Looking for several sets of flint and steel strikers

[ThriftyKnight]

I'm thinking about giving my loved ones bushcrafty presents for XMas/Yuletide. I thought a few handmade pouches with tinder, flint and steel striker would go down well. I just can't seem to find flint or steels that don't cost the earth.

I even contemplated making a few steels out of files but I don't trust the cheap files they sell at B&Q. Might not be hardened all the way through...

Could you guys give me some pointers? Can't spend a right lot, what with the economy and all.

I'm hoping to gather enough for about a dozen sets or so. I reckon I might be able to find some old files I could convert in antique shops, though it seems a shame to waste fully functional tools.

Might I get away with buying a carbon steel billet, cutting it down into handy sections and perhaps heating it red hot in a BBQ,then quenching it? I did a bit of forge-work and managed to produce a handy knife once, so I'd be keen to give it a go.

Still need the flint though.

 

[John Fenna]

Ready made sets are available on my "Dragons Breath" kits thread....

 

[ThriftyKnight]

Oh! Those look ideal! Very reasonably priced also.

I do already have my own pouches though, for that personal touch. I made them some time ago and never found a use for them, until now.

If I can't find any better (and I kinda doubt I will) I'll certainly buy some of yours. But right now I'm really only looking for the steel and flint. I don't suppose you might consider selling them separately next time you're making a batch?

 

[mountainm]

Buy an old file from a carboot. Hold it in a vice and whack it with a lump hammer. It'll shatter. That's your steel.

For the flint go to a builders merchant and and ask for a sample of York gold for your driveway.

 

[ThriftyKnight]

Haha! I know how it's done with files. The last file I tried it with didn't snap though - it bent. (!)

They don't make them like they used to anymore. Does that make me sound old...?

 

[John Fenna]

Oh! Those look ideal! Very reasonably priced also.

I do already have my own pouches though, for that personal touch. I made them some time ago and never found a use for them, until now.

If I can't find any better (and I kinda doubt I will) I'll certainly buy some of yours. But right now I'm really only looking for the steel and flint. I don't suppose you might consider selling them separately next time you're making a batch?

Yes I would - I just sold a batch of pouches separately to someone who had a better source of flint and steel than me

 

[ThriftyKnight]

Could you pm me a quote?