Striking Steel from Old Files

[stovie]

Have heard it mentioned that old files are good for steels (high carbon content). Have a friend who is a blacksmith and is willing to make a couple from old files.

Question is, is the strike face the edge of the file or the rasp face ?

And any other tips you can pass on about this specific task

Thanks

 

[Eric_Methven]

If I'm making steels from old files I usually anneal the file first then hammer or grind off the rasp. The final striking steel bears no physical resemblance to the original file. The only reason for using a file is it's a cheap form of high carbon steel - guaranteed. One formed into a steel it must be rehardened to get a really good spark.

Eric

 

[Paganwolf]

Have heard it mentioned that old files are good for steels (high carbon content). Have a friend who is a blacksmith and is willing to make a couple from old files.

Question is, is the strike face the edge of the file or the rasp face ?

And any other tips you can pass on about this specific task

Thanks

my son's fire steel is a section of one of my old smithy files,not messed with just about 3ins of it broken off, use the side smooth edge not the rough faces or it will damage the sharp striking edge of your flint needed to produce the hot sparks.

 

[stovie]

Thankyou gentlemen

All I need to do is draw a sketch and my blacksmith will do the rest