How To Make A Flint And Steel, Steel From A File. Jute Lanyard

When I line up the 3 steels that I made from 14", 12", and 10" Nicholson files, it looks like one is missing. LOL!!! Let's head back to the Flea Market and find the missing one, an 8" Nicholson file and do another Steel build.
An 8" file is a lot smaller than the other 3 sizes. It's a couple inches shorter and only half the thickness. Such a small amount of mass actually changes the whole dynamic of getting the sparks to cast. Simply put, I think the small steel is just bouncing off the Chert before it's had enough time and contact to be scraped.
There's some physics in play here...Newton's First Law of Motion states that a body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts on it, and a body in motion at a constant velocity will remain in motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force.
This steel has exactly the same steel and exactly the same sparkiness as the bigger ones, but requires a bigger piece of Chert, moving twice as fast, with twice the force to get it to cast sparks. That's not the only difference. The sparks that are being cast are moving much faster and now tend to ricochet off the char cloth instead of stick. Because of this new dynamic, I'm only averaging 3 to 4 strikes for ignition instead of the usual 1 to 2. I'm sure with practice that I could improve to 2 to 3 strikes for ignition. Interesting!
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[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

When I line up the 3 steels that I made from 14", 12", and 10" Nicholson files, It looks like one is missing. LOL!!! Let's head back to the Flea Market and find the missing one, an 8" Nicholson file and do another Steel build. An 8" file is a lot smaller than the other 3 sizes. It's a couple inches shorter and only half the thickness. Such a small amount of mass actually changes the whole dynamic of getting the sparks to cast. Simply put, I think the small steel is just bouncing off the chert before it's had enough time and contact to be scraped. There's some physics in play here...Newton's First Law of Motion states that a body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts on it, and a body in motion at a constant velocity will remain in motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force. This steel has exactly the same steel and exactly the same sparkiness as the bigger ones, but requires a bigger piece of Chert, moving twice as fast, with twice the force to get it to cast sparks. That's not the only difference. The sparks that are being cast are moving much faster and now tend to ricochet off the char cloth instead of stick. Because of this new dynamic, I'm only averaging 3 to 4 strikes for ignition instead of the usual 1 to 2. I'm sure with practice that I could improve to 2 to 3 strikes for ignition. Interesting! Please follow the LINKs below and SUBSCRIBE. Thank you! Flint And Steel Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLkoXX8XsMW3mFf5FgLtam1aDmXmqQQice Make A Steel Out Of A File Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLkoXX8XsMW3n39s_OA1Y3ib73n2Ee57Ed Cobra Weave Tutorial, for severely “knot challenged” people like me! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6DEeXueirmee6s

[@patburt9558]

I'm confused David. I slowed the video down to 1/4 speed at the @12:00 mark. It looked like you were striking the chert with the edge of the steel where you had removed the teeth, and not the face of the file. I've watched several of your videos and am first noticing this. I assumed that you were using an old file because of the teeth.

[@dp7695]

Mr. West, You are a fire making master! When you were recommended by Far Northwest bushcraft I became a fan, but over the years I have become a super fan! You are just incredible, and I wish you nothing but success! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks DP! very kind of you to say.

[@arctodussimus6198]

I’ve used up all my files, turning them into steel strikers. So, until I get more, I’ll have to live vicariously through your videos. 😎 Something about this process is very relaxing to do, and relaxing to watch. Making a fire with flint and steel is actually a zen experience. And I’ve been addicted to it since 1968 when I made my first fire. Thanks for this series of ‘how-to’ videos. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@baddoopey]

Easier to buy a lighter.

[@brooksto]

Just acquired 2 Nicholsons from an antique store yesterday for the awesome price of $1 each! Will be making a couple of steels from one of them. As always, thanks for your lessons!

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I think Nicholsons make the best steels.

[@trevorjohns9014]

Loving this channel, Thanks David

[@RogueOntheRoad]

The best type of drill bit to use on hard steal is one made with cobalt.

[@MichaelR58]

David, good looking striker and lanyard , thanks for sharing ,God bless !

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

It looks better in hand than on the video. I like the way it turned out.

[@zuzalopes1064]

Thanks Mr. WEST ,Zuza Lopes ,Brasil...

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Nicely done.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks friend!

[@Traderjoe]

I wish there were more flea markets like that around here. I really have to get out of NY

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thank you!

[@thankmelater1254]

That's a little firestarting kit right there. Nicely done.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

A Jute tinder lanyard and a demonstration of what that lanyard would look like as a tinder bundle ignited by the steel just made.

[@cutnrun95]

Super material choice for your lanyard .

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yep, Just recreate the fire you saw me make at the end of this video. Thanks!

[@Traderjoe]

Pyro King does it again!

[@richardsolomon8076]

Nice job David, the set looks good together. 👍🏻

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I thought so. What'll I do if I happen to run up on a 14" Nicholson file for a dollar? Make it a 5 piece set, probably.

[@damienmilas8337]

David in my personal opinion that file is the perfect size not to big or too small the lanyard looked cool as well another great score you can't beat flea markets thanks for the education mate👍🦘🇦🇺

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Thanks friend. I appreciate it!

[@airborneinfantrynstuff489]

I like it, it really turned out nice.👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Yes. Thanks friend!

[@RalfyCustoms]

Nicely done David and very inspiring, I see you have a band aid on your burn, hope it heals quickly buddy

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

It was distracting for the viewer.

[@louisaziz1235]

A great tutorial, thanks. Why do you remove the teeth on the edge of the file? Wouldn't the teeth provide a stronger striking area?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

It seems to break off the sharp edges of the Chert without providing many sparks.

[@clintonroushff7068]

You, my friend have a problem! Lol You are having too much fun. Take care David

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I know Right?

[@TerryC69]

Well, I have watched you craft four steels and you have pretty much removed whatever excuse I might have had about why I couldn't craft my own. I guess I need to go file hunting.

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

A fun project too.

[@starlingblack814]

Another fun video David; thanks, I wonder if you accidentally lost the temper if you could heat it back up with a torch, then quench in ice water. Maybe that would make it too brittle. Any thoughts?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

I don't know any more about tempering than what you said... Heat metal to cherry red, quench it to quickly cool it, and it becomes brittle. Heat metal cherry and let it slowly cool at room temperature and it becomes soft.

[@arctodussimus6198]

I have a handmade patch knife that has a C-steel for a handle that I bought from Dixie Gun Works over 20 years ago. It has lost its temper somehow and won’t throw sparks. I suppose there is a video somewhere on KZbin that can show me what to do.

[@jeffpoplin558]

Great (recycled file) steel collection you have made there, David. Love the detailed instructions on the build. BTW, wanna sell that Honda in the garage? jk - lol

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

LOL! Thanks friend!

[@tomsmith6094]

I have Craftsman USA file and throw Sparks like crazy .

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Cool. I was told just the other day to steer clear of them because they would not spark well. LOL!

[@tomsmith6094]

Will sir he lied to you . Maybe he don't know how to use it LoL OMG LMAO

[@groovr22]

Where does one find the chert/flint that you use..?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

LogicalProvisions

[@stephensgate1]

David, any chance to buy one of those off of you?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

No, sorry.

[@CinemaSasquatch]

What are using to strike with?

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

Chert, but Flint and Quartz will work also.

[@zuzalopes1064]

Usava-se isso como isqueiro pra acender cigarros...

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

sim. Obrigado!

[@rooster4669]

I tried to drill a file but no luck to tough

[@DavidWestBgood2ppl]

The lower part of the tand will drill on most files.