Bevel up or down

[Marinekayak]

Not a question about how to put the flint in but..... which one is which lol. When you say bevel up is that the flat on the bottom and the angled edge on top or vice versa? Sorry for such a new guy question.

 

[nhmoose]

correct! IMHO

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Don't apologize for not knowing. We all have to start somewhere.
Hope my scratched up sketch helps.
Flintlocklar

 

[Art Caputo]

Over the years I have run my flints using all variations depending on the particular flint and lock to produce a good result. Probably my most frequent and preferred...

 

[olskool]

Over the years I have run my flints using all variations depending on the particular flint and lock to produce a good result. Probably my most frequent and preferred...
View attachment 46939

yep,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Marinekayak]

Thanks gents! Thats the way i’ve been putting the flints in. Im on flint number three in my Pedersoli frontier and about 3/4 of the way thorough my first box of balls. First factory flint lasted ok. Then turned into a brick. The TOW english flint im using now the first one in got about 15 shots then just stopped sparking. Knapped it on the range got about 5 more knapped again and got a few more so I decided to just put a fresh flint in. I am having a blast with the learning curve!

 

[GANGGREEN]

I find that different rifles prefer different things, but I'm typically a bevel down guy. It just depends on lock geometry and how the flint strikes the frizzen, angle of the strike, height on the frizzen, etc..

 

[ord sgt]

As the edge wears, I sometimes will flip the flint over to get more shots out of the rock. That helps put a sharp edge back.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

so I decided to just put a fresh flint in.

If you want to save a little cash, keep knapping and playing with your flints . If you want consistent good shooting, replace a poor flint. To each his own, but I replace when in doubt and keep lots of flints on hand.
Flintlocklar

 

[hanshi]

As long as your flint hits the frizzen at about 1/3 (+ or -) down from the top at more or less a 60 degree angle it's installed about right. Some locks like the flint bevel down to get this geometry correct. Flints can be reversed, flipped upside down and, of course, knapped. I've had a few flints that were DOA and worthless. I've had them give upwards of 100 shots with nothing done but moving it forward in the jaws as it got too short. Mostly I get up to double the number of shots from a flint by knapping. Every hunting season sees a fresh flint installed in the lock, but I keep all old ones for less serious use.

 

[Griz44Mag]

For the L&R lock I put in my Jackson rifle it has to be in flat side up to hit the frizzen high enough.
For my Pedersoli Frontier it gets bevel up on most flints but for flint life sometimes flipping them over will get a few dozen more hits.
I have found I get the best service life (50-100) good strikes from the French Amber. There are usually a couple of knappings in that count.
The flints I have gotten from Heritage Products have been the most consistent in quality and size.
Happy shooting!

 

[toot]

and the beat goes on, as it should. I also use the bevel that works for me.

 

[Sidney Smith]

What ord sgt said!

 

[smo]

Flat on the bottom... bevel up..
It really depends on the lock and flint length..

 

[bldtrailer]

My siler's like bevel up(small and golden age) my tradition's like bevel down (small 1/2x1/2) my lyman great plains still guessing

 

[Cpt Flint]

I have used both French Amber and Black English for several years now including some heavy shooting days at Friendship. I can't see any difference.
However, the best SuperFlint was a big Black English that was incredible. As far as which one of the two to choose, if you think it helps it helps.

 

[toot]

buy the book by, ERIC BYE, and you will learn an answer too your question. look it up, and buy it and you will learn something from it!

 

[Cowboy]

buy the book by, ERIC BYE, and you will learn an answer too your question. look it up, and buy it and you will learn something from it!

Yes, I agee with toot.

Excellent book to have. If you’re just starting off or been at it a while? It’s very informative and a joy to read.

Five Stars!

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Cpt Flint]

A gentleman shows up at Friendship almost every shoot selling indigenous
cherts that can be final shaped on a green grinding wheel. They are cheap
and seem to work well. I use them on English locks that are hard on flints. Has anyone else used them?

 

[toot]

Yes, I agee with toot.

Excellent book to have. If you’re just starting off or been at it a while? It’s very informative and a joy to read.

Five Stars!

Respectfully, Cowboy


View attachment 47150

thanks , you are so right.