Flint ??

[shmrck1]

to all,
does anyone use or have tried the french amber flints. are they worth the excessive x-tra cost(i'm looking at $5to $7.50 per piece) what is anyones experience with these flints.
thanks for all input
snake-eyes eace: :thumbsup:

 

[roundball]

to all,
does anyone use or have tried the french amber flints. are they worth the excessive x-tra cost(i'm looking at $5to $7.50 per piece) what is anyones experience with these flints.
thanks for all input
snake-eyes eace: :thumbsup:

Wow...I average 40-60 shots per 3/4" black english flint that I bought at a bulk price of $.69 each...those french flints are expensive...I can't imagine them being enough better to justify that price
:m2c:...(or should I say .69cents)
::

 

They are not worth the extra cost. But I would like to know your source as I want a few as collector items (seriously). There is not that much difference other than color between the so-called 'amber flints' and the black flints--mainly color! Both are forms of the mineral chert, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz (SiO2). I well-known reenactor, teacher and writer published a book a few years ago in which he said that the french flints were made of amber (fossil resin)--not true!! they are simply a different color chert. A good English black flint works fine.

to all,
does anyone use or have tried the french amber flints. are they worth the excessive x-tra cost(i'm looking at $5to $7.50 per piece) what is anyones experience with these flints.
thanks for all input
snake-eyes eace: :thumbsup:

 

[shmrck1]

Mike,
2004 dixie gun works catalog. (flints) page 279, item#FA#0140 to FA#0160. it was'nt a dream or i should say nitemare the prices i quoted are there. there mite be someplace cheaper(there usually is) my ??? is are they worth it and i think you gave your opinion. thank you i am usually not in the habit of making things up!
snake-eyes eace: eace:

 

:m2c: Here we go again.. ALL LOCKS ARE DIFFERENT In SOME of MY locks, ambers work better, others it makes no diffrence...
Cheapest source I've found ( PLEASE prove me wrong$$$$$)
http://octobercountry.com/products3.php?productid=678
I now suggest you buy 3 black flints, 1 the 'right' size for your lock, 1 smaller, 1 larger....try each one, bevel up, then bevel down... Next try the same thing w/ Amber flints.... Use what WORKS.... them extras can go in your fire tin... :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Bushwhacker]

I have some French ambers I've used only in very damp conditions. Really hot. Don't like to use them much because they are very agressive to the frizzen. They were a much sought after item by the mountain men.
BUSHWHACKER

 

[Stumpkiller]

I have a couple I keep for "special occasions". They are not worth the extra cost based on performance alone. They are more authentic, if you care, for the period 1775 to 1815 when black English flints were in the hands of the enemy.

They look very nice in certain locks, especially contrasting the darker finished metal & wood of some flintlocks.

The last bag I got from Tom Fuller had some translucent brown/gray flints that I squirreled away for when my French flints are no more.