With greatly enhanced surface-to-volume ratios, one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanostructures are believed to be able to deliver superior performance as room temperature sensors for explosive gases. 1D carbon nanofibers composed of graphitic nanorolls were prepared using a simple electrospinning-assisted solid-phase graphitization method. This method is facile and low cost and can allow high-yield production of carbon nanofibers. The unique structure of the as-prepared graphitic carbon nanofibers is different from that of conventional 1D carbon nanostructures. It offers the optimal balance between conductivity and adsorption capacity for gas sensing and thus results in remarkable gas-sensing properties in detecting explosive gases including H-2, CO, CH4 and ethanol at room temperature.