How To Make A (Flint And Steel) Steel Out Of A File

It sparks like the Grand Finale fireworks display on the 4th of July! It sparks like a heavy piece of 6010 welders slag falling 20' to a concrete floor! It sparks like a lightning bolt that just hit the transformer atop a city street power pole! Come see my step by step demonstration as I build a steel from the $1, Flea Market, 10" Black Diamond file that I just bought yesterday. Please find that LINK below, among others, and SUBSCRIBE. Thank You! Make A Steel Out Of A File Playlist youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkoXX8XsMW3n39s_OA1Y3ib… Before Making A Steel From A File, Check It For Sparkiness! https://youtu.be/pXD36FkH4jM Cobra Weave Tutorial, for severely “knot challenged” people like me! https://youtu.be/UoaHHhUTkEI

1976 I was working for a small machine shop. I only had one pair of safety glasses and wouldn’t you know I left them in my toolbox at school. I asked the owner of the shop if they had any spare glasses as I was machining a large cast iron wheel drum. They all used Rx glasses so he did not have any spares. He said, “Just squint your eyes.” I smiled when I saw you keeping the squint your eyes method alive. 🤣😂🤣😂 Thanks for another good video David. Regards, Chuck

David, your videos are awesome. I'm taking notes and preparing things for when I go camping. Will share all. Thank you man. :-)

I just made one out of a new Nichloson file. I used oil on the file as I cut it to keep the heat down. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to use the file to square off my striker and knife for a fresh 90 degree angle . So a new striker can be used for multiple purposes. I am sure that has been thought of,but it was new to me. Thank David, for real treasure of fire making Ideas.

Very nice video. I’ve made steels from every file I have found except for the one (that I use) in my carpenter’s box. Sometimes I will leave the end (opposite the lanyard) with a 90 degree edge to use on a ferro rod ( you know, when you just don’t have the time to blow a real fire) 😉 Been making fire with flint and steel since I was eight years old (1968). It’s been my go-to method for over 50 years now. It’s good to see it is still alive, and still being taught.

That was cool . Totally cool .

Fantastic David, since I started following you, I never use a flame to start a fire 👍😄

Another great tutorial... Thanks, David!

What I love about this is that you still have a file

Exceptional demo, sir. Thanks. Really "shines a light" on what you can do with yard sale finds. haha

The other half of the file can be softened at one end with a propane torch with a small flame. Heat on one side and then let it cool completely slowly as possible and then heat on the other side again let it cool as slowly as possible. If you find you're losing too much temper use a pair of vice grips or a metal piece to act as a heat sink and protect the hardened areas you want to keep. And then continue as you showed.

David , good video and tips , thanks for sharing , God bless !

Boy that really sparks good. I'll have to try wrapping my charcloth around the chert like you do. Thanks for the info and have a great day. 👍

As always another great video. Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I really liked the one about the flea market files. I did not know the different filed could dictate spark

That works really well 👍

Thanks David; Neat project.

Another great tutorial Dave . nice one😊👍

I made a knife out of a file like that. I used a diamond sharpener to get the spine smooth and still keep the edges for ferro rod. 👍

👍👏. Good job!

I need to make me one from a file!! Thanks for sharing. Juddie - J & J TOA