another flint question

[benjaminw7528]

 are cut flints any good how long will they last

[olduvai george]

I've used cut flints from time to time but was not satisfied because they typically have a blunt profile and loose their edge quicker than knapped flints. Seems they were also more expensive and for sure harder to knap(sharpen).

[hunman55]

 :)I agree. I wouldn't use anything but the amber or gray flint and I keep a small supply of them. And keep them sharp. AND make sure that touch hole is open before EVERY shot. Hunman55

[fffffg]

  the lock is the heart of a flint lock..  the flint is quite important part of that lock..  i have locks that are very powerfull, too power full for the flint they were designed for.. for these i order square flints from the track of thewolf so i can use wider flints in a lock desinged for a narrower flint. this keeps the lock from eating the flints up too fast... if the lock is weak you use a narrower flint so it can have enought power to shave off steel... ..  i have an ol tower japan made bootpistol. it has poor steel in the frizzen and the sawn flints work best in it for some darn reason.. so try them all, see what works the best.  then put the bevel up and bevel down..  flash hole size is also very important to fast ignition. make sure you have the best load for the gun before you start making it larger..  .070 flashhole has been found by some experts doing very stringent tests to be probably the best all around vent hole size.. keep the frizzen and flint clean by wipping it during long fireing sessions for best preformance..  if your getting chips of flint spitting into your face upon ignition, overlay the flint with oversized, that is wider, leather in the jaws to stop this...       dave..

[Birddog6]

I have found the best flints all around ar the  Tom Fuller Black English flints.  You can get them at TOW, October Country, and several other places.  Once in a while you can find a bulk buy & get 100 of them for about $80 or so which is a considerable saving & I always buy at least a hundred when those buys are avail.

[Will Bison]

I cut my own flint from Jasper (just a variation of SiO²) and hand sharpen the final edge. A cut or sawed edge is never as sharp as a pressure flaked edge.

I use a diamond blade in my tile cutter (wet) to cut my blanks. Is it less expensive? NO. Just buy some Fuller flints. 

Bill                                                                       

[**oneshot**]

I've been using the cut agate flints on my Lyman.  I tried a few knapped flints my freind gave me and only got a few firings.  With the cut agate flints I can shoot alot before I have to touch them.  I guess it depends alot on your lock.