Flints

[HOGGHEAD]

I know this has been talked about a bunch. And tossed around. And there is alot of information that can be searched. But I would like to start a thread talking only about the flint. Which one is best?? Why?? Best way to mount in the hammer?? Best to use lead-or leather-or ?????

This is strictly for a hunting rifle.

I need to order some new flints for my Lyman Deer Stalker. I have used several different ones over the years. But just looking for opinions.

Also is there a specific place that I can order only a few flints without paying a small order fee and a large shipping charge?? Thanks, Tom.

 

[C Barker]

Try and find a place near you that has black English flints 3/4". I wouldn't necessarily look at Cabela's near you; I think they only have cut agates which aren't worth the trouble. Ace Sporting in little Washington may have some or know of someplace near you to get flints. There is a guy in Missouri that use chert at really low prices and all reports have been very good. I think his name is Rich Pierce; do a search on here or wait for someone to give you his name. I use leather -- some thin, some thicker depending on the flint size. Bevel up or bevel down? Whatever works the best. Good luck.

 

[45flint]

this guy has good flints and the price is right

[email protected]

 

[smo]

this guy has good flints and the price is right

[email protected]

I will second that motion! :thumbsup:

 

[ebiggs1]

Tom Fuller flints are good and if I were you I would certainly try them.
Rich Pierce flints will cost you nothing if you decide you don’t like them!
How in the world can you beat that?

 

[jbwilliams3]

I have a bunch of black English flints from Tom Fuller that I stocked up on a couple years ago. They work great, but since I tried out Rich Pierce, I haven’t used any English flints. I don’t keep track of how many shots my flint lasts, but they do last a long time. Now, I reserve the English flints for historical purposes.

 

[jbwilliams3]

In regards to the rest of the discussion, there are endless arguments fought over lead vs. leather and bevel up vs. bevel down. I find no discernable difference in lead vs. leather other than that a lead wrap will take several times striking the frizzen followed by tightening the jaws for the wrap to form a good grip. Once it does form a grip, it is very stable, some say more so than leather. Some say the extra weight of the lead is a negative, others that it is a good thing. I just use leather and don’t think about it much because it works well.

Bevel up vs. bevel down may depend on your lock’s geometry. Someone who owns the same gun may chime in. You really want whatever position throws the most sparks into the pan. Again, that may depend on your lock. My advice would be to get some rich pierce flints (and if the wait is more than a couple of weeks, buy a couple of black English flints from track of the wolf to hold you over) and just shoot. You’ll find out what works best for your gun.

 

[MSW]

ayup, what jbwilliams said...

i would try both Rich Pierce's and Tom Fuller's flints and see which ones work best in your gun. same with lead v. leather- don't get enmeshed in all the rhetoric, just try it and do what work for you.

 

[cougarmagnum]

I make mine from Texas chert bought on Ebay, They hold up very well and spark great< but then again I.m kinda cheap and self reliante. I have enought raw material for 10000's!

 

[jbwilliams3]

Coug,

That’s very cool. Knapping flint is definitely an art unto itself. I’ve tried and I’m really just no good at it. I have a friend who knaps arrowheads and sometime I’m gonna see if he can’t do a gun flint every now and again.

 

I'll third the motion for Rich Pierce. Tom Fuller is also good but you won't beat Rich's prices,quality or service.
Mark

 

[franky4me]

TOW (Track of the Wolf) sells Tom Fuller english flints that are very good. for a bit more they have French amber flints that are great

 

I have bought Missouri flints from Rich Pierce, and also English flints from other sources. In my experience, if you can pick them out yourself, you can get better shaped flints if you get English flints. The Missouri flints are usually not shaped as nice, and don't fit into the cock jaws quite as well. However, the Missouri flints spark really well...and they will spark well even without a "sharp" edge. So it's really a matter of what you like and what works the best in your lock. I will use either, though I think the English flints are my first choice, but I only buy them where I can hand pick them myself.

 

[shmrck1]

this guy has good flints and the price is right

[email protected]

I will second that motion! :thumbsup:

I will fourth that. Rich is a great guy,offers a quality flint at a very resonable price.You won't go wrong dealing with him.IMHO
snake-eyes :thumbsup:

 

[Ron_T.]

I also tried "knapping" the flints, but I knocked off large pieces and wasted a lot of flint's body.

I found a set of diamond-impregnated files at Harbor Freight... 10 small files for $8.00, not a bad deal... and they work really well in "sharpening" the flints with literally no waste of the rock. A few strokes with the file and she's ready to spark again!

Just my 2¢... :thumbsup:


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.