Bill,

No permanent marks. The blade is carbon as I do not like stainless knives. Yes, I was able to get a fire. I wish I had a picture just a few seconds later. Mrs. JR3 took that one.

JR3 Congrats.

Capt Chris - you are right, a stainless knife will (should) not create sparks, however, I didn't know if a purpose made flint would change that equation. I have one here though, I think I will give it a try and advise.

Bill

Gents,

Stainless blades work fine with Ferrocerium rods. It is a man made "flint" that only requires a 90 degree angle, or edge to make a good spark.

Now natural flint requires a hard carbon blade, or striker. No stainless for natural flint.

Ok, we are off topic a litte (sorry), but this is interesting.

I have one of the man made ferro rods that stays on the model 5 when hunting - just in case. I just tried it using a Model 10-5 (stainless) and it did work. I then compared it to the standard carbon blade which worked noticeably better. However, both did work.

Agree though: natural flint + stainless steel blade = one cold night.

This guy is striking with a 154CM steel blade and a laminated VG10 core blade with 420 J2 side steel (the 420 is on the spine) he's getting some good sparks! Long video but a neat comparo IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIGrL1fJCu4

I used to be in the same boat. I recently bought a Randall #16 SF (stainless only) and took it into the woods the other day. I must say it worked great I chopped down two good sized trees (5-6 inches across) and made some feather sticks for a fire. After, I then did some carving. After all this I get back to the house and do a paper test and it still cut through the paper almost like it did before I went out!

My model 14 wont be able to cut paper after less work! I touched up the 16 SF's edge on my leather strop (with green compound on it) and it was hair poping sharp again!

After my experience with the 16 SF now I feel the need for a stainless 14! The 16 SF is a great bush knife but its a little lighter than the 14 making it a great carry companion but not as good for chopping down a tree.

Yep, he's using a Fällkniven knife. The sharp spine edges on their laminated stainless blades were designed to work well with a Swedish FireSteel. Also, FireSteels come with a stainless striker.

That is the same firesteel I used in my test above. Works well.

Leatherman -
Details on your leather strop please.
- Rob

This is my exact strop, purchased from KSF. I first bought it for my Bark River brand knives because they are convex but used it on my other knives too and it works wonders. I always finish off with the strop after I touch my knives to my Arkansas hones or after a days worth of work in the woods. The best part is it dose not wear your knives down like a stone would.

Also your edge will last longer if you use a strop, a fine edge lasts longer than a coarse edge!

http://www.knivesshipfree.com/product_info.php?cPath=637_638&products_id=6348