[Ron Fontaine]

Some Survival Topics members have asked me to make a tutorial on how to use a FireSteel. Last night I posted a new Topic on the blog that covers the basics.

Take a look at the How to Use a FireSteel article and let me know if you have further questions.

[skippy]

Thanks, Ron! I'm getting sparks, but I can't seem to direct them to my pile of tinder with any degree of accuracy.

Also, one of my strikers works far better than the other one. Is there anything I can do to make it bite into the firesteel better?

[DanT]

It may work better if you rest the firesteel against a surface so that you can apply more pressure. Also you may want to try holding your scraper against your tinder bundle and pulling your firesteel -the static scraper will direct the parks to your bundle.

[skippy]

Originally Posted by DanT

It may work better if you rest the firesteel against a surface so that you can apply more pressure. Also you may want to try holding your scraper against your tinder bundle and pulling your firesteel -the static scraper will direct the parks to your bundle.

Dan, thanks for the hints. I can see resting the firesteel on something, maybe a rock? That might help. Which brings up a question... If you had to estimate how many pounds of pressure you're putting on the firesteel as you scrape it, what would be your guess?

I have a question about your other idea, to pull the firesteel and hold the scraper still. This is the second time I've heard something like this, though I didn't know I was supposed to hold the scraper right next to the bundle. I tried doing this today and did get some sparks, but my scraper really wasn't all that close to the bundle. I'm trying to visualize how to do this and still have enough firesteel to scrape against.

One last question... Should I be seeing little shavings coming from the firesteel?

[Ron Fontaine]

To obtain really big sparks I flick my wrist at the same time I do the scrape. The sparks fly off and fall, popping around on the floor.

There is some difficulty in helping you because I cannot see what you are doing. It could be you are not pressing down hard enough or are not scraping fast enough.

A number of people have brought me firesteels they say do not spark. And in every case I have been able to get big beefy sparks on the first try. It is all in the technique.

As soon as time allows I will make a video.

[skippy]

I'm getting sparks, just not getting them to my tinder bundle.

[TapDuncan]

It does take a bit of practice, the good news is a fire steel is good for hundreds of fires. As for some sticks working and others not, I bought a 3 pack, and one was easier than the others, however, it had less black paint on it then the others, I scrape away as much of the black stuff and then have at it. Once you done it 100 times, it's all good.

[Tangalor]

I just got my firesteel in the mail yesterday. I love it!!

I walked out the front door, dropped some dryer lint (no vaseline) on the ground, and (from a standing position!) had at it... after about 30 seconds, I had a spark hit and ignite the lint... at a standing position... I am truly impressed, and plan on buying more! I brought it to work with me today and have been practicing... I think I need to fashion a handle because it starts to wear on my finger, but... you're supposed to have a fire lit by that time, I'm sure.

[lynchfort]

I just received my firesteels today. Hope to get out this week to try them out.

Craig

[LaRemnant]

Originally Posted by skippy

Thanks, Ron! I'm getting sparks, but I can't seem to direct them to my pile of tinder with any degree of accuracy.

Also, one of my strikers works far better than the other one. Is there anything I can do to make it bite into the firesteel better?

You can try to keep the scraper steady and facing towards the tinder, and pull back with the firesteel (while not moving your other arm) but you stiffen your wrist and have it dig with boldness into the side of the firesteel.

It also helps me when I keep my wrist loose and I flick it with controlled force but my speed is measured so it feels like I am drag scraping it as it bites into the side and sparks spit out every time and in the direction my wrist flicks.

Don't know if that helped... ...