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Thread: Hi... which stones cause sparks?

  1. #1
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    Wink Hi... which stones cause sparks?

    Hi Everyone!

    Hope that you are all fine, fit and funky this morning?!
    This is my first posting on this very interesting looking site! I hope that someone will be able to help me please?

    I've read that striking two flint stones together will cause sparks so that you can light a fire, but what other stones could you use?

    Thank you!


  2. #2
    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    Just curious, is this a homework assignment? You didn't bother telling us why you were asking or giving us any information on yourself. Knowing which stones produce sparks is of little consequence if you do not know how to identify those stones.

  3. #3
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    Default Stones- Sparks!

    Hi,

    Thank you for replying, I know stones and crystals so the problem isn't recognising them. I like to do things as natural as possible and when I read an article about making sparks with different stones, it intrigued me! Obviously stones with some metal inclusions would work, and noth thats too hard or soft! but I was wondering if there was any other type of stone, apart from flint of course.

    Many thanks,
    Stephanie.

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    Thank you for replying, I know stones and crystals so the problem isn't recognising them. I like to do things as natural as possible and when I read an article about making sparks with different stones, it intrigued me! Obviously stones with some metal inclusions would work, and nothing thats too hard or soft! but I was wondering if there was any other type of stone, apart from flint of course.

    Many thanks,
    Stephanie.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Graf's Avatar
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    I have used flint and quartz with success striking with steel never 2 rocks together, to do that one would need to be iron ore I’m guessing
    Semper Paratus

  6. #6
    Senior Member kyratshooter's Avatar
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    Pyrite crystals will create sparks when struck together.

    The spark is very weak and requires an excellent tinder to catch the low heat spark, but it does spark.

    Pyrites were the ignition source for most wheel-lock firearms back in the 15th-17th centuries.

    The word Pyrite is Greek for "sparking stone" or "fire stone".

  7. #7
    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    Ironstone is an often overlooked stone.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Antonyraison's Avatar
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    quartz and flint stone,
    but usually you would need to hit it with iron pyrites, or something like that.. best results are achieved by hitting flint stone with high carbon steel strikers.

    Most stones dont give off enough of a spark to light anything much..
    its the "knocking" off of the iron that causes rapid oxidization that creates the spark as far as I am aware.
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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    Hello and welcome.

    I've had good success with the Bic stone.
    Can't Means Won't

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  10. #10
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    ".....striking two flint stones together will cause sparks....."



    Fred and Wilma made some sparks once. They got Pebbles.



    Alan

  11. #11
    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    Barney and Betty kept striking rocks together. Neighbors could hear it ............Bam Bam.
    Can't Means Won't

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  12. #12
    Junior Member Tokwan's Avatar
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    If you have a dry river bed near your pace, go out there and try some of the stones there. Quartz works mainly. Look for dark colored stone, they can be broken in flat pieces when struck hard. Granite works too but the spark is not so good. Just remember, its not the rock that gives out the spark, the rock scraps some of the steel. The steel is the part that gives out the sparks. Always strike at the sharpest edge and mind your hands.
    I'm a Gramp who is not computer savvy, give me a slab and the rock ages tablet..I will do fine!

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