I have found the striking the flint with like a fixed blade at an angle produces a huge spark. When I went camping last year in the mt's, I didn't even want to try to shave it. Simply just hit the edge against flint and a huge spark comes!
Oh, I am well aware of how to use it- but striking the steel with the knife will give you a huge spark and it goes right on the magnesium...
Quote from: Leatherman123 on January 01, 2008, 05:00:22 PMOh, I am well aware of how to use it- but striking the steel with the knife will give you a huge spark and it goes right on the magnesium...I guess my question is, are you using the whole bar of magnesium when striking? because if you are, couldn't the whole thing ignite!
Quote from: WhichDawg on January 03, 2008, 09:51:23 AMQuote from: Leatherman123 on January 01, 2008, 05:00:22 PMOh, I am well aware of how to use it- but striking the steel with the knife will give you a huge spark and it goes right on the magnesium...I guess my question is, are you using the whole bar of magnesium when striking? because if you are, couldn't the whole thing ignite!Big lumps of magnesium do burn really well, just ask the Luftwaffe
Quote from: micky d on January 03, 2008, 10:56:55 AMQuote from: WhichDawg on January 03, 2008, 09:51:23 AMQuote from: Leatherman123 on January 01, 2008, 05:00:22 PMOh, I am well aware of how to use it- but striking the steel with the knife will give you a huge spark and it goes right on the magnesium...I guess my question is, are you using the whole bar of magnesium when striking? because if you are, couldn't the whole thing ignite!Big lumps of magnesium do burn really well, just ask the Luftwaffe What's the story there then mate?
Thanks for that. I never knew that.
wow that's pretty interesting! thanks Micky, I never knew that either.
Speaking of aircraft fires;the US Navy's F-8 Crusader used a lot of magnesium in the landing gear.Hard landings onboard carriers caused more than one fire.
Magnesium is light and strong and used in stress points for lots of things. Many race cars have frames or roll cages made from magnesium. Seriously, the next time you have a magnesium rod handy, try to break it and you'll see what I mean!Titanium has similar problems. I'm not certain how true this is, but I have been told that once titanium hits a certain temperature it will ignite and it is impossible to extinguish until it is all consumed.Def
I agree with you to a point, but if it's the best metal to stand up to repeated shocks like that, then it's the best choice, even if say after every 200 landings it needs to be replaced or it may snap and the friction could cause a fire. Better than using a less suitable metal and risk dropping a $20 million dollar plane on the deck of a $500 million carrier!I think I would poo myself if I had a Ducati (or anything else) with magnesium wheels. Imagine the lightshow if he gets a blowout! Def