Fire Striker

A historical fire-making tool commonly used before the invention of matches. fire strikers were forged from highly carburized (very hard) steel, about 0.5 cm thick, 4 – 15 cm long, usually arched. Used to strike flint (i.e. the rock) in such a way that the sparks generated would fall on a piece of tinder that ignited; then flammable material, e.g. wood and coal, was added to it. We know from ethnographic data that the accessories for making fire were worn in pouches, usually around the waist belt.