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Author Topic: Flints  (Read 1257 times)

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Offline wormbobskey

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Flints
« on: September 15, 2009, 02:00:56 PM »
Anyone ever knapped their own flints for their guns? I was looking at buying some extra flints for my rifle, but was given a little sticker shock when I saw what they wanted for them. Anyway, I took a college course on flint knapping and still have some of chert and obsidiean that we all got at the start of the course. Does anyone know what the standard size flints measure, if theres even a standard size? I made one already and it measures 3/4X1X3/16. Looks like it will fit, but haven't tried it yet. Worm
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Offline flintlock

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Re: Flints
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2009, 02:18:56 PM »
The size flint depends upon the size lock...

Measure the width of the frizzen about 1/3 of the way down, then set the cock at half cock and measure from the cock screw to the frizzen face and subtract about 1/6 inch...That should get you close...
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Offline stubshaft

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Re: Flints
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2009, 07:39:42 PM »
Go to the "Track of the Wolf" catalog and look under flints.  They list the various sizes for their respective lock types.
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Offline wormbobskey

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Re: Flints
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2009, 02:10:36 PM »
Thanks for the information. Can you use just about any thin leather to use to hold the flint in the frizzen or is there a certain type used? Thanks again, Worm.
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Offline stubshaft

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Re: Flints
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2009, 05:28:47 PM »
I use leather from an old boot (Salvation Army purchase).  All you want to do is hold the flint firmly in the cock and insulate it from the shock of hiting the frizzen.
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Offline wormbobskey

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Re: Flints
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2009, 07:19:46 AM »
Sounds good, I have a bunch of scraps from making knife sheaths. Thanks
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Offline Ron T.

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Re: Flints
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2009, 04:08:48 AM »
A truly honest fella named Rich Pierce makes his own white flints and sells 'em at a very reasonable price... a dozen excellent flints for $10.00 plus $1.50 shipping & postage.

Rich is a trusting soul and sends his flints together with an invoice and a note saying to test his flints and if you don't like 'em, send 'em back.  However, if you like 'em (and you will), then send him $11.50 (for the flints, postage & handling).

I ordered a dozen flints from him to try 'em out.  His white flints gave me a bit MORE "spark" than the black English flints I was using, so I sent him my check for $11.50.   

Rich sent 13 flints because he wrote that he felt my smaller flints (5/8-inch wide) wasn't as good a value as the larger flints, so he indicated he always sends an extra flint when someone orders the "smaller, narrower flints" as I did.  WHATTA GUY !~!~!

So far, Rich's fine flints are lasting about 100 shots per flint and throwing a good "shower" of sparks... and I'm sure I can get a bit more "sparking" from the two I've used so far... I jus' need to do a bit more "knapping" on 'em.

Here's Rich's email address:  rpierce@dom.wustl.edu

Here's Rich's address:
Rich Pierce
504 West Drive
St. Louis, MO. 63130
ph: (314) 800-5018


Give Rich's flints a try... I'm sure you'll like 'em.   :)

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

 
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Offline wormbobskey

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Re: Flints
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2009, 05:11:13 AM »
Thanks RonT, I give him a holler.
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Offline DanChamberlain

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Re: Flints
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2009, 02:48:45 AM »
Rich's prices may have gone up a tad.  I ordered a dozen for my trade gun and it was 13.50, but hey, that's still cheaper by far than the competition. 

I wouldn't use obsidian for flint locks.  IT's lovely for arrow heads, but a bit brittle for mashing against a steel frizen.

Dan
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Offline wormbobskey

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Re: Flints
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2009, 02:34:58 PM »
Contacted Rich yesterday and have a dozen on their way. He was very patient with this ignorant wanna-be flinter and gave me all the information I needed to make an informed decision on the type of flints I needed. Informed him also about graybeard and sent him the web address. Thanks again Ron T, I appreciate it.
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Offline Ron T.

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Re: Flints
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2009, 04:48:16 AM »
You're entirely welcome, my friend...   :)
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Offline JBlk

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Re: Flints
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2009, 05:19:48 AM »
I agree that Rich Pierce is the place to get your flints.They are good and cheap and Rich gives excellent service.I have picked up flint type rocks from my easement road and broken spalls from them.I have then dressed these spalls in my vice until I get a serviceable flint.I made one for my GPR that is shorter than you normally find that has sparked longer than anything that I have purchased.
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Offline wormbobskey

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Re: Flints
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2009, 05:10:38 PM »
I can make a servicable flint from pieces I have and there are large outcops of flint  not far from here. Not exactely sure of the location, but years ago when I worked on oil drilling rigs we drilled some wells on a place called flintridge and was told that it was where most of the indians in the ohio valley came to get their flint/chert. I beleive its called flintridge state forest, but not sure of that either. Has anyone ever tried to knap any flints from feild finds? I have a lot of broken scrapers and pre-forms that ought to work.
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Offline S.S.

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Re: Flints
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2009, 05:00:23 PM »
Iron pyrite (Fools Gold) works also, but I can't seem to find it anymore?
I am working on a small wheel lock handgun that will use zippo lighter flints ;)...Ain't this stuff fun?
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