Napping your flint

WALT53 · Jan 31, 2023

Uncle Miltie said:
The screwdriver is threaded into square metal part. The piece is heavy, but not used as a hammer. The handle is loosely held between the thumb and index finger and bounced along the edge of the fint: the weight of the tool does the work, and the edge of the square makes nice small chips on the edge of the flint. The screw driver is used to tighten the jaw screw, and is not used to knap the flint. This tool was made in 1970. I am the second user and have used it the past 30 years, and have found nothing better. I hope you make one to use: you will like it.

I’m gonna make one to try.One gentle man told me he used a 1/4” brass bolt to touch up his flints just by dragging it over the edge,works good also.You have no idea how many guys are new to flintlocks and how much they appreciate all the little tidbits you guys put out there for them,me included it all helps thankyou.walt

Frogman88 · Jan 31, 2023

Thanks Smokey Plainsman. Haw, haw, haw, they stay awake all the time.

Dale Allen Raby · Jan 31, 2023

I don't. I flip 'em over and use 'em until both edges are too bad to use, then I replace 'em. Usually by then there isn't much left to nap.

William Hagewood · Jan 31, 2023

I use a DGW flint knapping tool and flint knapping hammer

SDSmlf · Jan 31, 2023

WALT53 said:
Just curious as to what everyone uses to nap their flints with. Pictures would be nice.thankyou in advance. Walt

Guessing you are asking about refreshing or sharpening flints, not actually knapping or making flints. I like to use a notched piece of soft steel to refresh a flint’s edge. I typically use a 16 d nail with notches filed into the end.

user 48702 · Jan 31, 2023

WALT53 said:
I’m gonna make one to try.One gentle man told me he used a 1/4” brass bolt to touch up his flints just by dragging it over the edge,works good also.You have no idea how many guys are new to flintlocks and how much they appreciate all the little tidbits you guys put out there for them,me included it all helps thankyou.walt

Same here, I use a brass carriage bolt. I acquired a large quantity of large brass bolts and copper rivets from another shop I bought and the brass bolt works better than I expected. I just rest the bolt threads on the edge of the flint and lightly tap with the back of my knife from corner to corner for a clean sharp edge. Cock and spark a couple of times to true the edge and your good to go. You just need to find a bolt 5/16" to 3/8" in diameter and about 2" inches long.

pacanis · Jan 31, 2023

I have a brass rod that used to be a punch that I filed a step in. I'll tap that with a small hammer or whatever is handy. I have also used a small knapping hammer directly on the flint's edge.
And a few weeks ago I used the only thing handy, the reamer/awl on my Victorinox Farmer pocket knife. I was not expecting to have to knap the flint after ten shots and walked out back ill prepared, but prepared nonetheless.

ColonialRifleSmith · Feb 1, 2023

Phil Coffins said:
93C8C739-68EB-4E70-A212-340E33E6E649 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

Excellent knapping kit. Semper Fi.

Fly103 · Feb 1, 2023

Cruzatte said:
Yes, flint shards are sharp. One way to avoid cutting yourself is to resist bashing the flint like you're John Henry beating that steam drill. Small, light taps do the job.

17:20, it works for Jim Kibler and now it works for me. I feel no danger of cutting myself unless I were to run my finger down the knapped edge for some reason?

Chris

WALT53 · Feb 1, 2023

Thankyou Fly 103 I learned a few things from that video.Flintlocks might be lock stock and barrel but there is a lot one has to learn to just make run smooth.Then you got to figure out how to make em shoot as efficient as possible.Good for the mind,keeps it working to.lol walt.

Ron Wilkerson · Feb 1, 2023

Very good video for sure. Learned a few things to make taking care of the flints a whole lot easier!

Bearkiller · Feb 1, 2023

William Hagewood said:
I use a DGW flint knapping tool and flint knapping hammer

Me too here's a pic

Eric Krewson · Feb 1, 2023

I use this;

If they are really blunt but still long enough I try to get a little more life out of them with an Ishi stick. I didn't have a picture of mine but snagged one off the net. You can get some serious pressure flaking pressure with one of these.

Magungo1066 · Feb 1, 2023

Bushfire said:
I use whatever I have on hand but typically I have a small flathead screw driver and tap it with my pliers.

I am far from experienced here but I find a flathead to be a really convenient way to do it. It is my "go to " usually.

david w · Feb 1, 2023

Fly103 said:
17:20, it works for Jim Kibler and now it works for me. I feel no danger of cutting myself unless I were to run my finger down the knapped edge for some reason?

Chris

I cut my finger from accidentally dragging my finger across a flint when I was wiping the pan. Those flints can be razor sharp! I almost didn't feel it. Saw the blood first.

Coinneach · Feb 1, 2023

Fly103 said:
For the 2 years I have been shooting flintlocks I have always struggled with knapping my flints well, usually end up doing more damage than good. A week or so ago I was watching a video where the shooter was knapping between shots and he made mention that he always places his finger under the bottom of the edge of the flint while tapping with his little brass hammer. I tried it myself last time out and was amazed at how easily it flacked and how much control I had. For tapping, I just use the spine of my patch knife or my turnscrew, no need to carry an extra tool.

Chris

The Frizzen itself on the Flint lock is a knapping tool, an experienced ML back in the early 80's showed me.
Its very simple and practical, with the long arm (laying on its side cradled Lock up pn your lap) just ease the Cock jaws holding the Flint forward; and lower the heel edge of the Frizzen down onto the forward edge of the Flint. It only needs a touch and some care taken not to take too much off.

Coinneach · Feb 1, 2023

Comfortably_Numb said:
This isn't rocket science.

I find that blood sacrificing a virgin female Goat before the age of 12 months, on the night before the Spring Equinox to the Druids who were responsible for Flint; makes all the difference.....

user 48702 · Feb 1, 2023

Coinneach said:
I find that blood sacrificing a virgin female Goat before the age of 12 months, on the night before the Spring Equinox to the Druids who were responsible for Flint; makes all the difference.....

Around here, folks rely on burying a chicken gizzard and the left eye of a possum beneath the South side of a willow at midnight third Wednesday. It also helps a little if you shake a chicken foot at the first lightning bug you see.

FishDFly · Feb 1, 2023

Comfortably_Numb said:
This isn't rocket science.

Nope.

Coinneach · Feb 1, 2023

Gunny5821 said:
Around here, folks rely on burying a chicken gizzard and the left eye of a possum beneath the South side of a willow at midnight third Wednesday. It also helps a little if you shake a chicken foot at the first lightning bug you see.

Them ol timey ways are too often scoffed at, whereas "Science" jest fails whenever we rely on it.

Napping your flint

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