Steel for fire making

[AL...]

OK this will most likley be a dumb question BUT!!!!
what makes a good steel for throwing sparks from flint?
And would an old file do the job ok? Never thought of useing one before comming on the fourms here as I always carry a couple of lighters when I used to head out
I collected some Horsehoof fungi when I was out the road on sunday and cut some up got it to smolder real good useing a Magnesum (spelling sucks) stick and the back of my knife But realy want to try with flint and steel .
Need to head to the beach now so I can find some flint I think.

Cheers
AL

[john scrivy]

A peace of broken File works - grind the edge smooth and strick away like a goodun I got my one I use from the Wilderness gathering Made by Dave Budd I think he has a website that may sell such things

[Martin]

...Need to head to the beach now so I can find some flint I think.

Cheers
AL

Check this out Al

http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/arch...cial/flint.asp

Martin

[AL...]

Thanks for that John I dident know if it should be left rough or if I needed to grind the file


Martin Thanks for the info on the Flint ... Lived here all my life and dident know about the mines there.
I did wonder why we got some flints on the beach here

Cheers
AL

[Tony1948]

Al If you want some right nice flint from the South ESSEX chalk quarrys that are right out side my back garden I could send you some for the postage price.

[AL...]

Tony that would be fantastic mate aye . How do we go about that?

Cheers
AL

[Tony1948]

Al PM me you'r adress or you,r phon number and I'll get in touch

[Marvell]

This article may interest you:

http://blog.artandscienceofsurvival.com/2012/04/harder-but-not-that-hard.html


Also, you don't need flint, you just need something hard. We have no flint in Devon, so I use quartz. Give it a good smack to get a decent edge (mind your eyes) and have fun making fire.

[mr.punch]

This article may interest you:

http://blog.artandscienceofsurvival.com/2012/04/harder-but-not-that-hard.html


Also, you don't need flint, you just need something hard. We have no flint in Devon, so I use quartz. Give it a good smack to get a decent edge (mind your eyes) and have fun making fire.

Erm??
http://www.beer-devon.co.uk/flint.htm
Is beer too far from you as it is a nice place to visit good fresh crab shop too.

[nilo52]

This article may interest you:

http://blog.artandscienceofsurvival.com/2012/04/harder-but-not-that-hard.html


Also, you don't need flint, you just need something hard. We have no flint in Devon, so I use quartz. Give it a good smack to get a decent edge (mind your eyes) and have fun making fire.

Here in California we don't have "flint" either, I use Chert instead. It works well for "flint"