be pretty useless when cold even if kept close to the body for warmth.

 

[JakeR]

I need to keep an eye on is the gas level (or flint and fuel in a Zippo)

Zippos run out of gas too fast. Never rely on it as your source for fire.
I prefer just having the basics. Knife, firesteel etc. I dont like carrying a lot of kit.

Its just about what you enjoy most. ack:

Cheers,

Jake

 

[Hoodoo]

Call me old fashioned, but what is the fixation with minimilistion.......buy/use what is available! - Stone age man never moaned about the amount of rock that he had to carry around!

Jack, I didn't know you were that old. :shock: