Demonstrating the art of flint and steel fire starting in the
Old Somerset Forge. In the old days before the strike any were
match, the smithy had to use the steel striker and a piece of
flint or other type stone to make a spark. The tinder as it was
called could be many types of flammable material. I
believe that the most popular was char cloth. It could be made
in a small tin any time the forge has a fire going. Cotton and
linen are the best material to char in the container, which has
a small hole in the top to let out the gases, but not let
in oxygen. As soon as an ember was detected the cloth was placed
in a bundle of tinder. Wood shavings work very good. Once the
forge was hot the Smith could make an other striker, usually
made of an old file or other harden pieces of steel. He could
also put his char tin near the fire to make more tinder for the next
time, or sell it as a product. Most all metal was recycled
in the shop, heated and forged to another
shape, including nails and rivets.
Old Somerset Forge was
established in 1980
Below is a part of my private collection, made
over many years, facing the heat of the fire.
Snake make of file medium body
Flint lock gun tool, hammer, screwdriver,
striker
Mouse with twisted tail made of old file
Another snake striker stamped eyes
Large snake design KEEPS FINGERS CLEAR
Traditional designed like was used in England
Bar type with twisted tail and curl on the
end
Dragon with curled tail made from a file
The practice of starting fire with flint and steel takes a
little skill that must be learned by trial and error. (watch
your eyes) The science behind this operation is simple, flint is
harder than steel. Striking a sharp piece of flint down the side
of the striker shaves small shards of steel off the surface that
is very hot because of the friction. You learn to aim the hot
sparks at the charred cloth, usually resting on a table top,
stump or the ground. You can also place the charred cloth under
the flint and strike it with striker. If you are right handed
the first method the flint is struck down the steel striker held
in the left hand. In method two the flint and cloth are held in
the left hand and struck downward with the steel held in
the right hand. There are a lot of videos on YOUTUBE to
explain the art.
Reproduction of a
1720 oak tinder box, with sliding lid
1720 style tinder box with lid open to show
components
Modern style box open showing all tools of
the art.
Steel striker, flint
stone and ember caught in the char cloth
Pine wood shaving and char cloth with
glowing embers
Cloth placed inside the shaving, blowing
gently
Moving the shaving through the air rapidly
will work also
Ember is about to ignite the wood
shaving, smoke showing
At last a flame appears, now light a candle,
fireplace or forge
My grandfather was a blacksmith in Somerset
Co. Md.
in the 1930's. He worked on a farm and this skill was very
valuable, for repairing of equipment and making tools and
other items. The file is a very old tool and is mentioned in the
King James Version of the Bible, 1 Samuel Chapter 13 verse
21. It is a high carbon steel and is very hard, but not as hard
as flint. The char cloth is made from natural fiber such as
linen
cotton and some tree fungus. The material is placed in a small
tin with a tight fitting top with a small hole in the lid. The
tin is placed near the fire and allowed to heat until no smoke
comes from the hole. The tin is allowed to cool before
opening. The cloth is then stored in an air tight container
until ready to use.
Thanks for your time.
Items on this page are not for sale, but
are part of a private
Collection. Similar items can be located on the internet.
