fire steel

[shootrj2003]

 I have not ever started a fire with flint and steel,I have decided that this is a dysfuctional deficiency of mine which of course must be rectified.My question is can a steel be too hard?I made one very hard out of 5/16''drill rod,it sparks but not real showers of sparksOf course I have nothing to compare it with except the survival steels used with a knife[it does not spark that well]but maybe flint and steel don't spark that well,yoou tell me? I could I'm sure under theright circumstancestart a fire with it but more sparks would be cool,I am a farrier with blacksmithing skills do I have to temper it slightly softer or use it as is?

[Stumblin Wolf]

If yer steel and flint is makin' sparks, yer problem is yer charcloth and tinder.

[dfoster]

It's possible that it's too hard. Keep in mind that the sparks are tiny pieces of metal from the fire steel. If you quenched it too hot, it may be too hard to be effective, ie less sparks.

My suggestion would be to anneal it, heating a couple of times and letting it air cool. Bring it up to just non-magnetic (usually a red color, not orange or yellow), then quench. Try again to see how it sparks.

I've always had the best luck with good, high carbon tool steels. Old files, allen wrenchs, hay rake teeth, etc, seem to work well. Not sure about the drill rod.

[shootrj2003]

the only thing that will scratch it is a file or flint I cut it with a wheel on my dremel and it fought back!when I was 3/4 through it i tried to bend it to finish the cut and it just snapped  like glass but it toook a lot to break didn't bend at all!

[Stumblin Wolf]

I'd have to say that if a file cut it; its probably too soft

dfoster, I fooled around with a piece of drill rod last week and it made a dandy fire striker!

[dfoster]

I'd agree with Matt on it being too soft. Bring it back up to temp and quench and try again.

I'll have to try the drill rod next time I'm pounding steel. Thanks for the idea.