Starting Fire w/knife & fire steel

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ouc

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Oct 20, 2010
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I'm sure this is something asked before but not sure why I can't find using the search function. I'm just looking for the proper technique to use the chimping on the back of a knife and firesteel. I looked search at you tube also but nothing. The you tube videos I found use the cutting edge of the knife, or a different striker. I'm specifically looking for how the knife is held using the chimping against the ferrocerium rod. Can someone please point me to a video or literature showing proper technique?

thanks!
 
ouc said:
I'm sure this is something asked before but not sure why I can't find using the search function. I'm just looking for the proper technique to use the chimping on the back of a knife and firesteel. I looked search at you tube also but nothing. The you tube videos I found use the cutting edge of the knife, or a different striker. I'm specifically looking for how the knife is held using the chimping against the ferrocerium rod. Can someone please point me to a video or literature showing proper technique?

thanks!
Click to expand...

Never use the cutting edge, it's made for cutting stuff not particularly ferro rods. Use the spine of the knife, the corner works well.
 
seperate striker or spine when possible... but some knives may be coated or have spines that are too smooth. you can remove coating or rough up a spot with a dremel to dedicate for ferro rod strikes.
 
RevDevil said:
Never use the cutting edge, it's made for cutting stuff not particularly ferro rods. Use the spine of the knife, the corner works well.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:

Never, ever use the cutting edge of the blade to strike your ferro rod. Always use the spine of the knife if you are going to use your knife at all. Even better, is to cut a piece of a hacksaw blade and use that. All you have to do is scrape the rod with pressure and your sparks will fly. Add some dry tinder and you're good to go. If you don't have something particular to use as tinder, I've found that some dry lint from the pockets of your jeans will catch quite easily...... Make sure to take the lint out of your pockets before you try to spark them up. :D
 
Tony8179, I tried the dryer lint this week-end & I swear it worked better than using the cotton balls or the Tinder-Quick fire tabs. I added some with my other tinder in my Altoids can to take camping this week-end.
Excellent advice on taking it out of your pocket first though . . . :)
Be safe.
 
Certain knives have squared spine, and this works well to strike ferro rods. Many ferro rods come with their own striker. If yours doesn't follow the advice of getting a piece of hacksaw as striker. Of course if it's a true survival situation and the sharp edge of the knife is the only thing you got, use it. Dulling half an inch of your blade to keep you alive is a fair trade off.
 
Are you trying this with a stainless blade? Firesteels don't work too well with some ss blades for some reason. Carbon steel works much better at "throwing" sparks.

Test a couple different blade spines to see if it is the blade that's causing your problem.
 
banana-clip said:
+1 on cutting a peice of hacksaw blade for your firesteel.
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What he said. :thumbup:

I had very very little success using firesteels before I started a) using chunks of saw blades to strike the steel, and b) using chunks of dryer lint/linen for tinder.
 
I like the Swedish Light my fire firesteels. They have the little striker that comes with it and it works pretty good for throwing sparks.

The spine on my Blind Horse Bushcrafter does a great job of throwing sparks too.
 
Check out an easy fire with minimal tools. I must admit that their wasn't too much wind, no rain or adverse conditions. I keep a tube of Vasoline lip balm for the cotton tinder in my fire bags - this makes them burn for a long time. I use jimping on spine to strike sparks. Another good knife for striking sparks is my SAK's with a saw - that sucker throws a real shower of sparks.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8545766&postcount=63
 
Thanks everyone for the replys, suggestions and pointers. To be more specific, alot of knives come with chimping on the top of the blade. I would like to see proper use of that chimping and the firesteel. I'm planning on picking up a BR Bravo 1 SS. So to answer another posters question, yes it is stainless steel, but it does have the chimping on the back. Is there a good description of how to properly hold the knife and correct motion? Or a video even better?


I did see a video of someone using the cutting edge as some of you have chimmed in saying that it is wrong and will dull the edge. I kinda figured that was wrong.
 
ouc said:
Thanks everyone for the replys, suggestions and pointers. To be more specific, alot of knives come with chimping on the top of the blade. I would like to see proper use of that chimping and the firesteel. I'm planning on picking up a BR Bravo 1 SS. So to answer another posters question, yes it is stainless steel, but it does have the chimping on the back. Is there a good description of how to properly hold the knife and correct motion? Or a video even better?


I did see a video of someone using the cutting edge as some of you have chimmed in saying that it is wrong and will dull the edge. I kinda figured that was wrong.
Click to expand...

i think the word you are looking for is jimping.
 
freedoom said:
i think the word you are looking for is jimping.
Click to expand...

No, he is suggesting that the process is so simple a monkey could do it. :D

Back OT, hold your knife blade out, jimping in, next to the tinder and use the fire-steel by pulling the steel rapidly out along the edge of the jimping. Yes, you move the fire-steel rather than the knife. The reason for this is that you get a hotter spark directed exactly where you want it and you won't be scattering your tinder as you might if you moved the knife.
 
A.P.F. said:
No, he is suggesting that the process is so simple a monkey could do it. :D

Back OT, hold your knife blade out, jimping in, next to the tinder and use the fire-steel by pulling the steel rapidly out along the edge of the jimping. Yes, you move the fire-steel rather than the knife. The reason for this is that you get a hotter spark directed exactly where you want it and you won't be scattering your tinder as you might if you moved the knife.
Click to expand...


Thanks, are you supposed to run the rod flat on the jimping or against the edge/corner of the jimping? Wish there was a good video that explains and shows everything...
 
ouc said:
Thanks, are you supposed to run the rod flat on the jimping or against the edge/corner of the jimping? Wish there was a good video that explains and shows everything...
Click to expand...

Against the corner edge of the jimping. This vid may help.
 
It's really not too difficult. Make sure you have a non cutting edge, non-coated edge to strike the steel with. Make sure to point the firesteel toward your tinder pile, and not to dig the edge in too deep, you don't want to break the firesteel, or take too much material off of it.

You should definitely practice with this before you attempt to go out and start a fire with one. Depending on this technique without having practiced first is very fool hearty, especially in wet weather.

You didn't ask, but since winter is almost here, in my opinion, if you want to be assured to start a fire in most conditions you should have the following:

1. Wet Fire brand tinder cubes
2. Storm Proof lighter
3. Quality firesteel with striker, or knife
4. Knife/axe etc. to prepare tinder/kindling with
5. Quality flash light.

These are the basics, assuming you already have access/ability to gather reasonably dry wood. You can get away with less and/or home made stuff, but I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you are a ways out from civilization.
 
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