Do I Need to reharden a striker

[bldtrailer]

I traded flint/chert for a striker(animal shaped) but no matter how hard I try I can't get it to spark (files on my chert look like fire works)
Sooo should I attemp to reharden the steel and/or file the edge and try again ?

 

[Rifleman1776]

Probably, it sounds like that is what you need to do.

 

[flconch53]

It could also be to hard. See if a file will cut it and how much. Cuts easily to soft doesn't cut all all to hard

 

[LRB]

It could also be to hard. See if a file will cut it and how much. Cuts easily to soft doesn't cut all all to hard

File hard on fire strikers works best. Frizzens need a slight temper. You can temper a striker at 300°F if you wish, just to relieve a little stress, but it may be considered optional. Very doubtful that you will over harden a striker.

 

[luckyned]

i make up fire starter kits to sell at gun shows and while most of the strikers i buy spark fairly well occasionally i get a dud so i just routinely re-harden all my strikers by heating red hot in my forge and quenching in water. i also make sure my flint has a sharp edge.

 

[TDM]

If a file bites even the least bit it should be rehardened.

 

[LongWalker]

Before you make an attempt to re-harden it, grind or sand the striking face--not a lot, wipe the face with a marking pen and grind or sand off all the ink from the marker. Sometimes in hardening, the surface will get de-carburized and won't spark. Dressing it down a few thousandths of an inch will often get you to metal that will spark. If not, you can always re-harden it.