Flints

[nkbj]

Who has the best prices on knapped flints these days?

 

[Micah Clark]

I have found the best prices to be at historic arms or living history shows . . .even though there aren't many of those, I buy mine at one that happens here every February. . . not sure how helpful this is, I may be speaking the obvious.

 

[Flintlock_bob]

I recently bought English flint from Track of the Wolf, seemed to be the best price I found plus they will sort them by shape for you too.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/141/1

 

[Tom Compton]

Best VALUE may not be the cheapest. I’ve been using black English. Usually I’ll get 30-50 shots, often 100 or so, sometimes they break after 5-6.

I believe they go for about 2.40 ea but let’s say 2.50 for easy figuring. That’s $10.00 for 4 flints or around 200 shots. What do caps cost?

Order a dozen from Track and request flat tops. Then tell us what u think.

 

[trent/OH]

I believe they go for about 2.40 ea but let’s say 2.50 for easy figuring. That’s $10.00 for 4 flints or around 200 shots. What do caps cost?

Percussion cap prices are all over the place depending on what you want and where you are, but let's say they are $6.00 per hundred. Out of that 100, if you shoot 25 shot range sessions, you'll need to pop 2 or 3 caps each session just to clean out any oil. So you use 8 or 10 of the 100 to that necessary purpose. One or two won't go off because you put them on whopperjawed, or got a contaminant in them or some other mis-fire. And fumbly fingers will probably drop 1 or 2. So figure between 10 and 14 won't launch anything downrange. That's now $6 for 86 to 90 caps. Thus they are between 6.7 and 7.0 cents per shot.
So they are between 34% and 40% more expensive than flints at a nickel per shot.

I need to figure out how to make my revolver work with flints.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Best price is Neolithics, $1.50 - $1.75 each in bulk, for English 1x1-1/8", cheaper if going chert or smaller.

They admittedly aren't as well formed as premium Tom Fuller flints are, but they work just as well. And there will be no 'humpies' in the bunch, as any humps are ground off, whilst the flints themselves are hand knapped.

... just my $0.02 ...

 

[chawbeef]

Best price is Neolithics, $1.50 - $1.75 each in bulk, for English 1x1-1/8", cheaper if going chert or smaller.

They admittedly aren't as well formed as premium Tom Fuller flints are, but they work just as well. And there will be no 'humpies' in the bunch, as any humps are ground off, whilst the flints themselves are hand knapped.

... just my $0.02 ...

How do you grind off the "humps"?? The flints are harder than my grind stone............Chawbeef

 

[The O'Dea]

Aye Trent err a 'Thumbs 'what size percussion caps are a usin? Musket caps are big, so you should not be dropping any. Now for those pesky revolver caps that is a horse of a different colour. Now as for this child who has been shootin his Colts Dragoon for a very long time, I have worn a divit in my thumb 'n index finger. Revoler caps never foll out. Now for you folks who have a problem holding them, you might consider one of them new fangled cappers :v Never used one myself, but i really never got into that modern stuff :v

I Remain Sir:
The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

 

[White Oak]

Yup, flint will eat your grinding wheel but diamond is harder than flint. I would imagine they are using a diamond wheel.
My vote is also for Neolithics. Last order was Black English all ground flat on top. I believe $24 a dozen and free shipping for 3/4" X 5/8".

Take care,
Ed

 

[Stumpkiller]

How do you grind off the "humps"?? The flints are harder than my grind stone............Chawbeef

I use a Dremel type (1/8" shaft) Mizzy Wheel with the flint held in a wood block I chiseled a dovetail mortise into.

Use a fan or dust mask. These are "heatless" and used by jewelers to shape stones and gems.
http://www.sjjewelrysupply.com/Mizzy-heatless-grinding-wheels-WHL.htm

 

[Zonie]

I think your calculations forgot the several "Klaches" and several "Flash in the Pan"s without the gun firing that every flintlock shooter gets from time to time.

(Ya. I know. That's what happens to members on other forums. It never happens to members on the Muzzleloading Forum. :rotf: )

I think in all fairness, the cost of flints vs percussion caps works out to be about the same.