I made this fire steel today, based on an original artifact, possibly Kievan Rus.  The original was on eBay without much info, but I liked the look and wanted to try it.  The frame and pile are mild steel, the base is a harrow tine.  The hardest part was actually making the frame.  I used two nails in the vise as a bending jig for the pile.  The original was made with thinner stock and was more slender, something I'll work on for the next one.

 

This turned out to be a very good sparker, too.  5 1/4" long.

What is the purpose of this device? Is it merely artistic or...?

Fire steels were used with a piece of flint to start fires in pre-match days by creating sparks that you direct on tinder. (hence the reference to sparking).

 

That is a fancy one indeed!  (several simple designs are well documented to be in continuous use from early medieval times through the early 1800's!)

Shame on me then. I know exactly what it is now, I have even used them. I just have never seen one of that shape, most I have seen and used are ovals that you hand fits into. Also, never heard them called by that name, most people I know refer to them merely as Steel. Thanks anyways though, mostly for making me feel dumb ;)

Another perfect example of a smith turning a utilitarian tool into a work of art to be appreciated for both form and usefulness. Great work!

Nice! That's a conversation piece for sure  :D

Best looking flint striker I have seen! Nice work my friend. I am working on my first one with a file. 

 

Having used flint and steel on several occasions, I can say it's quite a task!

Lovely.  if you think flint and steel is hard try friction.  :D   any way to start a fire is fun for me :D  thats just the piro in me talking :D

Nick that is also the best looking one I have ever seen... even in pictures!  I really like that design!  Your proportions look superb to me!

It is very nice. Good job. Is it comfortable when in use? I make the common style(mountain man type) and always thought they were a little rough on the knuckles.

That is genuinely beautiful.  I think I've seen the one you based it on.  I remember being sat back on my heels by the workmanship in it, taking something rather mundane to the next level.  Like today, the wealthier clientele wanted stuff that was "better" than what non-wealthy folks used and it wasn't uncommon to see strikers that were very ornate and intricate.

 

If I can ever figure out my new forge, I'll certainly have to give something like this a try.

That is just wonderful.

 great job, is it reminiscent of some kind of boat shape?

 do you have a link to the original piece?

That is the nicest design fire steel I have ever seen, do you know the origin of the design?

Many thanks, gents :)  Chichi, it is comfortable to use, you sort of pinch it in the middle so your knuckles stay clear.

 

 

Basher, the eBay listing will disappear soon, but here's a post from Oleg Axes (the seller) from Kiev, he always has interesting stuff but is vague on details (all he gave was 'unique early medieval ornamented  Fire Steel'), so unfortunately I don't have any information on the original's origins. 

 

http://axesandotherss.blogspot.com/2013/09/blog-post_4801.html

Wonderful work. Older personal items are always decorated in a fun manner. 

Nick,

 

 Really nice job replicating the old one. Well done.

I really like it, well done

Sweet design!  I was thinking it was a Christmas sleigh or type of ornament that could be used to then later burn the Christmas tree.

Beautiful art pièce .

    P L

Greetings Nick,

 

I waited a while to comment...   Your design is super...  I love the window effect you create.    Bet it would fit comfortably in my pocket...

 

Forge on and make beautiful things

Jim

You've done it again Nick, that's the prettiest fire steel I've ever seen. I'm thinking the original design is river boat/barge, a sledge wouldn't have three "posts" in the bed. Two at most if it was a timber sledge but even those wouldn't be so prominent. In a sledge that is, a sledge inspired tool or decoration could be whatever of course.

 

The ribbon also reminds me of cargo in bales, maybe under tarps or maybe folded nets.

 

Those are just impressions I get looking at the piece of course, I'll stop flapping my fingers now.

 

Super well done Nick! It makes my day to see a post from you come up in the new posts. You be the eye candyman.

 

Frosty The Lucky.

Very nicely realized!

Thanks again!

 

Frosty, I was also thinking it's meant to be a boat or galley, something along those lines.  My next striker will be pattern welded, hopefully more eye candy ;)