I think it that I use the striker that comes with it and I don't find it all that good

Hi Pete,<br><br>Using the striker supplied with the Swedish Firesteel has never given me trouble, I can light a fire with the Firesteel using the supplied striker anytime.<br><br>However you have to watch the angle you tiltthe scraper/striker compared to the firesteel and also the striker is stamped from thin sheet metal so one side is smoother/rounded while the other side is more rough and that side strikes sparks the best.<br><br>If you still have problems, there are two ways to solve it, first practice more, I reguarly light a fire 30-40 times using only the Large Military Firesteel and fine slivers/scrapings of Maya-wood when we are attending a fancy fair or community fest to show our Scouting group and try to find new members.<br><br>The second way would be to use a short piece of hacksaw blade, the metal saw one with the super fine teeth, using that as a striker will throw a lot of sparks easilly but also eat up your firesteel more rapidly.<br><br>I prefer the practice path, for me bigger/larger etc is no real solution if you practice enough you get lots of 'jobs' done with less, it saves on carrying weight also ;)<br><br>Best Scouting wishes from Holland,<br><br>Bagheera (Piet = Pete in English)

Bageera,<br>I just had another go at the firesteel, and it worked brilliantly, I was just holding it at the wrong angle. Thanks<br>Is there a way to remove the flint from its handle, as it is too bulky for me

Hi Pete,<br><br>The Flintsteel is only inserted about 1/4-3/8" into the plastic thumbpiece.<br><br>It's easy to remove by grinding the plastic thumbpiece on a belt sander, the plastic will get hot and flexible and you can take out the flintsteel rod easilly.<br><br>Then comes the fun part, using a slow turning bench drill, take a drillbit that you won't be using in the future anymore size? 1/8" or so and start drilling a hole through the end of the flintsteel.<br>MAKE SURE you have nothing flammable on the workbench or synthetics on your body because you will burn holes in it :D<br><br>I use a wet rag (dripping) to stop the wood below the firesteel that I drill from catching fire, I even have thought about putting the firesteel in a small tupper ware-ish plastic box fill it with water until it's under water and then drill it holding on to the flintrod by hand.<br>Still I don't like my fingers in water when working with an electric appliance.<br><br>Well, enjoy the fireworks and you'll notice how slowly you drill through the flint rod, it has a kind of sub lubricating consistency that nmakes it hard to drill to fast + of course all the sparks flying around.<br><br>After you've drilled the hole put a split-ring through it and you have a lot mor e packable flintsteel and still a lot of control by holding onto the split-ring.<br><br>Have fun, please don't torch the house or yourself,<br><br>Bagheera