KNAPPING A FLINT

[D.E.C]

HOW DO YOU KNAP A FLINT?

[IntrepidWizard]

Deer horn or a hard wood and press down on the edge you want.

[quickdtoo]

If you're referring to a gun flint, I use a piece of 1/4" diameter round tool steel with a small step in the end to place on the edge of the flint to knock a spall of the bottom. Just place the tool against the flint and tap the tool with the handle end of a short starter, work your way across the face of the flint until you have a new edge to use. You can also use a knife blade to tap the edge of the flint to create a new edge. I've also carefully used the heel of the frizzen to work the flint to get a few more sparks out of it.

[lonewolf5347]

quickdtoo:can you post some picture on the tool and the edge in steps man I have tried a couple of times bit still can't the flint to have an edge

[quickdtoo]

I'd be glad to post pics except I recently introduced a new shooter to flintlocks and I gave him mine. They're easy to make. An old chainsaw file can be used, just break it to length, maybe 3" long. Using a bench grinder or a dremel make sure both ends are flat and square to the length, then carefully grind a shoulder on one end maybe 1/16"-1/8" smaller than the overall diameter of the tool. What you want is a small shoulder in the end so when placed at  approx 90 degree angle to the top edge of the flint, you can strike the tool and knock a spall(small chip) off the bottom of the flint. The depth of the shoulder and the angle it is held controls the amount of flint knocked off. You don't want to take much off, just enough to produce a sharp edge. When you're finished, you'll end up with a saw toothed front edge to the flint. I like to even it up with the heel of the frizzen just a bit to level the cutting edge just in case there are some high spots, it keeps the frizzen from knocking off large pieces of flint when shooting, and even preventing the flint from fracturing.  hth,  Tim

Edit: This process is for an unloaded gun. I've done it with a loaded gun, but there is always a risk of a spark finding its way thru the touch hole. I've never seen a spark doing this, but it's possible and murphy will always make it likely. Brass works too, but doesn't last long, the flint being much harder, wears the shoulder off.

[Trapper-Jack]

I use a large nail, about 1/4 inch diameter, that I have cut off the top two inches or so and filed a small step into the end like Quickdtoo described.  A chainsaw file will last longer, like forever, but a nail might be easier to work and still last longer than brass.  

Ideally the knapping will be done on an unloaded gun for the reasons also stated, but sometimes when you need to knap the flint, your gun is loaded.  What I do is
1. Definately empty the pan of priming powder.
2. Plug the vent hole with a tooth pick.
3. Point the gun down range while knapping the new edge.

[robin_du_bois]

I find using a stepped nail to be both simple and able to produce a sharp edge.  Do a web-search for flint knapping.  That's what I did and found a very informative article that gives step-by-step instructions with pictures.  I can post the site later if you still need help.

[crazy frenchman]

:shock: Just writing to make note that STEEL should never be used for any knapping. One should always use copper or brass or antler. These items will not make SPARKS! Hope all that use steel live a long life

[IntrepidWizard]

Thank you Frenchmen,I don't think some are to proficient or safe to be around with Firearms.

[robin_du_bois]

I think that would depend entirely on whether one knapps a loaded rifle or not ... making insidious remarks about people you know nothing about is inappropriate to say the least.