Clip point Striker

[justAwink]

The title is not an official name but rather an observation based on a fire steel from this post found here on ALR http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=30029.0

 When I saw the steel I smiled inpart because I forge strikers just like it as well as leaving the tail open. The title says clip point striker because when I forge a bowie I will sometimes "CLIP" the point to make the preform instead of forging the bar into a point for a preform. The piece that is "CLIPPED" off is almost identical to the steel in the post and has just had the edges knocked off before it was rounded on the horn.

 Here is a piece of random pattern welded steel I "CLIPPED" off a bar to create the preform for the knife. All I did was round the tail and  knock the edges down before making the bend.

 I find it interesting as a bladesmith to see period tools and recognize from where they may have come from since those same tools are being rediscovered today as I work the trade trying to be frugal with every little bit of steel that hits the dirt floor.

[Artificer]

NICE looking striker.

Have to admit it has been three decades since I frequently used a flint and steel.

I just wonder if the original striker had the front bottom sort of "kicked out" or curved out to make it more sure when striking the flint down on it?  Or was that just the way it was worn from use?

Gus

[justAwink]

I can get you a pic of the face of the striker but it appears from using it myself that I strike just below center and shave the steel off to just above center. That would also line up with how the wear on the one in the original pic appears. Now most of the time I place the char cloth on top on the flint and strike with the striker angling the striker. One strike is generally all it takes to ignite the char cloth but being used daily I can see where it would wear there over time.

[The Original Griz]

Do ya sell them? If ya do, shoot me a PM. I am interested....

[Artificer]

I can get you a pic of the face of the striker but it appears from using it myself that I strike just below center and shave the steel off to just above center. That would also line up with how the wear on the one in the original pic appears. Now most of the time I place the char cloth on top on the flint and strike with the striker angling the striker. One strike is generally all it takes to ignite the char cloth but being used daily I can see where it would wear there over time.

Thanks for the explanation.
Gus