Flints?

[Smokey Plainsman]

Thanks, gang!!

 

[okawbow]

How close are you to Mill Creek on the Union/Alexander county line? The creek itself, has good flint, and there were many ancient quarries along it.

 

[CyrusP]

Received my 5 pounds from IMA tonight. Looks like 90 useable for my NWTG, and double that of larger pieces that need work to reduce size, sharpen edge, etc. I’d say absolutely worth the $122.00 I paid just for those 90 as long as they work. I’ll test some this weekend and report back.

 

[TNGhost]

View attachment 349364View attachment 349365Received my 5 pounds from IMA tonight. Looks like 90 useable for my NWTG, and double that of larger pieces that need work to reduce size, sharpen edge, etc. I’d say absolutely worth the $122.00 I paid just for those 90 as long as they work. I’ll test some this weekend and report back.

Looks good. You seem to have received a larger proportion of the amber (supposedly French) ones than I did. I found them to be somewhat better

 

[CyrusP]

I did the 5 pounds and hand select. I realized IMA is about 15 miles south of me. I pass within a few miles on my way to work a few days a week.

 

[Banjoman]

Here’s one of my homemade flints which has about 20 shots on it so far. It should be good for at least 20 more. If not, I’ve already got my money’s worth out of it.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Where are you all getting your flints? I’m noticing rhe prices are rising on them and want to stock up before they get permanently inflated like everything else in the hobby.

Thanks!

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/chert.145705/

Here’s a good thread on flints, making flints, finding knappable stone…etc.

 

[Banjoman]

Found another good rock this morning that looks promising when I have more time. Made this kinda S shaped flint. Sometimes just gotta use what a rock gives me. It makes good sparks though. I know they’re gonna be good when they spark as I’m pressure flaking the edge.

Whenever I make these flints, I think about my ancestors who lived here in East Tennessee and southeast Kentucky during the 19th century. Like many other southern Appalachian folks, they used their old flintlock ‘hog rifles’ even after percussion and cartridge guns were available. They were just poor folks and I imagine that like me they wouldn’t buy flints when they could easily find and make them. Why buy a rock when they’re everywhere you look on the ground.

 

[Thomas.bill92]

I pick ‘em up off the ground around the farm.

Seriously, I make my own from chert or agate or flint or whatever we call it. It’s not hard to do. If I can do it, anybody can. The piece of chert in my Chambers flintlock right now is ugly as can be but I’ve fired over fifty shots with it so far with no misfires.

View attachment 347177View attachment 347178View attachment 347179View attachment 347180

Here’s some more. They don’t have the classic look of store bought black or amber flints, but they make a lot of sparks.
View attachment 347187

You're a lucky guy! Here in tidewater VA, there ain't much sparking rocks around.