Synthesis of carbon nanomaterials on a metal substrate by an ethylene fueled inverse diffusion flame was illustrated. Two stainless steel plates coated with $Ni(NO_3){_2}$ were folded with each other and used as a catalytic metal substrate. Carbon nanotubes and nanofibers with diameters of 20 - 60nm were found on the substrate. From the TEM-EDS analyses, most of the nanomaterials turned out to be Nicatalyzed. Carbon nanotubes were formed on the substrate in the region ranging from about 1,400K to 900K. The formation mechanisms of nanotubes and nanofibers were similar. The synthesis temperature of the nanofibers was lower than that of the nanotubes. The higher synthesis temperature of nanotubes might enhance the activity of the catalyst metal and produce more condensed carbons. The accumulated graphite layers led to form compartments to release the compressive stress in the layers. The growth of carbon nanotubes was bamboo-shaped showing compartments in the inside hollow. The distances between those compartments represented the growth rate that depended on the synthesis temperature.