The problem I was haing wasn't in generating sparks. It was creating the shavings. The file on a multi-tool is much easier and faster. I also use the phillups screw driver in the tool to generate sparks. Most of the tool is a square rod except at the tip where it round off. The square edge of the shaft is perfect for generating a spark and I don't have to worry about dulling or scorching the blade. I place the bottom corner of the bar on the ground and pint the rod towards the tinder. One of two scrapes down with the multi-tool and shower of sparks falls onto the tinder. I like having the bar rest on the ground as it gives me more control over the stroke and at aiming the sparks.<br><br>BTW, I'm sure you know that not all knives will work. Folks who buy MFS need to make sure they try them out before you really need them (good counsel anyway). I first thought that an old tiny pocket knife I carry (mostly as a memento) would be perfect. But the blade fails to produce any sparks at all.<br><br>BTW, as lpng as this is the campfire forum, I can relate how I found the tiny pocket knife. Well, it's more like a tiny, cheap SAK.<br><br>In 1976, while I was working at Owasippe Scout Reservation (OSR), I went snorkeling with a friend on Wolverine Lake. Wolverine Lake is a long narrow man-made lake from damed up Cleveland Creek. Its not to deep at teh southern end were we where, maybe 10 -15 feet. Along the bottom are all of the stumps from the trees they cut down prior to flooding the valley. Something flashed on one of these stumps, so I dove down and retrieved it. Voila! A tiny folding knive about an inch and a half long. It's a mini SAK with complete with scissors and a cork screw. It was rustd a bit, but not too bad. And after a cleaning it was reasonably servicable. It's not a high quality tool, but I'm fond off it only because of the circumstances under which I found it. I imagine that some poor scout lost it while boating on the lake and it drifted slowly down through the water and alit upon this flatened stump. The odds of someone finding it in the middle of a lake like that must be increadable.<br><br>Anyway, I carry in my fanny pack. And whenever I have to dig deep into the bottom for something, my fingers usually run accross the knife and I'm reminded of that time I was snorkeling on Lake Wolverine.
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Willie Vannerson
McHenry, IL