Finding Good Flints?

[pa woods roamer]

http://www.neolithics.com/ All have flat tops and spark good...

 

[AZbpBurner]

How much is " 2 rod "?

100% more than 1 Rod :idunno:

 

[M. De Land]

33 feet. 1 rod = 16.5 feet

 

[excess650]

In addition to TOTW and Stonewall Creek Outfitters, I'll recommend Heritage Products. I use both black English and French Amber, and buy them by the dozen(s).

 

[Rifleman1776]

33 feet. 1 rod = 16.5 feet

That is almost common knowledge. But, tis a puzzlement wat he meant by the context it was used in. :idunno:

 

[smoothshooter]

I'm trying to figure out the math to calculate how many flints are in 16 1/2 feet . . . . .

Is that laying them side by side or end to end?

 

[smoothshooter]

- and half as much as 4 rod.

 

[MSW]

You folks who are using some sort of grinding wheel to remove humps and lumps, be sure to wear some sort of good air filter mask over your nose and mouth.

The dust made by the grinder can cause some serious lung problems if you breath it in.

These air filter masks are available at almost any good hardware store and they don't cost much so don't skimp on your health. Buy some and use them.

what he said!

I've never found the paper "nuisance masks" to be of much use, but if you shop around, you can get a mask which will cover your nose and mouth, with a decent set of filters, for under fifty bucks. The filters are easily replaceable, and not very expensive.

Started using a mask whenever I was in my shop - wood turning and sanding, and anything which kicked up a lot of dust. The persistent winter cough simply didn't kick in.

Nice to be able to breathe again ... and smell stuff.

My paternal grandmother dies of emphysema ... rather an unpleasant way to go, in my opinion.

 

[spudnut]

either Im getting picky in my old age but I only found 4 good flint at Kalamazoo this year

 

[Rifleman1776]

Knapp your own

No. :shake: Don't try it. Knapping flints is impossible. I know. I have tried it. :wink: :rotf:

 

[Kansas Jake]

True, but if you break off enough pieces from a node you will end up with a few that will work. I know because I have one in my 36 right now that has been good enough for a over a dozen shots so far. :idunno:

 

[M. De Land]

Oh contra r, they are easily made from throw away chert chips and flakes left over from point knapping and a few simple home made tools. Actually a deer antler tine and baseball size hammer stone will do the trick with a little instruction and practice.
Here is one made from a piece of Texas chert.

These are a mix of home ground ,flat TOTW English (dark)flints and chert chips and flakes (light color).

I found it as easy to make my own as to grind the ones I was buying and they seemed to work as good and last longer.
The size on these is 5/8s inch wide by 3/4s inch long for the small locks on my flint pistols.
Just as easy to make them a bit larger for the bigger locks.

 

[Don Steele]

I've always been fascinated with flint knapping.
Of course, down here in Florida...we don't have much in the way of suitable material to start with so I'd be ordering Spalls from out of state. :thumbsup:
Looking at the videos online, and watching some live demonstrations I've seen at Friendship... :hmm: I'm pretty sure I that if I spent a day working hard at it, I could turn a $20.00 black English spall into one, or possibly even two good rifle flints..!! :rotf:

 

[Kansas Jake]

I will say it is rewarding to fire the flintlocks with flints that I made from local flint picked up in my back yard or the local area. I have a bucket of miscellaneous pieces in the garage just waiting to be become sparkers.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Recently I’ve been buying English gun flints from Neolithics @ $1.50 to $1.75 each in bulk, for medium/large rifle to fowler and larger arm flint sizes. As an added bonus, they arrive with all ”˜humps’ ground off!

They make not look as nice ”˜in appearance’ as a well-knapped English flint by Tom Fuller ... but I’ve noticed an increase in # of shots whilst using them - rifle & fowler.
http://www.neolithics.com/gun-flints-bigger/

 

[Rifleman1776]

Oh contra r, they are easily made

My self-deprecating feeble attempt at humor escaped you. :nono:
To clarify, I have tried knapping gunflints but only ended up with small chips and cut fingers. Another of the many skills I don't have. :v

 

[White Oak]

I too have had excellent luck with Neolithics English flints. Ground flat so they clamp nicely. Mine are rather thick which I like in my TC locks. Bevel down sets the edge of the flint higher without shimming.
I know some guys like thinner flints.
Take care
Ed