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english flints vs french flints
- Thread starter longbow1
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alabamaboy said:
I've used Tom Fuller's black english flints for a good 10+ years.
A few years ago I decided to try a couple dozen french amber flints along the way.
They didn't do near as well as the black english...seemed softer, crumbled some, short life, etc.
Never bought another one since and don't plan to.
I have shot both French and English flints. Both spark really well and provide good service. Personally, I like the French amber flints better myself. No clinical data, I just feel they spark a little bit better.alabamaboy said:
The English flints are easier to obtain and they're both about the same price. Buy 6 English flints and see which one works best for you.
rafterob
62 Cal.
I have seen very little on this forum about the French Amber flints. I do know they flake a little differently than the english flint. Throughout history the English flint was the most sought after, but politics and logistics often neccessitated using what was most readily available. What it really comes down to is how it works in your lock. My guess is they will work just fine.
thanks for the replies guys I heard the the french flints were hard on the frizzen because of the hardness when i set out to tune my flinter the frizzen needed to have the angle adjusted so I move the angle a little and it worked better but these flint you buy at the sporting goods store would shatter aftef 3 or 4 shots they would spark very well but just would not stay together
matt denison
54 Cal.
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Mr. Biggs, a man of few words. :bow:
I agree. :thumbsup:
I agree. :thumbsup:
Rod Lassey
50 Cal.
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I have no idea about the modern French flints.
On the other hand, a number of years ago Navy Arms offered for sale original French flints, Napoleonic Wars era. I bought a bunch--they were the best flints I've ever tried, bar none. Each was nicely made, not a humpback in the bunch, the rear corners were chipped to a bevel, etc.----the attention to detail was astonishing.
Now, whether the current flints being offered are anything like that, I don't know.
You might also want to give Rich Pierce a try, he makes flints from local Missouri flint, they're a bit rough around the edges, but work well and last seemingly forever. Rich posts here, and a search of members will produce his contact info. Shoot him a PM, his prices and terms are more than reasonable.
Rod
On the other hand, a number of years ago Navy Arms offered for sale original French flints, Napoleonic Wars era. I bought a bunch--they were the best flints I've ever tried, bar none. Each was nicely made, not a humpback in the bunch, the rear corners were chipped to a bevel, etc.----the attention to detail was astonishing.
Now, whether the current flints being offered are anything like that, I don't know.
You might also want to give Rich Pierce a try, he makes flints from local Missouri flint, they're a bit rough around the edges, but work well and last seemingly forever. Rich posts here, and a search of members will produce his contact info. Shoot him a PM, his prices and terms are more than reasonable.
Rod
Tumblernotch
69 Cal.
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- Feb 26, 2005
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Most of the French flints I've used were originals, both musket and rifle. They all wore down more quickly than English and some even crumbled. Plus, both the older and newer French flints that I've seen and used were knapped only on one edge. Almost all English flints I've used are knapped on both sides, so you can reverse them. I recently bought some dark French flints that are very similar to the English, but I haven't tried them out yet. I would lean heavily in favor of English flints, but keep in mind that no matter what kind you use, you're going to get one every now and then that's going to break or crumble a lot sooner than you expect. And some, no matter how good they look, won't scrape the frizzen good enough to get a spark. That's just the way it is. So, be sure to stockpile enough to keep going.
Are blondes better then brunettes? Each "type" of flints (English, French, and American) vary widely in their "quality". Switching to another type may yield no better results than simply switching suppliers of your English flints (or whatever type you use). I recommend Stonewall Creek Traders for English flints; theirs are the best (in consistency) I've seen. I have no relationship to them.
Again, it's a mistake to generalize that one type of flint is "harder", "softer", "more crumbly" etc. Not all French flints come from the same source (mine if you will) and it is up to the knapper to choose the quality of stone, make the flints, and sort them according to how well they turn out.
Again, it's a mistake to generalize that one type of flint is "harder", "softer", "more crumbly" etc. Not all French flints come from the same source (mine if you will) and it is up to the knapper to choose the quality of stone, make the flints, and sort them according to how well they turn out.
The French flints I used didn't hold up as well as the English flints did. They chipped & shattered several times, I was glad when they were gone.
The Tom Fuller English flints have done well for me for many years. Best to by 1000 at a time if you can, or split them with some buddies & save a few $.
Keith Lisle
The Tom Fuller English flints have done well for me for many years. Best to by 1000 at a time if you can, or split them with some buddies & save a few $.
Keith Lisle
The archeological record at numerous sites in North America shows that the "French" amber flints were the only ones in use until the "English" black/gray flints start showing up late in the 18th century. As time went on and you move into the 19th century the proiporion of "English" black/gray flints steadily rises. The amber ones were spall type, meaning they had one flat edge to be used and the back end was rounded. If you want 18th c. period corect these are the right ones.
I find the amber are often a little more expensive, but being an F&I reenactor that is all I use.
I find the amber are often a little more expensive, but being an F&I reenactor that is all I use.
I find that you cannot have too much flint lying around no what pedigree you prefer. I am partial to American flint. Either purchased from Rich Pierce or field pickups. Some of my best flints have been pieces of arrowheads or spear points that I have found after farm fields have been tilled or after a heavy rain.
I got my flints today they look good they are only knaped on one end . Installed one on my rifle and it sparks great Just need to take it out and shoot it and see how they hold up.If they don't then on to the english flints . Wish I could fine some of the duro- flint
Ok, went to the range today and shot with the french flints I got about 30 shots done before the first misfire . They do seem to be a little hard on the frizzen . That's ok I can dress up the frizzen . The thing is if you are flinching with a flintlock the best thing you can do is to elimate the misfires. My shooting improved my flinching went away and i believe it is because I knew the gun was going to go bang :thumbsup:
rafterob
62 Cal.
That is good. Sounds like they are working out for you. As far as comments about the original ones, I had read somewhere the specifications for military flint. Sounds like exactly the same specs as described above. Would be nice if what we were buying now were produced to the same specs.
Rich, I really like YOUR "flints" even though they are a type of chert. I have tried about 5 diffrent kinds of flints and it's a toss-up between yours and the "english" type. the diffrence is this; your flints are way,way cheaper to buy, your money back guarantee and free trial cannot be beat by anyone, and finally your product is made right here in the good ole U.S.A. !! ThankYou,
nilo52
nilo52
