Flint and steel, on the cheap and easy, no forging

So Flint and steel can be pretty intimidating.

You need carbon steel, hard enough to generate heat when you scrape pieces off, and soft enough to get alot of pieces.

If you don't' have cash , or cant' blacksmith, what can you do?

1. Old files

You can convert old broken files into steels for flint and steel, you need to grind all the teeth off one edge so smooth steel is exposed, without overheating and ruining the temper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBrX2gi80Ts

2. Carbon steel hacksaw blades. They HAVE to say High carbon steel, bimetal etc will not work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVxbkQSfxrs


Just put them in a vice and break them into 3-4 pieces, to fit in the hand.
Sand or grind off the paint on the back of the blade (opposite the teeth) Until it's shiny.

That's it, just use it as normal and you will get sparks.

3. Other things you already have
Flint And Steel Striker You Might Already Have


Okay, so what if you don't have flint.

Any hard rock will do if it has good edges. Chert, quartz or similar.

If you cant' find that carbide works, either bit bits from metal cutting lathes,



or one of these

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPASBK/ref=crt_ewc_title_dp_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Another video

No flint? No problem. How to find a rock that will spark like flint.