Flint knapping help

User_Dan · Aug 23, 2024

This flint for my bess has dulled, how do i fix it to get more shots. I can tap the leading edge of a flint and get a few shots out of a new one but now the leading edge is a dull 3/16" and doesnt spark and my tap doesnt knock off enough for a sharp edge.

Ive tried watching videos and still struggle.

discussion, great video links, throw it away?

Phil Coffins · Aug 23, 2024

Tapping straight into the edge will dull the flint, knapping is when you put the tool to the edge with pressure then move the tool to the flat. Watch a video on pressure flaking to better understand how.

Larry (Omaha) · Aug 23, 2024

User_Dan said:
This flint for my bess has dulled, how do i fix it to get more shots. I can tap the leading edge of a flint and get a few shots out of a new one but now the leading edge is a dull 3/16" and doesnt spark and my tap doesnt knock off enough for a sharp edge.

Ive tried watching videos and still struggle.

discussion, great video links, throw it away?

View attachment 344056

I am not flint knapper, used flint touch up yes. What I know about knapping takes a antler and pressure to flake the flint. A real pro could fix that flint for some more use. That flint is beyond touch up. You and I need to pitch it. JMO
Larry

Tom A Hawk · Aug 23, 2024

I think that particular flint has reached its life expectancy. I have a post here on the forum from a few years ago on resharpening by pressure flaking.

bldtrailer · Aug 23, 2024

you might be able to pressure flake or hold in a vise (leather wrapped) and chip a new edge with a step Knapper tapped with a small hammer

User_Dan · Aug 23, 2024

Bldtrailer I have a brass rod similar to your lower left one that I built to fix the leading edge of flints.

Guess I am curious about the next step to take more material off?

Indy Durtdigger · Aug 23, 2024

Go through this guys videos. More than one style and technique to pick from and tutorials on how to make points that show how to remove material to make desired shapes that translate to this. However, it may just be time for a new flint.

bldtrailer · Aug 23, 2024

deerstalkert · Aug 23, 2024

that flint has such a turtle back i would have tossed it when new!
follow the above tutorials and you may get more life out of it but I would doubt it.

Taevers · Aug 26, 2024

bldtrailer said:
View attachment 344059 View attachment 344060you might be able to pressure flake or hold in a vise (leather wrapped) and chip a new edge with a step Knapper tapped with a small hammer

I’m not a very good flint sharpener Trailer, but that’s exactly how I’ve had the best luck. I get something I’m happy with bout 1/2 the time.

M. De Land · Aug 26, 2024

User_Dan said:
This flint for my bess has dulled, how do i fix it to get more shots. I can tap the leading edge of a flint and get a few shots out of a new one but now the leading edge is a dull 3/16" and doesnt spark and my tap doesnt knock off enough for a sharp edge.

Ive tried watching videos and still struggle.

discussion, great video links, throw it away?

View attachment 344056 View attachment 344057 View attachment 344058 View attachment 344056

It's getting pretty short but you can grind them sharp with a green wheel (for carbide sharping ) on a standard bench grinder. Grind in short segments and keep it cool by dipping in water. I do it in my bare fingers so I can keep the heat down.
Pressure flaking is the best for sharpening a shaped edge until they get this blunt and short .

Banjoman · Aug 26, 2024

bldtrailer said:

That’s cool! I do the same thing but with a different tool. I’m anxious to try your method. Thanks!

Absoroka · Aug 26, 2024

As blunt as the "sharp" edge is you are going to spend a lot of time trying to get it in workable shape again. Looks more like the back edge of a knife blade versus the cutting edge. Depends on what your time is worth? I would toss it.

Smokey Plainsman · Aug 27, 2024

Learning to touch up flints is an art that can take many years to perfect.

bldtrailer · Aug 27, 2024

yup

Mike in FL · Aug 27, 2024

Smokey Plainsman said:
Learning to touch up flints is an art that can take many years to perfect.

Must be more to it than I realize. A few taps and mine are back in service. Now if I had to make a rifle flint from just a chunk, I wouldnt know how to proceed. I once attended a "knap in" where everyone sat around in a barn knapping different products. Seemed to be a real art requiring much skill. But just sharpening one couldn't be much easier.

Smokey Plainsman · Aug 30, 2024

Mike in FL said:
Must be more to it than I realize. A few taps and mine are back in service. Now if I had to make a rifle flint from just a chunk, I wouldnt know how to proceed. I once attended a "knap in" where everyone sat around in a barn knapping different products. Seemed to be a real art requiring much skill. But just sharpening one couldn't be much easier.

Id love to learn how at a knap in. Near me in Missouri there is white chert that can be fashioned into gunflints.

bldtrailer · Aug 30, 2024

sparks great very hard to knap Richard P. use to make them from flakes and people loved them ( I could never re-edge them once dull ,but they took a long time to dull)

Daveboone · Aug 30, 2024

How many shots did you get out of the flint from new to now?

Flint knapping help

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